Budget issues affecting the Greater Junction Area by Toronto Council Jan 17 2012

 



 

 



 



 

 

 

Design Workshop for the “Sorauren Square” Wednesday, June 29, starting at 6:30 p.m.

 

Help take Sorauren Park to the “next level”...

Design Workshop for the “Sorauren Square”

Wednesday, June 29, starting at 6:30 p.m.


Food and drinks provided


Help plan — and name — the new “Sorauren Square” proposed for the “dead zone” of derelict land between the Sorauren Fieldhouse and the old linseed oil factory.

At this public design workshop, we’ll look at town squares in other cities and countries, review the existing Sorauren Master Plan concepts, and get drawing!

Sorauren Square is envisioned as a place for markets, festivals, concerts, shows, events and meeting neighbours on warm summer evenings.

If you like to draw and dream, or have ideas for this new public space, please come to our Design Workshop. RSVP to dbennet@sympatico.ca so we can plan our numbers.

“Sorauren Square” Design Workshop

Wednesday, June 29

6:30 p.m. at the Sorauren Fieldhouse


50 Wabash Avenue


Light dinner and refreshments provided

Sponsored by the Wabash Building Society

http://www.soraurenpark.com

 

Municipal Licensing and Standards report on monitoring of Hard Rock and Santos Excavating and Neon Disposal Ltd., 101 Union Street

Highlights from city the report.

City Council requests the Ministry of the Environment to investigate the

environmental and health concerns of the community, particularly the air borne contaminants and the effects of the noise and vibration on the nearby residential community.

Hard Rock and Santos Excavating and Neon Disposal Limited operate a commercial

business from the property at 101 Union Street.

As a result of neighbourhood concerns Municipal Licensing and Standards coordinated a

joint investigation of the operation of the business and the subject property to determine

compliance with municipal by-laws.

The joint investigation took place on February 3, 2010 and included staff from Toronto

Fire Services, Toronto Buildings, Transportation Services, Municipal Licensing and

Standards and the Ministry of the Environment and Parking Enforcement.

Toronto Fire Services identified issues and are dealing with blocked exits on the interior

of the building.

Toronto Buildings has advised that there are no matters of violation or concern under

their jurisdiction.

Transportation Services identified violations under their jurisdiction related to the illegal storage of disposal bins within the right of way (boulevard area) and roadway, in addition to illegal parking on the boulevard area. These matters were resolved with the cooperation of Parking Enforcement staff on March 4, 2010 where 10 vehicles were tagged and towed, (4 vehicles from the roadway and 6 vehicles from the City Boulevard).

The Ministry of Environment had no issues identified regarding noise or vibration. There was no evidence of air borne contaminants at the time of the inspection. The only concern was with the accumulation of household waste within the illegally stored bins.

This matter was resolved upon the removal of the bins from public access.

Municipal Licensing and Standards has communicated the requirement to expedite

repairs due to the condition of the existing fence (deteriorated corrugated metal).

At the last follow up investigation conducted on March 20, 2010 the fence has been

substantially repaired. At this time there was also a Zoning charge pending with the

courts to be heard July 27, 2010 regarding the use of the premises and a pending charge regarding non-compliance with a Notice issued under the provisions of City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 548, Littering and Dumping.

1st Roncesvalles Ave now Weston Road in Mount Dennis, what about the Junction?

Revitalization of Weston Road in Mount Dennis before the council

Etobicoke-York Community Council:

1.         Directed the Director, Community Planning, Etobicoke York District, in consultation with the General Manager of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, to report to its February 9, 2010 meeting on the feasibility of establishing a Community Improvement Plan for Weston Road in Mount Dennis.

2.         Referred the following motion to the Planning and Growth Management Committee:

"That the Planning and Growth Management Committee request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to ensure that the Avenue Study planned for Weston Road between Ray Avenue and Humber Boulevard (and including Eglinton Avenue West to Black Creek Drive and Black Creek Drive from Eglinton Avenue West to Trethewey Drive), is scheduled for study in 2010.”

