i
McNicoll Bus Garage
Public Open House
November 27, 2013, 2013 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Consultation Summary Report
Kennedy Public School
20 Elmfield Ave
Prepared by Lito Romano
December 4, 2013
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iii McNicoll Bus Garage Summary Report – November 27, 2013
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................1
1.1 BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................................................ 1
1.2 CONSULTATION PROCESS ................................................................................................................................. 1
1.3 EVENT DETAILS .................................................................................................................................................... 2
2.0 SUMMARY OF QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS ..................................................................... 2
2.1 SELECTION OF SITE ............................................................................................................................................. 2
2.2 COMMUNICATION AND CONSULTATION ....................................................................................................... 3
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT VS. TRANSIT PROJECT ASSESSMENT ..................................................................... 4
2.4 DESIGN .................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Q. Would the community have any input in the design? ................................ 4
Q. What precautions are being taken to ensure public safety from the fuel
tanks? .................................................................................................................. 5
Q. Where will buses enter and exit points the facility? .................................. 5
2.5 OPERATIONS .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
2.7 ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ................................................................................................................................... 5
3.0 NEXT STEPS ................................................................................................................................. 6
APPENDIX ........................................................................................................................................... 7
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1 McNicoll Bus Garage Open House-Summary Report – November, 2013
1 Introduction
1.1 Background
Within the next five years, the TTC will need a new bus garage to accommodate its growing ridership and expanding bus fleet. The facility being proposed at Kennedy Road and McNicoll Avenue in Scarborough will store and maintain TTC’s new articulated buses along with some of the current fleet.
The proposed site is had been identified for a transit facility over 10 years ago and is zoned Heavy Industrial- a zoning which allows for the construction of a bus maintenance garage.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2016, however not before further consultation with the community and completing the Ministry of Environment, Transit Project Assessment (TPA). The TPA will identify potential community impacts and mitigation measures, where required. The full report will be available to the public on line as well as at a location in the community for review.
Construction is expected to begin in 2016 and be completed by 2019.
1.2 Consultation Process
On November 27, 2013, the TTC held its first Public Open House for the construction of
the new McNicoll Bus Garage. The event was widely advertised through distribution of
flyers in English and Chinese as well as paid advertising in the local newspaper.
Local stakeholders were consulted in advance of the meeting and encouraged to
promote the event through their networks. The local Councillors office, MPP and MP
were also informed of the event and encouraged to participate.
TTC presented panels showing the preliminary plans for the facility (see Appendix)
including details on location, layout, operations and schedules.
Comments and suggestions collected through evening have been channeled through
the Senior Community Liaison Officer (CLO) to the project team for review and action.
Comments that relate to community or environmental impacts have been documented
in this report and will also be included in the more formal Environmental Project Report.
2 McNicoll Bus Garage Summary Report – November 27, 2013
A Senior Community Liaison Officer has been assigned to this project who will act as a
single point of contact for the community. This will ensure a timely response to queries
related to this project.
1.3 Event Details
Venue: Kennedy Public School 20 Elmfield Ave
Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Attendees: 40
The event was promoted as follows:
3000 notices distributed via Canada Post to an area bound by Passmore Ave,
Midland Ave, Finch Ave E and Morebank Ave.
Flyer posted on the TTC project website - proj.ttc.ca
Ad in the local paper (Scarborough Mirror November 21, 2013)
Chinese and English Notices sent to Scarborough Community Baptist Church for
its congregation
Chinese and English Notices sent to Mon Sheong Foundation for the Long Term
Care Facility and the condo complex.
Chinese and English Notices sent to the property manager at the Villa Elegance
condominium at 1833 Kennedy Road
Email blast and mailing to all properties on the project mailing list (from past
personal visit by the Sr. Community Liaison Officer)
2.0 Summary of Questions and Comments The following is a high-level summary of the discussion and feedback from the meeting.
Comments were recorded by TTC staff and consultants who were available throughout
the evening to answer questions from participants.
2.1 Selection of Site
TTC confirmed that the site is properly zoned “Heavy Industrial” which permits
the use of a transit facility. Other uses could include an asphalt plant, fertilizer
manufacturing
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Residents asked why the city wouldn’t allow houses or big box stores. Councillor
Delgrande advised that these are employment lands and keeping jobs in the
community is very important.
