November Council Highlights

Friends,

In the ongoing November City Council meeting which started yesterday, Council has voted to advance some transformative items.

The new housing report “Generational Transformation of Toronto’s Housing System to Urgently Build More Affordable Homes" responds to Toronto City Council’s direction to develop a plan to approve 25,000 new rent-controlled homes in addition to what was already planned. This plan the City’s total housing target to 65,000 new rent-controlled homes including a minimum of 41,000 affordable rental, 6,500 Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) homes and 17,500 rent-controlled market homes by 2030.

By approving this plan, Council and the Mayor have taken a leadership role in addressing the housing crisis through dedicating more City-owned land to create new affordable homes; accelerating the delivery of “housing ready” projects on City and not-for-profit owned land; streamlining and optimizing people, processes and technology to expedite approvals and housing delivery; and supporting the not-for-profit and co-op housing sectors.

Council also voted in favour of expanding Toronto Community Crisis Service as a City-wide program ensuring that all Torontonians can benefit from this 24/7, community-based, client-centered and trauma informed service to support non-emergency crisis calls. In its first year of operations the Toronto Community Crisis Service received 6,827 calls for service, with 78 per cent of calls transferred from 911 successfully resolved without police involvement. This program joins Toronto Fire, Paramedic and Police as the fourth municipal emergency service.

As part of the Shelter Infrastructure Plan and the Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy Council authorized and directed staff to take a number steps to maintain existing agreements as well as procure new sites for respite spaces and shelter beds .

Council also voted on a number items to address the lack of shelter spaces as the system reaches a breaking point. Over the last few years, we have grappled with the rising demand for shelter spaces while facing significant financial constraints. Council adopted a report calling on the federal government to do their fair share in responding to this crisis, including matching the provincial increase of $6.67 million funding for the Canada Ontario Housing Benefit program and urgently funding and operationalizing federal sites such as armouries to provide emergency accommodations for refugees and asylum seekers.  

With the colder weather upon us, the urgency of the matter rises. I call on you to connect with your federal representatives to urge them to do their fair share and support the City's efforts to provide warmth and shelter for those seeking refuge.

Sincerely,

Gord


- Development Items at Toronto East York Community Council

          - 403 Keele Street and 48-50 Heintzman Street

          - 209 Mavety Street

          - 2760 Dundas Street West

- Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods - Survey deadline extension

- Micromobility - Public Survey

- Bloor West Bike Lanes and Complete Street Extension Update

- Callout for a basketball tournament at Masaryk Cowan Community Centre

- Reminder: Community meeting - Development Proposal for 1730 Bloor Street West

Toronto and East York Community Council

On November 15, 2023, TEYCC will be reviewing three items in Parkdale - High Park, details below. These items will be heard on November 15th after 10 AM.

You can register to speak or provide written comment through [email protected].

For further information on this or any other Ward 4 or city-related matter, go to www.gordperks.ca or contact my office at [email protected].

 

TE9.5: 403 Keele Street and 48-50 Heintzman Street - Zoning By-law Amendment Application - Decision Report - Approval

This application proposes to construct a new 11 storey mixed-use building with 280 rental dwellings units and 265 square metres of commercial space at grade. One level of underground parking with a total of 23 parking spaces is also proposed.

Following a review of the application and a community meeting, City Planning Staff recommend approval of the application as the proposal is consistent with the pattern and scale of redevelopment in the area and represents appropriate intensification.

The full report is available on-line at https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-240425.pdf.

At this time, I will be supporting staff's recommendation to approve this application.

 

TE9.6: 209 Mavety Street - Zoning By-law Amendment Application - Decision Report - Approval

This application proposes to amend the Zoning By-law to permit a Community Health Centre at 209 Mavety Street through an interior retrofit and renovation of the existing building. The Four Village Community Health Centre is a not-for-profit organization that delivers a range of health services and health promotion programs to residents living in Toronto West such as the Roncesvalles, Swansea, Bloor West, and the Junction Area communities. The services and programs offered by the organization focus on the needs of seniors, newcomers, families with children, and youth.

City Planning Staff recommend approval of the application as the proposal will facilitate the establishment of a community health centre that will encourage the adaptive reuse of an existing building, generate job opportunities, and provide important health services and programs to the community.

The full report is available on-line at https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-240309.pdf.

At this time, I will be supporting staff's recommendation to approve this application.

 

TE9.4: 2760 Dundas Street West - Zoning By-law Amendment Application - Decision Report.

The Rezoning Application proposes a new 6 storey mixed-use building at 2760 Dundas Street West (formerly The Peacock Hotel) with 28 dwelling units and 114 square metres of commercial space at grade.

This Staff Report reviews and recommends approval of the application to amend the Zoning By-law based on the following Planning decision: the mixed-use building is an appropriate scale for the site, fits within the existing and planned context and is an example of high quality design that will set a positive precedent for future development in the area.

