TTC Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility for ... · TTC ASHBRIDGES BAY MAINTENANCE AND...

TTC Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility for New Streetcars and Leslie St. Connecting Track –

Transit Project Assessment Process Public Meeting Summary Report

July 28, 2010

Prepared by Lura Consulting August 2010

TORONTO · www.lura.ca

t: 416.410.3888 · f: 416.536.3453

515 Consumers Road - Suite 201

Toronto, Ontario M2J 4Z2, Canada

HAMILTON · www.lura.ca

t: 905.527.0754 · f: 905.528.4179

36 Hunter Street East - Suite 601

Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3W8,

HALIFAX · www.lura.ca

t: 902.422.8088 · f: 902.482.7146

3650 Hammonds Plains Rd Unit 14, Suite

350

This summary report was prepared by Lura Consulting. It captures the key comments raised during the July 28, 2010 Meeting. It is not intended to be a verbatim transcript. If you have any questions or comments regarding the summary, please contact:

Lito Romano

Community Liasion Officer Strategic Partnerships, Transit City

Toronto Transit Commission 416.397.8699

[email protected]

Jim Faught Lura Consulting 416.410.3888 x 5 [email protected]

Summary Report – August 2010 i

Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 JULY 28 PUBLIC MEETING ...................................................................................................................................... 1

2 PUBLIC NOTIFICATION ................................................................................................................ 2 2.1 TTC MAILINGS / NOTIFICATIONS ....................................................................................................................... 2 2.2 FIRST NATIONS ......................................................................................................................................................... 2

3 COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC MEETING ....................................................... 3 3.1 HOW CAN THE TTC BEST INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY GOING FORWARD (E.G., TYPES OF CONSULTATION, OUTREACH)? ..................................................................................................................................... 3 3.2 DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS ON MINIMIZING COMMUNITY DISRUPTIONS DURING CONSTRUCTION OF THE FACILITY? ............................................................................................................................ 3 3.3 DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS ON MINIMIZING COMMUNITY DISRUPTIONS DURING CONSTRUCTION OF THE LESLIE STREET CONNECTION TRACK? .......................................................................... 3 3.4 DO YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS/RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE PROJECT (E.G., SOIL REMOVAL, NOISE, PEDESTRIAN/CYCLIST IMPROVEMENTS, ETC.)? ....................................................................... 4 3.5 COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS RECEIVED VIA EMAIL ....................................................................................... 4

3.5.1. Noise and Vibration .................................................................................................................................. 4 3.5.2. Other ............................................................................................................................................................ 4

4 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ......................................................................................................... 5 4.1 SOIL CONTAMINATION ........................................................................................................................................... 5 4.2 NOISE AND VIBRATION .......................................................................................................................................... 6 4.3 LANDSCAPE DESIGN ............................................................................................................................................... 7 4.4 PUBLIC CONSULTATION CONCERNS .................................................................................................................... 8 4.5 SITE LOCATION ...................................................................................................................................................... 10 4.6 ASHBRIDGES BAY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT .................................................................................. 11 4.7 CONNAUGHT / RUSSELL YARD ........................................................................................................................... 12 4.8 CONSTRUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................... 12 4.9 STREETCARS VERSUS BUSES ................................................................................................................................. 12 4.10 ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT REPORT ............................................................................................................... 13 4.11 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS ................................................................................................................................ 14 4.12 TRAFFIC .................................................................................................................................................................. 14 4.13 OTHER .................................................................................................................................................................... 14

APPENDIX A – JULY 28, 2010 PUBLIC MEETING SUMMARY ..................................................... 16 APPENDIX B – PUBLIC MEETING NOTIFICATION .................................................................. 18

TTC ASHBRIDGES BAY MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE FACILITY FOR NEW STREETCARS AND LESLIE STREET CONNECTING TRACK – PUBLIC MEETING

ii Summary Report – August 2010

(This page intentionally left blank.)

Summary Report – August 2010 1

1 Introduction

1.1 Background New maintenance and storage facilities must be added to Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operations to accommodate new streetcars and enhance transit service for the community. One of those facilities to support existing streetcar routes will be in the City’s southeast end so streetcars can access it from the Queen Street East streetcar tracks. In December 2009, Toronto City Council approved a settlement with the Toronto Port Authority to transfer ownership of the selected Ashbridges property to the City for TTC use and the TTC Commission approved the use of this property for their streetcar maintenance and storage facility. One hundred new, accessible streetcars will be stored at the Ashbridges Bay Fleet Maintenance and Storage Facility to be built at the southeast corner of Lake Shore Boulevard and Leslie Street. On June 9, 2010, Toronto City Council approved the Ashbridges Bay site and connection tracks on Leslie Street. The Ashbridges facility is to be completed in 2013 in time for the delivery of the first 36 streetcars. The new storage facilities will be built to Toronto Green Development Standards, and staff will follow best practices to ensure the site is energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Notice of Commencement of the Transit Project Assessment Process for the Ashbridges Bay Fleet Mainteance and Storage Faciltiy was issued on June 24, 2010.

1.2 July 28 Public Meeting The TTC hosted a public meeting on July 28, 2010 at the Toronto Fire and EMS Training Centre (895 Eastern Avenue, Toronto) to discuss all aspects of the Transit Project Assessment Process. A summary of the meeting is provided in Appendix A.


2 Summary Report – August 2010

2 Public Notification

The following section lists the methods used to notify stakeholders about the Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility Notice of Commencement of the Transit Project Assessment Process and subsequent public meeting held on July 28, 2010. Copies of notifications are provided in Appendix B.

2.1 TTC Mailings / Notifications The Notice of Commencement of the Transit Project Asssessment was published in the

Beaches Mirror on June 24 and July 8, 2010. It was also published in The Metro on June 24, 2010.

On June 22, 2010, notices were mailed to all property owners within 40 metres of the site and connecting tracks on Leslie Street.

On June 22, 2010, an additional 18,379 notices were delivered within the area of Kingston Road and Gerrard Street to the north, Lee Avenue to the east, Logan Avenue to the west, and south to the lake.

On June 22, 2010, notices were mailed and emailed to all who had expressed interest in the project to date (848).

Additional public meeting notices were delivered first class mail on July 14, 2010, to everyone within 40 m of the project as well as to all those who expressed interest in the project to date (848).

Agencies were sent notices of Commencement on June 22, 2010, and additional notices of the Public Meeting on July 14, 2010.

2.2 First Nations A letter was sent to the Director of the MOE regarding First Nations consultation for

the project on June 23, 2010. Notification was sent to: INAC – Specific Claims, LMRB, and Comprehensive Claims,

and the Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs. Notice of Commencment of the Transit Project Assessment Process for the project was

given to the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, all of the Williams Treaty First Nations, the Huron-Wendat First Nation, the Kawartha Nishnawbe First Nation, and the Métis Nation of Ontario. First Nation contact information was confirmed by the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and the MOE. Each First Nation was specifically asked to advise of any interest they may have in the project so that TTC could follow-up directly.



3 Comments Received from the Public Meeting

A summary of all comments received is presented below. The comments are grouped by the questions asked on the worksheet provided at the meeting, followed by comments and questions received via email between July 28 and August 6, 2010, which are sorted by category.

3.1 How can the TTC best involve the community going forward (e.g., types of consultation, outreach)?

TTC representatives should use more visuals when answering questions. Facilitation at public meetings should be improved. The TTC’s Community Liaison Officer must make sure the needs of the community are

addressed. A definitive list of impacts to residents should be created, since it seems like homeowners

are currently being left out. (Note: TTC indicated that meetings specific to homeowners’ concerns on Leslie Street were held on July 14 and 15, 2010. Minutes of these meetings are posted on the project website at http://www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv/.)

Mitigation and communication are essential. The TTC should train their presenters to be better speakers.

3.2 Do you have any recommendations on minimizing community disruptions during construction of the Facility?

The community should be engaged through community events hosted by the TTC. Make it fun! (Note: TTC held outdoor “tent events” with representatives from each of the design teams for the landscape design competition on August 8 and 10, 2010.)