Some residents from Mon Sheong asked what recourse is available given that
they were not made aware of the zoning for the adjacent property.
2.2 Communication and Consultation
Event Notices were made available to adjacent stakeholders (Mon Sheong and
Scarborough Community Baptist Church) for their use and distribution.
A Mandarin and Cantonese speaking interpreter was available throughout the
evening. Attendees appreciated TTC’s efforts to reach out to non-English
speaking residents.
A participant suggested that future notices should include a map to the meeting
venue.
Q. Does the city not have to consult with the community and receive permission to
construct this facility?
A. TTC will have to consult with community as part of the Transit Project
Assessment, however the property is properly zoned for the intended use and
thus a community meeting is not required.
Attendees signed in and provided contact information and how they would like to
receive future correspondence (email or regular mail).
Participants were also asked for permission to share their contact information
with the local councillor.
A large sign (in Chinese) at the entrance informed participants that an interpreter
was available throughout the evening.
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2.3 Impacts to Community
Residents raised concerns about:
• Increased emissions from diesel buses
• Added traffic, aggravating an already congested intersection at Kennedy and McNicoll, particularly during rush hour and on the weekends
• Seniors at Mon Sheong who may be disrupted by noise during early morning and late evening bus traffic
• The number of seniors in the area and their safety given the increased bus activity
• Impacts to the adjacent wood lot
TTC indicated that:
• An Environmental Project Report will address any impacts created by the new facility. This will include an updated Traffic Impact Study to determine what mitigation may be required.
Councillor Delgrande indicated that there is significant development planned north of Steeles Ave which may have impacts on Kennedy Road. The Traffic Impact Study will have to incorporate this into the report.
Participants were also advised that the zoning for this property, Heavy Industrial, exempts the operations from municipal noise bylaws.
Environmental Assessment vs. Transit Project Assessment
• Resident requested that this project should be subject to a full Environmental
Assessment, not just the Provincial Transit Project Assessment. o Councillor advised that TTC will verify this.
2.4 Design Q. Would the community have any input in the design?
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A. TTC advised that we are working with adjacent property owners who will look
onto the facility. Comments will be considered by the designer. The facility will
be built to Toronto Green Development Standards so one can expect enhanced
glazing and a storm water management system.
Q. What precautions are being taken to ensure public safety from the fuel tanks?
A. Fuel tanks are common at TTC maintenance facilities. Location and installation
will follow proper provincial regulations.
Q. Where will buses enter and exit points the facility?
A. This is still being studied and requires further discussion with the City of Toronto
and other agencies. GO transit has expansion plans to double track the rail line
which may impact an access point on McNicoll Ave. TTC will make these details
available when they are available. Some residents expressed a preference to
have an access point on the future Redlea Ave. rather than the already
congested, Kennedy Road.
Q. Will TTC be sharing parking facilities with the adjacent Scarborough Community
Baptist Church?
A. TTC has not entered into any formal discussions or agreements related to shared
parking. There are no plans to pursue such an arrangement at this time.
2.5 Operations
Q. When will the buses operate?
A. A chart showing typical bus operations was available that most activity will take
place during off peak hours. The facility will operate 24/7.
Q. What types of buses will be maintained the facility?
A. Facility will be equipped to service both regular sized (40ft) and the new
articulated buses (60ft)
TTC confirmed that the facility will be able to accommodate the required turning
radius for the new (bendy) articulated buses.
2.7 Additional Comments
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Participants asked about the status of Redlea Ave and were advised that
construction is scheduled to begin in 2014 and be completed in 2015.
This road will relieve some of the pressure from Kennedy Road
3.0 Next Steps
TTC will incorporate comments received at the meeting into the Environmental Project Report.
Comments will be reviewed and addressed by the project team. A second consolation with more
details on the building design, operations and mitigation will be scheduled in spring 2014.