Background Information

January 12, 2010 motion (http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/ey/bgrd/backgroundfile-26331.pdf)

Approved - the naming of the park situated at 85 Birdstone Crescent as "Upper Junction Park”

....italics city text

Etobicoke York Community Council:

1.             Approved the naming of the park situated at 85 Birdstone Crescent as "Upper Junction Park”. Quote are  marks used by the city in their report


Why the quotation marks? -  well this author believes although the council approved the name, in their hearts they must have known they were participating in culture destruction. (see orange text below detailing the use of the marks)

Dictionary:quotation mark

n.
Either of a pair of punctuation marks used primarily to mark the beginning and end of a passage attributed to another and repeated word for word, but also to indicate meanings or glosses and to indicate the unusual or dubious status of a word. They appear in the form of double quotation marks (" ") and single quotation marks (' '). Single quotation marks are usually reserved for setting off a quotation within another quotation.

The Parks, Forestry, and Recreation Division is recommending that the park located at 85 BirdstoneCrescent be officially named “ Upper Junction Park” in recognition of  the important role the Upper Junction played in the City’s history.

Background Information

December 15, 2009 staff report (http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/ey/bgrd/backgroundfile-25681.pdf) EY29.37 Extract (http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/ey/bgrd/backgroundfile-25684.pdf)

Kingsway Park Ratepayers Fall 2009 newsletter

The Kingsway Park Ratepayers newsletters are always full of useful reporting of what is happening in many areas of their community, from development to historical efforts and all sorts of other issues and noticesy.

The fall 2009 newsletter has informative article about the original lighting on the Humber bridge, reproduced below. to read the complete newsletter click the link.

Enlarged text from above Bridge Lanterns -  Anna Traer asked me (Madeleine McDowell) about the possibility of restoring the original 1916 lighting on the Old Mill Bridge. This is a photo of the old Mill Bridge the morning after Hurricane Hazel struck. It shows clearly the original lantern lighting on the Bridge. Since the Humewood Ratepayers took on a similar project for the Connaught Gates at Vaughn and Bathurst, just north of St Clair about five years ago, I asked them “WHO DID IT?” It turned out to be a local company just off the Queensway. They did the job working from 1912 promotion drawings and photographs of Sir Henry Pellat’s Connaught Gates, which were of similar age to Frank Barber’s iconic Old Mill Bridge. Heritage Toronto provided the community with a segregated account and issued tax receipts for donations. The results were beautiful and spectacular. The “Lighting” ceremony, which I attended, was on the 24th of May with fireworks and a street party. The project won an award for the quality of its restoration of an important architectural feature. Chris Nelson, who did the Lanterns for the Gates, is looking at the Photographs. We also have a piece of one of the original lanterns in the Swansea Historical Society’s collection, which eliminates measured calculations and guesswork for reproduction. I am prying a cost estimate out of Mr. Nelson. , I expect a jolt for my blood pressure when I receive it. But the Lanterns would properly light the Bridge - And it would be a beautiful piece of restoration. Any assistance to make this happen would be greatly appreciated! Madeleine McDowell

Bridge Lanterns

Anna Traer asked me about the possibility of restoring the

original 1916 lighting on the Old Mill Bridge. This is a photo of

the old Mill Bridge the morning after Hurricane Hazel struck. It

shows clearly the original lantern lighting on the Bridge.

Since the Humewood Ratepayers took on a similar project for

the Connaught Gates at Vaughn and Bathurst, just north of St

Clair about five years ago, I asked them “WHO DID IT?” It

turned out to be a local company just off the Queensway.

They did the job working from 1912 promotion drawings and

photographs of Sir Henry Pellat’s Connaught Gates, which

were of similar age to Frank Barber’s iconic Old Mill Bridge.

Heritage Toronto provided the community with a segregated

account and issued tax receipts for donations.

The results were beautiful and spectacular. The “Lighting”

ceremony, which I attended, was on the 24th of May with

fireworks and a street party. The project won an award for the

quality of its restoration of an important architectural feature.

