Neighbours,
It has indeed been a difficult time for all of us as we dealt with pandemic restrictions that had to be put in place to protect public health and our families, friends and communities. We are all looking forward to a return to normal and the gradual re-opening of the economy and other services is indeed continuing. As you may have heard, on February 14th, the Provincial government announced the next steps in the provincial reopening plan. This changes many of the COVID-19 regulations, including masks and proof of vaccinations among other measures. Starting today, the province will be increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors, removing capacity limits in some indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, and much more.
The Ontario government also announced that starting March 1st, it will be lifting capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings, and will lift proof of vaccination requirements for all settings. I have provided some information on this announcement below and I encourage residents to read the full details regarding these changes.
I share the community's concerns and frustrations regarding the ongoing protests taking place in Ottawa, and in other places across Canada. While the right to peaceful protest must be ensured, the ongoing occupation we are witnessing in Ottawa and that recently ended at the Ambassador Bridge is very concerning. On February 14th, the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act in response to the ongoing situation. It's clear that the residents of Ottawa want their city back, and I join the community in sharing my sympathies for the people of Ottawa.
Here in Toronto, due to the plan that City services and the Toronto Police put in place, the protests that have taken place have remained largely peaceful and controlled. Last weekend, Toronto Police closed certain streets throughout the downtown core, and this helped to ensure the situation in Ottawa did not replicate itself here in Toronto. The Toronto Police's plan proved successful, and I want to thank the Toronto Police and City staff for their professionalism and leadership during this time.
Vaccination continues to be one of the best ways to protect yourself and your families and friends. As of February 11th, more than 2.5 million residents have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. To continue to ensure accessibility, on February 15th, the City announced that all City immunization clinics will now be offering walk-in third dose COVID-19 vaccinations to youth ages 12 to 17. You can book an appointment online through the provincial portal here.
The Special Toronto City Council 2022 Budget meeting takes place today. I have been following the Budget process very closely through the Budget Committee and at Executive Committee, of which I am a member. I very much appreciated all of the comments, suggestions and recommendations that residents in our community shared with me during this process. The City budget is one of the most important items we deal with each year and this meeting of City Council will make final decisions on our financial priorities for this coming year and beyond in terms of operating and capital allocations. As noted, you feedback is very important to me and I will consider all of your comments as the final budget is approved.
There are also a few upcoming community consultations and open houses that I want to remind you about.
As I have mentioned in past weeks, on February 22nd, the City will be hosting an open house for the proposed park at 261 Nairn Avenue. This proposal is the result of community leadership and community consultation and will be an opportunity for residents to see the results of this engagement process. The City will also be hosting a virtual open house on February 23rd to discuss and hear community feedback on the proposed Earlscourt Park pathways improvements. Finally, on March 3rd, the City will host an open house for the Keele-St. Clair Local Area Study. More information on these upcoming meetings can be found below, and I continue to encourage residents to participate.
I also want to remind residents that on the 24th of February at 6:30pm, the developers of the 158 Sterling site in the lower Junction Triangle will be hosting a virtual Zoom meeting for the community to hear about the status of construction and an overview of progress. Interested residents can register for this Zoom meeting here.
Lastly, I have provided information below on a number of successes for our Davenport community from yesterday's Toronto & East York Community Council (TEYCC) and Planning & Housing Committee (PHC) meetings. The TEYCC approved recommendations to create four all-way compulsory stop controls along Geary Ave between Salem Ave and Somerset Ave. This request was the result of the feedback my office received from residents concerned about speeding, and I thank the community for sharing their concerns on this.
The TEYCC also approved my my request to authorize the installation of speed bumps on Cosmos Nature Lane, and speed humps on Stonehouse Crescent to enhance pedestrian safety for community members and park users. The committee also approved the final report on the 72 Perth Ave zoning amendment application. The developer for this project will work with Woodgreen Non-profit Housing to deliver affordable housing onsite. This is a great win for our community, and I have shared more information on these wins below.
Also, through a Committee of Adjustment variance request, the City has secured a community contribution of $1.5 million from the Galleria Development. The money will be directed towards affordable housing in our community, and $250K will be set aside to be used to investigate the design or construction of a larger skating Pad at Wallace Emerson Park.
As always please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can be of any assistance. You can contact my office by email at [email protected] or by phone at 416.392.7012.
