Report to: Development Services Committee Date Report Authored: Dec 16, 2010

SUBJECT: Proposed Parking Prohibitions - Rachel Crescent, Forty Second Street & Beckenridge Drive

PREPARED BY: Balendra Sinnadurai, Engineering Technologist, ext. 2608

David Porretta, Traffic Operations Supervisor, ext. 2040

RECOMMENDATION:

That the staff report entitled “Proposed Parking Prohibitions – Rachel Crescent, Forty Second Street & Beckenridge Drive”, be received;

And that Schedule “C” of Traffic By-law 2005-188, be amended by prohibiting parking on both sides of Rachel Crescent, between the west property line of #67 and a point 15 metres north of Bales Way (south intersection);

And that Schedule “C” of Traffic By-law 2005-188, be amended by prohibiting parking on the south/west side of Forty Second Street, between the property line of #75/77 and the property line of #83/85;

And that Schedule “C” of Traffic By-law 2005-188, be amended by prohibiting parking on both sides of Beckenridge Drive, between the property line of #24/26 and the property line of #30/32;

And that the Operations Department be directed to install the appropriate signs at the subject locations, funded through the Operations Department account # 083-5399-8402-005;

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 prohibiting parking at the subject locations to resolve traffic operational issues associated with on-street parking.

BACKGROUND:

Need to address parking concerns on Rachel Crescent

Traffic Operations staff was contacted by a local resident, following a recent traffic incident that resulted in damage to his property. The resident expressed several traffic safety concerns relating to the sharp curve adjacent to #72 Rachel Crescent. Rachel Crescent is a local residential street near the intersection of Woodbine Avenue and Rodick Road (see Attachment A).

Need to address parking concerns on Forty Second Street

Traffic Operations staff was contacted by a local resident, expressing concern about vehicles consistently parked on the south/west side of the curve adjacent to #86 Forty Second Street. The resident claim that the parking activity is creating traffic operational issues, specifically inhibiting visibility as drivers approach the curve. Forty Second Street is a local residential street, located southwest of the McCowan Road & 16^th Avenue intersections (see Attachment B).

Need to address parking concerns on Beckenridge Drive

Traffic Operations staff was contacted by several residents, expressing concern about vehicles parked near the sharp curve adjacent to #25 Beckenridge Drive. The residents claim that the parking activity is creating traffic operational issues, specifically inhibiting visibility as drivers approach the curve. Beckenridge Drive is a local residential street, located just north of the intersection of 14^th Avenue and Brimley Road (see Attachment C).

DISCUSSION:

Rachel Crescent

Traffic Operations staff conducted a traffic safety investigation on the subject street. It was confirmed that three collisions associated with this curve have occurred over the past five years; the most recent collision resulted in damage to private property. Staff also confirmed that the road geometry at the curve, coupled with occasional parking activity, poses an additional safety concern as the visibility of approaching vehicles will be restricted.

In late November 2010, staff installed regulatory and advisory signs to ensure motorists were aware of the posted 40 km/h speed limit as well as the sharp curve. To resolve visibility concerns associated with parking at the curve, staff is now recommending that a parking prohibition on both sides of the sharp curve be implemented to ensure minimum sightline visibility requirements are met.

Forty Second Street

Traffic Operations staff conducted a traffic safety investigation on the subject street. Although no recent collisions have been identified, it was confirmed that on-street parking is a regular occurrence on south/west side of the street at the curve and is therefore restricting visibility for drivers as they approach. Therefore, staff is recommending that a parking prohibition at the curve be implemented to ensure visibility requirements are met.

Beckenridge Drive

Traffic Operations staff conducted a traffic safety investigation on the subject street. Although no recent collisions have been identified, it was confirmed that on-street parking is a regular occurrence at the curve and is therefore restricting visibility for drivers as they approach. Also, the 8.5 metre road width within the curve restricts maneuverability should a parked car be present. Therefore, staff is recommending that a parking prohibition at the curve be implemented to ensure visibility requirements are met and two-way traffic flow is maintained.

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 – Rachel Crescent Location Map

Attachment B – Forty Second Street Location Map

Attachment C – Beckenridge Drive Location Map

Attachment D – Parking By-Law Amendment

q:\commission share\operations and asset management\reports\operations\operations 2011\operations\business & technical services\traffic\feb\beckenridge & forty second & rachel report\parking prohibition (rachel, 42nd, beckenridge) report.doc