Design Excellence in Riverside and Leslieville - by Councillor Paula Fletcher, seconded by Councillor Joe Cressy

To date Metrolinx has not engaged the City on the specifications and design for this proposed wall yet the specifications are being prepared for the upcoming Early Works tender document. It is critical that City's urban design standards are incorporated into the design of these retaining and noise walls. Two City Staff units - Urban Design and Public Realm - work at every level to create beautiful, vibrant, safe and inclusive places on both public and private projects. Urban Design is a part of City Planning and Public Realm is a part of Transportation Services. These two units' expertise and resources are needed to make this project a success. Both of these units have extensive experience and a strong capacity for incorporating public feedback into projects designs in order to improve them; and to accomplish the required design excellence including the highest possible standard of noise mitigation. However, due to the nature of this project their involvement has not been triggered in the way it would normally be, for example, by a private development application. REASON FOR URGENCY: These walls are part of the Joint Corridor Early Works and commenting on the EA report for that is slated to end on October 24, 2021

immediately request the Metrolinx to seek the opinion of City staff, prior to October 24, 2021, with expertise in Urban Design and Public Realm on the specifications and design of the Lake Shore East Joint Corridor retaining and noise walls to ensure outstanding and public realm contribution; and to ensure the specifications on the noise wall are sufficient; and c. request Metrolinx to share all the public comments and public consultation information with the City staff experts engaged on this project. 2. City Council request the City Manager to provide an update report on Recommendation 1 above to the Executive Committee meeting on December 7, 2021.