The Staff Report is available to review at: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-240427.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 two community meetings, I will be recommending approval of the staff report.


Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods: Survey deadline extended

The Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods: Major Streets Study is conducting consultations on its proposal report with outreach to members of the public, residents' associations, industry, City divisions, and other stakeholders.

The consultation period has been extended to December 14, 2023, to continue to engage with and hear from as many people as possible. Survey available at toronto.ca/major streets .

Details on the Major Streets Study:

The report proposes official plan and zoning by-law amendments to permit townhouses and small-scale apartment buildings city-wide, in Neighbourhoods, along Map 3 Major Streets. These have been posted to the City's website at toronto.ca/major streets

The amendments propose to permit townhouses and small-scale apartment buildings on all properties, along major streets, designated Neighbourhoods across the city and set out built form criteria in policy and zoning. The proposals contribute to the 2023 Housing Action Plan goals to remove exclusionary zoning and to increase housing opportunities in a range of housing forms.


Micromobility Public Survey - deadline December 13

Micromobility describes small, compact, low-speed vehicles that are lighter weight than cars, which can include bicycles, cargo bikes/trikes, folding bikes, electric two, three, or four-wheeled cycles, urban mobility vehicles (i.e. small, one-person e-cars), e-mopeds, electric kick-scooters (e-scooters), and more.

The City of Toronto is seeking public feedback on the use of micromobility, e.g. bikes, e-bikes and other small vehicles. The results from this survey will be used to develop a city-wide strategy for micromobility, including what new forms might be allowed in future. The survey will be open until December 13, 2023.


Update 10: Bloor West Bike Lanes and Complete Street Extension - Nov 8/23

This email is to provide an update on phase 1 of the installation of the Bloor West Bike Lanes and Complete Street Extension from Runnymede Road to Aberfoyle Crescent. Installation of phase 1 began the week of September 11, 2023. Initial installation is planned for completion in December 2023, with upgrades planned for 2024 and beyond. 

*Please note that the traffic study, monitoring strategy and final roll plans have been posted on the webpage, toronto.ca/BloorWest   

Work scheduled for November 8th to 10th: 

  • Continued installation of concrete curbs, flex post bollards and planter boxes between South Kingsway and Runnymede Road.
  • Continued installation of flex post bollards between Prince Edward Road and South Kingsway.
  • Installation of remaining signage to support the complete street design.

Work scheduled for the week of November 13th, 2023: 

  • Installation of pavement markings for bus stops along the corridor, and the westbound bus lane between Armadale Avenue and Jane Street.
  • Installation of painted curb extensions at some unsignalized intersections.
  • Installation of remaining curbs and flex post bollards between Aberfoyle Crescent and Runnymede Road.
  • Ongoing signage installation and adjustments along the corridor to support the complete street design.

Work scheduled in the rest of November 2023: 

  • Installation of painted curb extensions and all remaining pavement markings between Runnymede Road and Aberfoyle Crescent.

*Work will take place both during the day and at night and is scheduled to avoid conflicts with other construction in the roadway. The work scheduled is dependent on weather conditions. 

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


Masaryk Cowan CRC Tournament of Champions - deadline November 16


Community Meeting to discuss development proposal at 1730 Bloor Street West

The property owners of 1730 Bloor St West, current site of strip mall and 7-11, is holding an Online Community Meeting to share preliminary plans for a 25-storey mixed-use development on this site.

Online Community Meeting Details:

Tuesday, November 14th, 6:30pm - 8:00 pm

Link to Join: bit.ly/1730bloor

Meeting ID: 835 2892 2909

Telephone Dial-in: (647) 558-0588

The meeting will be an opportunity to review a presentation as well as to ask questions and provide comments.

Councillor Perks and City Planning staff will be in attendance.

Further details are available on the attached flyer. As always, please feel free to contact Councillor Perks' Office if you have ward 4 or city-related questions or concerns.

Latest posts

Demonstrations Bylaw

Friends,

The City of Toronto is moving ahead with public consultation for a proposed demonstrations bylaw to protect vulnerable institutions, as directed by City Council (2024.CC24.2).

In February 2024, City Council directed the City Manager to develop a policy framework for the management and monitoring of rallies and protests, ensuring alignment with the City’s Human Rights and Anti-Harassment Policy.

The Report presented to City Council in December, 2024, presented a Policy framework that clarifies the City’s role, jurisdiction and municipal tools available to respond to demonstrations, including the role of applicable City divisions, and provided an overarching foundation of how the City coordinates its activities to determine an appropriate response based on the circumstances of the situation.

I supported the adoption of the Policy Framework.

However, this report included a recommendation (#3) that the City Manager report back with a proposed bylaw that limits demonstrations in our city. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.CC24.2

This was a very difficult decision however, I could not support this direction as I believe that restricting people’s ability to protest is a step backward. It takes away people’s rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I believe the preservation of these rights in their entirety is essential to protecting the most vulnerable segments of our society, and our democracy. I spoke to my reasoning for not supporting this direction; you can listen to it here.