In community,
Ana
Table of Contents
COVID-19 Updates
- Province Announces Next Phase of Reopening
- City of Toronto Reopening City Hall and Civic Centres For Counter Services
- City Immunization Clinics Now Offering Walk-in Third Dose COVID-19 Vaccinations To Youth Ages 12 to 17
- Walk-ins Continue At Any City Clinic
- City Continues to Reopen Community Centres and Indoor Rec Services
- City of Toronto launches spring recreation program listings
- City's COVID-19 Dashboard Continues To Be Updated
City & Local Updates
- Press Conference with Councillor Filion In Support of Modular Housing Project at 175 Cummer Ave
- Joined Toronto Community Housing & Enbridge Gas in Celebrating 10 Year Partnership
- Open House for Park at 261 Nairn Ave on February 22nd from 6:30 to 8:00pm
- Earlscourt Park Pathways Virtual Open House on February 23rd from 6:30pm to 8:00pm
- Keele-St. Clair Local Area Study Public Open House on Thursday March 3 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
- Consultation on Single-Use & Takeaway Items Underway Until March 4th
- TTC Begins Restoring Transit Service to Pre-Pandemic Levels
- City Continues Black History Month Celebrations
Local Planning, Development, and Road Improvement Updates
- Geary Avenue Stop Controls Approved
- Speed humps approved at Cosmos Lane and Stonehouse Crescent
- Galleria Mall Site (1245 Dupont St) Parking Variance Nets $1.5m Community Benefit Contribution for Affordable Housing and Shinny Rink
- Final Approval of Development Application at 72 Perth Ave
- Request for Expressions of Interest in 390-440 Dufferin Incubator
- Preliminary Report on Development Application at 2, 4 and 80 Union Street
- Preliminary Report on Development Application at 0-200 Benny Stark St &116-122 Turnberry Ave
- Heritage Designation of 221 Sterling - Deferred until April
Recent Municipal Announcements
- February 11 - More than 2.5 million Toronto residents have now received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine
- February 11 - City of Toronto launching public consultation on next stage of reducing single-use and takeaway items
- February 15 - City of Toronto immunization clinics now offering walk-in third dose COVID-19 vaccinations to youth ages 12 to 17
- February 16 - City of Toronto Announces Details of Counter Service Reopening Plan
- February 16 - City of Toronto Reopening City Hall and Civic Centres For Counter Services
- February 16 - City of Toronto launches spring recreation program listings
Province Announces Next Phase of Reopening
On Monday February 14th, the Ontario Government announced the next steps in the provincial reopening plan. This announcement includes changes to mask requirements, proof of vaccination requirements, and changes to capacity limits.
Effective today, February 17th, the province will be:
- Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors;
- Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors;
- Removing capacity limits in certain indoor public settings like restaurants, bars, cinemas, and other food & drink establishments, where proof of vaccination is required;
- And more
The Ontario government also announced that, effective March 1st, it will be lifting capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings, as well as lifting proof of vaccination requirements for all settings. The announced changes are significant, and I encourage community members to read more about these changes in detail here.
City of Toronto Reopening City Hall and Civic Centres for Counter Services
On Wednesday February 16, the City of Toronto announced details of its plan to reopen City buildings to residents and staff. The phased plan will begin with the reopening of select in-person counter services at Toronto City Hall and civic centres on Tuesday February 22.
In-person counter services will include:
- Payments for property taxes;
- Utilities and parking violations;
- Construction permits;
- Tree removal permit applications;
- and COVID-19 rapid screening kits for small and medium-sized businesses.
Some of these in-person counter services will require booking an appointment in advance, while other services will be made available on a first-come first-serve basis.
Residents can click here to learn more.
City Immunization Clinics Now Offering Walk-in Third Dose Vaccinations To Youth Ages 12 to 17
On Tuesday February 15th, Toronto Public Health announced that all five City immunization clinics will now start offering walk-in third dose COVID-19 vaccinations for youth aged 12 to 17.
Residents ages 12 to 17 years are eligible for a third dose if approximately six months (168 days) have passed since their second dose.
Information on City immunization clinics can be found here.
Walk-ins Continue At Any City Clinic
City Immunization Clinics continue to accept walk-in visits for COVID-19 vaccinations while continuing with booked appointments. All five City-run clinics are open Monday to Friday from 2 – 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (for appointments and walk-in). Adjusted days/hours may occasionally apply.
Residents can also book an appointment online or call the Provincial booking system at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007). First, second and third doses are available for eligible groups.
City Continues to Reopen Community Centres and Indoor Rec Services
On January 31st, the City began reopening community recreation facilities for drop-in programs and rentals in accordance with the Province of Ontario’s plan to gradually end public health restrictions.
Proof of vaccination will continue to be required for those age 12 and older entering indoor sports and recreational facilities, and capacity restrictions of 50 percent will be in place for now.
City staff continue to monitor provincial regulations closely, and information about impacted City services will continue to be available on the City’s COVID-19: Changes to City Services webpage. Residents can more about the reopening of recreational facilities here.