The TTC should offer free TTC tickets and tokens to families in the area. Communication with the community regarding air quality issues during soil removal is

essential. (Note: a presentation to the South Riverdale Community Health Centre regarding soil removal, including air quality testing, was posted on the project website on August 13, 2010.)

Use the quietest machinery available from anywhere in the world, even if it costs more.

3.3 Do you have any recommendations on minimizing community disruptions during construction of the Leslie Street connection track?

Host a street festival. Put up funky, creative signs updating people on your progress and the number of days left in

project. Adequate notice of any disruptions to parking or driveway access off Leslie Street should be

given to residents.



Make parking available on both sides of Mosley and give Leslie Street residents that live between Eastern and Mosley free street parking.

Keep the sidewalks clear for pedestrians.

3.4 Do you have additional comments/recommendations on the project (e.g., soil removal, noise, pedestrian/cyclist improvements, etc.)?

Show the community you care about it. Be open and transparent. Recruit street captains to represent their streets and provide the TTC feedback and

suggestions. Practice proactive monitoring over the long-term so residents don't need to harass the TTC. Use marketing smarts and make Leslie Street an attractive and vibrant entrance to the

waterfront and Tommy Thompson Park. Some example ideas include: innovative and delightful signs pointing the way to the waterfront, distinctive street lights, large hanging baskets, an arch at Queen and Leslie with bird motifs, and unique street signs.

Eccentric individuals should not be given a platform at the information meetings. The Russell Yard should be decommissioned. Connaught Avenue residents should be brought into the conversation as soon as possible.

3.5 Comments and Questions Received Via Email

3.5.1. Noise and Vibration Noise and vibration mitigation from the construction and operation of the connection track

on Leslie Street is a primary concern to film operations on Eastern Avenue. A request was made for the slide from the meeting’s presentation that detailed the exact

decibel levels of existing TTC equipment. A request was made for the maximum noise and vibration levels allowed on the new

equipment and track.

3.5.2. Other A request was made for information regarding the method of procurement for the project. Informational sessions about the Design Competition should not be held in the same week

in the middle of the summer. (Note: TTC indicated they would prefer to hold public meetings in September, but that would delay all projects. All information for the design competition is posted online and available for comment until August 23, 2010.)

Questions:

Will mitigation measures for Connaught Avenue residents be on the meeting’s agenda? (Note: TTC indicated Transit Project Assessments are held for new Transit infrastructure. As a result, mitigation measures currently pertain only to the



Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility and the connection track on Leslie Street. However, as soon as details are confirmed regarding any construction on Connaught and at the Russell Facility, residents will be notified and consulted.)

If Bombardier does not meet the maximum and noise and vibration levels for the new streetcars, what is the recourse? (Note: TTC indicated that for the new, custom-designed light rail vehicles (LRVs), all measures are being taken to ensure more rigourous noise and vibration specifications than for the “off-the-shelf” Bombardier LRVs. Specific mitigation measures will be implemented where required based on Ministry of Environment noise and vibration guidelines.)

4 Questions and Answers

The following is a summary of the questions, answers, and comments that arose during the meeting. They are categorized by topic. Questions are indicated with a Q, answers with an A, and Comments with a C, and do not necessarily appear in the order they were asked or stated. Answers were provided by the members from the Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility project team. Answers provided by the project after the public meeting are shown as notes in italics.

4.1 Soil Contamination Q: Are dust control measures taking into account the fact that the soil being removed is

contaminated? A: Yes. There will be ongoing monitoring of the soil removal process, which will

include dust control and air quality monitoring. Soil data, including all contaminants at the Ashbridges site, will be publicized on the project website for the the community. (Note: A specific soil summary presentation was requested by the South Riverdale Community Health Centre and was posted on the project website.)

Q: How much soil is being removed, and what material will be used to cap the

remaining soil after the removal process is complete? A: We are removing soil to approximately grade-level. Remaining soil will be capped,

followed by concrete encasement for the tracks. The capping depth will be approximately 1.5 metres, which exceeds the standard capping guideline requirement of 0.5 metres.

Q: Is it correct to assume that no shovels will be in the ground until the risk assessment

on soil contamination is complete? A: Soil removal will not begin until submission and approval of an Environmental

Project Report. The Environmental Project Report will contain information from



the Phase II Environmental Site Assessment about subsurface investigation of the soil and groundwater below the mound as well as a waste characterization study that has been completed to assess the quality of the soil in the mound. The tender for soil removal does not yet exist. Soil removal will not begin for approximately another 4 or 5 months.

Q: Will there be threshold in the risk assessment for contaminated soil removal that, if

surpassed, will force the facility to be located elsewhere? A: Preliminary data show that the contamination is well within the risk margins. We will

post soil contamination data publicly and use industry standards for strict dust control and air quality monitoring during construction. A significant investment is being made.

C: When the eastern section of the Gardiner Expressway was removed, it was known

that the removal of contaminated soil was necessary. A monitoring committee was set up in July 2002. The committee has been meeting with City staff ever since, even though they often drag their feet. To the TTC’s credit, the committee will be meeting with the TTC in the next few weeks. The committee has been trying to get signage on the northwest corner of Lake Shore Boulevard and Leslie Street to tell people about the contamination.

(Note: Members of this Committee invited TTC to meet at the South Riverdale Community Health Centre on August 11, 2010 and the presentation is posted on the project website.)

4.2 Noise and Vibration Q: You have stated that no prototype light rail vehicle (LRV) yet exists, so are we to

assume that you will be testing the first one in our neighbourhood? A: Although a prototype does not yet exist, Bombardier has built many FLEXITY

vehicles that are currently operating in Europe. We gathered preliminary data from these vehicles since the LRVs that TTC will use are similar to the FLEXITY vehicles. The specifications for the LRVs ordered by the TTC are such that they should be even quieter than current FLEXITY vehicles due to more rigorous specifications for noise and vibration.

Q: You have stated that the LRVs should be quieter, but what are the maximum noise

and vibration levels that the TTC will allow? A: The TTC has preliminary noise and vibration data gathered from current streetcars

and also from Bombardier FLEXITY vehicles operating in Europe and Vancouver, which will be similar to those operating in Toronto. The new LRVs have four levels of suspension, will be operating on rubber-mounted tracks, and are fitted with rubber-mounted axels. Essentially, they are going to be as quiet as a rail vehicle can possibly be. The specifications in the contract with Bombardier ensure that they will



be as quiet as or quieter than current TTC vehicles and that they meet Ministry of Environment (MOE) standards.

Q: What happens if noise thresholds are exceeded? A: The prototype vehicle will arrive in 2012, at which point we will test its decibel levels.

If the vehicles add more than 5 decibels to ambient background noise levels, mitigation will be implemented.

Q: Why are the decibel levels for the current streetcars not posted? A: TTC advised that this information is posted online from the specific presentation

given to Leslie Street residents on July 15. (Note: Subsequent to the meeting, TTC indicated the direct website link: http://www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv/pdf/leslie_street_mitigation.pdf.)

Q: I am worried that vibration from the LRVs will negatively impact my residence’s

foundation on Leslie Street over the long-term. What assurances do you give to help mitigate these problems over the long-term? Don’t forget about us!

A: A motion was passed through the Toronto Transit Commission to designate Leslie Street a priority area for track maintenance. Additionally, vehicle maintenance will be more rigourous for the new LRVs even though they will be more reliable than current streetcars. LRV wheels will be measured and tested every six months. The TTC is paying a premium for the new wheels in order to minimize noise and vibration impacts. The LRV design is such that weight is better proportioned across the vehicle. Specific noise and vibration testing will be carried out for Leslie Street. Overall, our maintenance plans do consider the long-term.