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Appendix
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Appendix 1
Event Flyer
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Appendix 2
Newspaper Ad (Scarborough Mirror November 21, 2013)
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Appendix 3 Presentation Panels (Insert pdf file)
1McNicol l Bus Garage – Publ ic Open HouseNovember 27, 2013
New McNicoll Bus GaragePublic Open House
November 27, 2013Kennedy Public School
2McNicol l Bus Garage – Publ ic Open HouseNovember 27, 2013
The Need for a New Bus Garage
RidersIncreasedridershipmeans
BusesNeed for
newbuses
GarageAnd a
new busesfacility
Problems•Garagesareoperatingatover-capacity•Newbusgaragerequiredwithinfiveyearstoaccommodateincreased
ridership•Somebusesservingeast-endroutesarestoredandmaintainedin west-endgarages
•Extradeadheadtime(travelwhenbusesarenotinservice)addsunwantedwearandtearonbuses,shorteningbuslifespanandincreasingoperatingcosts
•Notfeasibletoexpandexistingfacilitiesandinsufficientmaintenancecapacity
3McNicol l Bus Garage – Publ ic Open HouseNovember 27, 2013
The Need for a New Bus GarageOpportunities
•Growthinridership=expandedserviceacrossthecityandnorth-eastScarborough
•Newbuses-andanewmaintenanceandstoragefacility-areneededtosupportgrowth
•Afacilityclosetotheroutesservedwillresultinefficienciesandcostsavings
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The Need for a New Bus Garage
Newbusgaragewillbeabletoaccommodateconventionalbusesaswellasthelongerarticulatedbuses
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McNicollGarage–ProposedSite
TTCSite
McNicoll Ave
McNicoll Ave
Kennedy Rd
Mary Ward
Catholic
Secondary School
Kennedy Rd
Siver Star Blvd
Scarborough ChineseBaptistChurch
EnbridgeConstructionandMaintenanceFacility
MonSheungFoundationLong Term Care Facilities
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McNicollGarage–PreliminaryConcept
McNicoll Avenue
Ken
ned
y R
oad
Futu
re R
edle
a A
ve E
xten
sion
Property Line
Mary WardCatholic
SecondarySchool
EmployeeParking
Run
nin
g T
rack
IndoorBus
Parking
RepairGarage
Scarborough ChineseBaptistChurch
EnbridgeConstructionandMaintenanceFacility
MonSheungFoundationLong Term Care Facilities
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GOTransitServiceExpansion•GOTransitisstudyingexpandingservicealongStouffville
Corridor
•Projectinvolvesdouble-trackingbetweenScarboroughGOStationandUnionvilleGOStation
•EnvironmentalReportscheduledtobefiledMarch2014
•Thisexpansionprojectcouldimpactthelocationoftheentryandexitpointsofthenewbusgarage
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WhyThisLocation•Proximitytoroutesbeingserviced
•Availabilityofsuitably-sizedparceloflandtoaccommodatedesign
•Thefacilitywillbecapableofsupporting250in-servicebuses
•Sitelocationandneedwereexaminedinafeasibilitystudyin2008
•PropertyisownedbytheCityofTorontoforTTCuse
•Landisalreadyzoned“EmploymentHeavyIndustrial”
9McNicol l Bus Garage – Publ ic Open HouseNovember 27, 2013
PropertyZone•Propertyiszoned“EmploymentHeavyIndustrial”
•Otherpermittedusesinclude: •PesticideorFertilizerManufacturing •Cementorasphaltplant •SyntheticRubberManufacturing •LargeScaleSmelting •IndustrialGasorPetrochemicalManufacturing
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ExistingBusGarages
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BusGarageandRoutesServed
SheppardAvenueandMarkhamRoad
BirchmountAvenueandDanforthRoad
WardenAvenueandEglintonAvenueEast
AllenRoadandWilsonAvenue
FutureMcNicollBusGarage
FutureMcNicollBusGarageFutureMcNicollBusGarage
FutureMcNicollBus Garage
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ProjectScope•Newfacilitytostoreandmaintain250buses•Siteatnorth-eastquadrantofKennedyandMcNicoll•Projectwillinclude: •Indoorstorageareafor250buses •Capacitytofuelandcleanbuses •Trafficofficesfordispatchingoperators •Trainingrooms •Employeeparkinglot
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FacilityFactsPreliminaryBuildingConcept(~26,000m2)* •~17,000m2ofindoorbusstorage •~5,300m2 of repair garage •~1,600m2 of indoor fueling and washing lanes •~2,100m2ofofficeandadministrativeuses
