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Donlands Station New Second Exit planning and consultation process December 2, 2015 Meeting Summary Report

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Table of Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 3

1.1 Background .......................................................................................................................................... 3

1.2 Meeting Promotion ............................................................................................................................. 4

1.3 Consultation Process .......................................................................................................................... 4

1.4 Participation Summary ..................................................................................................................... 4

2. Summary of Presentation ........................................................................................................................ 5

3. Next Steps ................................................................................................................................................... 5

4. Appendices ................................................................................................................................................. 6

A. Donlands Station Second Exit Q and A .......................................................................................... 6

Questions related to Donlands Station Second Exit and Neighbourhood ................................................ 6

Questions related to the Local Working Group process ........................................................................... 9

Questions related to future construction ............................................................................................... 11

Questions related to the proposed Second Exit ..................................................................................... 12

Questions related to Easier Access ......................................................................................................... 14

B. Event Photos ..................................................................................................................................... 15

C. Promotional Flyer ........................................................................................................................... 17

D. LWG Application Form ................................................................................................................... 18

E. Letter to Local Residents (Post Meeting) .................................................................................... 19

5. TTC Contact .............................................................................................................................................. 20

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1. Introduction

1.1 Background

The Second Exit Program was developed to enhance safety for our customers and TTC personnel by providing an additional way out of subway stations. Second Exits are particularly important in the case of emergencies. Additionally, Second Exits improve customer convenience and can potentially function as automatic subway entrances.

As part of its commitment to modernization, TTC is implementing a new Second Exit Planning and Consultation Process. A panel of third party experts (the Expert Panel on Second Exits) created an evaluation framework to guide local communities and the TTC in evaluating location options for second exits.

As part of the planning process, a Local Working Group (LWG) is established in the community where a second exit will be built. Each LWG consists of 10-15 members of the local community, representing residents, TTC customers, local businesses, community groups and institutions. Each local working group is tasked with proposing location options for a second exit, and then evaluating those options using the evaluation framework. The first community to form a LWG and reach consensus on a preferred location was at Chester Station. Donlands Station will be the second location to undertake the new planning process.

Donlands Station will also become accessible under the TTC’s Easier Access Program, which is committed to making all stations accessible by 2025. Accessibility improvements will include construction of new elevators, automatic sliding doors, and accessible fare gates. The Second Exit and Easier Access construction is planned to be undertaken at the same time, as is currently the case at Woodbine Station. A concurrent approach will reduce both the duration of construction in the local community and the cost.

A meeting on December 2, 2015 was held to inform the community about the new second exit planning process, and to put out a call for members for the LWG who will be selected by the Expert Panel on Second Exits.

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1.2 Meeting Promotion

The December 2, 2015 public meeting was promoted as follows:

Addressed Mail: • Over 1500 residents/tenants in the local neighbourhood • 80 local property owners with off site mailing addresses via Canada Post • Email to contact list (all who expressed previous interest)

Newspapers • Two advertisements in the East York Mirror (November 19 and 26, 2015) • Notice in 24 Hrs newspaper (“Connecting Toronto”, November 27, 2015)

Other • Posters in Donlands Station, TTC website (projects.ttc.ca) and Social Media ( meeting

invite posted to Facebook and Twitter on November 30, 2015)

1.3 Consultation Process

Mechanism Audience Date Community Meeting and Open House St. David’s Anglican Church 49 Donlands Ave, Toronto ON

Local residents, BIA members, business owners, and community

Wednesday December 2, 2015 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

1.4 Participation Summary

40 people signed in at the meeting and approximately 60 attended.

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2. Summary of Presentation

A presentation was given and is posted on the project website. The direct link is: http://www.ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Projects/Second_Exit_Projects/Donlands_Station/index.jsp

• David Nagler (Community Relations Manager, TTC)

o Second Exit Project Consultation Overview o Easier Access Overview o Tentative schedule: Construction of Second Exit and Easier Access projects to be

completed end of 2020 • Katherine Kirzati (Chester Station Local Working Group Member)

o Chester Station consultation from local resident perspective • Local Working Group (LWG) Applications are due January 15th, 2016 • Expert Panel Group to finalize Local working group members in February 2016, LWG

meetings to commence shortly afterwards

Following the presentations, a question and answer session was held for one hour (questions and answers are available in Appendix A). Attendees were also able to speak one-on-one with TTC staff, a Chester Local Working Group Member and the local City Councillor, Mary Fragedakis. Some of the common topics raised included: construction impacts, potential locations for a second exit, city maintenance of one and three Strathmore properties, the future of the proposed development of the Church at 14 Dewhurst Blvd, potential construction impacts, LGW applications, potential impact to property values, potential of compensation for impacted residents, PRESTO fare card, and the status of the city’s relief line subway study.

