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←Infrastructure and Environment Committee · 2020-11-05 · 2020.IE17.7

The filed record

Clearing the Path Towards a Safe and Accessible Winter

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The decision

2020-11-25 · Toronto City Council · amended

As filed

City Council on November 25 and 26, 2020, adopted the following:: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to investigate the appropriate equipment required to clear bike lanes and cycle tracks. 2. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services and the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to recommend costed options for clearing snow on a subset of paved pedestrian and cycling pathways in Toronto's parks based on recreational and active transportation winter use.

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3. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to seek and implement measures to increase the snow clearing sidewalk pilot for this winter, including the possibility of obtaining more equipment and stretching the hours of service. 4. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to report to the December 2, 2020 meeting of the Toronto and East York Community Council with the streets that will receive sidewalk snow clearing during the 2020-2021 winter season, the rationale for not providing full sidewalk clearing harmonization, if applicable, and a path forward to full harmonization for the 2021-2022 winter season for City Council's consideration.

The vote

Adopt Item as Amended · Carried, 5-1

For (5)Anthony Perruzza, James Pasternak, Jennifer McKelvie, Mike Colle, Mike Layton
Against (1)Denzil Minnan-Wong
The whole record, all 6 members

Every name opens that member’s record.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

City Council on September 30, October 1 and 2, 2020, referred Motion MM24.23 to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee. Last winter, City Council called for improved standards for sidewalk snow maintenance due to valid concerns raised by residents that Toronto's current standards are completely insufficient in the downtown and centre of the City. It is inequitable that residents in the former cities of North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, and York receive sidewalk snow clearing while the majority of neighbourhoods in Old Toronto and East York do not.

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This is especially concerning given that the levels of pedestrian traffic are much higher in these areas. Residents of our City's inner suburban areas also frequently walk through downtown and midtown, and rightfully expect safe and accessible sidewalks too. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing us all to be outdoors, the City of Toronto must prepare this winter season for an increase in the use of our cycling infrastructure and pedestrian traffic on our City's streets, sidewalks, and park amenities.

Staff recommended

Councillor Josh Matlow, seconded by Councillor Mike Layton, recommends that: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to provide an update on the Winter Maintenance Program Review that includes, but is not limited to, a plan on harmonizing sidewalk clearing standards for neighbourhoods in Midtown, East York and the downtown core, equipment procurement, and budget impact assessment to the October 6, 2020 Infrastructure and Environment Committee Meeting.

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2. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to investigate the appropriate equipment required to clear bike lanes and cycle tracks. 3. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services and the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to develop a comprehensive snow clearing plan for all paved pedestrian and cycling pathways in Toronto's parks.

Considered

  • 2020-11-05 · Infrastructure and Environment Committee · amended

    Decision as filed

    The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to investigate the appropriate equipment required to clear bike lanes and cycle tracks. 2. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services and the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to recommend costed options for clearing snow on a subset of paved pedestrian and cycling pathways in Toronto's parks based on recreational and active transportation winter use.

    Clerk’s note

    The Infrastructure and Environment Committee: 1. Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee by the first quarter of 2021 on a strategy for enhanced enforcement of sidewalk clearing in front of offices, multi-unit residential towers, commercial and retail establishments and any other non-residential addresses that would be legally required to remove snow from fronting sidewalks, walkways or patios.

  • 2020-11-25 · Toronto City Council · amended

    Clerk’s note

    City Council considered Items IE17.7 and CC26.9 together.

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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