Operations •Maintainandstore250buses •Operate24/7 •Allbusesstoredindoors
WillbebuilttoTorontoGreenStandards*BasedonMT.DennisGarageandsubjecttofurtherplanning
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GarageFunctions
Trafficofficesfordispatching,equipmentstorage,buswash,andrefueling
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GarageFunctions
Maintenanceanddailysafetyinspections
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GarageFunctions
Parking,storageandfuelingstation
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TypicalBusFrequencyIntoGarage
BasedontypicalTTC250-capacitybusgarage
Time Weekdays Weekends
Buses Outbound Buses Inbound Buses Outbound Buses Inbound
4:00 am 0 40 0 20
4:00 am – 6:00 am 80 10 40 0
6:00 am – 8:00 am 60 0 10 0
8:00 am – 10:00 am 0 50 40 0
10:00 am – 12:00 pm 0 50 10 0
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm 0 0 15 0
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm 70 0 0 0
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm 0 0 0 0
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm 0 40 0 50
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm 0 25 0 20
10:00 pm – 12:00 am 0 20 20
Total 235 110
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ConsultationandPlanningSchedule2013 2014 2015
Tasks Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan
Technical Analysis
City - TTC Transit Project Assessment
Identify Problems & Opportunities
Public Consultation #1
Public Consultation #2
Draft Report to TTC Board
Draft Report to City Council
Provincial Transit Project Assessment (TPAP)
Notice of Commencementfor TPAP
Public Consultation #3 on Draft Environmental Project Report
Notice of Completion of Environmental Project Report
30-Day Review Period
35-Day MOE Review/ Minister Decisionon whether this project can proceed
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EnvironmentalProjectReport•DraftEnvironmentalProjectReport(EPR)willinclude: •ArchaeologicalAssessment
•TrafficImpactStudy•AirQualityAssessment•NoiseandVibrationAssessment•NaturalEnvironmentAssessment
McNicoll Bus GarageEnvironmental Project Report
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NextSteps•RespondtocommentsreceivedatthisOpenHouseandpostonprojects.ttc.ca
•Incorporaterevisions(wherenecessaryandappropriate)andfinalizethesiteplan
•Identifyimpactsanddevelopmitigationmeasurestominimizeoravoidenvironmentalimpacts
•HoldPublicConsultation#2inearly2014•TransitProjectAssessmentProcess
Continue public consultations through detailed design and construction planning
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TTCCommitment•Consultationthroughplanninganddesignprocess•CommunityLiaisonOfficer(CLO)assignedtoproject•CLOtorespondtoallquestionsandadvocateforthecommunity
•Meetwithstakeholders:businesses,residentsandtheratepayergroupstoaddressspecificenquiries
•Provideclear,accurateandtimelyconstructioninformation
•Postregularupdatesonadedicatedprojectpageatprojects.ttc.ca
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ScheduleNov.27/13 ProjectAssessmentPublic Consultation#1Early2014 PublicConsultation#2Mid2014 TransitProjectAssessment TTCBoardandCityCouncil2015 Detaileddesignandconstruction planning2016 Startconstruction2019 Completeconstructionand commissionfacility
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ContactUsFormoreinformationortosubmityourcomments:Web: www.projects.ttc.caEmail: [email protected]: 416-397-8699TTY: 416-397-0831 Fax:416-338-0251Mail: LitoRomano TTCCommunityLiaisonOfficer 5160YongeStreet,13thFloor Toronto,ONM2N6L9CommentswouldbeappreciatedbyDecember11,2013.
Thankyouforyourparticipation!
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FreedomofInformationandProtectionofPrivacyActInformationcollectedwillbeusedinaccordancewiththeFreedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.Withtheexceptionofpersonalinformation,allcommentswillbecomepartofthepublicrecord.
YouareencouragedtocontactmembersoftheProjectTeamifyouhaveanyquestionsorconcernsregardingtheaboveinformation.