Council approves motion on Zero Emissions Vehicles-for-Hire

Friends,

As I write this letter, I am participating in the second day of the October City Council meeting.

Yesterday on the Council floor, we debated and voted on one of the Mayor's key agenda items Transitioning the Vehicle-for-Hire Industry to Net Zero Emissions

In December 2021, City Council directed Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) to set a goal of net zero emissions by 2030 for vehicles-for-hire (VFH), and to align plans for vehicle electrification and emissions reduction to achieve this ambitious goal .

The Economic and Development Committee recommended that Council approve amendments requiring individuals renewing or applying for a vehicle-for-hire licence to use a Zero Emissions Vehicle. By January 1, 2031 all vehicles-for-hire must be Zero Emissions Vehicle.   

Staff will be reporting back in late 2024 regarding the City's plan to support the capacity and infrastructure needs of the electrification of the Vehicle-for-Hire sector as well a comprehensive framework regarding transportation and emission impacts. While we await that report, Council has approved amendments to maintain the current number of net total vehicles-for-hire licenses, with the exception of zero-emission vehicles.

My comments during Council on this item.

 

Yesterday I also introduced a condolence motion for community activist, Diane Rajaram:

The Mayor and Members of Toronto City Council are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kissoondai (Diane) Rajaram on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.

Diane was an active member of the Parkdale community where she lived for over forty years.

Her community involvement started as a volunteer of the Safe Arrivals Program at Dr Rita Cox - Kina Minagok Public School and grew to include serving on the Board of Parkdale Community Legal Services. She was a member of, and for a time took on the title of President, Parkdale Tenants Association, and was actively  involved with the Parkdale-High Park New Democratic Party.

Her passion was a constant source of inspiration for the community.

She participated in numerous campaigns to address issues around tenant rights, employee wages, refugee status and the rights of psychiatric survivors. Diane was often the first point of contact for neighbours in crisis.

Diane was employed for many years as a Personal Support Worker assisting seniors to remain independent in their homes.

Her proudest role was being mother to Nadia, who she raised to be a champion for social justice.

 

Sincerely,

Gord


- Planning Updates 

     - 7 Laxton Community Consultation Meeting on October 17

     - 1728 Bloor St W Application Update

     - Presentations for 1266 Queen St W and 1437 - 1455 Queen St W

     - Consultations on Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods

- Municipal Licensing and Standards Updates

     - Short-term Rental Implementation Consultations

     - Learn more about changes to RentSafeTO

     - Reminder: Heat in Apartment Buildings

- Construction Updates

     - Streetcar Track Replacement - Dufferin and Springhurst

     - 2442-2454 Bloor St W and 1-9 Riverview Gardens at TEYCC

- Community Events

     - Junction Farmers Market ending on Oct 28

     - High Park Walking tour - Oct 15

 

REMINDER: Community Consultation Meeting for 7 Laxton Ave

A re-zoning application has been submitted for 7 Laxton

This application proposes a six-storey residential building. The application contains 19 new residential dwelling units. For the submitted plans and reports, City Planning presentation, applicant's presentation, visit the Application information Centre at  https://www.toronto.ca/7LaxtonAve 

To allow you to learn more about the application, ask questions, and gather feedback, City Planning will be holding a Virtual Community Meeting on Tuesday, October 17th, 2023, from 6 - 8 PM.

Register to attend the virtual community meeting at: http://www.toronto.ca/cpconsultations

I will chair the meeting, which includes presentations from City Planning staff and the applicants, followed by a Q&A period to allow for discussion.

More information is also available in the documents below.

 


Update of 1728 Bloor St West Development Application

The applicant of 1728 Bloor Street West has recently appealed their Development Application to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).

This application, current site of Tim Horton's at N/E corner of Bloor St West and Indian Grove, proposes a 19-storey mixed-use tower with ground floor retail and 99 dwelling units. Access to a three-storey underground parking system would be provided from Indian Grove.

A Community Consultation meeting to review the application was held in June 2023, followed by an in-person meeting with tenants of Vilnius Manor in July 2023.

Detailed 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/ .

The City Clerk's Office received the appeal notice on October 4, 2023 and has instructed staff to prepare the municipal record for the OLT. The applicant team will be instructed by the OLT to provide further notice to the community regarding participation opportunities and future case management meetings. Nothing has been scheduled to date.