4.3 Landscape Design Q: What is the width of the greenspace around the site? A: The landscape competition area extends from the curb to the retaining wall. If

you’re looking along Leslie Street, this width is about 18 metres. Along Lake Shore Boulevard, the width is about the same, between 15 and 18 metres. (Clarification note: The width of landscape area north of Commissioners Street from the retaining wall to the curb edge is approximately 40 m. From the retaining wall to Martin Goodman Trail along Leslie Street, the width is approximately 18 m.)

Q: Will landscaping occur at the Russell / Connaught Yard? A: As stated by Councillor Bussin, issues regarding the Russell Yard will be addressed

separately and at a later time than those related to Leslie Street, but they assuredly will be discussed as soon as possible.



Q: How are jury members for the landscape design competition going to be held accountable for their decisions?

A: The City of Toronto Urban Design division is overseeing the jury process. They will ensure the jury reviews all public comments submitted in a report before they make any decision.

Q: Can Queen Street be incorporated into the landscape design competition as Leslie

Street was? A: Queen Street is out of the project scope. (Note: TTC is pleased to confirm the winning

design firm will be hired by TTC to examine streetscape improvements for Leslie Street as far north as Queen Street. This was the most common recommendation received from residents at our last community meeting in May, 2010.)

4.4 Public Consultation Concerns Q: Can we still take our case against the site location chosen for the facility to the

Ontario Municipal Board (OMB)? A: The project is undertaken according to the Transit Project Assessment Process.

Once the Environmental Project Report is complete, there will be a 30 day period in which the public will be able to comment on it directly to the Minister of the Environment. The Minister will look at comments related specifically to the natural environment and culture and heritage features. After the comments have been reviewed, the Minister can make one of three rulings. First, the minister may tell the TTC it can go ahead with the project with no revisions. Second, he may require the TTC to do further study and consultation. Third, he may give approval to the project but subject to certain conditions.

There are no applications with respect to this project for third party appeal

opportunities to the Ontario Municipal Board. The site has been designated. The only application that has to be made, the site approval application, is as-of-right. The TTC secured a preliminary project review from the City of Toronto before starting with this project several months ago. The TTC wanted to make sure the City had total compliance with the zoning law.

Q: If the site location cannot be changed, why is the TTC even bothering to host this

meeting? A: Although the process cannot incorporate public input into all aspects of the project,

there are many cases where public input has influenced the direction of the project. At the very outset of the project, an Eastern Avenue location for the Facility was being investigated. Residents and businesses located near the Eastern Avenue site unanimously raised disapproval to this location, which was dropped. Additionally, landscaping was originally allocated to only the greenspace surrounding the Facility



and was to be designed in-house. The landscape design competition was a key recommendation from the community and the winning firm will now be hired to extend design improvements on Leslie Street to Queen Street.

Access to Leslie Street properties was also a major public concern early in the

project. Following intial consultations, the TTC’s dedicated right-of-way option was taken off the table in direct response to residents’ concerns to ensure access to Leslie properties is maintained. Overall, TTC certainly recognizes there are still concerns but is trying to provide many opportunities for the TTC and the community to work together to improve the project.

Q: The public consultation for this project seems to be just a one-way conversation.

Can the public actually effect change? Can the TTC publish exactly where decision points are, where the public has had input, and how the input has been incorporated into the process?

A: We can clearly demonstrate where public input has made a difference. As noted, one example is the fact that the site was not placed on Eastern Avenue due to overwhelming public opposition to this idea. Another example is that the TTC originally proposed a right-of-way on the Leslie Street connection track, an idea that has been abandoned because it would have adversely affected access for residents on Leslie. Some concerns have certainly been addressed, but others remain (e.g., there are residents in opposition to building the site at Lake Shore and Leslie). The process is not perfect, but we are trying to be as transparent as possible. This is not a scientific process, but we must work within the confines of the project to incorporate feedback wherever possible.

C: This situation is uncomfortable for everyone. (Note: Comment noted by the TTC.) C: Public consultation for this project has been unsatisfactory. Money should be

allocated to local groups for legal funding, since local groups are not empowered enough to go up against the TTC and the political panel that influences it.

(Note: Comment noted. The changes to the project based on public feedback were highlighted. TTC recognizes that there are residents who do want the Facility at all and is making efforts to integrate it into the neighbourhood in a sensitive manner.)

C: The notification flyer for tonight’s meeting called it an “information meeting”. There

is a lack of defined ways for citizens to be engaged and understand their rights and responsibilities.

(Note: The purpose of the meeting was to gather input on specific concerns and bring them to the attention of the planning team. Part of the presentation outlines the Transit Project Assessment



Process and planning context. Previously, staff notified all residents prior to the City Council process to ensure they could depute directly to elected officials before a decision was made on the site. Motions were made at Council to ensure mitigation will be implemented where it is required and to ensure the project is integrated into Martin Goodman Trail and Leslie Greening.)

4.5 Site Location Q: Will the new facility function like the Hillcrest Yard? If so, why not retrofit Hillcrest

to accommodate the new LRVs? A: Hillcrest is used for overhauls, not regular maintenance. Hillcrest will maintain its

function once the new LRVs arrive. The Ashbridges facility will function like the Roncesvalles and Russell Yards do now, in that it will be used for regular maintenance and LRV storage purposes. Thus, the Ashbridges site is necessary to accommodate the new LRVs. There is also insufficient room at Hillcrest.

Q: Tours of the Hillcrest, Roncesvalles, and Russell Yards should be provided to

interested members of the community to let us understand what is being built in our area. The air quality outside of Hillcrest was awful today. I walked around it and it emitted many volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If similar pollutants are going to exude from the Ashbridges Yard, people using the Martin Goodman Trail will be adversely affected. Will you allow the community to have a tour of Hillcrest?

A: Historically, Hillcrest has not provided tours, but we will check again to see if this might be possible.

(Note: The request was once again made and staff were advised by the General Superintendent of Rail Cars that tours are not given at Hillcrest. The following information was also provided:

Hillcrest — specifically Harvey Shop — is a backshop operation providing support for major

overhauls and/or repairs on TTC’s streetcar and bus fleets. TTC does not operate revenue service out the Hillcrest facility due to the lack of space, its location, and the significant vehicular traffic in and out of the yard.

With the arrival of the new low floor LRVs the operation will change slightly due to the size of the

new cars. Our current fleet is made up mostly of LRVs that are 15.3 meters in length; whereas the new LRVs will be 30 meters in length. These new cars will not fit in the existing maintenance bays at Harvey Shop (at Hillcrest), nor is the height of the existing building suitable for maintenance of the roof-mounted equipment on the new cars. Major and minor components will be removed from the cars at the Roncesvalles, Russell, and Ashbridges Bay facilities and then transferred to Harvey Shop for overhaul or repair.

As far as the suggestion that VOC emissions at Hillcrest are not meeting MOE standards, TTC

is well within the required limits, as overseen by the Safety Department’s Environment Services.)



Q: Would it be possible for the new council (following the municipal election in October) to review and reconsider the decision to build the maintenance and storage facility at the Ashbridges Bay site?

A: Given that there is a twelve month window in which Council may overturn a decision, altering the decision is possible but highly unlikely. This is a necessary facility, and there is little will to change the location. (Note: The other location at Unwin that received public support in the June 2009 meetings was not selected for many reasons such as multiple railway crossings and the need for a new bridge to replace an existing one-lane bridge.)

C: Ashbridges Bay is an inappropriate location for the facility. (Note: Opposition to this site is recognized and TTC is trying to do what it can to address concerns.

TTC has to construct similar facilities across Toronto for future Transit City expansion and it is very difficult to locate such facilities that are needed to support transit.)

4.6 Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant Q: Missing from the list of impacts in your presentation is the fact that this facility is

going to take away land from the Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant (ABTP). You will be misinforming the province by omitting this fact from the Environmental Project Report. Why have you omitted this important impact?

A: Toronto Water has indicated publicly that it does not need the land for plant expansion. (Note: A community meeting was held on this specific topic on April 19, 2010, the minutes of which are posted on the project website. The General Manager of Toronto Water confirmed that the land adjacent to the ABTP for the future TTC facility is not needed for future wastewater capacity at the ABTP. The proposed TTC facility would not affect plant operations and all future needs can be accommodated without that parcel of land.)