3. Next Steps

• The call for members of the LWG was issued at the meeting, and posted on the TTC website; applications are due by January 15, 2016. Application forms are available at: http://www.ttc.ca/PDF/Transit_expansion_PDFs/LWG-Application_Donlands.pdf

• The Expert Panel on Second Exits will select the members of the LWG in February, 2016

• The first meeting of the LWG will be held after the member selection

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4. Appendices A. Questions and Answers B. Photos C. Public Meeting Flyer D. Local Working Group Application Form E. Follow Up Letter to Local Residents

A. Donlands Station Second Exit Q and A

Questions related to Donlands Station Second Exit and Neighbourhood

1. What is the status of Donlands Station in the Downtown Relief Line Subway Plan?

The City of Toronto Transportation Planning Department’s study has concluded that Donlands Station has limited ability to use existing public rights-of-way and is not preferred as a terminus for the Relief Line. Pape Station and Broadview Station are being carried forward in their Relief Line study as potential connection points to the Bloor-Danforth Subway. Therefore, the second exit and easier access projects for Donlands can proceed.

As background, TTC issued a letter to the local community (November 27, 2012), noting that improvements at Donlands Station (a second exit and new elevators) would be deferred to allow for the Environmental Assessment for the proposed Relief Line to evaluate implications for Donlands Station.

The City has advised that updated ridership modelling will be completed in the coming months, and they will hold the next round of consultations for The Relief Line in 2016. Information is available on their project website: http://reliefline.ca/

2. What was the list of potential Second Exit locations previously suggested by TTC Engineering and local residents under the previous process in 2010 for Donlands Station?

TTC Engineering Options evaluated during previous process in 2010

• One and three Strathmore Blvd (recommended at the time in 2010)

Other options evaluated by TTC:

• nine, 10, 11 and 12 Strathmore Blvd • 14 and 16 Strathmore Blvd

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Local Residents Options submitted to TTC

• Garage on west side of Dewhurst Blvd (south of southern laneway adjacent to 14 Dewhurst Blvd - Church property)

• Laneway south of 14 Dewhurst Blvd • In front of 14 Dewhurst Blvd, (east of the existing Church property) • TD Bank parking lot • On Danforth east of Dewhurst Blvd • On Danforth west of Dewhurst Blvd • TTC subway station property • Laneway north of 14 Dewhurst Blvd • Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) parking lot between Langford Ave and Dew Lang

Lane • Wilkinson Junior Public School property • 14 Dewhurst Blvd Church property in combination with potential purchase of this

property by Toronto Parking Authority • 17 and 19 Dewhurst Blvd • Dewhurst Blvd curb lane • 26 and 28 Dewhurst Blvd

3. Has TTC discussed the potential of a second exit at the future development at the former Church property - 14 Dewhurst Blvd?

As of December 2, 2015, TTC has not yet received a formal development application from the property owner to review and comment on. TTC has provided the developer with standard construction requirements to protect the subway tunnel and safety of TTC infrastructure.

4. What are the plans for one and three Strathmore Blvd? Who maintains this property?

One and Three Strathmore Blvd were purchased by the City of Toronto on behalf of TTC as part of the 2012 Second Exit project as a potential Donlands Station second exit location. After the former process ended in December 2012, station improvements (Second Exit and Easier Access) for Donlands Station were deferred pending development of a new consultation process. The location of the second exit will now be determined through the new process.

One and three Strathmore are maintained by City of Toronto Real Estate Services (TTC does not maintain these types of properties, particularly when it’s not occupied by TTC or used for a TTC purpose).

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Since acquiring the property, City of Toronto Real Estate Services confirmed they have monitored these properties on a regular basis. Regular monitoring includes reviewing the property’s internal and external structures, HVAC systems, light fixtures, cleanliness, safety and security. Regular landscaping is also conducted, including cutting grass and clearing snow.

When minor maintenance issues occur, work orders are created and the City addresses them. For example, when a fence fell down, it was repaired. The City also received a report of litter, and crews were sent out to clean up the front lawn.

TTC has inquired with City Real Estate regarding the potential for them to lease the property prior to a second exit location being determined through the new planning process.