City Planning staff will begin preparing a Request for Directions report which will go to Toronto and East York Community Council in the next few months.

My office will share the Request for Directions Report and any new information on this address as it becomes available.


Presentations from the community consultation meetings on October 10

A re-zoning application has been submitted for 1437 – 1455 Queen St West

The application proposes a 12-storey mixed-use building. The submitted drawings and materials can be accessed at www.toronto.ca/1437QueenStW.

Planning and Applicant's Presentations are available here

A second re-zoning application has been submitted for 1266 Queen St West

This application proposes a 25-storey mixed-use building. The submitted drawings and materials can be accessed at www.toronto.ca/1266QueenStW.

Planning and Applicant's Presentations are available here


Community Consultation Events on Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods

On September 28, 2023 Planning & Housing Committee adopted PH6.4 - Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods: Major Streets Study - Proposals Report, directing City Planning staff to continue consultation with outreach to residents' associations, industry, City divisions, and other stakeholders.

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.

City-wide Consultation Opportunities

Staff have organized city-wide consultations, both in-person and virtual formats. A survey will also be available on the City website this week, which will be promoted through the Division’s social media channels.

Four (4) in-person consultation events are being held:
October 12, 2023 | 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm | Scarborough Civic Centre,150 Borough Drive
October 16, 2023 | 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm | City Hall Rotunda, 100 Queen Street W.
October 17, 2023 | 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm | Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West Mall
October 18, 2023 | 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm | North York Centre Atrium, 5150 Yonge Street

Webinars
The Major Streets team will also be hosting two virtual consultation events.
Wednesday, October 25, from 2:30-4:30 pm

Wednesday October 25, from 6:00-8:00 pm

More information and a link to the survey will be available on toronto.ca/major streets.


Public Consultations: Short-Term Rental Implementation Update

Short-term rental regulations are one of the many initiatives to increase and preserve rental housing supply across Toronto. The bylaw aims to limit short-term rental activity in Toronto to principal residences and to protect critical rental stock by maintaining access for tenants to long-term accommodation. We are now evaluating the implementation of the short-term rental bylaw to examine its progress and identify areas for improvement. 

Residents are invited to share their feedback at two public consultations:

  • Virtual meeting: Tuesday, October 17, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
  • In-person meeting: Tuesday, October 24, Metro Hall, 55 John St., Room 308/309, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

More details and registration information are available at: toronto.ca/ShortTermRentalUpdate


Learn more about changes to RentSafeTO

Earlier this year, the RentSafeTO team implemented changes to the building evaluation tool. This redesigned tool prioritizes issues that have a greater impact on the health and safety of tenants, as well as ensures ongoing violations and issues of non-compliance factor into a building’s evaluation score. Starting in 2023, apartment buildings with three or more storeys or 10 or more units will be evaluated every two years.


Reminder: Heat in Apartment Buildings 

Under the City’s Heating Bylaw, building owners or operators are required to provide heat to a minimum air temperature of 21 degrees Celsius from September 15 to June 1. However, we remind property owners and operators to use their best judgement and turn the heat off on warm days. Tenants concerned about indoor air temperature are encouraged to speak to their property owner or property manager. If problems persist, tenants can contact 311 to have the RentSafeTO team investigate.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 416-396-7228, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More information is available at toronto.ca/HeatBylaw.


Dufferin Street & Springhurst Avenue TTC Streetcar Track and Watermain Replacement

The Watermain replacement work is nearing completion and the track replacement work is anticipated to begin the week of October 16, 2023. The intersection of Dufferin St and Springhurst Ave will be fully closed to vehicle traffic until late December 2023. Thank you for your patience.

 


Construction Staging Area Time Extension at 2442-2454 Bloor Street West and 1-9 Riverview Gardens

A Staff report requesting a Construction Staging Area Time Extension at 2442-2454 Bloor Street West and 1-9 Riverview Gardens will be heard at Toronto East York Community Council (TEYCC) on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.

A 12-storey residential condominium building at 2442-2454 Bloor Street West and 1-9 Riverview Gardens, on the north-east corner of Bloor Street West at Riverview Gardens received approval at TEYCC in December, 2020,  for construction staging areas (Phase 1 and 2) from January 4, 2021 to December 31, 2022.

