Reminder: Vacant Home Tax 2024
Do you own a house or condo in Toronto? If yes, then you need to let the City know if it was occupied or vacant by declaring its occupancy status every year. Even if you reside at your property. The Vacant Home Tax (VHT) program works to increase the availability and affordability of housing in our city. It does this by encouraging people who own homes that are kept empty to make these vacant properties available for rent or for sale, helping to make sure all homes are lived in.
You can make your 2024 declaration quickly and easily online at toronto.ca/VacantHomeTax. Or you can call 311 if you need assistance. You can also visit a Tax and Utility counter at City Hall or one of the civic centres to make your declaration. The City will be mailing more information about the VHT program to all residential property owners in November. The deadline to make a declaration for the 2024 calendar year is April 30, 2025. But don’t wait for the deadline, declare soon.
Support your community: Holiday Wish List 🎁
This holiday season, let’s unite to support those experiencing homelessness in our community. The City’s Holiday Wish List connects you with local shelter programs needing essential items like warm clothing, gift cards and hygiene products. Access the City’s interactive map of shelter programs across Toronto to find a shelter program near you, a list of needed items and drop-off information on the City’s Holiday Wish List webpage.
Skate Lending Library is back this winter ⛸️
The City of Toronto’s Skate Lending Library program is back for its third season! The program brings free ice skate and helmet rentals to communities across Toronto to make skating accessible to all. Find more information on the City’s Skate Lending Library webpage.
Illuminating holiday experiences at Toronto History Museums ✨
Visit Toronto History Museums across the city for festive events and activities to illuminate the holiday season. Enjoy a charming holiday market and gingerbread baking workshop at Fort York, a winter solstice tea at Montgomery’s Inn, candlelight tours of Spadina Museum, festive card printing at Mackenzie House, Christmas ghost stories and winter crafts at Colborne Lodge and much more. Find all events on Toronto History Museums’ Illumination events calendar.
Ward 4
Junction BIA's Window Wonderland
Window Wonderland, Toronto’s award-winning outdoor art exhibition is returning to the Junction for its fifth consecutive year. From November 29, 2024 to January 31, 2025, this extraordinary urban art walk — proudly presented by Isaan Der Thai Kitchen — will transform the Junction into a vibrant and FREE outdoor art gallery. Visitors can immerse themselves in 20 captivating augmented reality (AR) window installations and ten wall murals, showcasing the creativity of both local and international artists.
Window Wonderland is presented in collaboration with the internationally renowned Artivive app, a leader in the world of augmented reality art exhibitions. This innovative app enhances traditional artwork by adding a layer of digital interactivity. Visitors can download the Artivive app, point their smartphones at the window installations, and watch as the artists’ creations come to life!
Junction Residents' Association: Community Caroling Sing-a-long in the Junction
Enjoy the Sounds of the Season with the Junction's carolers at our Community Sing-Along site.
When: Saturday, December 14th between 1:30- 3pm
Where: The Gazebo – St. John’s Rd and Dundas West.
Help us support local non-profits by buying a gift card and dropping it off at the Sing-a-long site. These gift cards will support The Sharing Place, CommunitiCare Health and The Junction Place Shelter. Gift cards in need are for grocery & discount box store. You may also choose to donate online directly to one of a number of local charities (listed below) we are supporting at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/joy-in-the-junction-2024/
Hope to see you there!
Attention Parkdale Village BIA Members! Board Members Wanted
The Parkdale Village BIA is looking for dedicated, community-oriented individuals to join its Board of Directors. This is a great opportunity to contribute your skills and expertise to enhance the vibrancy and success of our neighbourhood.
As a Board Member, you will:
- Provide strategic guidance and leadership to the BIA
- Advocate for the interests of local businesses.
- Collaborate with community stakeholders on initiatives.
- Help shape the future of the BIA.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Own or operate a business, or be a tenant of a commercial or industrial property within the BIA.
- Attend a minimum of 3 consecutive monthly board meetings.
- Adhere to the highest ethical standards and comply with Municipal Codes.
For questions about eligibility or the application process, contact us at [email protected] or (416) 536-6918.
Developments
*NEW DATE* Committee of Adjustment Application, 1375 Queen St W
The applicant received site plan approval for a 7-storey mixed-use building having a residential gross floor area of 3312 square metres, and a non-residential gross floor area of 268 square metres. 47 rental dwelling units were proposed.
The applicant has now filed an application to increase the height to 8-storeys, reduce the rear building step-back above the fifth storey, reduce the outdoor amenity space, and eliminating on-site parking.
This proposal for an additional storey requires a Committee of Adjustment Minor variance. The site also requires Site Plan application approval.
The Committee of Adjustment Minor Variance request will be heard on January 8 2025.
As Councillor Perks appoints citizens to the Committee of Adjustment to make decisions on minor variances and, on the advice of the Integrity Commissioner, Councillor Perks cannot attempt to influence a member's decision on an application. He does not communicate with the panel members at committee or through written comment about the application.
The Committee of Adjustment process does offer an opportunity for the public to participate in the process. Community members have an opportunity to comment on the application at the virtual Committee of Adjustment hearing.
More information here.
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