Executive Summary:

Background:

Victoria Yen-Shin Lin, owner of the properties known as 722 Brant Street and 736 Brant Street, applied to close the entire portion of the 6.1 metre wide north/south alley located on between 722 Brant Street and 736 Brant Street, as shown as “Part 1” and “Part 2” on Drawing No. CC-1757, attached as Appendix “A.

The north/south alley connects at a 90-degree angle to an east/west alley that runs easterly from Louis Avenue to the area shown as “Part 2” on Drawing No. CC-1757. The north/south and the east/west alley appear to be traveled and are comprised of gravel with vegetation growth.

The applicant wants the alley closed to reduce vehicle traffic, pedestrian traffic, illegal dumping and for vermin/pest control.

Discussion:

Planning Department’s analysis of the requested alley closures:

The first test is to determine whether the subject alley is dispensable. To make such determination the guideline attached herein as Appendix “E” would be relevant as shown below:

a. Does the subject alley serve commercial properties?

The answer is NO.

b. Does the subject alley serve properties fronting on heavily traveled streets i.e. major arterial routes?

The answer is NO.

c. Does the subject alley contain sewers, and must the alley remain accessible for servicing?

The answer is NO.

d. Does the subject alley serve as the only vehicular means of access to rear parking areas and garages where the property has insufficient lot width for a side drive?

The answer is NO. The east/west segment of the alley also serves as access to parking at the rear of 702 Brant and 712 Brant Street and 727 Assumption Street.

e. Does the subject alley contain Fire Department connections that are deemed to be necessary for firefighting access?

The answer is NO.