The first laneway north of Bloor Street West, east of Riverview Gardens, between Riverview Gardens and the east limit of the laneway was closed to accommodate a construction staging area. Pedestrian operations on the north side of Bloor Street West and east side of Riverview Gardens were maintained in a 2.1-metre-wide covered and protected walkway within the existing sidewalk during Phase 1 (demolition).  During Phase 2, excavation and shoring, the covered walkways was removed and pedestrians were accommodated, within the existing sidewalks.

The developer is now ready to proceed with Phase 3 of the project and will require a larger space to proceed with the construction.

Details of the required accommodation is available in the Staff Report and can be viewed at https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.TE8.23

This item will be heard on Wednesday, October 18th, 2023 at Toronto East York Community Council. The meeting will be conducted with members participating remotely and /or in person at Toronto City Hall. 

You may submit written comments or register to speak to the Community Council on any item on the agenda either in person or by video conference.

Written comments may be submitted by writing to [email protected].

To speak to the Community Council, please register by e-mail to [email protected] or by phone at 416-392-7033. Members of the public who register to speak will be provided with instructions on how to participate in the meeting.


Junction Farmer's Market last day on October 28

The Junction Farmers Market provides local, sustainably produced fresh foods in ways that build community, support local food growers and producers, and promote access to healthy food for all. They had a great season at Baird Park and will be ending on Saturday, October 28, 2023.

Check them out before they close for the season.


High Park Walking Tours: The Birds of Autumn Fall Migration on October 15

This will be an introduction to the habitats in High Park with a focus on birds.

Steve Garrett will point out the different habitats in the park and talk about what's happening with the birdlife all around us: sparrows and thrushes on the ground, waterfowl and waders in the ponds, raptors overhead, and a variety of songbirds in the trees.

Bring binoculars and cameras if you have them, but they won't be needed - the focus will be on learning what birds to expect and where to find them rather than spotting birds. The pace will be an easy walk with frequent stops, we'll mostly be sticking to paved paths.

Steve Garrett is a recreational birder who has been birding in High Park for over 10 years. He knows most of the birds that are common in the park and will take a guess at identifying the ones that are not common!

He has a pretty good idea of what birds to expect and where you are likely to find them, and can speak to some of the challenges that birds are experiencing and what High Park offers as a refuge for migrating birds and a natural environment that supports breeding birds.

He's happy to give some pointers on how to get started with birding if that's of interest.

Meet at the grassy centre triangle, just inside the main entrance to High Park on Bloor Street at 10:30 a.m.

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2025 Staff-Prepared City Budget Highlights

Friends,

On Monday January 13th, the City of Toronto launched the 2025 Budget process with a staff-prepared budget that protects and invests in our City’s core services based on feedback gathered during Fall 2024 consultations with Toronto residents.

I am pleased to see a number of new and enhanced initiatives included in the 2025 staff-prepared budget that advance our goals of making Toronto a more affordable, connected, and safe city for all. Key investments include:

Making life more affordable:

  • Feed 8,000 more students through school food programs
  • CampTO food program to support over 31,000 youth

Getting Toronto moving

  • Increase transit service hours by 5.8 per cent (approximately half a million hours) 
  • Expand to 100 Traffic Agents to address blocked intersections, improve travel times in key corridors and decrease collision

Providing community services

  • Expand Sunday service hours for 70 Toronto Public Libraries
  • Increase access to cultural initiatives including local arts, festivals and events

Keeping people safe

  • Add 276 more Emergency Services positions (fire, police and paramedics) 
  • Expand road safety programs

Staff presentations on the 2025 staff-prepared budget are available at www.toronto.ca/budget. I encourage you learn about the various opportunities to get involved in the budget process, which includes opportunities to speak directly to the Budget Committee and submitting written feedback here.

I will also be hosting a ‘City Budget 2025 Virtual Town Hall’ on Monday, January 20th at 6pm, where we will review the proposed 2025 budget, discuss its investments and impacts on city services, and walk through the City’s budget process together.  To join the virtual meeting, please use this link: gordperks.ca/2025budget

Looking forward to seeing you there,


In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates 

  • CampTO Summer Programs List
  • Winterlicious returns Jan 31 - Feb 13
  • Nominations now open: Toronto Community Champion Award 🏆 

Ward 4 Updates

  • Masaryk-Cowan Presents: Community Youth Nights

2024 Highlights and Holiday Wishes

Friends,

2024 has been a transformative year for our city.

As Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee, I have had the pleasure of supporting the tireless work of community activists and City staff in advancing real solutions to the housing crisis we have been witnessing.

In 2024, to name a few successes, we established the Renovictions Bylaw to deter bad-faith evictions, launched an industry-supported incentive program that facilitates the development of 20,000 new rental homes, expanded permissions for townhouses and small-scale apartment buildings along major streets city-wide, and initiated steps to address excessive indoor temperatures due to the effects of climate change.

I am most proud of our work at rebuilding the City’s capacity as a Public Builder that leads the delivery of affordable housing options. Through establishing a Housing Development Office at the City, we have transformed the City from an entity that is frustrated and unable to move on affordable housing to quite possibly the biggest developer of affordable housing in the country.

In the last 15 months we have gone from zero to 13 affordable construction projects currently under construction, including the 11 Brock site in our ward, and dozens more projects with shovels in the ground next year. We are proving that when we choose to face our most pressing issues head-on, we can respond with quick and effective actions.

This week, as part of Council Mid-term Member Appointments, I was honoured to be asked to continue in my role as Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee for the remainder of this Council term.

As we celebrate the holiday season, I look forward to continuing to work together in 2025 to advance the realization of housing as a human right in Toronto.

Sincerely,


2024 Highlights

Dunn House

Dunn House (90 Dunn Ave), Canada’s first ever social medicine supportive housing initiative, opened in October. The four-storey modular housing building includes 51 new, rent-geared-to-income and supportive homes for people who were experiencing homelessness and who were also frequent users of UHN’s emergency department. The new homes will be furnished studio apartments with a bathroom and kitchen. The building will include amenities such as shared laundry, a commercial kitchen, a dining area, a communal area and programming space. They will also benefit from wrap-around social and health services provided by Fred Victor and UHN aimed at improving their well-being and housing stability.  Dunn House has been supported by all orders of government and non-profit housing partners, with continued engagement with the local community.

11 Brock Ave

Earlier this week, the City broke ground on the construction of 11 Brock Ave, the first of five ‘housing ready’ sites to be developed under the Public Developer Model. The planned four-storey building will provide 42 homes with supports to maintain people’s health, wellbeing, and housing stability. The new homes will be private apartments with a bathroom and a kitchen. The building will also include amenities such as shared laundry, a commercial kitchen and programming spaces for residents. The City has partnered with Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC) as the community housing provider. PARC operates supportive homes in Toronto for adults experiencing mental health and substance use challenges, many with a history of homelessness. PARC and our office will continue to engage with the local Parkdale community on the development of this site. This work is possible due to intergovernmental partnership. In 2023, the project received $21.6 million through the Federal Rapid Housing Initiative. Beginning in 2025, annual operating funding of at least $1.2 million is required from the Province of Ontario for the support services planned for this building.

Traffic Calming Policy & Vision Zero Road Safety

There has been an update on the Vision Zero Road Safety Initiatives and Traffic Calming Policy. The updated Traffic Calming Policy was adopted by City Council in November 2023, and began applying to Community Council Reports starting January 2024. The warrants for Traffic Calming on a residential street are now based on the posted speed limit instead of the standard 40 km/h. This should help local streets in need of additional calming measures. As part of Vision Zero safety initiatives, the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) camera is designed to deter speeding motorists and increase safety for vulnerable road users. In Q1 of 2025, Ward 4 will receive two additional cameras as part of the ASE program expansion; the locations are Jameson Avenue South of Laxton Avenue and Jane Street near Page Avenue.

West Parkdale Cycling Connections

In Fall 2024 the City completed installation of the West Parkdale Cycling Connection. This project addresses a previous gap in our cycling network by providing a connection between The Queensway and Brock Avenue. In addition to the installation of the bike lanes the project included one way street conversions, changes to one way street directions, changes to on street parking, new stop signs, intersection improvements and traffic calming speed humps. A new traffic light signal will be installed in 2025 at Roncesvalles Avenue and Galley Avenue. Over the next 6 to 12 months, City staff will continue to monitor traffic counts and collect feedback from the community.

Parkside Drive

Parkside Drive’s current road configuration encourages motorists to travel at high speeds. In November City Council endorsed, in principle, to advance detailed design of the road safety changes identified in the Parkside Drive Study, which includes bike lanes and intersection safety improvements. The road reconfigurations aim to improve safety for all road users and upgrade Parkside Drive to accommodate multi-modal travel options. Council also approved as part of the Parkside Drive Study City staff recommendations for the installation of speed humps on five adjacent streets to Parkside Drive which satisfy the updated Traffic Calming Policy warrants.