Q: How will the Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant meet its odour

requirement at the new maintenance facility where the impacts are likely to be high? Will it cost more to mitigate the odours?

A: The question of odours will be confirmed by Toronto Water. (Note: Toronto Water has subsequently indicated that there will be no additional costs to meet their odour requirements.)

Q: How will the Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant be concealed after the

berm is removed? A: The maintenance building will be approximately 14 metres high, which is

approximately the same height as the berm, so the Facility will block the view of the plant in a similar way to the berm.



4.7 Connaught / Russell Yard Q: Residents on Connaught Avenue presently have the same problems that will affect

Leslie Street in the future. There is no dust control in place right now, and we have to clean our windows daily. There are no mitigation measures in place. We have to constantly advocate for ourselves. The air quality on Connaught is poor, so I fear for Leslie. Why have Connaught Avenue residents not been included in the mitigation plan and process? Can we be included? Will the TTC commit to being proactive on this issue?

A: The TTC went door-to-door to ensure Connaught residents became involved in this project before the route for the connection track was chosen and Connaught Avenue was being considered. There was much opposition to using Connaught Avenue and it was important that Connaught residents were able to raise these concerns at the April meeting. We will talk to City Services regarding cleaning the dust. The Ashbridges Bay project is new infrastructure and that is why it is undergoing a Transit Project Assessment as compared to Connaught Street. The process for installing mitigation measures is different for new facilities and existing facilities, so the situation on Connaught is different than that on Leslie. That said, the concerns are important and we will follow-up to confirm when new tracks will be installed on Connaught to reduce noise and vibration on your street. (Note: Councillor Bussin added that Connaught Avenue residents will go through a similar mitigation process but at a later date, and that this she had made a motion to this effect at Council.)

Q: Will noise be mitigated at the Russell Yard? A: This issue will be examined at a later date. Replacement of the tracks is the first step.

4.8 Construction Q: Was it indicated in your presentation that vegetation removal will begin August 1? A: No. To clarify, it was indicated that due to the Migratory Birds Act, vegetation

removal will be only be allowed between August 1 and April 14 in any given year. TTC will not begin any soil removal until the Transit Project Assessment is completed.

4.9 Streetcars versus Buses Q: Streetcars are not the best option for public transit. Electric buses are superior due

to the facts they can circumvent obstacles, they are far less expensive than LRVs, and they will likely run more frequently than LRVs. Why are electric buses not being considered?

A: Buses do not attract the same ridership as LRVs. LRVs have a much higher passenger capacity than buses. On high-density routes, you would need many buses



to match the passenger capacity of LRVs, including a greater number of drivers. To install by-pass lanes to allow buses to pull over would likely require permanent removal of parking spaces on downtown streets. In the long-term, LRVs are more cost-effective than buses. Vehicle “bunching” will be reduced with the new LRVs. In sum, there is a whole series of advantages for LRVs compared to buses.

Q: Electric buses are one-twelfth the cost of LRVs, not including infrastructure costs.

Why are electric buses not being considered on a purely fiscal level? A: Analysis shows that LRVs are a cheaper option in the long-run. (Note: Equally

important is that LRVs draw more ridership than buses can. It would also take multiple buses on the road to match the capacity of one LRV, so the operating costs for LRVs are more efficient.)

4.10 Environmental Project Report Q: Who is writing the Environmental Project Report (EPR)? A: The EPR is being written jointly by AECOM and the TTC. Q: When and where will the EPR be made available? A: A notice of completion will be widely posted and distributed once the EPR is

complete. It will be available on the project website, at the South Riverdale Community Health Centre, and at various libraries. If you have other suggestions as to where hard copies should be made available, please let us know.

Q: What is addressed in the EPR? A: Five main topics are addressed in the EPR: natural environment (e.g., soil, water,); air

quality (e.g., mitigation during construction, monitoring, dust control); traffic and transportation (e.g., detailed traffic reports, mitigation through signal changes); socio-economic and land use environment (e.g., property values, cash-in-lieu options); and noise and vibration (e.g., current noise and vibration data, commitments from the TTC for mitigation throughout the project).

Q: Will the report be explained to us through public consultation? A: We will prepare a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to address common

questions and concerns. The EPR will have an executive summary to help facilitate the understanding of its contents. If you have specific questions about the EPR, you are encouraged to contact Lito Romano, the Community Liaison Officer, and/or go into the TTC office where we would be pleased to talk to you about the report directly.



4.11 Design Considerations Q: I am pleased about the landscape design competition, as the aesthetics of the site are

important. In the same vein, the building in the facility should not be utilitarian, but should rather be iconic. Will there be a design panel to review the building design, and if not, why not?

A: The TTC is committed to design excellence. The plans are going to the City of Toronto’s design review panel for their input in September.

Q: How is public input helping to ensure the design of the building is iconic? A: The building has been designed by Strasman Architects to be modern, state-of-the-

art, and iconic. It will incorporate unique wave forms, lots of glass, and one section will replicate the aesthetics of an early type of streetcar. It will be built to Toronto Green Development Standards.

4.12 Traffic Q: Has the traffic study looked at increased traffic on Knox Avenue due to hindered

access on Leslie Street? A: Knox Avenue is not currently included in the traffic study. We will look into this,

but please recall that the majority of the LRV traffic will occur outside of normal rush hour periods.

C: The traffic impact will be substantial. The last traffic study conducted in the area is

from 2005. Council voted on this project without enough information about traffic impacts.

(Note: A draft Executive Summary which included preliminary findings from the traffic study was presented to Council before the vote on June 9, 2010.)

4.13 Other Q: Streetcars on the 501 route often short-turned instead of going to Neville Park. Will

this problem be remedied with the new LRVs? A: We will pass this concern on to the TTC’s service planning group. (Note: TTC Service

Planning subsequently provided the following update: The new LRVs will allow TTC to better regulate service on all of the existing streetcar routes, including 501 Queen, which will reduce the number of short-turns required to maintain scheduled service. However, because the 501 route operates in mixed traffic and is subject to traffic delays and events (e.g., non-TTC construction) which interrupt regular service, we expect there will continue to be a requirement for some degree of short-turning on the route after the arrival of the new LRVs.)



C: I attended and recorded the Council debate on this project, and you may be interested to know that Councillor Bussin voted in favour of placing the facility at the Ashbridges Bay site.



Appendix A – July 28, 2010 Public Meeting Summary

TTC Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility for New Streetcars and Leslie Street Connecting Track On July 28, 2010, the TTC held a public meeting from approximately 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. to discuss the Transit Project Assessment Process for the TTC Ashbridges Bay Facility including Leslie Street connection tracks. The meeting was held at the Toronto Fire and EMS Training Centre (895 Eastern Avenue, Toronto). The meeting facilitator, Jim Faught of Lura Consulting welcomed attendees and outlined the agenda for the meeting. After some welcoming remarks, Adrienne Long of the TTC delivered a presentation. The rest of the agenda was devoted to a question and answer period between attendees and the project team. Councillor Sandra Bussin (Beaches-East York, Ward 32) thanked the audience for their attendance, and explained that this meeting was the third in a series of meetings regarding the Leslie Street connecting track for the Maintenance and Storage Facility. Previous to this meeting, the project team met with homeowners and businesses on Leslie Street. Similar meetings will be conducted with Connaught Avenue residents, but this undertaking will be separate from the Leslie Street mitigation strategy. Councillor Bussin also made reference to the Landscape Design Competition for the site, asking the community to please look at the three plans posted online. She announced that information meetings about the designs would be taking place on August 8th, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Lake Shore Boulevard and Leslie Street and on August 10th, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ashbridges Bay Park (Lake Shore Boulevard and Coxwell Avenue). Input from the community about the designs is very important for the decision-making process, and will be reported to a design jury. Following Councillor Bussin, David Nagler of the TTC provided some additional opening remarks. He stated that the TTC was looking forward to working with residents on enhanced streetscape options on Leslie Street, and acknowledged that this has been an extremely difficult project. David thanked the community for devoting so much of its time to discussing these important issues. He cited some examples of the influence public input has had on the project, such as the TTC’s decision to abandon a right-of-way track system for the new streetcars in order to maintain access levels in and out of residences and businesses on Leslie Street. David also reminded community members of the informational sessions regarding the Landscape Design Competition being held on Augsust 8th and 10th. The designs were influenced by public feedback from a meeting on the competition held on May 19th, 2010, and residents should indicate their preference. The TTC will be taking comments on the design options until August 23rd, and a report summarizing all feedback will be posted online shortly afterwards. Finally,



