Friends,
Last week at Executive Committee, City staff provided a status update report on the City's Vacancy Home Tax.
The intent of this Vacant Homes tax is to dissuade property owners from leaving much needed housing vacant and unused while this year generating $54 million.
Along with the update, staff proposed administrative changes to improve the process of declaration as well as to increase to the tax rate from 1% to 3% of the property's current value assessment (CVA) for the year in which the home is vacant.
In my capacity as chair of the Planning and Housing Committee, I met with Reema Patel, the new Deputy Ombudsman (Housing). The Deputy Ombudsman's role is to oversee the fairness of the City of Toronto's housing policies and programs. I look forward to working with her and welcome her to this new role.
The Ombudsman’s office will also be presenting a report to City Council next week on their recommendations to Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) to ensure that tenant’s human rights are respected and protected. TCHC has agreed to take steps to implement all recommendations.
Next week’s City Council meeting agenda is now online and the meeting can also be watched live on the City’s youtube channel.
Sincerely,
Gord
- Wabash Community Centre Update
- REMINDER: Community Consultation Meeting on October 10
- Development application at 1437 -1455 Queen St W
- Development application at 1266 Queen St W
- 7 Laxton Community Consultation Meeting on October 17
- Parkdale Hub at Toronto Preservation Board
- Mechanical Leaf Collection Changes
- Bloor West Complete Street Extension Update #5
- Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance Program
- Runnymede Library reopens tomorrow
Work on the Wabash Community Centre continues
A Staff Report to advance the design of the new Wabash Community Recreation Centre (CRC), and Wabash Park improvements was approved at the General Government Committee this week:
Agenda Item History - 2023.GG6.10 (toronto.ca)
The City is working to finalize the detailed design. Tendering is expected to be in Q1 or Q2 of 2024, with construction expected 2024-2027.
The new facility will include an indoor pool, a gymnasium, and flexible multi-purpose program spaces.
More information on the Wabash Community Centre can be found here: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/construction-new-facilities/new-parks-facilities/wabash-community-centre/
Community Consultation for two planning applications
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.
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.
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 10th, 2023, from 6 - 8 PM.
We will discuss the applications as follows:
- Introduction & Policy Overview: 6:00pm – 6:15pm
- 1437-1455 Queen Street West: 6:15pm – 7:05pm
- 1266 Queen Street West:7:05pm – 8:00pm
Register to attend the virtual community meeting at: http://www.toronto.ca/cpconsultations
I will chair the meeting, which includes presentations from both 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.
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.
Parkdale Hub at the Toronto Preservation Board
On October 10, staff will recommend that City Council approve the alterations to the heritage properties at 220 Cowan Avenue and 1313 Queen Street West, in accordance with Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act to allow for the construction of the Parkdale Hub at The Toronto Preservation Board.
More details on the recommendation is available here: Agenda Item History - 2023.PB10.3 (toronto.ca)
Anyone who wishes to watch the meeting can connect using the Watch Live link on the agenda page that will be available on the day of the meeting.
Link to Agenda:
https://secure.toronto.ca/council/#/committees/2511/23320
The public may submit written comments or register to speak at the Toronto Preservation Board on any item on the agenda. Written comments may be submitted by writing to [email protected]
To make a presentation to the Toronto Preservation Board, please register by email to [email protected] or by phone at 416-392-4666.
Reminder: Changes to the Mechanical Leaf Collection Program
In an effort to provide equitable service levels across the city, the Mechanical Vacuum Leaf Collection program is no longer being provided. The program was available to a limited number of households in our ward as part of a grandfathered service level that is no longer in effect. The City will continue to clear roads, ditches, culverts and boulevards of fallen leaves. However, property owners must now collect leaves that fall onto their property, place them in kraft paper yard waste bags and set them out at the curb on their regularly scheduled garbage collection days. More information about proper set out of yard waste is available at toronto.ca/YardWaste.
Update 5: Bloor West Complete Street Extension
This is an update on phase 1 of the installation of the Bloor Street West Complete Street Extension from Runnymede Road to Aberfoyle Crescent. Installation of phase 1 began the week of September 11, 2023. Initial installation of Phase 1 is planned for completion in December 2023, with upgrades planned for 2024 and beyond.
Work completed up to October 4th:
- Removal of existing pavement markings such as stop bars, arrows, etc. between Runnymede Road and Aberfoyle Crescent.
- Signage installation along the corridor to support the Complete Street design.
Work scheduled for October 4th to 6th:
- Installation of pavement markings such as hatching, symbols, stop bars, arrows, etc. between Runnymede Road and Aberfoyle Crescent.
- Installation of pavement markings between Old Mill Drive and Jane Street to reconfigure the roadway.
Work scheduled for the week of October 10, 2023:
- Continued installation of pavement markings such as hatching, symbols, stop bars, arrows, etc. between Runnymede Road and Aberfoyle Crescent.
- Ongoing signage installation and adjustments along the corridor to support the Complete Street design.
Work scheduled for the rest of October 2023:
- Installation of the curbs between Runnymede Road and Aberfoyle Crescent, starting from the Aberfoyle Crescent, followed by the installation of flex post bollards and planters.
- 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, weather permitting, and is scheduled to avoid conflicts with street festivals and other construction in the roadway.
This installation information email is being sent to local Councilors, BIAs, event coordinators, utility companies, City agencies and other stakeholders in the area. Should you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe to this list, please email: [email protected].
For more project details, please visit: Toronto.ca/BloorWest
Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance (SAHM) Program
Contact Program Coordinator Kevin Pook at 416-531-8447 or [email protected] for services including garden and yard work, snow removal, light housekeeping and odd light jobs.
Runnymede Library reopens tomorrow
Roofing renovations are complete and the Runnymede library will open a few days ahead of schedule. Normal service will resume tomorrow, Friday October 6th at 9:00 am instead of the anticipated date of Tuesday October 10. All our Library buildings will be closed Sunday and Monday of the Thanksgiving long weekend.