Chris Nelson, who did the Lanterns for the Gates, is looking at

the Photographs. We also have a piece of one of the original

lanterns in the Swansea Historical Society’s collection, which

eliminates measured calculations and guesswork for

reproduction. I am prying a cost estimate out of Mr. Nelson. ,

I expect a jolt for my blood pressure when I receive it. But the

Lanterns would properly light the Bridge - And it would be a

beautiful piece of restoration. Any assistance to make this

happen would be greatly appreciated!

Madeleine McDowell

An interview with ROB PRICHARD, METROLINX PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE

The Globe and Mail online has a interview with ROB PRICHARD online here

Two local relevant section outtakes from the article

On meeting the Tier 4 emissions standards on its Georgetown corridor trains

GO Transit has ... an enviable record of adopting the best available diesel technology and the cleanest available diesel fuel in every stage in its evolution as an organization. We are known to the manufacturers as eager to see technological advances and open to embracing the best technology as it becomes available. So there's no change for GO. We think it is a price worth paying, whatever the price is. It is not our expectation that it will dramatically increase the price of the locomotives. The locomotives we are acquiring now, while Tier 2 certified, are in fact compliant with the Tier 3 standards already and we just are very much in favour of these further technological improvements to reduce the pollutants from the emissions from the vehicles and we're happy to pay the market price of that technology as it becomes available over the next few years. We do not believe it will double it, but we are happy to pay the increased costs to have a cleaner environment and less emissions.

On the electrification of the line

Our current estimate of the cost of electrifying the Georgetown line only is $1.5-billion. We estimate the cost of electrifying the GO system, including Lakeshore East and Lakeshore West and the other lines, to be somewhere between $7 and $10-billion. So those are our current estimates. We have announced a thorough study of the benefits, all the benefits, and costs of electrification of the GO system and its individual lines. We began that study in June with a community advisory council of scientists, environmentalists, community representative, engineers and others to advise us on how to properly scope a thorough study. That work is coming to a conclusion over the next two weeks. We expect to get the approval of our board of directors to then proceed with the full study pursuant to that scope of work and complete it by December of next year. as a result of that, we'll have a very clear case made of the health benefit, the environmental benefit, the transit benefits, the community benefits of electrification, and we'll have a clear view of the financial costs of electrification and of the engineering costs. That is, to electrify the corridor will require transmission lines. Do we bring the power to the corridor through some communities? Then we need to be frank and open about that. It requires putting wires above all the tracks which are going through communities, and we need to be frank about that. So we need all the costs and all the benefits on the table so that an informed decision can be made. We'll make all that work public and then, following public debate, the province can make a decision as to whether or not to make that investment, and if so, at what pace. Because you can't electrify the entire system at once, because we would have to do it in some sequence, and we want to make sure we do the most urgent lines first and then do it in the right sequence as well. So we think given the magnitude of the public investment required to electrify, we think it's prudent to spend a year doing a very thorough study of the issues before making a commitment to it. In the meantime, we're confident that using the Tier 4 diesel technology, we can expand services on the Georgetown line and do so in a way that's consistent with improving air quality.

Interesting and unusual - Keelesdale Drive

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Keelesdale Drive has sat on it -  this one house on it for many years next to the Kodac Plant, now with the plant gone and the site is to be developed by commercial developer Metrus Properties who purchased the land in 2006 for $19.5 million. Plans for the site have  not yet been released by the company.

This house is a sweet anomaly in the area, being the one and only residential building on the block. The area is not like the Mulock/Hirons area where industry and houses have co-existed for decades -  on Mulock Ave  some sites are part house and part factory with in the same building.

In addition The Loblaw Companies are seeking the right to place a car wash and gas bar of the opposite SW corner of this house - on the site of their No Frills Store {city file on this  - opens in new window}

Long lived neigbourhood wall mural going

At Keele St. and Rogers Rd. there has been for many years a wall mural on the side on building that contained a bar. The bar owner used the wall mural to communicate various items of interest about the bar and just stuff that aroused his interest.

The building was sold a few months ago and the new owner is applying stucco over the wall.

West Toronto Collegiate Institute to be closed and the land sold?

from the saveourschoolsTO@gmail.com flyer

SAVE OUR SCHOOLS!