David noted that the project – while extremely difficult – will allow the TTC to provide the needed maintenance to increase the carrying capacity of its streetcar fleet by thirty percent, and also increase accessibility for all streetcar users. Service on the 501 should be improved for the local community. Following David’s opening remarks, Jim Faught noted that a comment form was available on the meeting’s handout, and encouraged the community to submit their thoughts. Before giving the floor to Adrienne Long, Jim asked that audience members hold their questions until after the presentation. Adrienne Long of the TTC welcomed attendees and delivered a presentation on the potential effects and mitigation strategies for the Leslie Street connection track for the Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility in anticipation of the arrival of the TTC’s new Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) in 2013. Adrienne explained some of the potential impacts of the connection track, such as increased noise levels. The process and the timing of the project were presented, including issues regarding property issues, structural impacts, and construction management. The main subject matter of the Environmental Project Report was outlined. Several of the designs to reduce noise from the LRVs and their tracks were explained. Following a question and answer period, the meeting was adjourned. Presentation slides from this meeting will be posted on the project website at http://www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv/pdf/2010-07-28_presentation.pdf.



Appendix B – Public Meeting Notification

Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility for New Streetcars and Leslie St. Connecting Track

Notice of Public MeetingWednesday July 28, 2010

The Toronto Transit Commission is hosting an information meeting on the Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility and the associated connecting track. This is an opportunity to learn more about this facility and the measures that are being considered to provide a reliable and fully accessible transit service. The meeting will address impacts and mitigation measures for such issues, as the removal of contaminated soil, noise and vibration levels and traffic associated with this project. Meeting Details Date: Wednesday July 28, 2010 Time : 6:30pm – 9:00pm Location: Toronto EMS and Fire Academy (895 Eastern Avenue) Project Background The City of Toronto and the Toronto Transit Commission have ordered 204 new streetcars (Light Rail Vehicles) which will provide significant improvements:

Low‐floor accessibility for people with disabilities, seniors and families with strollers, bicycle storage

Almost double the capacity of current streetcars Multiple doors and a proof of payment system to significantly speed boarding and exiting

Design enhancements to reduce noise and vibration

The TTC and Toronto Council have approved a new facility for the storage of one hundred new streetcars at the Ashbridges Bay site, located at the southeast corner of Lake Shore Boulevard East and Leslie Street. The approval also includes the Leslie Street connection track, from Queen Street to Commissioner Street. This facility is required to support the new streetcars

http://home.ttc/�

which will begin to replace the current fleet in 2013. Background details are available at: www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv Transit Project Assessment Process The environmental impact of the Ashbridges Bay LRV Maintenance and Storage Facility and connection tracks will be assessed in accordance with the Transit Project Assessment (TPA) Process as prescribed in Ontario Regulation 231/08, Transit Projects and Greater Toronto Transportation Authority Undertakings (2008). As part of the Transit Project Assessment Process, the TTC is holding a Public Meeting to present the proposed site layout for the Maintenance and Storage Facility and the connection track, along with its potential effects and recommended mitigation measures. There will be an opportunity to incorporate comments received from the Public Meeting into the Environmental Project Report (EPR). A public notice of study completion will then be issued to commence the 30 day review period for the EPR.. Contact Us Please forward all comments and questions by August 6, 2010 to: Lito Romano TTC Community Liaison 5160 Yonge Street, 13th Floor Toronto, ON M2N 6L9 www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv Tel: 416‐397‐8699 Fax: 416‐338‐0279 E‐mail: [email protected] Under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act and the Environmental Assessment Act, unless otherwise stated in the submission, any personal information such as name, address, telephone number and property location included in a submission will become part of the public record for this matter and will be released if requested to any person.

Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility for New Streetcars and Leslie Street Connecting Track

Notice of Commencement of Transit Project Assessment Process

Background

The City of Toronto and the Toronto Transit Commission have ordered 204 new streetcars (Light Rail Vehicles) which will provide significant customer service improvements:

> Low-floor accessibility for people with disabilities, seniors, families with strollers, bicycle storage

> Almost double the passenger capacity of current streetcars

> Multiple doors and a proof of payment system to increase the speed of boarding and exiting

> Design enhancements to reduce noise and vibration

The Project

A new Maintenance and Storage Facility is required to support the new streetcars which will begin to replace the current fleet in 2013. One hundred of the 204 new streetcars will be stored at the Ashbridges Bay site, located at the southeast corner of Lake Shore Boulevard East and Leslie Street. Connection tracks to the Facility will be constructed on Leslie Street from Commissioners Street to Queen Street as pictured in the map. Background details are available at: www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv

Leslie Street Connection Route

The Toronto Transit Commission (on June 2) and Toronto City Council (on June 9) approved Leslie Street as the connecting route for the new streetcars from Queen Street to the future Ashbridges Bay Facility. Although new vehicle and track design technology is expected to reduce noise and vibration compared to existing streetcars, TTC will be conducting specific noise and vibration investigations for potentially affected properties on Leslie Street. Mitigation measures will be implemented where required. Furthermore, TTC will be undertaking consultation regarding potential streetscape upgrades on the Leslie Street connection route.

The Transit Project Assessment (TPA) Process

The environmental impact of the Ashbridges Bay LRV Maintenance and Storage Facility and tracks on Leslie Street from Queen Street to Commissioners Street will be assessed in accordance with the TPA Process as prescribed in Ontario Regulation 231/08, Transit Projects and Greater Toronto Transportation Authority Undertakings (2008). As part of the TPA Process, an Environmental Project Report is being prepared. A public Notice of Study Completion will be issued within 120 days, at which time the Environmental Project Report will be completed and posted publicly for a 30 day review period.

Contact Us

If you would like to be added to the project mailing list, share your comments or obtain more information, please contact:

Lito Romano TTC Community Liaison Officer 5160 Yonge Street, 13th Floor Toronto, ON, M2N 6L9 www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv Tel: 416-397-8699 Fax: 416-338-0279 E-mail: [email protected] the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act and the Environmental Assessment Act, unless otherwise stated in the submission, any personal information such as name, address, telephone number and property location included in a submission will become part of the public record for this matter and will be released if requested to any person.

