Scarborough Subway Extension - Draft Public Consultation Plan

SCARBOROUGH SUBWAY EXTENSION

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Scarborough Subway Extension

Draft Public Consultation Plan


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1.0 Introduction and Background 1.1 Introduction

Toronto City Council recently confirmed support for an extension of the Bloor-Danforth Subway from Kennedy Station to Scarborough Centre and Sheppard Avenue. This subway extension will replace the aging Scarborough Rapid Transit (SRT) line. The City with support from the TTC is undertaking the Scarborough Subway Extension Project Assessment (SSEPA) to determine key aspects of this rapid transit project such as the preferred alignment, station locations, construction methods, maximizing benefits to local communities and strategies for mitigating adverse impacts. A recommended alignment and station locations will be presented to the TTC Board and Council for approval at the conclusion of this study.

A Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) is required before the City and TTC may proceed withimplementation and construction. The first stage of the work – the Project Assessment Study – will recommend a preferred alignment and station locations for the Scarborough Subway Extension and will identify any potential negative impacts or benefits to the natural environment or the community.

Public participation is key to both of these processes, and will be critical to ensure decisions are made that best benefit residents, businesses and transit riders.

1.2 Commitment to the Community

The City of Toronto is committed to engaging the public in a way that’s transparent, collaborative, inclusive and authentic. The City wants to make it easy for the public to get involved and invites feedback at every stage of the process – in person and online.

All information and events will be accessible, and information will be translated into languages other than English when it is appropriate to do so.

1.3 Public Consultation Principles

As established in the Terms of Reference, all project-related communication will embrace the following guiding principles:

Scarborough Subway Extension Project Assessment Public Consultation Principles

The project Terms of Reference establishes the governing public consultation principles that will be applied to the process of determining where to build this extension to the TTC Subway system. They are:

Inclusiveness .. engage the widest possible audience through multiple consultation opportunities

Timeliness ....... offer early and ongoing opportunities for participation well before decisions are made

Transparency .. records of all consultation activities will be made available to the public


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Balance ............ provide opportunities for diverse perspectives and opinions to be raised and considered

Flexibility.......... adapt as required to meet the needs of participants

Traceability ...... demonstrate the impact of participant input on decision making

1.4 Study Area

The study area is illustrated in Figure 1. All station locations and alignments considered will fall within the primary study area.

Other impacts outside of the primary study area in the adjacent secondary study area are also very important. The SSEPA will consider effects such as changes to the transit network, city building opportunities, protecting the natural environment, impact on existing and planned infrastructure, maximizing benefits to local neighbourhoods.

Figure 1: SSEPA Study Area

Legend: Scarborough City Centre

South Study Area

North Study Area

Figure 1: Scarborough Subway Extension Study Area


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1.5 Balancing Interests

The City and TTC wants to plan and build an extension of the subway system that will serve local, city-wide and regional needs, and will work closely with stakeholders and the public to ensure that perspectives are considered and voices are heard throughout the process.

The City and TTC invites the public to review the local, city-wide and regional interests identified in sections 1.6 through 1.8, and provide comment and / or information regarding those interests listed or on any that we might have missed.

1.6 Local Interests

Input from local residents will help ensure that the Scarborough Subway Extension will benefit local neighbourhoods, as well as the entire City and broader region. Issues of particular concern to local residents may include:

• Current land use, protection of stable neighbourhoods, and how the Scarborough Subway Extension may evolve and positively change land use patterns in the future;

• Enhancement of existing local mobility (e.g. elimination of the transfer at Kennedy Station, more travel options, faster travel time, improved access to communities, local businesses and employment areas) and impact on other planned transportation projects and facilities;

• Potential impacts on the community during the construction period and strategies to mitigate disruption; and,

• Effect on property values.

The City will provide community members the opportunity to fully participate in the study process to ensure that local interests and issues are recognized.

1.7 City Interests

Torontonians will have the chance to ensure that the Scarborough Subway Extension benefits the entire City and broader region, including local neighbourhoods. Issues of particular concern may include:

• How to better connect Torontonians to key employment areas such as Scarborough Centre;• How the Scarborough Subway Extension will connect to and support future transit network

improvements to benefit mobility across the City; and,• How the Scarborough Subway Extension might support planned land use and economic

development patterns.

