News & Updates

281-289 Avenue Road

From: Concerned Cottingham <[email protected]> Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2011 19:05:17 -0400

Subject: **time sensitive** CONDO & Community Council meeting

We have been working with Josh Matlow a great deal over the past week. Considering the inconvenient & nonspecific timing for the Community Council meeting tomorrow, we have good news. Tomorrow's particular Council meeting is NOT critical for our cause- therefore, if tomorrow is difficult for you, there is no pressing need to attend. Subsequent meetings are much, much more important. For those that would still like to attend, the Community Council meeting tomorrow begins at 9:30am & early indications are that our issue won't be tabled until 2pm or 3pm.  But note, this timing is influx, and our issue may be tabled much earlier than currently anticipated. We will post further timing information to our website tomorrow; as soon as we receive it.  Please see below for some comments from Josh Matlow on the next steps following tomorrow's meeting:

Toronto's Port Lands

I believe it is absolutely vital to create a mixed use, green and people-friendly waterfront for Toronto of which we can all be proud.

While it is healthy to review plans, and consider new ideas, I would like council to build onto a decade of work, and millions of dollars invested by Waterfront Toronto rather than hastily shift to a new plan for the port lands.

Moreover, it is paramount that the City of Toronto genuinely consult with its residents before changing plans that were agreed upon through consultation in the first place.

Ultimately, all decisions at city council should be made thoughtfully and responsibly.

Given that so many questions remain unanswered regarding the proposed new course for the port lands, including potential liabilities, the need for new environmental assessments and how it may or may not compliment the investments made into Waterfront Toronto's plan to date, and the fact that there wasn't a genuine public consultation process included before changes were made, I cannot support it.

I will continue working with all of my colleagues to ensure Toronto has a plan for the port lands, and our entire waterfront, that builds on the good work done by Waterfront Toronto.

For more information on the subject, please see this article from the National Post.

Sincerely,

Josh
Councillor Josh Matlow
Ward 22, St. Paul's
City of Toronto
www.joshmatlow.ca

"Use of Streets and Sidewalks" Bylaw Update Public Meetings

The City of Toronto has dozens of by-laws and regulations governing how streets and sidewalks are used. These regulations are for the most part left over from the previous municipalities (East York, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough, Toronto, York and Metropolitan Toronto) that were amalgamated to form the City of Toronto in 1998.

The City is working to harmonize these regulations into a single, consistent by-law that uniformly manages activities occurring on public streets. Harmonizing these regulations will streamline the approval process for several activities and will result in consistency, efficiency and fairness to all residents and business owners in Toronto.

Background
On July 14, 2011, City Council endorsed a plan to consult with the public and stakeholders on proposed changes to Chapter 743 (Streets and Sidewalks, Use of) of the Toronto Municipal Code, known commonly as the "Streets By-law." The report to Council and supporting information is found online.

Consultation will be conducted online, and will also include four public open houses, an information  session for representatives of Business Improvement Areas, and two information sessions for representatives of the City’s various residents' associations..

About the Streets By-law
The updated Streets By-law will provide a uniform set of regulations for most activities that occur in our public rights-of-ways. Many issues will be included in the by-law, including but not limited to the following:

  • obstructing and encroaching on streets
  • excavating and maintaining streets and boulevards
  • temporary street occupations
  • commercial/industrial boulevard parking
  • banners in streets
  • canopies and awnings
  • temporary decorative lighting and street decorations
  • memorials in streets
  • approving driveways and walkways

A summary comparison of existing and draft proposed legislation here.

A summary of the draft proposed amendments is found here.

More questions? View our Frequently Asked Questions

Get Involved
Our proposed amendments to the Streets By-law is an important initiative that affects you and your property. Please take the time to help the City make sure the new by-law reflects the needs of your community. There will be four public open houses in the fall of 2011 where you will have the opportunity to learn more about the proposed changes, ask questions of staff, and provide feedback. Details of these open houses are as follows:

  • September 8, 2011
    Etobicoke Civic Centre - Foyer
    6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

  • September 14, 2011
    North York Civic Centre – Committee Room 3
    6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

  • September 15, 2011
    Metro Hall – Room 310
    6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

  • September 19, 2011
    Scarborough Civic Centre – Committee Rooms 1 & 2
    6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Contact Us
If you have questions about this project, please contact us:

  • Allan Smithies
    Project Manager
    Traffic Planning/Right-of-Way Management
    Etobicoke York District
    Transportation Services
    [email protected]
    416-394-8412

  • Mae Lee
    Senior Public Consultation Coordinator
    Pubic Consultation Unit
    [email protected]
    P 416-392-8210
    TTY  416 397 0831 
    F 416 392 2974

Synchronization of Traffic Signals and Streets By-law Update Public Open Houses

Dear Friends and Residents,

I believe one of City Hall's priorities should be taking prudent measures to tackle gridlock.  Therefore, along with my motion to increase fines and enforcement during rush hour, I have written to the City's Public Works and Infrastructure Committee requesting them to instruct Transportation Services to report back on the possible implementation of Synchronized Traffic Signals in the City of Toronto.  You can see the full letter here.

Oriole Park Neighbourhood Garage Sale

The Oriole Park Association (OPA) is sponsoring a garage sale in its neighbourhood on Saturday, September 24th.  So if you live in the area bounded by Chaplin Crescent in the south, Yonge Street in the east and Eglinton in the north, this is your chance to turn some of those unused items in your garage into cash.  The Association is advertising the event in the Toronto Star and the Village Post and they will post signs in strategic areas to direct interested buyers into the area.  For more details and information on how to have your address listed in the Star ad, check out their website at www.orioleparkassociation.com.

