Report to: Development Services Committee Report Date: February 13, 2009

SUBJECT: Pomander Road Parking Prohibition

PREPARED BY: Bob Nicholson, Manager, Business & Technical Services, ext. 4893

David Porretta, Engineering Technologist, ext. 2040

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “Pomander Road Parking Prohibition” dated February 13, 2009, be received;

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

And that Schedule ‘C’ of Traffic By-law 2005-188 be amended to prohibit parking on the south side of Pomander Road, the west property line of #47 and the west property line of #53;

And that Schedule ‘C’ of Traffic By-law 2005-188 be amended to prohibit parking on the south side of Pomander Road, from Carlton Road, to a point 30 metres west thereof;

And that Schedule ‘C’ of Traffic By-law 2005-188 be amended to rescind prohibited parking on the north side of Pomander Road, in its entirety, from June 1 to September 30, 2008;

And that Schedule ‘C’ of Traffic By-law 2005-188 be amended to rescind prohibited parking on the south side of Pomander Road, the west property line of #47 and the west property line of #53, from June 1 to September 30, 2008;

And that the Operations Department be directed to maintain the existing signs at the subject locations, upon approval of the attached by-law;

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 recommends converting the existing parking prohibition on Pomander Road from a temporary to a permanent by-law, to address ongoing vehicular safety concerns.

BACKGROUND:

Request to conduct a survey

On April 22, 2008, Markham Council requested Traffic Operations staff to conduct a formal survey of all Pomander residents, requesting their preference of a parking prohibition to be implemented on their street. Upon completion of the survey, Traffic Operations staff were to report back to the Development Services Committee on June 10, with the survey results. However, the report was deferred.

Prohibiting Parking on a Temporary Basis

On April 29, 2008, Council approved a temporary parking prohibition on the north side of Pomander Road and the south side of Pomander Road, in front of the entrance to Crosby Park (see Attachment ‘A’). The by-law was implemented on a temporary basis (June 1 to September 30, 2008) to address immediate concerns with respect to the upcoming Unionville Festival and other events during the summer that would generate significant on-street parking on Pomander Road.

DISCUSSION:

Confidential telephone survey details

Traffic Operations 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”

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 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 survey results conclude that there is no consensus in the community for either a parking prohibition on the north or south side or for alternating parking on Pomander Road. As stated in the survey document, should there be a lack of consensus Traffic Operations staff would recommend a parking prohibition on the north side, based on technical merit.

Recommendation to Prohibit Parking

During the period in which the prohibition was in effect, Traffic Operations staff found that the prohibition was effective in improving the safety and efficiency on Pomander Road. In addition, no concerns from the community regarding the parking prohibition were received.

Given that the temporary parking prohibition was effective and that the community survey determined lack of consensus among the community as to where the parking prohibition should be provided, Traffic Operations staff are recommending that the temporary prohibition be implemented on a permanent basis.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The cost of materials to maintain the existing signs is included for in the 2009 Operations budget.

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

This report aligns with the community safety component of transportation/transit strategic priority.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Not applicable.

RECOMMENDED BY:

________________________ ______________________________

Paul Ingham, Peter Loukes,

General Manager, Operations Director, Operations

________________________ Brenda Librecz,

Commissioner, Community & Fire

Services

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment A – Pomander Road Parking Prohibition Map

Attachment B – Pomander Road Resident Telephone Survey

Attachment C – Proposed By-law Amendment