Is West Toronto C.I. CLOSING?

What will this mean to our community?

neighbourhood school and community meeting   place- GONE! pool, excellent track and gym facilities- GONE! building fully accessible to the disabled- GONE! 8.5 acre urban green space- GONE! important public resource paid for by the Toronto taxpayers- GONE!

Once gone, the land and building will never come back!

Two Public Meetings:

330 Lansdowne Ave

one block north of College St.

Tues., Sept. 29^th and  Thurs., Oct. 15^th

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

West Toronto Collegiate Institute                                                                cafeteria

.

Some of the many reasons why this school building is special can be found in the history section og the schools' Wikipedia page

The school was constructed and opened in 1972. The school was built on the former southern section of MacGregor Park. The football field is the former location of a lumber yard. The construction of the school necessitated the closing of the section alongside the school of St. Helen's Avenue. The siding of the building on the east and west sides of the building is unique. It was installed as "raw" steel and allowed to rust to reach the intended brown colour, then preserved. The school was originally named in 1972, by its students as West Toronto Secondary School.

Blog reader Kevin sent in this post.

 

 

Railpath 30-Minute Clean-up –

A group of volunteers is meeting on Wednesday evening (Sept. 23) at 6:45 p.m. at the foot of the Wallace Street bridge to clean-up the garbage on the West Toronto Railpath.

If you would like to join us, just bring a pair of work gloves and we will provide the bags. It’s a great opportunity to do something nice for the hood, meet a few neighbours, get a little exercise and make the place look better for the hundreds of people who are using the trail everyday.

Fuzzy Boundaries discussion about neighbourhood identities

This image features the many faces of our community past and present.
While those in the pictures may know each other by name, many aren't sure what to call the neighbourhood. A residents' group called Fuzzy Boundaries has initiated a naming process for the area. You are invited to our second lively discussion about neighbourhood identities on Tuesday, September 15 at 7 p.m. at St. Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic Church (110 Franklin Avenue). Urban affairs specialist, CBC broadcaster and National Director of the annual Jane Jacobs Walk, Jane Farrow will discuss the naming experience of the West Queen West community group Active 18. Fuzzy Boundaries member Chris Kwaczek will also speak about neighbourhood demographics. A Q & A will follow. All are welcome to attend this free event. For details call Kevin at 416-537-1128 or visit fuzzyboundaries.ca where discussions about our great neighbourhood take place online. [email_link] Colour photo by Vic Gedris, black & white photo City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Subseries 52, Item 665 Many thanks to our generous sponsors - realtors who are investing in the community where they work: Chander Chaddah, Joseph (Joe) Russo and Grace Soares, Anita Merlo

Litigation or potential litigation by the city Re:Metrolinx Rail-to-Rail Diamond Grade Separation Project

From the city staff report

This report is about litigation or potential litigation that affects the City

and contains advice or communications that are subject to solicitor-client

privilege.

This report is about litigation or potential litigation that affects the City and contains advice or communications that are subject to solicitor-client privilege. (which the city redacted)

This report has been prepared for submission directly to City Council as requested by Council at its meeting of May 25, 26 and 27, 2009 to provide Council with information respecting the status of the formal noise/vibration complaint made by the West Toronto Diamond Residents Group to the Canadian Transportation Agency (“CTA”) and recommendations as to the City’s possible involvement in the process to support the local residents’ concerns.

Legal Services staff has been advised by CTA representatives that this is the first time that a complaint respecting an “urban transit authority” such as Metrolinx (formerly GO Transit) has been considered under the Canada Transportation Act process.

The City Solicitor recommends that City Council:

1. Authorize the City Solicitor to prepare submissions for the City of Toronto in the proceeding before the Canadian Transportation Agency (“CTA”) to consider the complaint (included as Attachment 2 to this report) made by the West Toronto

Diamond Community Group with respect to the noise and vibration caused by the rail-to-rail West Toronto Diamond grade separation project currently being undertaken by Metrolinx (formerly GO Transit).

2. Direct that the City Solicitor and other City staff, as directed by the City Manager, consult with the local residents in the preparation of submissions to the CTA.

