Scarborough Subway Extension - Public Consultation Plan

SCARBOROUGH SUBWAY EXTENSION

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Scarborough Subway Extension

Final 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 through Scarborough Centre to Sheppard Avenue East. 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, including the preferred alignment, station locations, construction methods, how to maximize benefits to local communities and strategies for mitigating adverse impacts. A recommended alignment and station locations will be presented to the TTC Board and City 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 and the associated Environmental Project Report (EPR) will recommend a preferred alignment and station locations for the Scarborough Subway Extension. The study will identify any potential negative impacts or benefits to the natural environment and the community and will also address actions to mitigate negative impacts.

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 study area.

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

Figure 1: Scarborough Subway Extension Study Area

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1.5 Balancing Interests

The City and TTC want 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 all perspectives are considered and voices are heard throughout the process.

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 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,

• Potential effects on property values.

The City will provide community members opportunities to participate in the study process to ensure that local interests and issues are recognized and considered at milestones in the Project Assessment Study process.

1.7 City-wide Interests

Toronto residents 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 Toronto residents to 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.

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

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;

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• How access to and from Scarborough on other regional transit systems (e.g., GO Transit, York Region Transit, Durham Region Transit) might be enhanced; and,

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

Residents from across the GTA will be given the opportunity to participate in the study process to ensure that it recognizes the interests of all transit and road users. GTA 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 to learn about the study, work with the City project team and provide feedback in the study 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 provides opportunity for public participation, details of which are provided in Section 3.0.

Figure 2: SSEPA Study Process

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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 milestone notifications, public event 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 in stations, and the project website will also be used for this purpose. Social media/sharing tools (such as Twitter) can also be used to complement advertising and promotional initiatives.

2.1.2 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) The City/TTC will continually update FAQs and provide responses, which will be posted 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.

2.1.3 Project WebsiteA dedicated online project website will allow the City 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.

The website will be an engaging and impactful site that draws attention to, and provides useful information about, the project. It will be the online resource hub for public consultation, and an up-to-date source for comprehensive and timely information about the study. The website will evolve as the study progresses. Examples of information tools include:

• News feeds; • Frequently Asked Questions; • Mapping; • Events calendar; • Project and consultation reports; • E-Newsletters• Online survey tools and feedback forms; and • Project Contact information.

2.1.4 Social Media AccountsSocial media will complement the project website and will allow 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

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questions from other social media users. Existing social media accounts and pages (e.g. Twitter, Facebook) will be used.

2.1.5 E-NewsletterAn electronic newsletter will allow the City to regularly share information with the subscribers. This newsletter will include project updates, invitations to and summaries of consultation opportunities and events, as well as other pertinent information. The E-Newsletter will also be posted on the project website for viewing.

2.2 Online Consultation

The City will use a variety of online consultation tools embedded in the project website to invite public input and feedback at each phase of the project as a complement to traditional live events. These may include online surveys, interactive maps and open dialogue forums. 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, financial 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 sharing tools which will increase the reach of the consultation to a broader audience.

2.3 Live Events

2.3.1 Public MeetingsAll phases including the TPAP will include a set of public meetings / open houses, held at accessible venues that are located within the study area and close to transit. The format will typically be a drop-in style and will likely be held during weekday evenings and/or 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.

Meetings 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/TTC 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.

2.3.2 Stakeholder Advisory GroupA Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) will be established and engaged throughout the study to provide a forum for identified stakeholders to discuss opportunities, concerns, needs, issues and risks related 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, institutions, and representatives of other local interest groups and

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advocacy organizations. Experts in urban planning and transit will also be represented, including academic experts and advocacy groups (e.g., Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, Ontario Professional Planners' Institute). Local City Councillors, representing the study area will also recommendcitizen representatives with particular knowledge about their community.

The City may also consult the entire SAG or sub-group of SAG membership (e.g., 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 within their organization.

2.3.3 Interactive WorkshopsTwo 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 short list of possible corridors and the station location options and alternative alignments within that list. 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 process for the TPAP in a meaningful way.

2.4 Community Outreach

Broader community outreach will seek further opportunities to inform local groups. City staff will offer to attend community meetings to present project information, obtain feedback and answer questions.Outreach will focus on community groups within the study area (Figure 1) and may also extend to groups in a broader geographical area.

3.0 Consultation Methods by PhaseSections 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.

3.1 Phase 1: Setting the Stage

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

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Table 3.1 Proposed Consultation Methods and Tools for Phase 1

Approach DetailsInformation Sharing • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQs 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 resource hub for project information including

the study rationale, project background, draft study process, draft consultation process and draft Detailed Evaluation Criteria and all materials at public open houses. People will be able 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.

• Email List An email subscriber list will be initiated and used to provide project

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

Online Consultation • Comment Forums and Surveys At the launch of the first public open house for Phase 1, stakeholders

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 and proposed corridor options.Live Events • Public Events

Public Meetings in Phase 1 are 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 Evaluation Criteria and potentialcorridors.

• Stakeholder Advisory Group A SAG meeting is proposed early in Phase 1 where the project team will

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

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Approach DetailsCommunity 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: Choosing the Corridor


• Application of criteria to develop a short list of possible corridors • Identification of station locations and possible alignments within the short list of possible

corridors



FAQs 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.