Torontonians will be given the opportunity to fully participate in the study process to ensure recognition of the interests of the whole City.


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1.8 Regional Interests

Residents from across the GTA will have the chance to ensure that the Scarborough Subway Extension benefits the broader region, as well as the City of Toronto. Issues of particular concern may include:

• How the Scarborough Subway Extension might increase the capacity of the transit network by providing greater mobility choice for long distance commuters;

• The enhancement of access to Scarborough from regional transit systems (e.g., GO Transit, York Region Transit, Durham Region Transit); and,

• How the Scarborough Subway Extension might support planned land use and economic development patterns at a regional scale.

Regional residents will be given the opportunity to participate in the study process to ensure that it recognizes the interests of all transit and road users. Regional residents are encouraged to participate in online consultations. Regional interests will also be represented as City staff will meet and discuss the project with representatives of various government organizations.

1.9 Study Process

To ensure the public is involved in a variety of ways, this plan lays out a range of options for learning about the study, for working with the City project team and for providing feedback in the decision process to determine the recommended alignment and station locations. The study process consists of four phases; the first three phases are described as the Project Assessment Study and the final phase is the TPAP (see Figure 1.2). Each of the phases provide opportunity for public participation, details of which are provided in Section 3.0.


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Figure 2: SSEPA Study Process

2.0 Communication and Consultation Methods In each phase of the project, engagement will consist of four main communication approaches: information sharing, online consultation, live events and community outreach. Each of these communication approaches are further described in Sections 2.1 through 2.4.

2.1 Information Sharing

2.1.1 AdvertisingThe City will advertise (i.e., project commencement notifications, open house invitations) to inform people of planned activities. Traditional media venues serving the Scarborough area will be leveraged to encourage community members to attend meetings. Print media, social media, information from local Councillor's offices, ads on the transit system and the project website would also be used for this purpose.

2.1.2 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) The project team will update a growing FAQs and responses section that will be provided on the project website. An issues management tracking system will be created and maintained by the project team to ensure that feedback provided by the public is incorporated at the appropriate phase.

20152014 / 2015 2016

SETTING THE STAGE

• Introduce study• Confirm:

CHOOSING THE CORRIDOR

• Apply evaluation criteria to select a preferred corridor

• Within the preferred corridor:

RECOMMENDING THE ALIGNMENT

• Select preferred subway stations and alignment

• Design for the preferred selections

• Identify potential impacts and mitigation strategies

FINAL REVIEW - TRANSIT PROJECT ASSESSMENT PROCESS

• Identify preferred alignment

• Complete Final Environmental Project Report• Develop alternative

subway station locations

• Identify possible alignments (or routes) within the corridor

SCARBOROUGH SUBWAY EXTENSION PROJECT ASSESMENT STUDY TPAP

• Terms of Reference• Public Consultation

Plan• Detailed Evaluation

Criteria• Review corridor

options

ONLINE AND IN-PERSON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

2016 2018 2023

PLANNING DETAILED DESIGN

WE ARE HERE

CONSTRUCTION OPERATION

2014

WE ARE HERE

20162015

SETTING THE STAGE

• Introduce study• Confirm:

CHOOSING THE CORRIDOR

• Apply evaluation criteria to select a preferred corridor

• Within the preferred corridor:

RECOMMENDING THE ALIGNMENT

• Select preferred subway stations and alignment

• Design for the preferred selections

• Identify potential impacts and mitigation strategies

FINAL REVIEW - TRANSIT PROJECT ASSESSMENT PROCESS

• Identify preferred alignment

• Complete Final Environmental Project Report• Develop alternative

subway station locations

• Identify possible alignments (or routes) within the corridor

SCARBOROUGH SUBWAY EXTENSION PROJECT ASSESMENT STUDY TPAP

• Terms of Reference• Public Consultation

Plan• Detailed Evaluation

Criteria• Review corridor

options

ONLINE AND IN-PERSON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

2016 2018 2023

PLANNING DETAILED DESIGN

WE ARE HERE

CONSTRUCTION OPERATION

2015

WE ARE HERE


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2.1.3 Project WebsiteThe project website will be an engaging and impactful site that draws attention to and provides useful information about the project. It will be the hub for public consultation, and an ongoing source for comprehensive and timely information about the study. The website will evolve as the study progresses and could be home to the following:

• News feeds; • Frequently Asked Questions; • Videos; • Mapping; • Events calendar; • Project and consultation reports; • Online survey tools; and • Feedback forms.

