Infrastructure and Environment Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 6 items in the clerk’s order. Each carries the city’s own words: the staff recommendation, what the body decided, and its status. Nothing below is written by us.
IE5.1amended
Two-Stroke Engine Small Equipment: Steps to Pursue a Ban
This report responds to a request ( 2023.IE1.11 ) to report back with a plan to implement a ban on use of two-stroke engine leaf blowers, lawnmowers and other small engine equipment because of their adverse impact on air quality and human health. To support consideration by City Council on implementing a potential ban on the use of two-stroke engines, a two-step decision making approach is being taken. This report outlines the first step, which is to seek Council direction on whether Council wishes to pursue a ban on two-stroke engines within Toronto. Subject to City Council direction and resourcing, and following consultation with residents and businesses, a second report would be brought forward to provide a detailed plan to establish, implement, enforce and encourage compliance with a ban, including a proposed bylaw. Previous reports brought to City Council have described the impact of two-stroke engine leaf blowers on climate, air quality and health, and noise. This report provides a compendium of the City's past decisions and activities on the topic of two-stroke engine equipment. Separately, staff have determined that each of the three approaches of climate, health and noise have not individually provided a sufficient rationale for action to be taken to ban the use of two-stroke engines. Furthermore, based on the information reviewed to date, staff have not identified a sufficient rationale from whatever combined or cumulative adverse impacts to climate and human health may exist to recommend a ban at this time. However, City Council may decide to take a precautionary approach with respect to these climate, health and noise factors and enact a ban regardless. Generally speaking, City Council has the authority to ban the use of two-stroke engine small equipment depending on the nature, scope, adoption, and implementation of the measure. A parallel report, on the City of Toronto's corporate transition plan and feasibility assessment of phasing out gas-powered leaf blowers for municipal use, is being led by the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, the General Manager, Transportation Services and the General Manager, Fleet Services and will be brought forward to Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the first quarter 2024.
Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that: Option B - Pursuing a ban on two-stroke engine equipment 1. City Council express its support for a ban on the use of two-stroke small engine equipment in Toronto as a precaution against any adverse impacts to human health and climate. 2. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, the Medical Officer of Health, and the City Solicitor, in consultation with Divisions that operate two-stroke engine equipment, to: a. Identify the resources required to develop and implement a ban on two-stroke equipment, as outlined in Attachment 2 to the report (June 21, 2023) from the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, and any other necessary work that emerges throughout the process; and b. If adequate resources are funded in the 2024 budget, initiate the work for City Council to enact a bylaw imposing a ban on two-stroke equipment, and report to Infrastructure and Environment Committee in 2024. 3. City Council request the Mayor to include resources to implement Option B in the report (June 21, 2023) from the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, in the 2024 Budget. 4. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment and Climate and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, in cooperation with relevant Divisions and Agencies, to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee by December 31, 2023 on: a. Opportunities for clean transition support programs, such as a low-emission equipment lending library; and b. Opportunities for partnerships that encourage and incent a transition to low-emission equipment, with community organizations, service providers, equipment manufacturers and / or retailers. 5. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment and Climate and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to: a. Engage residents, businesses and industry stakeholders on implementation of a ban, including provisions to ensure a feasible approach to transitioning towards alternative equipment and practices. b. Consider the diverse needs and challenges of residents and businesses who use two-stroke engines for their own use, and commercial operators who provide services using two-stroke engine equipment, and a phased approach to the implementation of a ban based on the ability of user groups to comply.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Executive Director, Environment and Climate recommends that City Council adopt one of the following options to address two-stroke engine equipment: Option A - Leading by example in the corporation and community A1. City Council affirm its support for the City of Toronto to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers for municipal use and reiterate the request in 2021.IE25.21 to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, the General Manager, Transportation Services and the General Manager, Fleet Services to report with a transition plan and feasibility assessment in 2024; and A2. City Council request the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to continue public promotion of the appropriate use of small engine equipment and alternative ways to maintain yards; OR Option B - Pursuing a ban on two-stroke engine equipment B1. City Council express its support for a ban on the use of two-stroke small engine equipment in Toronto as a precaution against any adverse impacts to human health and climate; and B2. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, the Medical Officer of Health, and the City Solicitor, in consultation with Divisions that operate two-stroke engine equipment, to: a. identify the resources required to develop and implement a ban on two-stroke equipment, as outlined in Attachment 2 to this report, and any other necessary work that emerges throughout the process; b. if adequate resources are funded in the 2024 budget, initiate the work for City Council to enact a bylaw imposing a ban on two-stroke equipment, and report to Infrastructure and Environment Committee in 2024.
