Report to: Development Services Committee Report Date: June 10, 2008

SUBJECT: Pomander Road Parking Prohibition Survey Update

PREPARED BY: Domenic Smarrelli, Traffic Operations Supervisor, ext. 4055

David Porretta, Engineering Technologist, ext. 2040

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “Pomander Road Parking Prohibition Survey Update” dated June 10, 2008, be received;

And that Schedule ‘C’ of Traffic By-law 2005-188 be amended to prohibit parking on the north side of Pomander Road, as outlined in this report;

And that the Operations Department be directed to install the appropriate signs at the subject location, funded through the 2008 Engineering Department budget, account #8402;

And that on-going maintenance costs for these signs be included in future Operations Department budgets;

And that the Parking Control Department be directed to enforce the parking prohibition upon installation of the signs;

And that staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

1. Purpose 2. Background 3. Discussion 4. Financial

5. Others (Environmental, Accessibility, Engage 21st, Affected Units) 6. Attachment(s)

PURPOSE:

This report updates the Development Services Committee on the community survey results, pertaining to a proposed parking prohibition on Pomander Road.

BACKGROUND:

Need to address parking concerns on Pomander Road

In response to ongoing resident concerns, Engineering staff have confirmed that there is a safety concern with respect to ongoing parking activities occurring on Pomander Road. The parking activity is creating unsafe conditions for through traffic and pedestrians.

Engineering staff have held two community information meetings, in November 2007 and in March 2008, to discuss the parking concerns on Pomander Road and staff’s recommendation to prohibit parking on the north side of Pomander Road. These meetings did not achieve consensus from the majority of Pomander residents.

April 22 Development Services Committee meeting

Due to the lack of community consensus, Engineering staff reported to Development Services Committee on April 22, recommending a parking prohibition on the north side of Pomander Road. This recommendation was derived based on technical merit as it relates to improving traffic and pedestrian safety.

Markham Council requested staff to conduct a formal survey of all Pomander residents, requesting their preference of a parking prohibition to be implemented on their street (see Attachment ‘A’). Upon completion of the survey, Engineering staff were to report back to the Development Services Committee on June 10, with the survey results.

Confidential telephone survey details

Engineering staff conducted a confidential telephone survey, exclusively for the 56 households on Pomander Road (see Attachment ‘B’). The residents were asked to select either:

“I support a parking prohibition on the north side”, or
“I support a parking prohibition on the south side”

In addition, residents were also asked:

“Yes, I do support alternating parking prohibition on Pomander Road”, or
“No, I do not support alternating parking on Pomander Road”

Survey response

Upon the closing date of the survey (May 16, 2008), the results were assessed to identify whether there is a majority (as defined below) for a parking prohibition on either the north or south side.

Of the 56 households on Pomander Road surveyed, there were 24 responses. This equates to a household participation rate of 43%, thereby meeting the minimum response rate requirement of 30%. The following table summarizes the results of the survey, requesting resident support for parking prohibition on either the north or south side of the street:

SUPPORT FOR

NORTH SIDE

PARKING PROHIBITION

SUPPORT FOR

SOUTH SIDE

PARKING PROHIBITION

12 (50%)

The results conclude that there is no clear support for neither a parking prohibition on the north nor south side. Therefore, the level of support for prohibited parking on alternating sides of the street was assessed.

The following table summarizes the results of the survey, requesting resident support for parking on alternating sides of Pomander Road:

YES,

NO,

I SUPPORT an Alternating Parking Prohibition

I DO NOT SUPPORT an Alternating Parking Prohibition

11 (46%)

13 (54%)

The results conclude that there was no consensus from the residents to support alternating parking on Pomander Road.

Engineering staff recommend prohibited parking on the north side only

Due to the lack of consensus from residents for any of the options provided, Engineering staff is recommending that parking be prohibited on the north side only.

By eliminating parking on the north side of Pomander Road only, this will effectively:

reduce the number of pedestrians crossing from the north side, destined to Crosby Park;
minimize vehicle-pedestrian conflicts;
ensure the existing fire hydrant by-law, requiring a three-metre horizontal clearance on either side, is upheld;
restrict parking to the south side only where there is greater parking capacity;
provide consistent parking conditions, thereby reducing motorist confusion.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The cost of materials to install the signs is included for in the 2008 Engineering budget, account #8402. On-going maintenance costs for this installation will be included in future Operations Department budgets.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The Operations and By-law Enforcement Departments have reviewed this report and are endorsing Engineering staff’s recommendation to implement a parking prohibition on the north side of Pomander Road.

RECOMMENDED BY:

________________________ ________________________

Alan Brown, C.E.T. Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P

Director of Engineering Commissioner, Development Services

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment A – April 22/08 General Committee Extract

Attachment B – Pomander Road Resident Telephone Survey

Attachment C – Pomander Road Parking Prohibition Map

Attachment D – Proposed By-law Amendment