5. Where will the Second Exit location likely be located? Will you not favour a second exit that requires a tunnel built underneath the Danforth?

The location of the second exit will be determined through the new planning process. Anyone can submit any location in the neighborhood for consideration by the future “Local Working Group” (LWG). The LWG will narrow down the choice to eight potential locations that they will submit to TTC architecture and engineering staff for technical analysis.

The five categories that the LWG will use to evaluate location options are:

• Safety • Local community impact – second exit (permanent impact/effects) • Local community impact – (construction period impact) • Customer experience • Cost

The TTC board will make the final decision. For Chester Station, the board unanimously approved the local working group’s preferred location.

6. What is the impact to property values when a second exit is located?

Residents should consult real estate evaluation professionals to comment on potential impacts to future property value. Typically, subway stations close to properties have a positive impact on property value; however this must be evaluated on a site specific and case by case basis. It is an option to have a “Second Exit” function as a subway entrance as well. For example, at Woodbine Station and at the request of the community, the second exit will also serve as a day-to-day automatic entrance. The decision of whether or not the second exit at Donlands will function as an automatic entrance has not yet been determined.

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7. Why were one and three Strathmore Blvd recommended by TTC Engineering for a second exit location in 2010 under the previous process?

Factors used to consider one and three Strathmore as a potential second exit included, visibility (it being a corner lot), a short and direct connection to existing platforms with minimum path directional changes, constructability and reduced construction impact in comparison to a mid-block construction.

8. Have any other properties in the area been purchased by the City or TTC for a potential second exit?

No.

9. Has TTC worked with the 14 Dewhurst developer to potentially incorporate a second exit into the main floor of their development?

No, as of December 2, 2015 TTC has not yet received a development application, in order to provide commentary.

Questions related to the Local Working Group process

10. How does the evaluation framework actually work, what are the specific criteria within the five categories that are used to locate a second exit?

TTC has posted an additional presentation about the Second Exit evaluation framework and how second exits are planned:

Please see the following link: http://www.ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Projects/Second_Exit_Projects/Donlands_Station/index.jsp

11. What notification will be provided prior to the LWG meetings?

Please provide your email address to Denise.jayawardene@ttc.ca who will send out an email to notify the mailing list of future meetings. The Donlands Second Exit website will also be updated with notice of all Local Working Group meetings approximately two weeks in advance. Direct link: http://www.ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Projects/Second_Exit_Projects/Donlands_Station/index.jsp

12. Can anyone submit a location suggestion without being on the local working group?

Yes. Anyone can submit a location to the TTC via denise.jayawardene@ttc.ca . The TTC will share any options submitted with the LWG, once it’s formed.

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13. Can an LWG member use an alternate back up person to attend in their place?

The Expert Panel who set up the new process did not recommend having alternates. However, TTC will advise the panel there if there is interest and ask them to re-consider. Every effort will be made to organize meetings so that all LWG members can attend. For Chester Station, there was near perfect attendance from the 13 members who were able to agree on a specific weeknight for meetings.

14. Is there quorum/a minimum number of people required for an LWG meeting?

Yes. Meetings can only be held if a majority of members can attend. Similarly, if consensus can’t be reached, decisions are made by majority vote.

15. Do you have a time limit for the LWG to make a final decision? A final recommendation from the LWG is expected in Fall 2016, to be followed by a community meeting and a TTC Board report before the end of 2016. We hope to begin construction before the end of 2017, and complete construction by the end of 2020.

Post meeting note: TTC would prefer to have a final recommendation from the LWG by June 2016

16. How long did the Chester Working Group take to make a final decision? The overall process for Chester station including obtaining TTC Board approval was completed in approximately one year. Once the LWG recommends location options, TTC technical staff require three to four months to compile technical data and complete a constructability analysis. Following the technical review, the LWG will require approximately four meetings to analyze and discuss the various options and rank their final options according to the standard framework. This will be followed by a public meeting for the LWG and TTC to present the results, and for the wider community to review the LWG’s recommendations. The final step is a report to the TTC Board who will make the final decision.

17. How did the Chester LWG work to finalize the eight options into one? There were individual rankings completed and then a series of group meetings to discuss each location option, rank them against one another and arrive to a consensus using each of the five evaluation categories and criteria within them. Please view the presentation below that outlines the step by step process: http://www.ttc.ca/PDF/Transit_expansion_PDFs/Evaluation_Framework_Overview-Dec2015.pdf

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18. Is there a third party assessment of the Local Working Group’s Evaluation? Yes. The Local Working Group’s recommendations will be reviewed by the Expert Panel on Second Exits to ensure their evaluations and rankings conform with the evaluation framework.