IE5.2adopted
The Vale of Avoca / Yellow Creek - 2023 Update and Next Steps
The Vale of Avoca is a highly valued parkland space consisting of approximately 16 hectares of ravine land surrounding Yellow Creek, a tributary of the Don River. It includes vital infrastructure such as trails, stairs, bridges, storm sewer infrastructure and other public facilities frequently found in ravines across Toronto. The City of Toronto and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority have invested in the Vale of Avoca for many years, undertaking work to maintain trails, protect stormwater infrastructure, address slope instability, and protect and restore the natural environment. The purpose of this report is to provide an update on recent work in the Vale of Avoca and the next steps for capital investment projects to protect and maintain infrastructure, the natural environment and adjacent properties.
Infrastructure and Environment Committee: 1. Received the report (June 8, 2023) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation recommends that: 1. The Infrastructure and Environment Committee receive this report for information.
IE5.3adopted
Ravine Slope Stabilization - Update
At the March 20, 2023 meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, the Infrastructure and Environment Committee requested the City Solicitor, in consultation with Finance and other City divisions and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority as appropriate, to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on options for: a. Requiring the owners of adjacent private property, that would directly benefit from ravine slope stabilization, to contribute to the cost of such work, and/or to transfer ravine land to the city or the Toronto Region Conservation Authority in lieu of such payment, b. Notifying insurers of the adjacent private property of the risk of slope instability, and c. Registering the risk of slope instability against the title of directly affected adjacent lands. This report has now been prepared in response to the request of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee.
Infrastructure and Environment Committee: 1. Received the report (June 13, 2023) from the City Solicitor for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The City Solicitor recommends that: 1. The Infrastructure and Environment Committee receive this report for information.
IE5.4adopted
Parkside Drive is a major arterial road that serves as the eastern boundary of High Park and provides multi-modal connections to key destinations in the City with residential frontage on the east side. As directed by Council in November 2021, the Parkside Drive Study was initiated to explore possible design changes that could improve safety and mobility along the corridor with a focus on people walking, cycling and other vulnerable road users, as a companion to the High Park Movement Strategy. Over the last 18 months, Transportation Services has made several improvements to the roadway to manage vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian mobility. The High Park Movement Strategy was adopted by City Council on May 9, 10 and 11, 2023. This report provides an update on the Parkside Drive Study including the vision for the corridor, public engagement plans, and improvements delivered to date.
Infrastructure and Environment Committee: 1. Received the report (June 14, 2023) from the General Manager, Transportation Services for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The General Manager, Transportation Services recommends that: 1. Infrastructure and Environment Committee receive this report for information.
IE5.5forwarded without recommendation
Planning for an E-Scooter Pilot
In January 2020, the province began a five-year pilot project allowing municipalities to regulate the use of electric kick-scooters (Electric kick-style scooters (e-scooters) | ontario.ca) . In 2021, Toronto chose not to partake in the pilot project, largely because of concerns raised by the disability community about e-scooters being ridden and littered on the sidewalk. As a result, e-scooters are not for rent in Toronto, and cannot lawfully be operated in public space. Nevertheless, many individuals own and use them on city streets, sidewalks, bike lanes, etc. E scooters can offer a valuable micro mobility option that can help Torontonians get around in a congested city, and help Toronto meet its TransformTO climate goals. E-scooters are inexpensive, use very little energy, take less road space than other micro-mobility options, create no pollution at the point of use, can be used without physical effort and in virtually any clothing, and are widely considered fun to use. They can be folded and carried on transit when bikes and other "last mile" options cannot. However, e-scooters pose serious risks to pedestrians, especially people with disabilities, particularly if they are operated and parked on the sidewalk, and they have often been operated without insurance. The city has no resources available to devote to enforcement of e-scooter compliance. There have also been a significant number of injuries to e-scooter riders, especially when riding without helmets. Toronto's streetcar tracks and potholes pose a greater risk to e-scooters, with their comparatively small wheels and wheelbases, than they do to bicycles and larger vehicles. Some e-scooter companies claim that, since 2021, they have developed technology that prevents their e-scooters from operating on the sidewalk, have obtained adequate insurance and have otherwise addressed these concerns. The onus of proof would be on the providers of the e-scooters, under realistic and representative Toronto conditions. As well as many other cities around the world, several Ontario municipalities permit the use of e-scooters, including Ottawa, Durham (By-law 23-2022) and Brampton . The Toronto Parking Authority is interested in exploring whether to add e-scooters to its very successful Bikeshare program, as some other cities have done. The opportunity to do so under the province's 5 year pilot will expire in 2025.