The City is now moving ahead with the public consultation .

This multi-pronged public consultation approach will include the following:

Online Survey

Written Comments

Public Discussions

  • Additional opportunities to participate in public discussions will follow in April. More information on the dates of the public discussions will be communicated and posted on the City’s webpage once confirmed.

Information and additional details on the City’s public consultation can be found on the City’s webpage at: http://toronto.ca/PublicConsult.

The consultation is an opportunity to take part in this conversation. I encourage you to participate.

Sincerely,


In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates 

  • Zoning for Housing – Upcoming City Planning Consultations
    • Garden Suites Monitoring Program
    • Expanding Permissions in Neighbourhoods for Sixplexes Citywide
  • Help shape the next Toronto Seniors’ Strategy 

Ward 4

  • Swansea Town Hall Community Centre - Seeking New Board Members & Assistant Executive Director 
  • Greenest City: Parkdale Seedy Sunday & Ecofair 2025 - Volunteer Call
  • Toronto Hydro Construction Notice - Glenlake Ave.
  • Road Rehabilitation Construction Notice - Evans Ave
  • Developments
    • 3459-3461 Dundas St W
    • 138 Dowling Ave

Anyone can experience homelessness. Everyone deserves shelter.

Friends,

Anyone can experience homelessness.

Shelters in our city provide essential support to individuals in immediate housing crisis, act as a stepping stone to permanent housing, reduce reliance on other high-cost services (e.g. emergency rooms), and bring people indoors, providing an alternative to sleeping in parks, sidewalks, or transit stations.

The positive impact of shelter service is evident in the stories of individuals who have successfully transitioned from shelter into permanent housing. Some have bravely shared their stories: Successful Pathways to Housing – City of Toronto .

Shelters provide critical services to help individuals experiencing homelessness gain stability as they work toward permanent housing.

The City has a 10-year plan to improve and expand our shelter system: Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy (HSCIS).

One pillar of the 10-year strategy is building up to 20 permanent and purpose-built shelters, with a focus on expanding outside of the downtown core to address gaps in available services for people.     

Community engagement is a crucial component to supporting the successful integration of new shelters into the neighbourhood. The City is committed to engaging the community to support the program’s success – both for the individuals who will be staying at shelters and the surrounding community. The process includes communicating details about the shelter development process, responding to community inquiries and concerns, improving public understanding of shelter development and providing ongoing shelter updates. Details will be shared with each community as development of each site progresses and can be found online at toronto.ca/NewShelters

I am encouraged by the City’s Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy (HSCIS) and will continue to use my voice and vote on Council to support improving and increasing our shelter infrastructure and expediting the City’s delivery of housing.

Sincerely,


In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates 

  • Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy (TSNS) Community Networks Launching
  • Spring Flooding: Flood Preparedness Resources
  • Committee of Adjustment Annual Stakeholder Update and Engagement
  • Celebrate Community Story Telling at City Hall

Ward 4

  • BenTastic Magic Show at Parkdale Library
  • High Park Prescribed Burn
  • Construction Notice: Road Resurfacing on Weatherell Street from Rivercrest Rd to Jane St
  • Greenest City: Parkdale Seedy Sunday & Ecofair 2025

Potential Labour Strike & Disruptions

Friends,

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 79, the union representing the City’s 27,000 city workers will be in a legal strike at 12:01 a.m., or one minute past midnight, on Saturday, March 8 if an agreement is not reached before then.

City Manager Paul Johnson has provided updates on city services that may be impacted in the event of a labour disruption.

A labour disruption would result in the closure of all 39 City-operated early learning and child care centres, as well as the closure and cancellation of programming at all City recreation centres including March Break camps. Refunds will be issued for any paid recreation programs that are affected and clients will not be charged for days that City-operated child care centres are closed.

The City will remain prepared to respond to emergencies if a labour disruption occurs. Emergency response by the Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire Services and Toronto Paramedic Services will not be impacted. The Toronto Community Crisis Service will operate normally. Winter maintenance operations for roads and sidewalks will continue.

Seniors Services and Long-Term Care, TTC, Toronto Community Housing and Toronto Water operations will continue during a labour disruption. All City-operated and funded shelters, 24-hour respite and drop-in programs will remain open. The City will continue to activate additional services during colder temperatures, including Warming Centres.

Information on City services and bargaining updates can be found on the City’s website at www.toronto.ca/labour.

Sincerely,


In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates 

  • Prepare for potential flooding
  • Bylaw update for Accessible Parking Permit holders
  • Reminder: Vacant Home Tax Declaration

Ward 4

  • Family Skate at Coca Cola Coliseum
  • Artists in Flux 2: Empowerment
  • CommunitiCare Health Taking New Patients
  • Greenest City: Parkdale Seedy Sunday & Ecofair 2025

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