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Hey diginut suck on this. Transitway 1 closed minded residents 0
Court gives St. Clair streetcar green light
Feb. 22, 2006. 05:27 AM
VANESSA LU
CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF
The troubled St. Clair streetcar project is back on track � again.
A Divisional Court panel yesterday gave the City of Toronto and the Toronto Transit Commission the go-ahead to build the 6.7-kilometre dedicated streetcar line along St. Clair Ave. W.
In a 19-page decision, the three-member panel ruled that the city has the legal authority to build the right-of-way that would physically separate the tracks in the centre two lanes of the street with a 15-centimetre raised curb.
"It is not for this court to inquire into the issue whether the project is good planning or bad planning or somewhere in between," said the ruling. "Those are political decisions made by elected members of city council. The court's duty is confined to ensuring that the process was carried out according to rule of law."
The grassroots organization Save Our St. Clair (SOS) has spearheaded the fight to block the $65 million transit expansion project.
Last October, a three-member Divisional Court panel sided with SOS, ruling the city violated the Planning Act with the project � putting the brakes on construction that had been set to begin.
Shortly after the loss, city lawyers complained that one of the judges � Justice Ted Matlow � was biased against the city because of a long-running battle over a development project in his neighbourhood.
After hearing the city's argument, the two other judges on the original panel, Justices Susan Greer and Ellen Macdonald, ruled that while they didn't believe their decision was tainted, it should be thrown out because of the perception of possible bias. That paved the way for a second hearing in January before the new panel.
The main issue is whether the project complies with the city's official plan � and which official plan.
Although the city adopted a new official plan in 2002, portions of it have been tied up in appeals before the Ontario Municipal Board.
SOS's lawyer Eric Gillespie argued that the streetcar project did not meet the conditions under the official plan dating from 1994.
However, because of the delays between the Divisional Court hearings, the OMB approved on Jan. 25 the city's transportation policies, ensuring that the streetcar project now complies with the new official plan.
"The court appears to be saying that the project can proceed," Gillespie said. "But the official plan is only partially approved."
He also questioned the panel's decision to ignore a long-held planning principle that states rules in place when an applicant begins a project apply even if rules change. "It does raise concerns if the goalposts can be moved for a whole community," he said.
SOS's Margaret Smith said, "We are disappointed at this outcome, but not yet convinced that this fight is over."
Her group has 15 days to decide whether to appeal.
Councillor Joe Mihevc said the city is eager to get construction under way.
"The only impediment right now is old man winter," he said, noting the city would have to pay an expensive premium to begin work immediately.
Negotiations with contractors are expected over the next few months, with work not likely to begin until May. Track has been sitting in the middle of St. Clair Ave. since the summer, and only buses are running between Yonge and Bathurst stations.
Estimates suggest the legal delays have cost the city $2.7 million � $1.9 million in inflationary costs plus $800,000 in legal bills.
Elizabeth Cinello, a spokesperson for the St. Clair Right-of-Way Initiative for Public Transit, which supports the project, was delighted with the ruling.
"We're really excited. We celebrate the decision," she said.
hahahah i knew it would go through.
Suck on that digitwat
swilly san
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Estimates suggest the legal delays have cost the city $2.7 million � $1.9 million in inflationary costs plus $800,000 in legal bills. |
Honestly I still don't get the point of this. I've lived off St. Clair for 28 years and not once have I thought there was a need to improve streetcar service on that route. What's gonna change my trip time from Dufferin and St. Clair to St. Clair West is gonna be 10 minutes instead of 12? Are they going to reduce the number of streetcars on the route? How is traffic on this street gonna change? Where will people park?
I think this 28 million could be spent more wisely.
Swilly San I would happy to learn.
For real, eh, it really doesn't seem like there is a need for street car service along St. Clair.
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| Originally posted by swilly hahahah i knew it would go through. Suck on that digitwat swilly san |
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| Originally posted by TO guy For real, eh, it really doesn't seem like there is a need for street car service along St. Clair. |
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| Originally posted by M�bius I agree, I think spending the money on subway expansion would have been better. |
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| Originally posted by M�bius I agree, I think spending the money on subway expansion would have been better. |
there are so many things the city could better spend the money on. If i were the premier and miller came cap in hand for money id laugh in his face.
Remember folks, toronto mayor election is this year. Time to get rid of miller.
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| Originally posted by Jayx1 Time to get rid of miller. |
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| Originally posted by rabbitjoker Just don't elect Fantino. Remember what he did to our raves as police cheif - imagine what he'd do to our clubs/entertainment district as mayor! |
Fantino is running for mayor? ffs...how is he in the public eye? if he wins then RJ is right, we can kiss our nightlife good-bye. And Jay is right too...this city NEEDS a good mayor before it's really too late. If I were McQuinty and Miller asked me to bail Toronto out I'd laugh him out of office. Show me a decent plan on how you expect to make money, and then I'd consider it, cause otherwise, you don't deserve any help for being the incompetent fool that you are.
edit: if they really wanna do something about street car service...then do a dedicated streetcar lane on Queen street.
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| Originally posted by infinity HiGH edit: if they really wanna do something about street car service...then do a dedicated streetcar lane on Queen street. |
they shoudl turn queen st into a pedestrian street that is covered by tarp in the winter. We could do so much more with this city but no one here has vision. either that or somehow its illegal.
