Report to: Development Services Committee Date Report Authored: January 14, 2010

SUBJECT: Denison Street & Middlefield Road Proposed Parking Prohibition

PREPARED BY: David Porretta, Traffic Operations Supervisor, ext. 2040

Monday Iyamu, Traffic Coordinator, ext. 4020

RECOMMENDATION:

That the staff report entitled “Denison Street & Middlefield Road Proposed Parking Prohibition”, be received;

And that Schedule “C” of Traffic By-law 2005-188, be amended by including both sides Denison Street from Middlefield Road to point 90 metres west thereof;

And that Schedule “C” of Traffic By-law 2005-188, be amended by including both sides Denison Street from Middlefield Road to point 30 metres east thereof;

And that Schedule “C” of Traffic By-law 2005-188, be amended by including both sides Middlefield Road from Denison Street to point 80 metres north thereof;

And that Schedule “C” of Traffic By-law 2005-188, be amended by including both sides Middlefield Road from Denison Street to point 30 metres south thereof;

And that the Operations Department be directed to install the appropriate signs at the subject locations, funded through the Operations Department account # 83-5399-8402-005;

And that the Operations Department be directed to maintain the signs at the subject locations;

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.

PURPOSE:

This report recommends a “No Parking” prohibition on all approaches to the intersection of Denison Street and Middlefield Road to improve operational safety and efficiency of the intersection and its approaches.

BACKGROUND:

Need to address parking concerns at the Intersection of Denison Street and Middlefield Road

The Operations Department received a request from the Secretary General of the Islamic Society of Markham expressing concerns regarding traffic congestion and unsafe pedestrian activity near the intersection of Denison Street and Middlefield Road, adjacent to a mosque. He requested that the Operations Department review and implement mitigating measures to improve the safety of pedestrians who are predominately patrons of the mosque.

Denison Street and Middlefield Road are both four lane major collector roadways with an average daily traffic volume of 13,000 and 12,000, respectively. The mosque is located at the northeast corner of the intersection with various times of worship throughout day.

DISCUSSION:

On-street Parking is compromising safety

In response to the concerns expressed, Traffic Operations staff has confirmed that the on-street parking activities and the general traffic operations at the subject location are creating an operational safety concern. It has been determined that patrons of the mosque are generating the on-street parking activity. All approaches to the intersection are routinely congested due to the parked vehicles, thereby reducing the capacity of the roadway by at least 50%. The parking activity also greatly reduces sightline visibility, creating a situation where motorists are not able to react in time to pedestrians crossing or other potential conflicts that may be on the roadway.

Staff recommend that parking be prohibited at all approaches to the intersection

Given the results of the parking study, Traffic Operations staff recommends implementing a parking prohibition for all approaches to the intersection (see Attachment A). By implementing this recommendation, parking will be prohibited near the intersection such that operational safety and efficiency are not compromised. Sufficient capacity for on-street parking will continue to be made available beyond the proposed prohibition locations. Staff has contacted the Secretary General of the Islamic Society of Markham and he is supportive of this recommendation.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The cost of materials and installation of the proposed parking prohibition signs has been included in the Operations Department account # 83-5399-8402-005. On-going maintenance costs for this installation will be included in future Operations Department operating budgets.

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

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

DEPARTMENTS 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 – Proposed Parking Prohibition Location Map

Attachment B – Proposed Parking Prohibition By-Law