2.1.4 Social Media AccountsAn online project presence will allow the project team to connect with a wider audience, build project awareness, strengthen relationships and develop an understanding of community issues and discussions occurring outside of the formal consultation process. Social media specifically allows the project team to reach a large audience that may otherwise be less engaged in traditional public consultation methods – to provide them with balanced and objective information about the project activities, and to directly address concerns and questions from other social media users. At this time, tools proposed to be utilized to reach online stakeholders include Facebook and Twitter.

2.2 Online Consultation

The City will use a variety of online consultation tools (alongside traditional in-person events) such as the website, social media, email marketing strategies, online surveys and open dialogue forums to invite public input or feedback at each phase of the project. This will enable people to participate in the process more easily and at their own time. It will give people a voice where they may have previously been unable to contribute due to geography or social barriers. The City will encourage those who participate online to share the opportunity with their networks and invite others to participate through links and sharingbuttons, increasing the reach of the consultation even further.

2.3 Live Events

2.3.1 Public Open HousesAll phases including the TPAP will include a set of public meetings / open houses, held at public venues that are frequented by transit users and the local community. The format will be a drop-in style and will likely be held during late afternoon to early evening and on weekends. The events will include information boards with interactive facilitated components and a presentation. Members of the project team will be onsite to answer any project-specific questions.

Each open house will be scheduled at key points in the study process to provide opportunities for local community members and residents at large to learn and provide their input into key decisions of the project. The City hopes that these events will also nurture a sense of ownership of the project among attendees and provide opportunity for face-to-face communication with members of the project team.


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2.3.2 Stakeholder Advisory GroupA Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) will be established and engaged throughout the study period to provide a forum for interested stakeholders to discuss opportunities, concerns, needs, issues and risksrelated to the project. The SAG will endeavor to:

• Foster cooperation and dialogue between community leaders, the project team and experts;• Inform community leaders about the initiative and provide an opportunity to hear opinion from

experts and other community groups on a regular basis; and• Solicit feedback, address concerns and incorporate input from local interests into the study.

SAG members will represent a broad range of interests. They will be drawn from ratepayer associations, Business Improvement Areas, property owners, and representatives of other local interest groups and advocacy organizations. Experts in urban planning and transit will also be represented, including academic experts, government agency representatives and professional advocacy groups (e.g., Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, Ontario Professional Planners' Institute). Local City Councillors, representing the study area will also be able to appoint citizen representatives with particular knowledge about their ward.

The City may also consult the entire SAG or some portion of the SAG (e.g., all business representatives or all citizen representatives) during the study when appropriate. Agendas, materials presented and outcomes of all meetings will be made public to ensure transparency and assist SAG members’ communication with their constituents.

2.3.3 Interactive WorkshopsAt this time, two interactive workshops are proposed during the study process; one in Phase 2 and the other in Phase 3. The workshop in Phase 2 will focus on the corridor options and selection of the preferred corridor. The second interactive workshop in Phase 3 of the process will focus on the recommended alignment. The workshops will draw out valuable knowledge, feelings and insight from the public and stakeholders. By presenting the assessment / evaluation and actively soliciting community knowledge and insight in advance of decisions, the public and stakeholders will inform the planning and decision-making process for the TPAP in a meaningful way.

2.4 Community Outreach

Community group meetings will include a presentation describing project information relevant to each phase and to the community group itself. The planned community group meetings will proactively educate and solicit feedback from the community for the project. Community outreach will focus on the local areas where the Scarborough Subway Extension will be located, but could also include groups located within a broader geographical area, should they be interested in being involved in the project.

3.0 Consultation Methods by PhaseSection 3.1 through 3.4 provide information regarding proposed consultation methods and tools to be utilized to solicit public input and involvement during each of the four phases of the project.


