01

MAXIMIZE OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY THE FUTURE ST. CLAIR SMARTTRACK STATION AND SUPPORT ITS SUCCESS

ST. CLAIR-OLD WESTON SMARTTRACK STATION

The real catalyst and centrepiece for the revitalization of this part of Toronto will be the construction of a GO/SmartTrack Station at St. Clair West between Weston Road/Keele Street and Old Weston Road.

  1. This station is proposed to be located on the Kitchener GO Corridor at St. Clair Avenue West and will serve as an important point of seamless transfer for the St. Clair streetcar as well as a number of surface bus services which serve the existing and future emerging community.
  2. Accessibility to this SmartStation automatically means efficient access to rapid transit throughout the Greater Toronto Area including direct connections to the Bloor-Danforth subway line, Union Station, the Yonge/ University subway line, etc.
  3.  There will be a well-designed, high-quality entrance at St. Clair Avenue West and an off-street bus terminal for passengers transferring from connecting streetcars and bus services including Wheel-Trans, that will focus on pedestrian and cyclist accessibility, including adequate and convenient bicycle parking.
  4. The Starklands has a transit score of 90-100 out of 100 due to the location of the future St. Clair SmartTrack Station. The future station is only a 5 min walk.
  5. No commuter parking is proposed thus discouraging automobile traffic.

02

IMPROVE THE SAFETY & CONNECTIVITY OF THE ROAD NETWORK FOR ALL ROAD USERS

NEW ROAD CONNECTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS

In order to accommodate the proposed St. Clair SmartTrack station, certain new road connections and improvements are planned which are essential to relieve the current traffic congestion and blockages. More importantly, these road improvements will increase access and safety for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and transit users. These were clearly identified in the St. Clair West Transportation Master Plan and are identified as follows, and as shown on the Map Exhibit:

  1. Extension of Gunns Road between Weston Road and Union Street/ Turnberry Avenue.
  2. Extension of Keele Street from its current terminus south of Rogers Road to extended Gunns Road.
  3. Extension and improvements of Union Street to St. Clair Avenue West.
  4. Widening of St. Clair Avenue West which can be achieved with the required widening of the rail bridge partly for the new SmartTrack station.
  5. Extension of Davenport Road to the SmartTrack at St. Clair Avenue West.
DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW URBAN ROAD NETWORK

A local network of roads required to accommodate the redevelopment and rejuvenation of lands in close proximity to the new St. Clair SmartTrack is planned and designed to encourage the vibrancy and safety of pedestrian activities, encourage easy walking and cycling access to the SmartTrack station, discourage through traffic and encourage slower traffic by employing the following guidelines:

  1. Narrower pavements for vehicular traffic. Safety for all road users in a street-calming environment.
  2. Design for eyes on the community.
  3. Maximize pedestrian and bicycle accommodation and accessibility. Include generous pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
  4. Generous boulevards for street furniture, planting and tree canopies. Co-ordinated pedestrian level lighting.
This new urban road network includes the Improvement of Benny Stark Street along with Union Street and the construction of several new local roads to serve the new Starkland developments.
  1. Benny Stark Street extension and widening.
  2. Starklands new local street 1.
  3. Starklands new local street 2.

03

BUILD A NEW RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY THAT REINFORCES THE EXISTING ADJACENT NEIGHBOURHOODS

A NEW COMMUNITY

  1. Create a distinct gateway at the corner of Gunns Road and Keele Street.
  2. Create a new retail street along Benny Stark Street – a vibrant, lively, well-designed street that will be active day and night.
  3. Extend the residential neighbourhood through the site with connections via Turnberry Avenue, Algarve Crescent and Keele Street to the new St. Clair GO/Smart Track Station.
  4. Facilitate pedestrian movement throughout the site and provide access to and from the proposed St. Clair GO/ Smart Track Station.
  5. Encourage walkability, cycling, and transit usage in proximity to the St. Clair Street car line, and the St. Clair GO/ Smart Track Station.
  6. Park space and townhouse blocks adjacent to existing residential dwellings, providing a compatible built form transition.
  1. High Rise:   Residential
  2. Mid Rise:  Residential, office, retail, work/live units
  3. Low Rise:  Townhouse and single homes

04

DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE NETWORK

The Starklands is strategically located to leverage the existing and planned cycling network and encourage all modes of travel. The new road extensions proposed for the area will provide the missing links to improve overall traffic circulation. More importantly, the new links and the development of the Starklands will finally provide the opportunity to develop a safe and comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle network, which has been lacking in the area.
Residents of the new community will enjoy improved cycling and pedestrian opportunities, never offered before. Cycling and walking will become the preferred alternative to the personal automobile.

Bycicle Network

  1. New cycling facilities, bike paths and lanes to be added.
  2. The extension of Davenport expands the cycling facilities and multi-use trails. This will also connect existing cycling routes together.
  3. Extension of Keele St provides wide sidewalks and bike lanes for those traveling from the North.

Pedestrian Network

The Starklands is located in an amenity rich area providing residents various services within a 15 minute walk.
  1. Large wide sidewalks and paths to provide safer areas for pedestrians.
  2. St. Clair SmartTrack station will have two pedestrian bridges over the rails to provide easier access from the west communities.

05

CREATE & CONNECT NEW PARKS & PUBLIC SPACES

THE STOCKYARDS NETWORK

  1. Existing parkland in the area is very distant and disconnected from one another.
  2. The proposed community will provide new parkland to help enhance and connect to the existing open space and parks within the Stockyard District.
  3. There is an existing forest and creek west of the Starklands which is preserved to help protect and enhance the green space in the area.
  4. Having more parkland and public spaces in the area encourages safe biking and walking trails while connecting to the future St. Clair SmartTrack station.

THE GREEN LINE

  1. Stretching from Bathurst to the new St Clair SmartTrack station, this 5 kilometer park helps connect communities by providing a network of bike trails, walking paths, biking facilities and much more.
  2. The goal of this linear park is to fill disconnected open spaces with vibrant, safe, green spaces.
  3. Starkland’s Parkland will connect to the Green Link Parks and help expand the already growing Green Link Parks project. The Green Line will convert the underutilized Turnberry North Park into an attractive and inviting space for existing and future residents.

STARKLANDS: PARKLAND

The Starklands community will provide additional park spaces while providing connections to the City’s vast park system.

  1. This park provides a transition space between the different density homes in the area.
  2. Trails along the path will encourage residents to walk and bike.
  3. Open space encourages community gatherings and events.
  4. Residents have direct access to park.
  5. More trees and greenspace added to the area.
  1. Parkland
  2. Retail Street
  3. Existing Creek
  4. New Local Street
  5. Green roof