19. Is there a mandatory requirement to have a resident who is directly impacted on the LWG?

As no location is yet determined, there is no mandatory requirement. However, the purpose of this planning process is to ensure local residents who are representative of the local community participate on the LWG. Details for applying to the LWG are posted online: http://www.ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Projects/Second_Exit_Projects/Donlands_Station/index.jsp

Should any LWG representative suggest that the second exit be built on private property, the property owners will be notified immediately and asked to comment. Their comments will be shared with the LWG - as was the process in the previous Chester Station.

Questions related to future construction

20. How long does construction of second exits typically take? Typically second exit projects are combined with Easier Access projects as is the case at Woodbine Station. Combining the two projects reduces the overall duration and impacts and reduces costs. These combined projects typically take approximately three years.

21. Why does the construction take so long? Depending on site conditions, gas, hydro, watermain, sewer, cable, fibre and telephone lines may need to be relocated prior to the project construction to ensure that there will be no disruption in service and for safety reasons. Construction in subway stations is carried out while stations remain operational, this means that construction is phased to allow customers to enter and leave the station safely. Furthermore, phasing of work, modifications and additions to existing underground structures are a lot more complex than building new structures. All of the above are factors that impact the duration of construction.

***Information provided by TTC staff subsequent to the December 2, 2015 Public Meeting

22. How will local residents be affected by construction? As with the vast majority of major construction projects, some road closures, diversions

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and/or lane reductions and removal of on-street parking may be required. Mitigation measures to reduce impacts will be a focus of the project. Dust, noise and vibration impacts will be closely monitored to ensure that they remain within the acceptable levels as prescribed by City of Toronto by-laws and Ontario Ministry of the Environment standards.

The specific types of impacts and their duration will vary and are dependent on project location, local soil conditions, existing utilities and other factors. Agreements will be made with property owners, whose properties are within the zone of influence, to place vibration monitors within their properties during construction to monitor and obtain measurements throughout construction, and ensure appropriate mitigation is implemented if readings exceed certain acceptable thresholds.

***Information provided by TTC staff subsequent to the December 2, 2015 Public Meeting

23. Is there compensation for construction impacts? TTC and the City compensate owners whose properties (or parts of property) are required either temporarily or permanently through easements. The TTC and City do not provide compensation through tax breaks or operating subsidies to businesses adjacent to long term construction projects that are necessary to improve infrastructure.

24. How much space, or what is the footprint of the future construction for the second exit?

The footprint will be determined through the design process. As soon as multiple location options are recommended by the future LWG, TTC technical staff will work on gathering as much detailed information as possible, including establishing projected building footprints and impacts.

Questions related to the proposed Second Exit

25. Is it necessary to build a second exit?

Yes. Second Exits provide an alternate means of egress and are important for safety and station evacuation in the event of an emergency.

26. How many people use the Pape Second Exit? Over 27,000 people use Pape Station each day and in the case of an emergency the second exit is vital. Specific daily usage counts for the Pape Station second exit will be undertaken in 2016.

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Will the second exit be equipped for the new “PRESTO” fare card?

Yes. If the Second Exit is also used as an entrance, it will be equipped with PRESTO enabled fare gates.

27. Why isn’t the Pape Second Exit also an entrance?

At the time of Pape construction, TTC policy and Engineering standards required additional space to install infrastructure to allow for entry into a station. As TTC farelines will be replaced by bi-directional faregates, retrofits to convert existing exit-only facilities to entrances may be possible.

All new second exits will be equipped with bi-directional fare gates, and will not require additional space if they were to be used for entry as well.

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Questions related to Easier Access

28. Will there be an elevator installed at Donlands? Yes. The Easier Access project for Donlands will include new elevators, sliding doors and new fare-gates at the main station building. The project will begin construction at the same time as the second exit project.

29. Will there be escalators at the second exit? No. Second Exits are built for emergencies and customer convenience as another way to exit the station; this second exit will have staircases only.

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B. Event Photos

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C. Promotional Flyer

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D. LWG Application Form

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E. Letter to Local Residents (Post Meeting)

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5. TTC Contact

Denise Jayawardene Senior Community Liaison | Community Relations CEO’s Office | Toronto Transit Commission 416-393-6937| denise.jayawardene@ttc.ca