Friends,
Earlier this week, I was pleased to attend City Parks' staff Community Open House on the High Park Movement Strategy (HPMS).
So many community members have contributed to the HPMS through participating in meetings, commenting by email or engaging online. It has been great to hear from so many about your future hopes for High Park.
The goal of the HPMS is to better serve High Park users while prioritizing safety, accessibility and the park's natural environment.
Recommendations for travel network changes in High Park will be informed by your feedback, technical analysis and existing City policies and objectives such as TransformTO, Toronto Accessibility Design Guidelines, and Vision Zero.
City staff will be sharing a final report outlining their preferred strategy to City Council later this Spring.
As part of the Community Open House this week, staff shared their preliminary thoughts on a preferred strategy which includes restricting vehicle access to specific roads within the park and maintaining current vehicle restrictions on Sundays. If you were not able to attend, more details are available here: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/construction-new-facilities/parks-facility-plans-strategies/high-park-movement-strategy/
I believe that we can take specific steps to further advance our goals to achieving a car-free High Park. I also strongly believe that we must do that work without losing the achievements we have already made. I will focus my efforts on advocating for specific actions as part of the strategy which aligns with the feedback we have received from the wider community.
First off, I think it is important to build upon the success we have already achieved through the weekend vehicle restrictions in High Park. This means maintaining the Saturday, Sunday and Holiday Monday vehicle restrictions in High Park. The weekend restrictions were first introduced as a public health measure during the height of the pandemic to allow residents to access the park and practice safe physical distancing and continued based on positive community feedback about the experience in the park during car-free weekends. I believe that the community will continue to benefit by keeping the car-free weekends in place.
We also need to take steps to ensure that the park remains accessible to all residents. This will require an on-going effort to explore solutions such as expanding the TTC bus route within the park and exploring an accessible shuttle service that operates around the year.
The vast majority of residents who have been engaged in the HPMS have shared their vision for a car-free park. With more than 10,000 residents survey submissions, the majority (57%) supported the strategy which proposed a car-free park. I understand that it may take us some time to get there, but I believe the HPMS can outline the steps to reaching this goal of a complete car-free High Park.
We have the opportunity through the HPMS to make improvement to High Park and have a park for our future. Cities around the world are moving in the direction of eliminating private vehicles in parks. A car-free High Park also aligns with our commitments to Vision Zero, improved urban design and in achieving our climate change goals. I believe that by working together as a community, we can address any short-term challenges this may pose. Together, we can take the steps to make High Park safe, accessible and enjoyable for all visitors.
Thank you again for all of your feedback and support on this work. I will continue to work to share updates about the next steps in the strategy.
Sincerely,
Gord
- - Public Drop-in Events: Bloor St W Complete Street Extension - April 12, 13
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- Development Updates
- 2760 Dundas St West (Former Peacock Hotel)
- 1728 Bloor Street West (N/East corner of Bloor and Indian Grove)
- - Review: Public Input Needed for Night Economy Review
Bike Lane Extension Community Meeting
This is an invitation to everyone interested in taking part in the Bloor Street West Complete Street Extension public drop-in events on April 12 and 13. These meetings will outline the extend of the expansion project and allow you to ask any questions you might have. The extension of bike lanes further west into our ward will provide even safer access to Toronto's bike network, enabling easier access for all. See the message below, from the Cycling Team, for more information:
Bloor Street West Complete Street Extension
We want to hear from you! Join us at an in-person public drop-in meeting and fill out the online feedback form. Visit Toronto.ca/BloorWest.
Public drop-in events:
Two public drop-in events are scheduled for this project. The same materials will be available at both events. The Public Drop-In Events will provide an opportunity to view the project information panels, speak with members of the project team one-on-one and provide feedback.
Public Drop-in Event 1
Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Swansea Public School Gymnasium
Address: 207 Windermere Ave, M6S 3J9
Public Drop-in Event 2
Date: Thursday, April 13, 2023
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Etobicoke Collegiate Institute Cafeteria
Address: 86 Montgomery Rd, M9A 3N5
Online feedback form:
Complete the online feedback form before April 27.
Project information:
- The Bloor Street West Complete Street Extension project between Runnymede Road and Resurrection Road aims to make travel on the street safer, more inviting, and attractive for everyone.
- The project proposes road safety improvements, cycle tracks, and public realm upgrades to meet Toronto’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan and Climate Change Action Plan goals.
- Changes to Bloor Street West would be made with materials that can be installed quickly, such as bollards, roadway paint, planters and signage.
- No major road reconstruction is planned, and installation would take place in two phases in 2023 and 2024.
- View more information, including the drop-in meeting project panels and roll plans, at Toronto.ca/BloorWest
2760 Dundas St West (Former Peacock Hotel)
My office has been advised that a rezoning application has been filed proposing to construct a six-storey mixed-use building at 2760 Dundas Street West. The application contains 28 new residential dwelling units and 126 square metres of at-grade
The site is currently vacant and is located on the north side of Dundas Street West within the block bound by Watkinson Avenue to the east, Indian Grove to the west and Hook Avenue to the north.
The application for Rezoning and Site Plan has been deemed complete. City Planning staff are in the process of beginning a review of this application.
There will be community consultation on this application in the coming months.
Information submitted to the City by the applicant is available for your review under 'supporting Documents' on the City's Application Information Centre at
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/application-information-centre/ .
1728 Bloor Street West (N/East corner of Bloor and Indian Grove)
My office has been advised that a rezoning application has been filed proposing a 19-storey, mixed-use building containing 99 dwelling units and ground floor retail at 1728 Bloor St West.
The application for Rezoning and Site Plan has been deemed complete. City Planning staff are in the process of beginning a review of this application.
There will be community consultation on this application in the coming months.
Information submitted to the City by the applicant is available for your review under 'supporting Documents' on the City's Application Information Centre at https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/application-information-centre/
Public Input Needed for Night Economy Review
The City is seeking input to inform a review of licensing and zoning regulations for bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, as well as strategies to support Toronto’s night economy – the social, cultural and business activities that occur from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The public is encouraged to participate by completing an online survey and/or by attending an in-person or virtual consultation to share feedback.
Public consultation sessions will be held virtually on Wednesday, April 12 and Thursday, April 13 and in person on Monday, April 17. The link to the survey and details on how to register are available on the City’s Night Economy Review webpage. The deadline to submit feedback on the survey is Friday, April 21.
