A commenter noted this practice the other day on the blog, and while I am a firm advocate of integrated residential and industry this practice should have a better solution that what is happening now.
This author has personal seen such technical difficulties solved using sidewalk and traffic repositioning, yet I wonder if the respective parties such as the business, the city and the community are all willing to put the hard work into such solution.
10 Comments
A simple solution for local residents would be to call in the infraction to the city's parking enforcement office every time there is an issue with the sidewalk being blocked. Eventually the city will tire of being called for the same infraction over and over and something will give.
Complaining through the proper channels should be a no brainer for most adults
i would think they have rights to do what they are doing, and only a redesign would be a work around
I've walked past there several times after hours, and they are always tidy. During the day, that dock is an active industrial site. There are real safety issues if you pretend that sidewalks and industial activity are time-and-space compatible.
Just imagine that the sidewalk isn't there during work hours.
I'm not sure what days you've walked past here "after hours" but there is at least one truck is there 24 /7 blocking the west sidewalk, and unfortunatly during "work hours" they often park on the opposing sidewalk as well.
How about walking on the other sidewalk?
When I look at the photo I see a clear sidewalk along the opposite side of the street. What is the problem with using it instead of whining and calling the city to enforce parking. This is mixed commercial and residential street that some people accept and others want to change everything.
The problem Raymond is that people shouldn't have to. Because it is mixed commercial and residential should I then just be okay with NRT spewing toxic smelling fumes into the air? But I guess you consider calling the government about that "whining", too. You are right, there are two sidewalks but that doesn't mean Topper has the right to take over one of them.
Micheal, imagining there is no sidewalk there during work hours? Really? Amazing. As someone that frequents that area both on foot and in a car I will note that the drivers of the Topper trucks really have no regard for pedestrians or cars. They are constantly backing in and out of their loading area and on to the street, or doing three-point-turns, without even taking a look to see if anyone is around. But perhaps I should just imagine there is no street there during work hours.
There are ways around it.
I have spent many years on the street and have talked to the owner personally. He seems to take pride to maintaining a good relationship with the co-inhabitants of Mulock. They even pick up other people's garbage and plow the snow in the winter which is not required by law. I even see the residents on the east side of Mulock parking their taxi's and personal vehicles after hours on Topper's property free of charge. Topper Linen brings many jobs to the local industry and Junction area, which is, in my opinion, still challenged. By no means is this company perfect, but are you really that upset about having to cross the street, "Lives on Mulock"? Or are you just upset at something else. Lets look at the big big here folks and not nit pick minor flaws of an overall reasonable local business.
Andrew K
It's not nitpicking. People wanted to address a simple issue. The owner sounds like a respectable guy. If he takes pride in his operations and area and is generally cooperative, then people should be respectful. But they shouldn't ignore issues that come up. There's probably a way to reconfigure the street to make it more functional for trucks and pedestrians. Some urban design innovation from the city would be nice.
Tim Topornicki Owner Topper Linen Supply
I apologize for blocking the sidewalks. I speak to my drivers EVERY Tuesday about being aware of our situation. Also I ask them to be very careful, and watch for the elderly, especially the two German lady's who have been on Mulock for many many years. The option for us to move is not available since an acre of land is about 750,000.00 to 1,000,000.00. We would require 2-3 acres, plus the building of a 25 million plant. We are a 56 year old family business, and simply cannot afford that kind of money. I like the Junction, since we are able to get workers to come to our plant easily. When my Dad opened his 5000 sq foot plant in 1968, he was allowed outside storage. Maple Leaf Mills across from us employed 750 plus people, but were driven crazy with there flour mill by residents and city officials. They left and went to Ingersol. So did the jobs. Benjamin Moore also had many problems with residents and the city. They left and went to Kitchener, with 300 plus jobs. Canada Bread is leaving for the same reasons, and going to Hamilton with 650 jobs. Topper Linen and National Rubber are the only ones left of any size in this area. I like the Junction area, and want to stay. Cleaning the streets and snow plowing is easy, and just the way I am. I like to see everything nice and neat. If there is anything else I can do, just let me know. I will be glad to help. We are neighbours, and I also never complain when my lot is used for residents parking after hours and on the weekend. I do not need it on the weekend, so parking is OK. I have also called the city on many occasions to have speed bumps put in, so the auto shops do not speed down our street. There are kids playing. Thanks for listening, Merry Christmas, Tim Topornicki