City of Toronto launches spring recreation program listings
On Wednesday February 16th, the City announced that the City of Toronto’s spring recreation program listings are now available online to help residents prepare for registration dates next month. Registration for City spring recreation programs will open on Saturday, March 5 and Monday, March 7 for programs beginning the week of April 4.
Click here to learn more.
City's COVID-19 Dashboard Continues To Be Updated
The City of Toronto maintains an updated dashboard of statistics and reports on COVID-19 numbers in our City, including a case count map. It is easy to review information on the dashboard which outlines what is occurring in our City during the pandemic. The data is updated regularly.
The dashboard can be found at this link.
City & Local Updates
Press Conference with Councillor Filion In Support of Modular Housing Project at 175 Cummer Ave
On February 15th, Councillor John Filion and I heard from residents of Ward 18 - Willowdale, who spoke passionately in support of the 59-unit modular housing project at 175 Cummer Ave. This important housing development has Council’s support, but has faced delays due to the province.
We've been waiting months for an MZO from the province so that this project could proceed, and more residents in our city could be housed. Although the fastest course of action continues to be an MZO, we can't keep waiting for the province to act while housing remains unbuilt.
This is why Councillor Filion and I submitted a recommendation to the Planning & Housing Committee to initiate a municipal zoning process to allow this project to move forward.
On February 10th, I joined Minister of Energy Todd Smith, Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) President and CEO Jag Sharma, and Enbridge to recognize and celebrate the 10 years of partnership between Enbridge Gas and TCHC.
This decade-long partnership has resulted in reductions to TCHC's carbon footprint, increased comfort for residents, and more TCHC savings which has allowed funds to be used elsewhere. The resulting decrease in TCHC emissions is also helping our city reach its emissions target.
Open House for Park at 261 Nairn Ave on February 22nd
A new park is coming to 261 Nairn Ave!
The City will be hosting an open house on February 22nd for residents to see the preferred concept design! I encourage community members to join this open house to ask questions, and see the results of this engagement process!
Community members can visit this link to register.
These pathway improvements were initiated by local residents, which I fully support. The new pathways will connect to the existing park pathways, entrances, and amenities and will improve accessibility and connectivity throughout the park.
The City will be hosting a Virtual Open House on February 23rd from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm to present the proposed plan, and answer questions from community members. Community members can register through this link.
The City's is conducting a round of public consultations on reducing the use of single-use and takeaway items in Toronto. The objective of the consultation is to gather public feedback on the implementation timing for the Single-Use and Takeaway Item Reduction Strategy, proposed mandatory measures, additional items to be addressed through the Reduction Strategy, and more.
Residents are encouraged to share their feedback through the online survey by March 4th. The City will also be hosting virtual public events on February 15th and 16th as well.
On February 9th, the TTC has announced that it will begin to restore transit service to 100% of pre-pandemic levels.
The TTC has started increasing service to 17 routes across Toronto, including the 168 Symington bus, the 161 Rogers Rd, and the 300 Bloor-Danforth overnight bus!
Visit this link to learn more about the increase in transit service!
Among these efforts, the City's Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division has displayed a poster series at a number of locations, including the City’s outdoor rinks. These posters, like the one above, feature notable Black figures, and their contributions in engineering, computer science, public service, anti-racism advocacy and activism, sports, and technology.
The posters were designed by local youth artists Brandon Baghaee and Taliyah Barham, and residents can download the posters here.
Local Planning, Development, and Road Improvement Updates
At the January 16th Toronto & East York Community Council (TEYCC) meeting, the Committee approved recommendations to create four all-way compulsory stop controls on Geary Ave. These stops will help enhance pedestrian safety for community members and park users.
These all-way compulsory stop controls will be at the intersections of:
- Geary Avenue and Salem Avenue North
- Geary Avenue and Westmoreland Avenue North
- Geary Avenue and Delaware Avenue North
- Geary Avenue and Somerset Avenue
These stop controls will take effect following the completion of construction of the Geary Avenue extension of the Green Line park system.
Click here to learn more about the Green Line.
Speed humps approved at Cosmos Lane and Stonehouse Crescent
During the February 16th TEYCC meeting, the committee approved my traffic calming motions to improve safety in Davenport.
The Committee approved my motion, TE31.96, which authorizes the installation of speed bumps in Cosmos Nature Lane, bounded by Bloor Street West, Margueretta Street, Wallace Avenue and Brock Avenue.
The Committee also approved my motion, TE31.97, which authorizes the installation of speed humps on Stonehouse Crescent, between Dufferin Street and Gladstone Avenue.
Galleria Mall Site (1245 Dupont St) Parking Variance Nets $1.5m Community Benefit Contribution for Affordable Housing and Shinny Rink
The developer of the Galleria Mall site at Dufferin and Dupont applied to the Committee of Adjustments to legalize and maintain a parking space deficiency under the zoning by-law.