High Park Movement Strategy

Improvements as part of the High Park Movement Strategy (HPMS) continue to be advanced in High Park. New pick-up/drop-off spaces at key destinations on Colborne Lodge Drive between the Grenadier Cafe and Bloor Street West were added, and TTC 203 High Park Route operated seasonal service this summer with an expanded route that was run via Keele Station, providing a transfer-free accessible connection between High Park and Line 2. The High Park Movement Strategy includes the implementation of a shuttle service to help visitors get around High Park all year long. The City of Toronto has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the provision of this shuttle service, which will help visitors get around key locations within High Park. The City has also partnered with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to undertake a road ecology study within High Park to better understand existing conditions, potential risk factors to wildlife, and possible mitigation measures.

Sunnyside Beach Shoreline Resiliency Project

The Sunnyside Beach Shoreline Resiliency Project is one of 36 locations where work is being undertaken to rehabilitate and increase resiliency along the shoreline of Lake Ontario. Periods of high lake water levels, coupled with increased frequency and severity of storms have put pressure on the existing erosion control measures in place along Lake Ontario’s shoreline and the City must deliver proactive solutions to address this. This project is carried out through the Federal government’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF). The mandate of this work, under this funding structure, is to address the impacts of flooding and erosion by repairing, remediating, and enhancing the resilience of Toronto's waterfront shoreline. As part of these mitigation efforts, three seat walls in different locations have been installed as a protective barrier against high lake water effects. The City installed new sand to restore the sand quality at Sunnyside Beach following completion of the Shoreline Resiliency Project.


In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates 

  • Vacant Home Tax 2024 Declaration
  • New Year's Skating Parties
  • City of Toronto Consultation: Growing Space for Trees & Infill Housing
  • Planning for the Holiday Season in Toronto
  • Toronto Parking Authority Rate Change Communication

Ward 4 Updates

  • Developments
    • *New Date* Committee of Adjustment Application, 1375 Queen St W
    • Update on 2453-2469 Bloor Street West: Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing - Request for Directions
    • An Update on 2461-2475 Dundas St W - Zoning By-law Amendment and Rental Housing Demolition & Conversion

Increasing Shelter Infrastructure and Our Public Developer Capacity

Friends,

I am encouraged by the progress announced this week on the City’s Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy (HSCIS). The City unveiled the first six shelter sites that are being developed as part of this 10-year strategy and has expanded winter services for people experiencing homelessness.

The City is currently providing emergency accommodations to approximately 12,000 people. These shelter spaces enable our unhoused neighbours to have a roof over their heads while accessing services that help them transition to permanent housing. In 2023, more than 5,900 people experiencing homelessness moved from the shelter system into permanent housing.

Although the City is providing shelter to thousands of people, hundreds of people are unable to be matched to shelter each night. The HSCIS was developed to meet the unmet demand for shelter space by building new shelters across Toronto. Between 2024 and 2033, the City plans to develop up to 20 new purpose-built shelter sites, creating a total of approximately 1,600 shelter spaces.

Each shelter will be smaller by design and serve approximately 80 people, focusing on providing safety, comfort and resources to help residents transition to stable housing. I encourage you to learn more about the City’s work to open new shelter sites on the project webpage.

I am also pleased to share that Executive Committee adopted a staff report this week on strengthening the City’s role as a Public Developer to deliver housing faster.

This report outlines steps to establish a Housing Development Office that will focus exclusively on advancing and accelerating the delivery of housing on City-led and City-supported sites. Through this new Office, the City will either lead projects directly or leverage Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) and CreateTO on a project-by-project basis, based on each organization’s unique expertise and best practices. This item will be considered by City Council next week.

I 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 

  • Vacant Home Tax 2024 Declaration
  • Support your community: Holiday Wish List 🎁 
  • Skate Lending Library is back this winter  
  • Illuminating holiday experiences at Toronto History Museums ✨

Ward 4 Updates

  • Junction BIA's Window Wonderland
  • Junction Residents' Association: Community Caroling Sing-a-long in the Junction!!
  • Attention Parkdale Village BIA Members: Board Members Wanted
  • Developments
    • *New Date* Committee of Adjustment Application, 1375 Queen St W

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