• Website The website will act as the hub for information about Phase 2 of the

project. It will introduce the corridor options, as well as the preliminary alignment options within the short list of possible corridors 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.

• Email List and E-Newsletter The email subscriber list and the electronic newsletter will be used to

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

Online Consultation • Surveys, Interactive Mapping and Comment Forums A combination of surveys and a commenting platform will be used to

receive feedback on the station locations and alignments within the short list of possible corridors.

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Approach DetailsLive Events • Public events

Public meetings are proposed for two separate locations within the study area to:- Provide a project status update- Introduce and solicit feedback on the evaluation of the potential

corridors and the short list of possible corridors- Introduce and solicit feedback on the possible alignments and station

locations within the short list of possible corridors• Stakeholder Advisory Group A SAG meeting is proposed early in Phase 2 to provide an update on the

project, present the evaluation of potential corridors, and present the possible alignments within the short list of possible corridors. 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

assessing the potential corridors. 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 alignments within the short list of possible corridors.

3.3 Phase 3: Recommending an 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



FAQs 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 3 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.

• Website The website will act as the resource hub for information about Phase 3 of

the project. Presentation materials developed for the various consultation activities in this will be shared on the website, and people will have the

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Approach Detailsopportunity 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 and E-Newsletter The email subscriber list and the electronic newsletter will be used to

provide project updates, and invite people to take part in both online and in-person consultation opportunities.

Online Consultation • Surveys, Interactive Mapping and Comment Forums A combination of surveys and a commenting platform will be used get

feedback on the station locations, recommended alignment and functional design of stations. The commenting platform will also allow the project team to answer questions

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

Public Meetings are 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.

Community 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: Final Review (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

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• Draft Environmental Project Report



FAQs 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 4 and information the project team deems beneficial to share at this stage of the project. This document will be made available on the project website and distributed to the public and other stakeholder meetings as appropriate.

• Website The website will act as the resource hub for information about Phase 4 of

the 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 and E-Newsletter The email subscriber list and the electronic newsletter will be used to

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

Online Consultation • Surveys, Interactive Mapping and Comment 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

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

Public open houses are 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.

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4.0 Showing ProgressThroughout the study, the project team will have collaborated and built relationships with local residents, businesses and stakeholders across Scarborough, Toronto and the region. It will be important for the City/TTC to maintain those relationships and to demonstrate how the project is progressing through the detailed design phase and early parts of construction. Showing progress will help to foster buy-in and build trust amongst community members and transit riders.

Activities beyond the end of the Project Assessment and TPAP are outside the scope of this document, but ideas for showing progress in the long term include:

Project WebsiteThe project website could be maintained and used as the primary source for up-to-date information about the project. During detailed design, the website could be used to share and get feedback on design considerations. During construction, the website could provide important information about the process, road closures and how residents can get in touch with the City, TTC and construction staff.

Project Communications and MultimediaAlong with the project website, a variety of communication tools could be used to share information about the design and construction, including:

• Social media• Videos• Newsletters• Advertisements on the One-Stop system• Regular information updates to the project email list• "Tear-away" pamphlets or literature on TTC vehicles• Project information and progress boards at local transit stations and key community

facilities

The community could also be engaged in creating various forms of media that can help to build awareness, excitement and support for the subway extension. For example, photovoice, written statements or short videos from Scarborough residents could be collected to illustrate various aspects of how the subway extension will transform their lives and communities; materials created by the community could be posted on the website and/or used to create a mural inside a future station (see Active Community Design below).

SignageA variety of signage types along the route could be used to build awareness and prepare thecommunity for construction, including:

• Billboards or other public signage along the route and at future station sites to highlight areas that will receive increased access with the implementation of the subway extension

• Special pavement markings to show the route of the future subway

Outreach and Special EventsThe City and TTC could host information booths at frequented locations along the route such as community centres, public spaces, or at local events throughout Scarborough. Information sessions with local organizations/ community groups could also be conducted. An annual "Scarborough Subway" event featuring local musicians, buskers and food could be held to build public awareness.

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Stakeholder Advisory Group or Community Liaison CommitteeOngoing engagement of a stakeholder advisory group or community liaison committee could provide a forum for sharing of information and discussion of issues and concerns around the detailed design and construction phases. This will allow community to better understand the process of subway development and will help the project team to identify opportunities for improvements/ mitigation and work towards quickly resolving or minimizing conflicts.

Community Office and Construction Liaison OfficersA local store-front office could be opened along the route during the construction phase that will provide the community with a drop-in location to get information, ask questions or express concerns. The office could be staffed by construction liaison officers who could also conduct outreach to local businesses and residents.

Design CharrettesInteractive workshops or charrettes could be used to collaborate with key stakeholders and community members in shaping the look, feel and use of the subway stations and public spaces. This approach has been used in other jurisdictions to create spaces that are true reflections of the community.

Active Community DesignOpportunities can be provided for community members to be actively involved in the design of public spaces within subway stations through the creation of public art projects and displays. Innovative uses of spaces can be encouraged such as the recent announcement of the transformation of a newsstand at Chester Station by local artists into a performance space (http://spacing.ca/toronto/2015/04/08/artists-to-take-over-chester-station-newsstand/).

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Scarborough Subway Extension - Public Consultation Plan

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Transcript of Scarborough Subway Extension - Public Consultation Plan