I took this opportunity to engage on behalf of the community and request a community contribution from the developer. Through a section 45 agreement the City secured a contribution of $1.5m to the City for community benefits.
In light of recent community calls to ensure a full sized shinny rink with boards is rebuilt as part of the complete renovation and renewal of Wallace Emerson Park, I set aside up to $250k of these funds to look into the design or construction of a larger skating pad. The remaining of the funds will be allocated to affordable housing in the community.
This is a contribution on top of what was secured when the development was first approved which included 150 units of affordable housing, a new and bigger community centre, a larger park and a daycare.
A final report on the development application for 72 Perth Ave was approved by Community Council this week. This application proposed to amend the Zoning By-law to permit a ten-storey (37.95 metres, inclusive of the mechanical penthouse) residential building at 72 Perth Avenue with 108 residential units and an on-site parkland dedication that would support the widening of the West Toronto Rail Path. The revised proposal includes a ten-storey residential building, inclusive of a mezzanine, with 9,608 square metres of GFA and 108 residential units, including three live-work units.
The developer Castlepoint Numa Inc. and WoodGreen Community Services announced on National Housing Day, a strategic partnership to deliver and manage 10 to 15 affordable apartments at 72 Perth Avenue. It is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2024.
The affordable units – which will be priced at about 80 percent of average market rent (AMR) in Toronto – are being delivered without any direct government subsidy. Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Castlepoint Numa and its partners will retain ownership and leverage WoodGreen’s experience to assist in the delivery and management of the affordable units.
I believe that collaboration is critical to effectively addressing housing challenges in our city and the partnership between Castlepoint Numa and WoodGreen is the kind of cooperative approach that brings together experience, innovation and commitment as we all work together to deliver affordable housing.
The City of Toronto's Economic Development and Culture (EDC) Division is seeking a qualified not-for-profit partner or academic institution to implement and operate an Incubator site at 390-440 Dufferin Street. The incubator will be focused on fostering the growth of Toronto-based start-ups.
The City of Toronto will sublease 1,350 Sq. M (14,750 Sq. Ft.) of space to the Operator for up to 20 years at below-market rates. There is also an additional 4,200 Sq. M. (45,500 Sq. Ft.) of contiguous commercial space available for lease through the developer.
Details are available through this link.
Staff provided Planning and Housing Committee with a preliminary report containing information on the subject development application and identified a preliminary set of issues.
The applications propose the conversion of lands designated Core Employment Areas to Mixed Use Areas to permit a development with three mixed-use buildings, ranging in height between 39- and 49-storeys, containing commercial, office, retail, and residential uses. Staff are currently reviewing the applications. They have been circulated to all appropriate agencies and City divisions for comment. Review of the applications will also be informed by the Keele-St. Clair Local Area Study (the "KSC LAS") and the property acquisition process for the future St. Clair-Old Weston SmartTrack station.
A community consultation meeting will take place in the spring.
Another preliminary report tabled by City Planning in response to the developer’s application to amend the Official Plan to redesignate the subject site. The applications would permit three blocks of three-storey townhouses, three mid-rise buildings, with heights ranging between eight and ten storeys, and four tall buildings, with heights of 22, 24, 38, and 46-storeys, all inclusive of base buildings that would range in height from one to eight-storeys.
The site is currently designated Core Employment Areas and is under study to Mixed Use Areas and Parks and Natural Areas. Review of the applications will also be informed by the Keele-St. Clair Local Area Study (the "KSC LAS"). A community consultation meeting will take place in the spring.
As part of the Bloor Study process that I initiated to help manage development pressures in the lower Junction Triangle community, a Planning Framework report was tabled at Toronto and East York in June.
I moved that Committee direct Planning staff to work with the my office, Heritage Preservation Services and Economic Development staff, the local arts community, and the residential and commercial tenants at 221, 225, and 227 Sterling Road on means of retaining arts and culture and maker spaces throughout the study area. This was approved.
We formed the Arts and Culture Working Group with area residents groups and many of the tenants of the Sterling Lofts in late-2021 for an in-depth consultation on the cultural heritage resources in and around the building. As follow up to this work, Staff produced a report indicating notice of intention to designate the building to Toronto Preservation Board. I supported Staff and the Working Group by providing a letter to the Board in support of this work.
The report was then added to the agenda of the February 15th Planning and Housing Committee. City Planning advised that they required more time to give us opportunity to continue the dialogue with the developer on how to deliver on these heritage requirements. I worked closely with the community in considering this; hosting a meeting with the local residents last week regarding Staff’s recommendation for a deferral. I look forward to receiving this report in April and having a full discussion once staff and the applicant have had the chance to move forward on improvements to the application.
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