新街車Ashbridges Bay維修及停放廠房

及Leslie Street接駁路軌

展開運輸工程評估程序公告

背景資料

多倫多市政府及多倫多公車局訂購了204 台新街車(輕便鐵路電車)，新街車將會大大提高服務水準：

> 低地台街車方便殘障人士、長者和推嬰兒車的家庭乘車，亦方便自行車停放。

> 新車的載客量幾乎為現有車輛的兩倍。> 新車會有更多車門，也會安裝付費憑證系統，便於乘客快速上下車。

> 新的設計減少噪音和振動。

工程項目

多倫多公車局需要為新街車興建新的維修及停放廠房。新街車將於 2013 年逐漸取締現有的車隊。在 204 台新街車中，其中 100 台將會停放於位於 Lake Shore Boulevard East 東南角及 Leslie Street 的 Ashbridges Bay 廠房。接駁廠房的路軌將會設於由 Commissioners Street 至 Queen Street一段的 Leslie Street，如地圖所示。有關背景資料，請瀏覽 www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv 。

Leslie Street 接駁路線

多倫多公車局(在6月2日)及多倫多市議會 (在6月9日) 通過以 Leslie Street 作為新街車由皇后街至未來 Ashbridges Bay 廠房的連接路線。比較現有的街車，雖然預計新街車和道軌設計技術會減少噪音和振動，但多倫多公車局將會對位於 Leslie Street可能受到影響的物業進行具體的噪音和振動調查。在必要時將會實施紓減環境影響措施。此外，公車局會進行有關 Leslie Street 連接路線改善街景的諮詢。

運輸工程評估程序

當局會根據安省231/08規例、運輸工程項目及大多倫多運輸管理局(Greater Toronto Transportation Authority) (2008)工程項目中規定的運輸工程評估程序對 Ashbridges Bay 維修及停放廠房及由皇后街至 Commissioners Street 的一段 Leslie Street 接駁路軌進行環境影響評估。按照運輸工程評估程序，我們現正撰寫環境項目報告，並在120天內發表研究完成的通告。屆時環境項目報告將會完成，並會公開發布30天，以供公眾人士查閱。

聯絡我們

如果您想把名字加入上述工程的郵寄名單內或取得更多資訊，請聯絡以下人士：

Lito Romano TTC Community Liaison Officer 5160 Yonge Street, 13th Floor Toronto, ON, M2N 6L9 www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv 電話： 416-397-8699 傳真： 416-338-0279 電郵： [email protected]

根據公開資訊及私隱條例及環境評估條例，除非在意見陳述書內作出聲明，否則陳述書內的任何個人資料，例如姓名、地址、電話號碼及物業所在地，均會成為有關事項公共紀錄的一部份，並會在有人申請有關資訊時向該名人士發放。

Ashbridges Bay Light Rail VehicleMaintenance & Storage Facility

Transit Project Assessment Process Public Information Centre

July 28, 20106:30 – 9:00 pmEMS Academy

895 Eastern Ave.Toronto, ON www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv/

Please Sign In

Welcome!

2

Why Do We Need New Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs)?

• Existing streetcars are 30 to 40 years old and have reached the end of their useful lives.

• Replacement fleet of 204 new low floor Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) will:

improve passenger flow and reduced crowding with multiple doors for entry/exit.

enhance access for people with disabilities, seniors, families with strollers.

carry 80% more passengers per vehicle.

increase system capacity by 35% and will accommodate growth for 20 years.

• Delivery of LRVs to commence in 2013.New Low Floor Light Rail Vehicle

Interior of new vehicle

3

City of Toronto’s Future

Direction: Promote Sustainability

• City of Toronto Official Plan initiatives include:

reduce dependence on car

protection of stable neighbourhoods

integration of land use – transportation

pro-transit orientation

intensification on transit corridors

no new roads

growth in travel demand transit

4

Why Do We Need a New Maintenance & Storage Facility (MSF)?

• New LRV design cannot be maintained at existing facilities.

• Insufficient amount of storage track at Roncesvalles and Russell carhouses.

• Roncesvalles and Russell carhouse required to store approximately 50 LRVs at each facility, including minor repairs/daily cleaning.

5

Meeting Date PurposeMay 2008 Commission approved Facility Master Plan

June 16, 17, 18, 2009 TTC Site Selection Open House

December 16, 2010 TTC Commission Meeting – Site Selection

February 18, 2010 TTC Preliminary Planning Public Open House #1 Introduce Transit Project Assessment (TPA) Process

April 8, 2010 TTC Preliminary Planning Public Consultation Presentation #2Present Technical Preferred Connecting Track Option

May 18, 2010 City of Toronto Public Works Committee MeetingApprove TTC use of Ashbridges Bay site

May 19, 2010 TTC Landscape Design Competition Public Open House Meeting

June 2, 2010 Ashbridges Bay site and Leslie Street Connecting Track approved by TTC Commission

June 9, 2010 Ashbridges Bay site and Leslie Street Connecting Track approved City Council

June 24, 2010 Notice of Commencement for TPA Process

July 14 & 15 2010 Meeting with Leslie Street Resident and Property Owners

July 28, 2010 Transit Project Assessment Process Public Consultation Presentation #3

August 8 & 10, 2010 Landscape Design Competition Event

Key Project Milestones

6

Planning Underway: Transit Project Assessment Process

This project is being conducted under Ontario Regulation 231/08, Ontario’s Transit

Project Assessment Process. Key aspects include:

What are matters of

provincial importance?

• Natural environment

• Cultural heritage.

• Developed to accelerate the Environmental

Assessment process for public transit projects.

• Six-month timeline from start to finish, including

30-day public review and 35-day MOE review

periods.

• Fulfills requirements of Environmental Assessment Act,

including assessment of potential environmental

effects.

• Public, Agency and First Nations consultation will

continue to be essential.

• The Minister of the Environment considers matters of

“provincial importance” and constitutionally protected

Aboriginal or treaty rights when reviewing the project.

7

What is the Transit Project Assessment Process?

8

Overview: the Study Area

8

• Recommended Ashbridges Bay MSF site –located at Lake Shore Boulevard East & Leslie Street intersection.

• Leslie Street tracks will connect MSF to existing Queen Street East streetcar service.

• The City of Toronto Official Plan (2006) identifies Leslie Street as a future Higher Order Transit Corridor.

9

Layout Features:

• Maintain 204 LRVs and store

up to 100 LRVs.

• Includes a main building with a

green roof designed in

accordance with Toronto

Green Standards, and an

electrical substation.

• Approximately 470 employees

to work at the facility.

• The facility will include the

following activities: daily

servicing and cleaning,

preventative and corrective

maintenance.

• On-site stormwater

management pond.

• The majority of the LRVs will

leave and return to the site

outside of rush hour periods.

Recommended Site Layout

10

Recommended Leslie Street Connecting Track Design

Track Design Features:

• LRVs will operate in mixed traffic (centre lanes).

• On –street parking maintained.

• Access to all driveways and parking lots maintained.

• Four through lanes on Leslie Street between Queen Street and Commissioners Street.

• Existing left-turn lanes remain.

• LRVs will primarily operate outside of rush hour periods.

11

Effects Assessment

Potential Effects

Socio-Economic & Land Use Environment Potential effects on residences and

businesses Archaeology, Cultural Heritage and

First Nations Proposed & approved land uses Safety and operation of Martin

Goodman Trail

Noise and Vibration

Potential effects of noise and vibration levels on sensitive receptors

Natural Environment

Terrestrial Hydrogeology Contaminated Soils Air Quality

Potential effects of dust, odour, fine particulates, etc. on identified sensitive receptors

Traffic and Transportation

Intersection operations Traffic operations Roadway parking/loading Constructability Operation and maintenance

The Transit Project Assessment Process assessed the potential effects associated with the facility and the connecting tracks based on the following factors:

12

Potential Effects –Natural Environment

Vegetation and Wildlife

Key Effects:

• Removal of low quality vegetation habitat and trees that are not Provincially Significant.

Mitigation:

• Removing vegetation between August 1 and April 14, to ensure bird nests are protected in order to be in compliance with the Migratory Birds Convention Act.

• Green roof on main building will sustain low herbaceous vegetation and provide some habitat for insects and birds.

• Trees removed that fall under the City’s Tree By-Law (seven trees with diameter of 30 cm or higher at breast height (dbh) will be replaced at a 3-to-1 ratio (21 trees).

• New plantings will be incorporated into the Ashbridges Bay MSF landscape design.

13

Potential Effects –Natural Environment

Stormwater Management

Key Effects:

• Stormwater quality and quantity.

Mitigation:

• Utilize low impact development (LID) Best Management Practices and a wet pond.

• Final site grade will be higher than the estimated regional flood water level.

On-site Soil

Key Effects:

• Impacted soil (mound) to be removed from the site.

Mitigation:

• Comply with the Risk Assessment Plan.

• Establish a Construction Liaison Group.

• Adhere to the Soil Removal and Capping Contract that:

Complies with all federal, provincial and local licenses and certificates of approval.

