Controversial Transform Yonge plan deferred for more study after daylong debate

Toronto city council voted 20-15 Tuesday to defer a plan to transform Yonge Street for more study, a move WillowdaleCoun. John Filionsays keeps the proposal to narrow the road and add bike lanes alive.

The deferral calls for the TTCto look at how a redesigned Yonge Street would affect its bus routes in the areaand raises the possibility that city council won't make a final decision on the project until after this fall's municipal election.

"It's only slightly less disappointing than a loss, but the votes weren't there.So it's better to come back at this than to have lost it all," Filion told reporters after the vote.

Councillorsspentmost of Tuesday's session fighting over what to do with Yonge Street.

• Metro Morning|Why city council should support TransformYonge
• Committee goesagainst city staff, supporting alternateYongeStreet redesign

City staff are recommending a plan called TransformYongethat would narrow the street from six lanes to four betweenSheppard and Finch Avenues,while also adding wider sidewalks and bike lanes.

The local councillor, high-profile city-builders and a number of advocacy groups all support the plan. Supporters say its the safest option for pedestrians and has the most community benefits. Those against it warnit would hurt drivers and those who rideTTCbuses in the area.

Staff have also identified a viable alternative preferred by the public works committee and Mayor John Torythat wouldmaintain the existing lanes of traffic but still widen sidewalks.That plan would cost some $9 million more and move the bike lanes to nearbyBeecroftRoad.

Tory argues cutting out lanes would cause traffic problems in one of the most congested parts of the city, warningcouncillorsthat people will continue to drive cars and it's not something they can ignore.

The TransformYongereport suggests traffic won't slow down drivers that much.

Tory's critics point to a number of other reasons to push ahead with the original plan.

Coun. JoeMihevcasked what version of theYongeStreet plan best aligns with the city's Vision Zero goal of eliminating all road deaths. BarbaraGray, the general manager of transportation, says TransformYongeis tops because it narrows the roadway, making it safer to cross. However, both options offer safety benefits, she says.

Coun. JoeCressywho put forward the motion to defer the item, saying "many people need more information"argued in favour of putting the needs of a growing number of local residents first.

GreggLintern, the city's acting chief planner, says there were 56,000 people living in walking distance from the North York Centre as of 2016. In the coming years, that population is expected to grow to 80,000 to 100,000 people.

Outside of the downtown,Willowdaleis the fastest and "most intense" growth centre in the city, he said.

Councillorsconcerned about traffic

Coun.ChristinCarmichaelGreband several others recounted driving in the area and encountering bumper-to-bumper traffic. She calls it a "disaster."

CarmichaelGrebsays she's concernedifYongeis changed, drivers will wind up cutting through local neighbourhoods.

Transportation officials note there are already 14 car lanes available to drivers in the area, while others would be able to use routes likeBayviewAvenue orBathurstStreet.

Severalcouncillors, includingCoun. Glenn DeBaeremaekerandCoun. John Campbell, asked aTTCofficial about how the TransformYongeplan would affect the 1,300 bus trips in and out of the area every day.

ATTCrepresentative warned "transit service will definitely get worse," something she attributed to buses bunching up in traffic.

However,Coun.GordPerks attacked that point, noting there shouldn't be any more effect on buses than other vehicles. City staff, meanwhile, say additional measures may be taken to keep buses moving in and out of the Finch station.

Local councillor battling for votes

Do we want to build this stretch ofYongeStreet for the1960s? Or do we want to build it for the21stcentury? Very simply, that's it.- Ken Greenberg, urban designer

WillowdaleCoun. JohnFilionsays he's "bewildered" by the resistance to TransformYonge, but that he's fighting to get the votes he needs.

He argues the changes would create a main street for the booming neighbourhood. That concept has the support of a group of prominent city-builders.

Urban designer Ken Greenberg says it's "so obvious" and "so clear" that city staff are recommending the best option for the street that he's amazed it's even a debate.

"It's not about bicycle lanes," he told reporters.

"Do we want to build this stretch ofYongeStreet for the1960s? Or do we want to build it for the21stcentury? Very simply, that's it."

Tory's alternative attacked

Greenberg took a dim view of Tory's preferred alternative. "There's everything wrong with that proposal," he said, noting it will cost more and won't create the great public space that people in the area deserve.

He says Tory's plan focuses only on moving automobiles.

There's also pressure on city council to get this decision right, as the roadway is nearing the end of its lifespan. Whatever design replaces it is expected to remain for the next 50 to 75 years.