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3.1 Phase 1: Development of the Terms of Reference, Public Consultation Plan and Evaluation Criteria

The public will be given the opportunity to provide input on the following key elements during this phase which will be accomplished by means of approaches described in Table 3.1:

• Draft Terms of Reference• Draft Public Consultation Plan• Draft Detailed Evaluation criteria• Potential Corridors

Table 3.1 Proposed Consultation Methods and Tools for Phase 1

Approach DetailsInformation Sharing • FAQs

A FAQs and response document will be prepared to provide accurate, clear and concise information to help interested stakeholders receive pertinent information related to this phase of the project. The FAQs will be selected based on information the project team deems beneficial to share at this stage of the project and their current understanding of stakeholder interests and concerns related to the Scarborough Subway Extension. The FAQs document in this phase will focus on information related to project rationale, the study area, the study process and expected study timelines. This document will be made available on the project’s website and

distributed at public and other stakeholder meetings as appropriate.

• Website The website will act as the hub for information about Phase 1 of the

project including the rationale for the study, context of the project, draft study process, draft consultation process and draft Detailed Evaluation Criteria. Presentation materials developed for the various consultation activities for Phase 1 will be shared on the website, and people will have the opportunity to subscribe to the email list via the website.

• Social Media Twitter is an effective tool for providing people with important information

and will allow people to easily share this information with others in their networks. Existing City Twitter handles will be leveraged to share links to Phase 1 information on the website, and to invite people to take part in both online and in-person consultation opportunities. A project-specific hashtag will be developed to coordinate conversations on Twitter.

• Email List An email subscriber list will be used to provide project updates, and invite

people to take part in both online and in-person consultation opportunities.

Online Consultation • Surveys and Comment Forums A short and simple survey will be offered through the project website to

provide the project team with key information needed for the study, and provide the consultation team with the opportunity to get a sense of what people think and how they feel about the Scarborough Subway Extension. At the launch and for a period of time following the public open house


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Approach Detailsstakeholders and the public will have the opportunity to read the draft Terms of Reference and draft Public Consultation Plan. The community will also have the opportunity to offer comments on these documents. A survey will also be used to allow the community to review and comment

on the draft Detailed Evaluation Criteria.Live Events • Public Events

A public open houses in Phase 1 is proposed in two separate locations within the study area to:- Introduce the project and project team- Introduce and solicit feedback on the draft Terms of Reference, draft

Public Consultation Plan, draft Detailed Evaluation Criteria andproposed corridors.

• Stakeholder Advisory Group A SAG meeting is proposed early in Phase 1 where City consultants and

experts will present an overview of the study, conditions and objectives of the Scarborough Subway Extension to the SAG. Members will have the opportunity to discuss their thoughts and reactions and provide comment during the early stages of the study process.

Community Outreach • Community Group Meetings Each of the community group meetings will include a presentation.

Information shared at these meetings will include an introduction of the project, the study process, timelines and any information pertinent to the group being consulted as appropriate in Phase 1.

3.2 Phase 2: Identification of Corridor Options and Selection of Preferred Corridor


• Application of criteria to select a preferred corridor • Identification of station locations and possible alignments within the preferred corridor


Approach DetailsInformation Sharing • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A FAQs and response document will be prepared to provide accurate, clear and concise information to help interested stakeholders receive pertinent information related to this phase of the project. The FAQs will be selected based comments and feedback received during Phase 1 and information the project team deems beneficial to share at this stage of the project. This document will be made available on the project’s website and distributed and public and other stakeholder meetings as appropriate.


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Approach Detailsproject. It will introduce the corridor options, as well as the preliminary alignment options within the preferred corridor and how the evaluation criteria were applied to these. Presentation materials developed for the various consultation activities in Phase 2 will be shared on the website, and people will have the opportunity to subscribe to the email list via the website.

• Social media Social media channels will be used to share project information, and

invite people to take part in both online and in-person consultation opportunities.



Online Consultation Surveys and Dialogue Forums A combination of surveys and a commenting platform will be used get

feedback on possible alignments within the preferred corridor The commenting platform will also allow the project team to answer

questions that may arise during this phaseLive Events • Public events

A public open house is proposed for two separate locations within the study area to:- Provide a project status update- Share the final Evaluation Criteria- Introduce and solicit feedback on the station locations and corridor

options and the preferred corridor- Introduce and solicit feedback on the possible alignments within the

preferred corridor • Stakeholder Advisory Group A SAG meeting is proposed early in Phase 2 where City consultants and

experts will provide an update on the project, and present the station locations and corridor options and the possible alignments within the preferred corridor. Members will have the opportunity to discuss their thoughts and reactions to these options and provide comments and feedback.