Provincial Education Debate in St Paul's on Education Issues

TDSB Trustee Shelley Laskin will be hosting a St Paul’s Provincial Candidates Debate on Education Issues. It will be at Northern Secondary School on September 20th from 7:00 to 9:00pm, and will be moderated by Toronto Star Education Reporter Louise Brown.

For more information please email Shelley Laskin at [email protected] or you can call her office at 416-397-3094.

Official Plan Review -- Public Consultation Meetings

You are invited! Join City Staff at one of the six Open Houses being held across Toronto in September. These Open Houses are part of the first stage of the Official Plan and Municipal Comprehensive Reviews. This is a great opportunity to help shape your city, and share with them your observations and ideas on planning in Toronto.

Open House Format

You can attend at any time between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to view displays and share your insights with City staff. A presentation and facilitated discussion will occur at 4:00 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. so you can attend the session that works with your schedule. See below for schedule dates and locations.

If you're unable to attend an open house, you will be able to review the open house material on-line. Display boards, handouts and the presentation along with a summary of each open house will be posted on this page. You can also complete a survey or submit your comments at any time.

Tuesday, September 13
Metro Hall
Room 308/309
55 John St.
Wednesday September 14
Etobicoke Civic Centre
Cafeteria
399 The West Mall
Tuesday, September 20
Scarborough Civic Centre
Council Chamber / Foyer
150 Borough Dr.
Wednesday, September 21
East York Civic Centre
Council Chamber / Foyer
850 Coxwell Ave
Monday, September 26
York Civic Centre
Council Chamber / Foyer
2700 Eglinton Ave West
Tuesday, September 27
North York Civic Centre
Members Lounge / Foyer
5100 Yonge Street

For more information please visit the City website at www.toronto.ca/opreview/index.htm.

Solid Waste Collection Changes – effective Tuesday, September 6th

Solid Waste Collection Changes – effective Tuesday, September 6th

Solid Waste Management continues efforts to increase efficiency by maximizing the automated truck collections.  The reconfiguring of the collection routes will require a change in residential collection days for some areas.

All households in Ward 22 BETWEEN YONGE AND BAYVIEW will have a change in their pickup.  This affects approximately 4,500 homes.

(click on the image for a larger picture - the boundary between "Wednesday 2" and "Thursday 2" is Mt. Pleasant Rd.)

If your new pickup schedule is now "Wednesday 2", you will start the cycle on Wednesday, September 7 with putting out your GARBAGE and Green Bin.  You can find the "Wednesday 2" calendar at www.toronto.ca/garbage/single/calendars/wednesday_2.pdf If your new pickup schedule is now "Thursday 2", your date stays the same but your garbage and recycling weeks will switch, with GARBAGE and Green Bin being picked up on Thursday, September 8.  You can find the "Thursday 2" calendar at www.toronto.ca/garbage/single/calendars/thursday_2.pdf.

Update on Davisville (June Rowlands) Park Splash Pad construction

The Davisville (June Rowlands) Park Splash Pad construction has been delayed by two weeks.

While I've been told that weather was the cause for the delay, like many of you, I am frustrated that we were told that this splash pad would be ready for the community by a deadline that has come and gone- as I expect that when Parks staff provide us with information, it will be accurate.

This morning I spoke with Tony Nagy, Senior Project Coordinator with Parks, Forestry & Recreation,and he assured me that the splash pad will indeed be open for use by  the July 16th weekend, weather permitting. I consider this a hard deadline and told Mr. Nagy that the community will expect so too.

I very much appreciate your patience and understand your justified frustration, which I have shared, and I am determined to see this project through to fruition.

Our new splash pad will be a wonderful asset for the Davisville Village neighbourhood and our entire community and I look forward to seeing our local children enjoying it very soon

July 4th, 2011 Update

Dear friends,

I hope you had a fun and relaxing Canada Day weekend.

For your information, I'm providing you with a brief update on three items that may be of interest to you.

  1. TOMORROW, July 5:  Eglinton 2020 (LRT) Forum
  2. Oriole Park Update
  3. Summerlicious - July 8 to 24, 2011

1.  Eglinton 2020 (LRT) Forum

Date:  Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Time:  7:00 to 8:30 pm

Place:  Forest Hill United Church - 2 Wembley Road - off Bathurst, 1 block North of Eglinton Ave W

I invite you to join me, other community leaders and interested stakeholders interested in participating in the planning and shaping of Eglinton Avenue both above ground as under ground work begins on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT.  We will be talking about shaping the middle of the city – Eglinton Avenue – in a sustainable, neighbourhood and business friendly way where pedestrians, motorists, cyclists and people of all ages can live and move on the street.

Seating is limited and RSVP is required - please contact the Office of MPP Mike Colle by phone at (416) 781-2395 or email at mcolle.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org.

Please visit the Eglinton 2020 website or check out their page on Facebook.

2.  Oriole Park Update

At long last, our new playground at Oriole Park is now open! Thank you to everyone, including local residents and parks staff, who I've worked with to see this through to fruition by the Canada Day deadline I set. This is possibly Toronto's most beautifully designed playground. And it now belongs to our community.

3.  Summerlicious - July 8 to 24, 2011

Take advantage of the incredible value of 3-course prix fixed menus at 150 of Toronto's favourite restaurants, whether it is for lunch or dinner.  Reservations recommended.  For more information on participating restaurants, please visit the City of Toronto website.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at (416) 392-7906 or reply to this email.

Best regards,

Josh

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