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The “streets” bylaw is the municipality’s way of managing its public rights of ways, everything from how construction happens, who can occupy it, and what activities are allowed. The new bylaw seeks to do away with disparate rules that governed the former municipalities and replace it with one set that applies to everyone.

“It’s going to be a huge, huge improvement to the way we do business across the city,” said Al Smithies, manager of traffic planning and right of way management in Etobicoke York, and the lead on this project.

If a resident is putting in a fence that is less than 0.9 metres tall or a walkway that is less than 1.5 metres wide, the city will issue a free permit as long as it complies with its requirements. Soft landscaping will not require a permit at all, said Mr. Smithies.

“The way the legislation is written now, for all the municipalities, if you so much as stick a spoon in the road allowance to plant a single flower, you’re looking at paying a permit fee, getting into an encroachment agreement,” he said. “That one single flower could cost you $1,000. That’s ridiculous, it doesn’t work, it’s not efficient and just ticks off the public who see it as absolutely frivolous.” He said the new requirements will make the process more efficient.

A clause in the proposed bylaw also prohibits people from attaching any article or thing to a waste receptacle, streetlight, parking meter, utility pole, transit shelter, fence, tree or any other municipal property for more than 24 hours. Councillor Mike Layton argued that the wording now prohibits a bike from being attached to the listed property, which he said would have the effect of dramatically reducing the availability of bike parking.

Mr. Smithies said the clause is intended to dissuade people from leaving derelict bikes, or other discarded items, on municipal property. He acknowledged Mr. Layton’s concern, and said staff will work with him before it comes to council to clear up the language. “We don’t want to be coming after legitimate people who are just leaving their bikes there.”

National Post

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