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| Originally posted by Time2Burn Too Narrow for that. |
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| Originally posted by Jayx1 they shoudl turn queen st into a pedestrian street that is covered by tarp in the winter. We could do so much more with this city but no one here has vision. either that or somehow its illegal. |
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| Originally posted by TO guy Yeah, the Sheppard line turned out to be quite a mess too. Any recent word on the York U line? |
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| Proposed Alignment The environmental assessment and public consultation process finalized the proposed alignment of the York University extension. Initially, there was some debate over whether the line should cross CN�s Newmarket subdivision (which the Bradford line GO Trains use)closer to Finch or Sheppard Avenues, and whether the line at Steeles should face northeast for a possible extension towards Yonge Street, or northwest for a possible extension towards Jane and Highway 7. Work would begin at Downsview station. A new pocket track would be built where the line emerges from tunnel south of Downsview station. Initially this pocket track was to be built north of Downsview station, but such a construction would have required a number of businesses to be expropriated and demolished. The pocket track would allow the TTC to short turn trains � originally at Downsview, but with the change, now at Wilson � raising the possibility that the rush hour practise of short turning certain trains at St. Clair West station could be resurrected at Wilson. North of Downsview, the line would curve gently west, passing beneath Sheppard Avenue at Chesswood Drive and proceeding west a short distance south of Sheppard Avenue. A station stop, tentatively named Sheppard West, would be built immediately west of the GO Bradford line. There would be pedestrian entrances leading to Sheppard Avenue and possibly towards Downsview Park, and an on-street transfer with Sheppard Avenue buses. A connection with the Bradford GO line could also be provided. The TTC briefly considered naming this station Park or Parc Downsview Park, but decided to retain the name Sheppard West to avoid confusion with Downsview station next door. Continuing west, the line would pass beneath Sheppard Avenue at Ceramic Road, and then curve gently north, passing beneath Keele Street at St. Regis Crescent, and continuing north under Keele Street. Finch West station would be built beneath the Keele/Finch intersection, featuring a bus terminal connecting with Keele and Finch West buses, commuter parking in the Hydro right-of-way and a passenger pick-up/drop-off area. Currently, this station is tentatively named Finch West. In a report, the TTC dismissed a suggestion of naming the station Keele North, but the commission hasn�t considered other suggestions, including Keele/Finch. This station�s name, along with all the others on the extension, shouldn�t be considered permanent until they are engraved on the station walls. North of Finch West station, the line continues north beneath Keele Street before turning gradually northwest. The next station, tentatively named York University, would be located beneath York University Commons, where a number of transit vehicles currently meet. The station would connect to nearby buildings, but would have no off-street bus terminal. Connections with the TTC, GO, York Region and VIVA would occur on-street. Continuing northwest, the line would enter the Steeles West complex, with a station beneath Steeles Avenue a few hundred metres east of Murray Ross Parkway. There would be pedestrian entrances, and separate TTC, York Region/VIVA and GO Transit bus terminals, with a passenger pick-up/drop-off alongside a large commuter parking lot in the Hydro right-of-way running north of Steeles Avenue. The line would continue some distance northwest into York Region, to allow for the placement of pocket tracks. An extension east along Steeles Avenue has been precluded. Further extensions will be to the northwest into Vaughan. If the Belt Line proposal is resurrected, trains will have to run along Highway 7, which seems unlikely. Despite this, the TTC believes that the extension will help reduce congestion on the Yonge subway, by diverting as many as 2000 rush-hour commuters by intercepting passengers on Finch and Steeles before they travel all the way to the Yonge line. The extension would be 6.2 kilometres long. If approved tomorrow, it would take between five and seven years to design and build. |
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| As of January 2006, the York University extension remains the TTC�s top priority for subway expansion, despite the likely construction of a bus-only road between Downsview station and York University later in the year. Before the resignation of Greg Sorbara as Finance Minister while a conflict of interest investigation takes place, there was some hope that provincial funding would be announced for the extension in the 2006 budget. That now seems uncertain. Also, while the environmental assessment process drew to a close, the media played up the realization that the Scarborough RT was nearing the end of its design life and would need to be renovated or replaced, possibly by an extension of the Bloor-Danforth subway. |
Thanks!!
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| Originally posted by infinity HiGH thats the problem with this city, or culture even. Unless it's an idea that pleases EVERYONE, then it usually won't go through because some poor sap is gonna bitch about how it's not positive for THEM. Thats the sort of thinking that stops progress because there's always gonna be someone thats gonna find something to bitch about, and they'll keep bitching until they get it their way. Thats why I think the general public shouldn't have so much say in what happens in this city, in terms of infrastructure, economy, and so forth. |
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| Originally posted by TO guy Thanks!! |
^ That would have been a brilliant idea!!! It Would have centralized growth in the city and halted much of the urban sprawl which is only encouraged by expressways like the 407.
I like Jayx1's idea of pedestrianizing Queen Street West. I've thought of that myself. It could be our verion of Las Ramblas (Barcelona) Covent Garden (London) or the Nieuwendijk (Amsterdam) It could put us far ahead of other North American cities. Unfortunately many are still stuck in in a 1960 the car is king
mentality. Which is shocking considering the smog, sprawl and fuel cost prices that are warning us of a disaster.
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| Originally posted by Jayx1 Agreed. When one or 2 old ladies (or a small group of islanders) can halt major projects, we have a problem. However when a whole community is against a certain project, perhaps it needs to be rethought out? This is the case with the st clair line. not only is it not necissary, but practically the whole community is against it. They need to scrap this and put the money toward the half billion dollar debt that the city keeps crying about. |
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| Originally posted by swilly I love how you can contradict yourself in one sentence. St clair is a small part of downtown toronto. Thus they are a small group in the larger city, so we would be doing exactly what you said we should not be doing. Also how you can you claim the whole community was against it? Just because there was one organization representing the some of the store owners and some of the community members does not mean the whole community was against it. I used to live up there and i was all for it. I could of got to the st clair subway stop far faster. Does not matter now as it is going through anyways hahahha swilly san |
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