3. Consider and receive Confidential Attachment 1 for information, and that the contents of Confidential Attachment 1 not be made public to avoid prejudicing the City and the residents’ case before the Canadian Transportation Agency.

full staff report link

St. Clair Avenue West Transit Improvement Project current water works activity

Water improvement and movement of pipes associated with the St. Clair Avenue West Transit Improvement Project , at the interesection of Old Weston Rd. and St Clair Ave, is nearing it's end. The new value is  installed, and the old value pictured above was removed about 3 weeks ago and laid at the back of the bingo hall for a few days, but now has gone. sign...

Expect George Bell Arena to be open for waste dropoff.

Expect George Bell Arena to be open for garbage drop-off as early as tonight but possibly tomorrow. City workers are loathe to give out the actually time or date.

215 Ryding Ave. [map flyout] probably best to arrive via Ethel Ave.

Fatima's Cafe & Bistro Grand Opening, Fatima's Cafe & Bistro

Mediterranean Charm in the Junction: Fatima's Cafe & Bistro Grand Opening

Recession be damed, Fatima Santos, first time restauranteur brings fine, yet affordable, Mediterranean fare to the Junction - the west end district of Toronto where she has developed loyal fans from having run the Freetime corner coffee shop for years.

This, Tuesday June 23, 2009 from 5.30 pm to 8 pm, Fatima's Cafe & Bistro invites you for a sampling of fine food along with live latin, jazz and blues by local Junction musicians, Mango Moon.

This summer, go Mediterranean, stay local. The affable restauranteur noticed a need, and an opportunity, for a Mediterranean style bistro.  "I love the Junction and the people here. They appreciate food from different parts of the world.  I wanted to bring a mix of different Mediterranean fare with my new restaurant to continue to serve the local residents and other Torontonians."

The menu of French, Italian and Portuguese dishes offers a delicious array of quiches, crepes, pastas, grilled panini sandwiches and fabulous daily soups and salads.

The Mediterranean music and charming decor, creates an ambiance of friendliness where one feels transported to a seaside bistro in the old country.

Come in on weekends for organic coffee, breakfast specials and brunch. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Licensed restaurant offers an extensive wine selection.   Take-out available.

Where:    Fatima's Cafe and Bistro, 3108 Dundas Street West

When:     Tuesday June 23m 2009, 5.30pm-8pm

Contact:   Fatima at 647-727-4550

Update on 88 Mulock Avenue - Committee of Adjustment

Committee of Adjustment approves application by the The Society of St Vincent of Paul of Toronto to construct a TWO-STOREY addition, as well as a second storey addition to the property at 88 Mulock Avenue

This update provided by blog reader PJ

After waiting 5.5 hours to deliver their plea, four Mulock Avenue residents and Councillor Nunizata herself were present at the Committee of Adjustment meeting late yesterday, to decide on 88 Mulock Avenue’s application to expand their existing compound by over 50%!  The three members of the committee debated for a few minutes, and ultimately granted the variance, but made it conditional on the owners not increasing the number of residents they accommodate (ie. - eleven

Although locals are thankful for the condition that was placed on the variance, the real issue had been the monstrous expansion.

FYI, the Committee’s decision was based on the following input at the hearing:

For:

The owners’ assertion that their 11 residents need a bit more space (ie. – a 50% increase in gross floor area!)

Opposed:

A petition with 77 signatures from locals, Numerous letters from locals,Four residents present for five and a half hours waiting for their turn,Two residents who got up to speak

The good councillor likewise waiting almost six hours to voice her opposition

West Toronto Railpath Opening Parade Saturday, June 20, 2009

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			A ribbon-cutting and community bike parade to celebrate the opening of the West Toronto Railpath. Come and discover the new path. For info or to get involved email railpathopening@gmail.com Presented by: Friends of the West Toronto Railpath Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009 Start time: 02:00 PM End time: 03:30 PM Rain date:
			Location:
			Wallace Avenue east of Symington at the entrance to the West Toronto Railpath. Under the pedestrian bridge.
				Web site: www.railpath.ca