1. Request the Director, Parks Development, Etobicoke York District, in conjunction with the Director, Transportation Services, Etobicoke
York District, to review and consult with the local community to
identify sites which are unimproved road allowances in Ward 6 that abut
Lake Ontario and offer a view or access to the lake or lake shore. The
review to consider if any existing encroachments are detrimental to
community access to the lake, if these road allowances can be
transferred to Parks, Forestry and Recreation Services for public park
purposes. Staff to report back to the Etobicoke York Community Council on the findings and recommendations of the review.
2. Direct that no further encroachments be considered on unimproved road
allowances abutting Lake Ontario in Ward 6, until this review is
complete.
3. Direct that the review be undertaken with consideration to existing
Official Plan Policies, Heritage Landscape Polices, Vista and View
corridors.
The origin of the motion was a letter from Councillor Grimes dated June 18, 2012.
Here is a summary of that letter ......
In
Ward 6, which has the longest piece of the City waterfront in one ward,
there has been an ongoing concern for decades to ensure that public
access to the waterfront is ensured and enhanced wherever possible. In
the 1990's The City of Etobicoke adopted the Windows to the Lake polices
to preserve and enhance waterfront views and access. These windows were
primarily unimproved road allowance on residential streets that end at
the lake. Many of them also have storm water sewer outfalls as well.
Over
the last 20 years, as these pieces of land are primarily road ends,
rather than officially designated parks, they have become encumbered
with encroachments, which are now a growing issue amongst local
residents who are concerned that the public view of the waterfront is
being adversely affected. These encroachments include the placement of
Canada post boxes, various utilities, and other structures.
The
Waterfront trail, greatly used by cyclists and pedestrians alike,
passes by many of these road ends. In some instances, they are the only
park like setting on a residential street.
The
road ends are now under the jurisdiction of Transportation Services and
as such fall under the new streets by-law, but in some instances the
Parks department maintains them.
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