Identifies air quality and dust suppression measures.

Identifies haul routes that minimize community effects.

14

Martin Goodman TrailKey Effects:

• Site access and new tracks will cross the Martin Goodman Trail.

Mitigation:

• The track design has been developed to combine the access with existing crossing point.

• Explore measures that may include signage, surface treatments on the path/sidewalk, signal control, bollards and audible warnings (bells, horns).

Potential Effects –Socio-economic & Air Quality

View of Martin Goodman Trail along the site

Air QualityKey Effects:

• During construction - potential for nuisance dust.

• During operations - servicing and maintenance activities have the potential to produce emissions.

Mitigation:

• During construction - a dust control program would include dust suppression (water), road sweeping, and cleaning of vehicle tires.

• During operations - ventilation and capture and control systems, and energy efficient building design to reduce emissions.

15

Noise & Vibration - at Site

Key Effects:

• For nearest residences (approximately 240 metres from site), noise levels may exceed MOE limits by two decibels (based on existing data).

• Vibration – no effect resulting from MSF.

Mitigation:

• Should noise levels remain above MOE limit, installation of an acoustic barrier along the north and west end of the site may be required to ensure noise levels are compliant with MOE Limit (Leq) (dBA).

• Track-based technologies (e.g. lubrication) will assist in minimizing wheel screech.

Potential Effects –Noise & Vibration

Noise & Vibration - along Leslie Street

Key Effects:

• Noise - for residences 7 to 10 meters away from the tracks, noise levels would exceed MOE limits by up to 3 decibels.

• Vibration – for residences up to 15 metres away from the tracks, vibration levels would exceed MOE limits.

Mitigation:

Depending on results of the noise and vibration modelling undertaken for Prototype LRV in 2012, the following measures will be explored further:

• Upgrades to the existing track-design to minimize vibration at the source.

• Receiver-side mitigation.

Assessment based on existing streetcar data. Measurement of noise and vibration of Prototype LRV in early 2012 to determine effects of new LRVs.

16

Reducing Noise and Vibration - New Wheels

17

Bogie Skirt to Reduce Noise

18

Key Effects:

• Safety and access to Maintenance and Storage Facility site (LRVs and automobiles).

• Some manageable challenges anticipated for Leslie Street during LRV operations, including the Leslie Street/Lake Shore Boulevard East intersection (as most will operate outside of rush hour periods).

Mitigation:

• Review signal timings and LRV detection capabilities along Leslie Street to optimize traffic operations along the Leslie Street corridor.

• Lengthen northbound left turn lane on Leslie Street at Lake Shore Boulevard to facilitate turning movements.

• Provide an exclusive southbound left turn lane on Leslie Street at Commissioners Street to facilitate LRV and vehicle movements; provide an exclusive westbound right turn lane and a shared left through lane for the east leg of Commissioners Street.

Potential Effects – Traffic

Existing traffic at the Leslie Street and Lake Shore Boulevard intersection

Existing traffic at the Leslie Street and Eastern Avenue intersection

Expected weekday use – 230 LRV trips per day

Most of the LRVs will operate outside of the morning and evening rush hour periods

19

• Landscape Design Competition launched to generate an exciting and “green” vision for the landscaping around the

MSF.

• Three leading urban design landscape firms participating in the competition were introduced to the Public at the May 19 Public Meeting.

• The landscape design competition includes the areas between the existing curbs along Lake Shore Boulevard and Leslie Street to the planned Facility’s outer boundary.

Landscape Design Competition: Creating an Exciting Community Vision

You are invited to meet the designers and view the landscape

concepts!

• Sunday, August 8, 2010 – from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Leslie and Lake

Shore Boulevard East

• Tuesday, August 10, 2010 – from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Coxwell and Lake

Shore Boulevard East.

20

Our Commitment to Consult

• Consultation with local community throughout site planning, design and construction activities.

• Establishment of a Construction Liaison Group.

• Dedicated Community Liaison Officer:

o Full-time on project.

o Responsible for communicating with residents, business and property owners and other community stakeholders.

o Point of contact for the community – direct communication with Project Manager, Transportation Services and other City services.

o Complaints process.

o Regular updates via e-mail, website and community flyers.

Planning (TPA Process)

Construction(Soil Removal, Facility and

Connection Track)

Design(Landscape, Prototype

Testing)

21

Future Steps

Fall 2010 Select Landscape Design Firm

Develop selected design to detail design stage

Engage community to develop concepts for Leslie Street connection

File Environmental Project Report:

Notice of Completion of Transit Project Assessment Process

30-day public and agency review period

Anticipated receipt of Notice to Proceed from Ministry of the Environment after 35-day review period

Late 2010 Commence Soil Removal

Spring/ Commence MSF construction Summer 2011

Spring 2012 Commence Connection track construction

2013 Complete MSF and connection track construction

22

Contact Us

For more information or to submit your comments: Web: www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv/ E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 416-397-8699 Fax: 416-338-0279 By Mail:

Lito Romano, Community Liaison OfficerTTC, Transit City Department5160 Yonge Street, 13th FloorToronto, Ontario M2N 6L9

Comments would be appreciated by August 6, 2010.

Thank you for your participation!

Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility for New Streetcars and Leslie St. Connecting Track

Notice of Public MeetingWednesday July 28, 2010

The Toronto Transit Commission is hosting an information meeting on the Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility and the associated connecting track. This is an opportunity to learn more about this facility and the measures that are being considered to provide a reliable and fully accessible transit service. The meeting will address impacts and mitigation measures for such issues, as the removal of contaminated soil, noise and vibration levels and traffic associated with this project. Meeting Details Date: Wednesday July 28, 2010 Time : 6:30pm – 9:00pm Location: Toronto EMS and Fire Academy (895 Eastern Avenue) Project Background The City of Toronto and the Toronto Transit Commission have ordered 204 new streetcars (Light Rail Vehicles) which will provide significant improvements:

Low‐floor accessibility for people with disabilities, seniors and families with strollers, bicycle storage

Almost double the capacity of current streetcars Multiple doors and a proof of payment system to significantly speed boarding and exiting

Design enhancements to reduce noise and vibration

The TTC and Toronto Council have approved a new facility for the storage of one hundred new streetcars at the Ashbridges Bay site, located at the southeast corner of Lake Shore Boulevard East and Leslie Street. The approval also includes the Leslie Street connection track, from Queen Street to Commissioner Street. This facility is required to support the new streetcars

http://home.ttc/�

which will begin to replace the current fleet in 2013. Background details are available at: www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv Transit Project Assessment Process The environmental impact of the Ashbridges Bay LRV Maintenance and Storage Facility and connection tracks will be assessed in accordance with the Transit Project Assessment (TPA) Process as prescribed in Ontario Regulation 231/08, Transit Projects and Greater Toronto Transportation Authority Undertakings (2008). As part of the Transit Project Assessment Process, the TTC is holding a Public Meeting to present the proposed site layout for the Maintenance and Storage Facility and the connection track, along with its potential effects and recommended mitigation measures. There will be an opportunity to incorporate comments received from the Public Meeting into the Environmental Project Report (EPR). A public notice of study completion will then be issued to commence the 30 day review period for the EPR.. Contact Us Please forward all comments and questions by August 6, 2010 to: Lito Romano TTC Community Liaison 5160 Yonge Street, 13th Floor Toronto, ON M2N 6L9 www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv Tel: 416‐397‐8699 Fax: 416‐338‐0279 E‐mail: [email protected] Under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act and the Environmental Assessment Act, unless otherwise stated in the submission, any personal information such as name, address, telephone number and property location included in a submission will become part of the public record for this matter and will be released if requested to any person.