• Interactive Workshop An interactive workshop will take place in Phase 2 and will focus on the

station locations and corridor options and the possible alignments within the preferred corridor. Innovative and engaging dialogue methods will be used to uncover the underlying community values and concerns, and better understand the community strengths and assets which could be built upon through the subway extension.

Community Outreach • Community Group Meetings Community group meetings during Phase 2 will focus on providing

information through presentations, answering questions and addressing concerns related to the station locations and corridor options and the possible alignments within the preferred corridor.


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3.3 Phase 3: Identification of Recommended Station Locations and AlignmentThe public will be given the opportunity to provide input on the following key elements during this phase which will be accomplished by means of approaches described in Table 3.3:

• Recommended station locations and alignment• Functional design of stations





project. Presentation materials developed for the various consultation activities in this will be shared on the website, and people will have the opportunity to subscribe to the email list via the website.

• Social Media Social media channels will be used to share project information, and invite

people to take part in both online and in-person consultation opportunities.• Email List An email subscriber list will be used to provide project updates, and invite

people to take part in both online and in-person consultation opportunities. Online Consultation • Surveys and Dialogue Forums

A combination of surveys and a commenting platform will be used get feedback on the station locations and recommended alignment. The commenting platform will also allow the project team to answer questions

that may arise during this phase. Live Events • Public Events

A public open house is proposed at two separate locations within the study area to:- Provide a project status update- Introduce and solicit feedback on the recommended alignment and how

it was determined- Provide an overview of the expected impacts at the station locations- Present potential construction methods and phasing

• Stakeholder Advisory Group A SAG meeting is proposed in Phase 3 where City consultants and

experts will provide an update on the project, and recommended alignment and potential impacts. Members will have the opportunity to discuss their thoughts and reactions to these impacts and provide comments and feedback.

• Interactive Workshop An interactive workshop will take place in Phase 3 and will focus on the

recommended alignment, station locations and expected land use and mobility impacts.


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Approach DetailsCommunity Outreach • Community Group Meetings

Community group meetings during Phase 3 will focus on providing information through presentations, answering questions and addressing concerns related to the recommended alignment, station locations, expected impacts on land use and mobility, and potential construction methods and phasing.

3.4 Phase 4: Transit Project Assessment Process


• Preferred alignment• Potential impacts and proposed mitigation for the preferred alignment• Evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of the preferred alignment to the

environment and community• Draft Environmental Project Report





project. Presentation materials developed for the various consultation activities in this will be shared on the website, and people will have the opportunity to subscribe to the email list via the website.

• Social Media Social media channels will be used to share project information, and

invite people to take part in both online and in-person consultation opportunities.



Online Consultation • Surveys and Dialogue Forums A combination of surveys and a commenting platform will be used get

feedback on the preferred alignment, potential impacts and proposed mitigation for the alignment and the TPAP. The commenting platform will also allow the project team to answer


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Approach Detailsquestions that may arise during this phase.

Live Events • Public Events A public open house is proposed at two separate locations within the

study area to:- Provide information about the preferred alignment and how this was

selected- Provide information and get feedback on the potential environmental

effects and mitigation measures for this alignment- Provide information and get feedback on the evaluation of advantages

and disadvantages of this alignment to the environment and community

• Stakeholder Advisory Group A SAG meeting is proposed in Phase 4 where City consultants and

experts will provide an overview of the TPAP process, introduce the preferred alignment and provide information about the impacts, mitigation measures, advantages and disadvantages of the alignment. Members will have the opportunity to discuss their thoughts and reactions to this process and provide comments and feedback.

4.0 Showing ProgressThroughout the study the project team will collaborate with local residents, businesses and stakeholders in communicating the study's progress and its integral role of delivering enhanced access to Scarborough with the implementation of the expanded TTC subway system in this part of Toronto. Strategies that the City and TTC could implement to show progress could include:

• Project progress boards at local Subway stations and key community facilities highlighting the progression of the study to determine the alignment and station locations for the Scarborough Subway Extension

• Drop-in sessions with project team members at local events throughout Scarborough to receive project updates and provide feedback on the project

• Signage and barriers at future station sites to highlight areas that will receive increased access with the implementation of the subway extension

Scarborough Subway Extension - Draft Public Consultation Plan

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