Infrastructure and Environment Committee forwarded this Item to City Council without recommendations.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Dianne Saxe recommends that: 1. Infrastructure and Environment Committee direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the Toronto Parking Authority, the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, other relevant divisions, agencies, boards and commissions and key stakeholders including the Accessibility Advisory Committee, to report back to the February 2024 meeting of Infrastructure and Environment Committee on a Micromobility Strategy as part of a comprehensive "Active Transportation Network" for the City of Toronto. 2. Infrastructure and Environment Committee request that the report include recommendations concerning a possible E-Scooter Rental Pilot Project with the following characteristics: a. The pilot project would be managed by the Toronto Parking Authority, and integrated with its successful BikeShare program. b. The pilot project would begin in the summer of 2024. c. The pilot project would be limited in geographic scope and in the number of e-scooters deployed. d. The pilot project would collect detailed data on its claimed climate benefits, e.g. how many fossil-fuel vehicle trips it displaces. e. The pilot project would collect detailed, up to date data on all injuries and collisions. f. The e-scooters selected for the pilot would have technology proven to be effective in preventing the motorized riding of the e-scooters on Toronto sidewalks and other inappropriate locations. g. The e-scooters would meet appropriate safety standards for use on Toronto roads in realistic and representative conditions, including our growing number of potholes. h. The e-scooters would have appropriate speed limits and would require the riders to wear helmets. i. The e-scooters would only be parked in designated docking locations, never on the clearway portion of public sidewalks. j. The e-scooters would have appropriate warning sounds to give pedestrians adequate notice of their approach. k. The e-scooters would be covered by appropriate first party and third party liability insurance, which would also be available to an injured pedestrian if the rider could not be identified. l. The city would be fully indemnified against all resulting claims. m. The pilot project would be terminated if undue injuries occur. 3. Infrastructure and Environment Committee request that the report evaluate: a. the impact of the possible E-Scooter Rental Pilot Project on utilization of City resources, including police and municipal licensing; b. whether restrictions should be imposed on stationing e-scooters near establishments that serve alcohol to the public, or otherwise on use of e-scooters while intoxicated; c. whether a rental e-scooter program will encourage the sale of e-scooters that do not have the protections described in this motion; d. what options the City has to ensure that privately owned scooters have adequate insurance, speed limits and other protections for vulnerable road users, and e. how other North American cities manage the risks that e-scooters pose to pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. 4. Infrastructure and Environment Committee direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the Toronto Parking Authority, the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, other relevant divisions, agencies, boards and commissions and key stakeholders including the Accessibility Advisory Committee, to report back to the February 2025 meeting of Infrastructure and Environment Committee on the results of the possible E-Scooter Rental Pilot Project, if it takes place. 5. City Council request Transport Canada to regulate harmonized micromobility vehicle safety, standards, testing and labelling, and conduct robust consultation with key stakeholders on universal accessibility, active transportation, and road safety, given the importance of consumer safety and protection, as well as clarity for businesses that manufacture, import, distribute, retail and provide insurance products for micromobility. 6. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health, to consult with accessibility stakeholders to develop a public education campaign to effectively convey the existing By-laws on the prohibition of e-scooters use in all public spaces.
IE5.6adopted
On streets undergoing conversion to residential use, such as Dupont, current streetscapes are often inadequate. They frequently feature a hostile environment for pedestrians and cyclists, with narrow or obstructed sidewalks and no street trees or seating. These features are incompatible both with Vision Zero and with TransformTO. It is the city's responsibility to design and achieve improved, connected and harmonious streetscapes on such streets. However, the city currently has no coherent process to do so, and has not assigned responsibility for developing such streetscapes to any department. Nor is there a process for appropriate public consultation. Instead, the city relies on one-off improvements designed by individual developers for their particular development, and delivered by that developer for its immediate frontage. This process does not and will not deliver a consistent, connected, well-designed public realm with adequate infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.
Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that: 1. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with Urban Forestry, to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the fourth quarter of 2023, recommending: a. how the City should plan and achieve streetscape and road safety improvements in areas undergoing intensification of residential use; b. how the relevant roles and responsibilities should be allocated among City Planning, Urban Forestry and Transportation; and c. a process for public consultation, as appropriate.
Staff recommendation as filed
Infrastructure and Environment Committee: 1. Direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with Urban Forestry, to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the fourth quarter of 2023, recommending: a. how the City should plan and achieve streetscape and road safety improvements in areas undergoing intensification of residential use; b. how the relevant roles and responsibilities should be allocated among City Planning, Urban Forestry and Transportation; and c. a process for public consultation, as appropriate.