TTC Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and StorageFacility Landscape Design Competition –

Public Tent EventsAugust 8 and 10, 2010

Summary ReportPrepared by Argyle Communications

August 2010

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

1.2 August 8 and 10 Community Tent Events - Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility

Landscape Design Competition

2. Public Notification

2.1 Posters

2.2 Mail and Email Distribution

2.3 Newspaper

2.4 Local Councillors

3. Summary of Feedback

3.1 Fleisher Ridout

3.2 gh3

3.3 Brown + Storey

4. Ranking of Design Preference

5. Compendium of Landscape Design Competition Feedback

6. Appendices

A. Copy of Landscape Design Competition Question Card

B. Public Notification Materials for Tent Events

TTC ASHBRIDGES BAY MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE FACILITY LANDSCAPE DESIGN COMPETITIONAUGUST 8 AND 10, 2010 PUBLIC TENT EVENTS SUMMARY REPORT

1

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) will require a new maintenance and storage facility foraccommodation of the new fleet of 204 Light Rail Vehicles (LRV) ordered by the City of Torontoand the TTC. The new facility will be required in order to provide vehicle maintenance, repairsand service inspections for the new streetcars, as well as provide adequate storage capacity forthe new fleet.

The new facility will be constructed on a 20-acre site in the Portlands area of downtownToronto, at the southeast corner of Lake Shore Boulevard East and Leslie Street. The locationwas one of six potential sites considered and was chosen based on proximity to the existingQueen Street streetcar line, property size, current vacancy, ability to meet the 2013 completiondate, existing industrial and commercial land uses, and community feedback. Toronto CityCouncil approved acquisition of the property to be transferred from the Toronto Port Authorityto the TTC in December 2009.

The new TTC Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility will store 100 of the new LRVs,with the remaining 104 vehicles stored at the Roncesvalles and Russell (Connaught) car houses.

1.2 August 8 and 10 Community Tent Events - Ashbridges Bay Maintenance andStorage Facility Landscape Design Competition

On May 19, 2010, the City of Toronto and the TTC announced a landscape design competitionfor the new Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility. The competition was designed togenerate an exciting vision that is consistent with the vision of the Leslie Street Greeninginitiative for the landscape around the future Ashbridges Bay facility.

A jury led by the City of Toronto, Planning and Urban Design will review the public commentsand rankings prior to assessing the design concepts, and determining the successful design.Organizations represented on the jury include:

City of Toronto, Planning and Urban Design South Riverdale Community Health Centre Waterfront Toronto Shim-Sutcliffe Architects and the Waterfront Toronto Design Review Panel TTC


2

Three leading urban design landscape firms participated in the competition: Brown + StoreyArchitects, Fleisher Ridout and gh3.

A public meeting on May 19, 2010 provided the community with an opportunity to contributesuggestions and ideas for consideration by the landscape design firms. In addition, thelandscape design competition allowed for direct feedback and involvement from thecommunity, by giving the community an opportunity to speak directly with the designers andcomment on the designs at two community tent events in the Portlands area in August.

The first event was held on August 8, 2010, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., at the southeast cornerof Lakeshore Boulevard and Leslie Street, where the facility would be located. The second eventwas held on August 10, 2010 in Ashbridges Bay Park on the southeast corner of Coxwell Avenueand Lake Shore Boulevard East.

Representatives for each of the design landscape firms were present:

Brown + Storey Architects: Stephen King, Pamela Tung and Michael Kim Fleisher Ridout: Brad Fleisher, Tom Ridout and Casey Morris gh3: Diana Gerrard, Pat Hanson, Raymond Chow and Andrea Mantin

In addition, representatives from the TTC and project consultant Aecom were present to answerany questions from the community.

Each of the three firms created eight panels that illustrated their vision for the landscape aroundthe new facility, four of which included an acoustic wall and four of which did not include thewall. The panels provided a visual component enabling members of the community to visualizethe facility. The panels from the design firms explaining their visions are posted on the projectwebsite: www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv/index.htm.

In addition to expressing their thoughts to representatives from the firms and the TTC,attendees were asked to comment directly on what they like about each of the designs.Attendees were also asked to rank the three firms in order of preference on their commentcards. Refer to Appendix A for a sample comment card.

In addition, a website for the landscape design competition(www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv) provided the community with the three designs andsame visuals online that were available at the tent events. This allowed community memberswho were unable to attend or provide comments and rankings for the designs at the tent eventsto do so at their convenience online.

www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv/index.htmwww.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv


3

Pamphlets detailing information on the new streetcars were also available at both tent events,allowing members of the community to ask questions about the LRVs as well as the facility.

This report summarizes the comments received at the August 8 and 10 tent events, as well asany comments which were received online at www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv by thedeadline provided of August 23, 2010.

A total of 72 participants opted to sign in at the tent events, in addition to three media outlets(Global News, the Toronto Star and CBC’s Here & Now). A total of 135 comments were receivedthrough the available channels. For a summary of comments received during the August tentevents as well as online, refer to Section 5.

1.3 August 8 and 10 Landscape Design Competition - Results

An analysis of all comment cards received at the tent events, as well as comments receivedonline showed that of the three designs presented, Fleisher Ridout ranked first, gh3 second andBrown + Storey third. Section 4 provides a Summary of Feedback, including the main commentsand concerns about each of the designs being considered. Finally, all comments received aredetailed in Section 5.

2. Public Notification

This section outlines the channels used to notify the public about the Ashbridges Bay TTC FacilityLandscape Design Competition Tent Events on August 8 and 10, 2010. Refer to Appendix B formaterials used for public notification.

2.1 Posters

Starting on July 30, 2010, 400 colour posters were distributed publicizing the LandscapeDesign Competition tent events. Neighbourhood businesses were personally visited andasked to place an event poster on their storefront. Posters were placed on bulletinboards in the community. Each tent had posters prominently displayed.

2.2 Mail and Email Distribution

All individuals and businesses that provided their contact information at past openhouses and requested to be updated on the progress of the Ashbridges Bay projectwere sent notices for the two Landscape Design Tent Events. These notices were sent byfirst-class addressed mail on July 23, 2010, as well as by email, where available. On July29, 2010, an additional 18, 379 notices for the landscape design competition events

www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/lrv


4

were delivered within the area of Kingston Road to Gerrard Street to the north, LeeAvenue to the east, Logan Avenue to the west, and south to the lake.

2.3 Newspaper

A full-page colour advertisement was placed in the Beaches Mirror on August 5, 2010.

2.4 Local Councillors

Event details were shared with local councillors who promoted the event through theirown distribution channels.

3. Summary of Feedback

A summary of the main comments recorded during the two tent events that took place onAugust 8 and 10, 2010 and received through the Ashbridges Bay TTC Facility Landscape DesignCompetition website is located below. A compendium of the feedback received is provided inSection 5.

3.1 Fleisher Ridout

Support for Designo This option ranked first among the three urban design firm plans considered.

The majority of comments in favour of Fleisher Ridout cited a combination ofgreenery and water that mixed to create a park-like setting.

o Preservation of the Martin Goodman Trail was important among respondents.o The abundance of open spaces and simple configuration of elements in the plan

were favoured by many.o The attention paid to the site’s ecological history was appreciated.

Concerns about Designo Long-term maintenance issues of the water features such as the ponds, wetland

meadow and water wall were raised. Specifically, if these options are moreexpensive to maintain and whether a budget for this has been allocated.

o Linked to the maintenance issues, concerns about the initial cost that theconcept would entail. Some saw the water features as requiring increased up-front expenditure in addition to greater maintenance costs.

o Some cyclists oppose dismounting in order to cross the streetcar tracks.


5

3.2 gh3

Support for Designo This option ranked second among the three urban design firm plans considered.

The feedback featured some strong opinions, both favourable and opposed.o The “green wall” concept was particularly popular among respondents.o The wall was seen as hiding the streetcar facility effectively.

Concerns about Designo The wall was also singled out as a concern, with pedestrian and cyclist safety

being the main issue. Some felt the area near the wall would be especiallyunsafe at night.

TTC Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility for ... · TTC ASHBRIDGES BAY MAINTENANCE AND...

Documents

Transcript of TTC Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility for ... · TTC ASHBRIDGES BAY MAINTENANCE AND...