Protecting Our Housing Stock and Building the City We Need

Vacant Home Tax Update

Further to my letter last week regarding the Vacant Home Tax, I wanted to share the following update:

Mayor Chow and Budget Committee Chair Councillor Carroll have advised that they will bring a Motion to April Council recommending suspension of the fees for late declarations and the Notice of Complaint appeal process to provide peace of mind and relief to residents who received bills in error. The motion will also request an updated communications plan for the 2024 tax year. I will be supporting this motion.

A reminder that if you received a Notice of Assessment for the Vacant Home Tax, and if your property was occupied for more than six (6) months in 2023, do not pay the Vacant Home Tax charge. Instead, please file a Notice of Complaint. Upon receiving and confirming your occupancy, the City will reverse the Vacant Home Tax charge along with any interest that may have been incurred after the May 15, 2024 initial payment due date.

You can file the Notice of Complaint online or via mail.

Online:

• Go to: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/property-taxes-utilities/vacant-home-tax/
• Click on the blue tab at the top of the page, called: ‘Submit Complaint/ Appeal/ Respond to Audit’

Mail:

• Complete and print the Notice of Complaint/Appeal form.
• Mail to:

City of Toronto, Revenue Services
Vacant Home Tax Complaints/Appeals
5100 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON M2N 5V7

More information on the Vacant Home Tax can be found here: Vacant Home Tax – City of Toronto

Update on High Park Station - Easier Access Project

The northbound lane on Quebec Avenue is scheduled to be reopened in mid-April 2024.

As part of the reopening process, there will be overnight work on April 15 between 12 am and 6 am. The work will take place on Quebec Ave in front of High Park Station to remove the concrete Traffic Control Barriers. Site staff will be present in the general area and efforts will be made to ensure noise levels are kept to a minimum. Please see the notice below for more information. 

Bloor St W Complete St Extension Update

This is an update on Phase 1 of the installation of the Bloor Street West Complete Street Extension from Runnymede Road to Aberfoyle Crescent. The initial installation of Phase 1 was substantially completed in December 2023, with the exceptions of some curb extensions, bus stop markings, and Zicla platforms. Upgrades are being planned for Spring 2024 and beyond.

Below is a summary of work completed in 2024 for Phase 1:  

• A new asphalt raised platform has been installed at the westbound Jane TTC bus stop on the south of Bloor St W, west of Jane Street. Signage and pavement markings will be added in the coming weeks. 
• Zicla platforms and additional curbs and bollards near Zicla platforms were added in January and February. 

Work to be completed in Phase 1 in Spring 2024 includes:  

• Painting curb-extensions in Bloor West Village and Kingsway Business Improvement Areas (BIAs);
• Adding bus stop markings and green paint at conflict zones throughout the corridor; beginning with the high-priority location for the eastbound right-turn lane and the bus stop at South Kingsway; 
• Adjusting curbs and bollards in The Kingsway BIA to provide more space for people parking; and,
• Adding “Loading” lettering in Loading Zones.

To subscribe or unsubscribe to emails updates like this, please email: [email protected].  Any questions can be sent to [email protected].

For project details, please visit: Toronto.ca/BloorWest 

Zoning requirement updates for mid-rise buildings on Avenues without Avenue studies Webinar #2

As part of its Housing Action Plan, the City of Toronto is reviewing and updating the default height permissions and performance standards that regulate development of mid-rise buildings on Avenues in areas where the City and community have not completed an Avenue Study.

The proposed revisions will introduce new Development Standard Sets for the Commercial Residential (CR) Zone that update how mid-rise buildings transition towards neighbouring buildings and open spaces, replacing the current rear angular plane requirements with building setbacks. Updates to height and density permissions for these areas will be aligned with Official Plan and Urban Design Guidelines criteria for mid-rise buildings.

The second virtual webinar community consultation will be taking place on Wednesday April 17^th from 6:30 to 8pm. A registration link has been included on the Housing Action Plan: Avenues, Mid-rise and Mixed Use Areas Study webpage and the City Planning Consultations webpage. The content presented will duplicate that of the initial webinar on Wednesday March 27^th, 2024.

More information about the study can be found at www.toronto.ca/HAPavenues.

Parkdale Community Planning Study Launch Event April 27

Parkdale People’s Economy has been working on the 2024 Parkdale Community Planning Study for the past four years, centering the tireless efforts of community members and partner organizations to tackle themes of housing justice, solidarity economy, community health and safety, social infrastructure, food systems, and climate action.

Join them as they launch this plan that highlights the neighbourhood’s needs, remarkable community-founded assets, and directions on how to move forward, while emphasizing the power of collective action.

Ward 4 Environment  and Compost Days!

Swansea Town Hall Event: How to save money and energy with home retrofits

Wheel-Trans Survey

From now until April 30th, we're looking for community feedback on improving our Wheel-Trans Service & Family of Services.

We invite all persons with disabilities who use the TTC, including Wheel-Trans, support persons, and members of community-based organizations that support or advocate for people with disabilities to participate. Your feedback plays a crucial role in shaping decisions concerning accessibility at the TTC.

 For more information on hybrid meetings and to take the survey please visit Wheel-Trans Community Feedback (ttc.ca)

Help make Toronto more accessible: Take the survey

The City of Toronto is committed to building an inclusive society and providing an accessible environment in which all individuals have access to the City’s services and programs in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.  

Torontonians with disabilities, their support persons and community organizations can help inform the City of Toronto’s 2025-2029 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP) and improve City programs, spaces, services and more by sharing their experiences and feedback in a short survey. Complete the accessible survey online by April 26: City of Toronto Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Consultation. 

More information about accessibility at the City is available on the Accessibility at the City of Toronto webpage. 

 Lights Out Toronto: Protecting migratory birds

During spring and fall, night-migrating birds are drawn into urban areas by city lights and often fatally collide with buildings. Lights Out Toronto is an ongoing public awareness campaign to reduce migratory bird deaths, raising awareness and encouraging measures to decrease nighttime urban lighting. Learn more about actions you can take to create a safer environment for migratory birds on the City’s Lights Out Toronto: Protecting Migratory Birds webpage. 

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