Friends,
The Budget process is in full swing with the third consecutive Budget Committee meeting happening today. Additionally, today will be the third and final day of the Mayor's Budget telephone town halls. Participants may join at 7pm by calling 1-833-490-0889.
I also had the privilege of hosting my annual community budget town hall where around 80 participants heard my presentation and asked thoughtful questions. Thank you for your participation and for showing up to make our City better.
As a reminder, the public will have opportunities to present to the budget committee on the 2024 Operating and Capital Budgets next week on January 22 & 23, 2024.
Public presentations will be heard on January 22 at City Hall and Scarborough Civic Centre, and on January 23 at Etobicoke Civic Centre and North York Civic Centre. Please note that all public presentation sessions at the City Hall locations are now full.
For more information on how to participate please see the City's website. To register to depute, please contact [email protected]
The Budget Committee will be wrapping up on January 26, 2024, with the Mayor's proposed budget releasing on February 1st and the final Council meeting on February 14.
Details on the budget process and information with budget notes, reports and presentations can be found at toronto.ca/budget .
Sincerely,
Gord
- Planning and Housing Updates
- 2453-2469 Bloor Street West Community Consultation Meeting
- 1728 Bloor St West Zoning at TEYCC
- 7 Laxton Avenue at TEYCC
- CaféTO application now open
- Information on Property Tax, Water & Solid Waste Relief Programs
2453-2469 Bloor Street West Community Consultation Meeting
The City has received a Zoning By-law Amendment application for 2453-2469 Bloor St West and so City Planning has scheduled a virtual Community Consultation Meeting for the evening of January 30th at 6pm.
A plan has been proposed to redevelop this space into a 12-storey mass timber mixed-use building with retail on the ground floor, containing 91 residential units, 111 bike parking spaces, and 40 vehicle parking spaces. A pre-application community meeting was held for this site previously on May 8th, 2023. This month's meeting, consisting of a short presentation of the development followed by a Q&A session, will allow you to view the proposal and share your thoughts.
Councillor Perks and City Planning staff, and the applicant will be in attendance to help answer any questions that may arise. You can register for the meeting here: https://toronto.webex.com/weblink/register/rbfac32bd95bca3cfb767e611ef4aa0f5.
Further information on the project and what is being proposed can be found on the City's Application Information Centre website here: www.toronto.ca/2461BloorStW.
Update on 1728 Bloor St West Zoning By-law Amendment Application
On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, Toronto and East York Community Council (TEYCC) will be reviewing the 1728 Bloor Street West - Zoning By-law Amendment Application - Appeal Report. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.TE10.12
1728 Bloor St West is the current site of Tim Horton's at the N/E corner of Bloor St W and Indian Grove.
The application was originally submitted in March, 2023, proposing a 19-storey mixed use building with retail space on the ground floor and 99 residential units above.
The applicant appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) in October 2023.
The Request for Direction Report recommends that City Council direct the City Solicitor, together with appropriate staff, to attend the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) hearing to oppose the Zoning By-law Amendment Application for 1728 Bloor St West in its current form and to continue discussions with the applicant in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues.
The report can be viewed on line at: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-242037.pdf. City Planning's comments on the application can be viewed on pgs. 5-7 of the report.
I will be supporting the staff recommendation. I ask that you review the details of the report and share your questions and comments with my office: [email protected] , 416-392-7919.
The items is scheduled for Wednesday, January 24th on or after 10:00 AM.
Update on 7 Laxton Avenue Zoning By-law Amendment Application
On January 24, 2024, Toronto and East York Community Council will consider TE10.2 7 Laxton Avenue - Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications - Decision Report.
This application proposes to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to allow for the construction of a new 6 storey residential building at 7 Laxton Avenue with 19 rental dwelling units.
This Staff Report reviews and recommends approval of the applications to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law. The residential building is an appropriate scale for the site, will provide appropriate transition down to the lower scaled Neighbourhood areas to the east, and will provide a new supply of rental housing units for the area.
The Staff Report is available to review at: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-242034.pdf
Further, information submitted to the City by the applicant is available for your review under on the City's Application Information Centre at: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/application-information-centre/#location=&lat=&lng=
Following a review of the staff report and a community meeting, I will be recommending approval of the staff report.
This item will be heard on January 24 after 10:00 AM.
You can register to speak or provide written comment through [email protected].
Applications and renewals for CaféTO curb lane program is now open
This week the CaféTO curb lane program opened for local restaurant and bar owners and operators interested in expanding their dining space outdoors. For those looking to register for 2024 curb lane café permits, online applications will be accepted until Friday, March 1, with the expectation that at least 90 per cent of approved curb lane cafés will be installed by the Victoria Day weekend.
Key improvements to the CaféTO curb lane program this year include:
- Earlier installation of traffic safety equipment (such as barriers) needed to operate curb lane cafés so that at least 90 per cent of participating restaurants can open their curb lane patio by the Victoria Day long weekend
- A more user-friendly permit application process for new restaurant operators
- Enhanced City of Toronto staff support to accelerate permit application and platform review processes for restaurant operators
- Opportunities to improve the “look and feel” of curb lane cafés by painting or wrapping barriers and concrete blocks
Key dates for the 2024 CaféTO curb lane cafés summer season
- Monday, January 15 to Friday, March 1 – Application and renewals open online
- Friday, March 15 to Monday, April 15 – Temporary accessible platform designs are due
- Victoria Day Weekend – At least 90 per cent of curb lane cafés installed
- Saturday, June 1 – Temporary accessible platform installation deadline
New applicants
New applicants should review the CaféTO Curb Lane Café Guidebook for program requirements. Applicants can also sign up for virtual information sessions and one-on-one consultations to assist with their application. Applications must be submitted online at www.toronto.ca/cafeTO.
Once applications are received, City staff will work with operators to create traffic management plans that balance the needs of other businesses, including loading zones, garbage/recycling pickup zones, cycling infrastructure and pedestrian walkways.
Property Tax, Water & Solid Waste Relief Programs for seniors and persons living with a disabilities
Please visit the City's webpage on information regarding eligibility criteria, required documents, and how to apply for the following programs:
- Property Tax Increase Cancellation Program
- Property Tax Increase Deferral Program
- Water Rebate and Solid Waste Rebate Programs
- Water Rebate Program
- Solid Waste Rebate Program
The Property Tax, Water and Solid Waste Relief application (both paper-based and apply online) will be available in the spring of 2024. We will provide updates through this newsletter regarding the application and deadlines.
