Letter from the Presidents of four Yonge & Eglinton Area Residents' Associations in support of Councillor Matlow's position on Eglinton Connects

Dear Mayor & Council,

As Presidents of the Eglinton Park, Oriole Park, Sherwood Park and South Eglinton Residents' Associations, we represent constituents on both sides of Eglinton Avenue between Mt. Pleasant and Avenue Roads. After several years of consultation and community engagement, it is unfortunate that both the process and the plan for Eglinton Connects have been misconstrued by a few isolated individuals in the community. In addition to the official community consultations held by City Planning, Eglinton Connects has been discussed and widely supported through the Midtown Planning Group and at our AGMs.

We have taken the Eglinton Connects plan so seriously because the Yonge-Eglinton area is fast becoming a very urban, densely populated node. Unfortunately, the infrastructure has not kept pace with this redevelopment.

The sidewalks, for example, are already inadequate to accommodate the number of pedestrians in the area. In addition, there are very few trees and not enough street furniture. The present condition of Eglinton Avenue near Yonge Street will soon become untenable when the numerous condos currently under construction, or in the midst of the approvals process, are completed.

Right now, Eglinton doesn't work for drivers, transit users, pedestrians or cyclists. With the removal of the nine bus routes currently crossing Eglinton between Mt. Pleasant and Avenue Road being replaced by the underground Crosstown LRT, a significant amount of the right-of-way will be freed up.

We look forward to a complete street with widened sidewalks suitable for the many seniors that live in the area, as well as parents with strollers and residents with mobility issues. Our neighbourhood desires an animated streetscape with outdoor cafés, public art, separated bike lanes and pocket parks. The space afforded for large trees along Eglinton is especially supported by our memberships.

We have also had concerns about traffic movement on Eglinton and possible infiltration into our neighbourhoods. That's why we have been proactively working with Councillor Matlow to address these issues and are pleased to have provided input on his motion to help ensure Eglinton has right-hand turn lanes and synchronized traffic signals with technology to address queuing in left turn lanes. "Zebra stripes" at intersections and other measures are also needed to protect our local neighbourhoods.

While we recognize that no Neighbourhood Transition Areas (NTA) or expanded laneways are proposed for our community, we support Councillor Matlow's motion that requires fulsome consultation should either be proposed.

The Eglinton Connects plan is supported by us, the Presidents of our respective Residents' Associations, because it envisions Eglinton as a beautiful Main Street for all Torontonians that balances a number of priorities, not just as a highway for people passing through.

Signed,

Tom Cohen                                                 Ben Daube

President, EPRA President, Sherwood Park Residents' Association

 

Greg Russell                                                 Chris Sellors

Past President, SERRA                                 President, Oriole Park Association

Latest posts

Councillor Matlow's City Hall & Community Update: January 2025

Show Your Support for a Charter City - Sign our Petition and Register to Depute

At Executive Committee on Tuesday, January 28th, Councillor Jamaal Myers and I are moving a motion “Toward Municipal Autonomy and Effective Local Governance” and we need your help! Show your support for a charter city by signing our petition, registering to speak, and submitting written comments for the committee meeting. 

It’s time to start fighting for Toronto’s future. You can register to depute or submit written comments at Executive Committee on January 28th here and you can sign our petition to send a message to your local Councillor and Mayor here

Councillor Matlow's City Hall & Community Update: December 2024

Focusing on Real Solutions to Toronto's Traffic Gridlock

Every day, too many Torontonians find themselves stuck in traffic gridlock, this is unacceptable. While there are many reasons for this, such as a lack of much-needed transit expansion over generations, along with the continuing need to provide people with more options to get around. I am actively calling for change. Far too many of our city's curb lanes are occupied for 2 or 3 years at a time for construction staging. I don't believe this is acceptable and I am calling for change.

Please read this thoughtful Toronto Star story about this priority.

Take action

Sign the Petition: Charter City Now
Sign Up for Updates
Contact our Office
Contact 311

Sign up for updates