Do we need this type of restaurant in the Junction?

There is always a lot of interest of the retail mix on the Junction strip.  In terms of food establishments, does the Junction need service, character and design consideration to establish the right elements for a good eating establishment?

To illustrate this point this author offers the example of Woodys Burgers  om Lakeshore Blvd in Longbranch., This restaurant has a clean, well designed interior, a welcoming exterior, and a wonderful view of the food on offer.

They also have a assortment of sides to have with your burger all clearly viewable under glass.  And place is clean really clean, crisp.

This restaurant inexpensive meal out, or great for take-out. While the meal image  may give the impressions the portions are small, go for dinner, and you won't be disappointed... they are just right. Try the special side dishes that you can't find in the usual Junction  places,  and see if you think we need a place with a menu like it has in the Junction.

3795 Lake Shore Boulevard West
Toronto, ON M8W 1R2

www.woodysburgers.com
(416) 546-2093

photo post:The Queensway Retail to Lake Shore Blvd W residential walk, wow

Along the Queensway  just west of the South Kingsway on South side a thriving and very busy retail centre has emerged, containing among other stores a Shoppers Drug Mart, a Flight Centre travel agency and a Sobeys Store.

Perfect for the needs of the people living in the condominiums south of the expressway.

Choosing to walk between these two locations is real difficult, it is  a car route if there ever was one.

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

Economic Development Committee recommends creation of Baby Point Gates BIA

[caption id="attachment_5476" align="aligncenter" width="495" caption="for full map please see link to city file at end of post"][/caption]

from the cities report...

The purpose of this report is to recommend the Designation of the proposed Baby Point Gates Business Improvement Area.



In accordance with Chapter 19 of the City of Toronto Municipal Code, the City Clerk conducted a poll to determine if there is sufficient support to designate the proposed Baby Point Gates BIA.  The number of objecting petitions regarding the Baby Point Gates BIA do not meet the sufficiency benchmark to prevent the designation set out in Chapter 19‑9A of the Municipal Code.  Accordingly, City Council may establish a Business Improvement Area.  Based upon the results, it is recommended that Council pass a by‑law to designate the area described by Attachment 1 (Maps 1‑5), as the Baby Point Gates BIA.

full text...

Royal Meat Bbq - local west BBQ restaurant 710 Kipling Ave

Royal Meats  BBQ at 710  Kipling Ave caught the eye of this post author simply because of it's stylish revamping of what once was a coffee shop. This place appeared  so well designed  seemed from the roadway and y wanting find a new place to eat in locally in the west end, while making a left hand turn it was decided to have dinner there.

The service was great, and the menu choices designed in  manner that you choose a from a front counter set up like a butcher shop.  In addition to the unique menu, the place has custom designed chairs and possibly tables, which are a interesting blend of water of laser cut thin aluminium sheet and steel, with the steel being powder coated a grey black smooth finish. The restaurant has a smooth colour palate   that blends everything wonderfully together.

Royal Meats Goggle Image search

Link to their ad video - it is worth the look as they provide their farm to restaurant model

link to menu open web page of a PDF

Review at Chowhound

Safety crash cushion as part of the Humber bridge rehabilitation?

During the Dundas Street West bridge rehabilitation over the Humber River, road improvements and streetscape enhancements are being done, in the   current design option,   transportation services does not include a safety crash cushion when travelling westbound on Dundas St West. and are about to enter  onto the bridge.

The blog looked up the specs for the device the transportation departments report states is not included, it looks like it would be a welcome addition. See this post for more info on this part of the project including plantings.



Performance criteria

A. For head-on impacts into the nose, a QuadGuard® System shall be specified which is capable of meeting the occupant risk criteria as recommended in NCHRP 350. For vehicles weighing between 820 and 2000 kg [1,810 and 4,410 lbs], the theoretical impact velocity of a hypothetical front seat passenger against the vehicle's interior (calculated from vehicle acceleration and 600mm [24"] forward displacement) shall be less than 12m/s [39.4 ft/sec], and the vehicle's highest 10 millisecond average acceleration subsequent to the instant of the hypothetical passenger impact shall be less than 20 G's.

B. The QuadGuard System shall be capable of redirecting 2000 kg [4,410 lbs] vehicles which impact the sides of the System at speeds up to 100 km/h [62 mph] at angles of 20° (angles measured from System's longitudinal centerline). The QuadGuard System shall be capable of redirecting 820 kg [1,810 lbs] vehicles, which impact the sides of the System at speeds up to 100 km/h [62 mph] at angles of 15°. (See Test Criteria below.)

C. The QuadGuard System shall be designed and constructed so there is no solid debris from the System which can create a hazard on the roadway after either head-on or side angle design impacts.

Old Dundas Street at Dundas Street West – Highway Alteration

[caption id="attachment_4368" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Old Dundas Street work area"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4369" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="old-dundas-street-work-area-sketch"][/caption]

and a the full PDF city sketch  provided by the city planner wonderfully quick this morning as it was not on the public city site, Thanks to the, Traffic Engineering Supervisor, who provided it. [link opens in new window] [related post made July 7th 2009 click here]

Dramatic yet useful possible change at old Dundas St...

city staff text...

As part of the Dundas Street West bridge rehabilitation over the Humber River, road improvements and streetscape enhancements have been included in the overall design.

These street and landscape enhancements extend westward to the intersection of Old Dundas Street and Dundas Street West. Currently, Old Dundas Street intersects Dundas Street West at a skewed angle. To normalize this intersection (i.e. create a 90-degree t-type intersection), staff recommends the realigning of the south approach of the intersection to Dundas Street West as shown in the attached sketch and described in Appendix A. These modifications will improve traffic operations and enhance the streetscape in this area by creating more boulevard space.

SUMMARY

This staff report is about a matter for which Community Council has delegated authorityfrom City Council to make a final decision. The purpose of this report is to recommend the enactment of the highway alteration bylaw related to the realigning of the south approach of the intersection of Old Dundas Street and Dundas Street West to normalize as a T-type intersection.

The proposed alteration will be undertaken as part of the existing Contract No. 08FS-23S, and will improve traffic operations and enhance the streetscape.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Transportation Services recommends that Etobicoke York Community Council

approve:

(1) The alterations and modifications on the south approach of the intersection of Old Dundas Street and Dundas Street West, as indicated in Appendix “A”, and generally as shown on the attached sketch.

Financial Impact

All costs, estimated to be $20,000, associated with the alterations and modifications at the south approach of the intersection of Old Dundas Street and Dundas Street West, as indicated in Appendix “A”, will be charged to City Planning Acct. CUR054-01.




ISSUE BACKGROUND

The City of Toronto Act, 2006, requires by-laws for the alteration of highways. This is not a new requirement under the City of Toronto Act, 2006, in that it was required under the previous Municipal Act.  Notwithstanding that many pre amalgamation municipalities had varied practices relating to highway alterations. City Legal staff has advised that any District in Transportation Services needing to make an alteration to a highway, would require the passage of a by-law by City Council. Alterations requiring approval typically include road narrowing and widening, the installation of a lay-by, the installation of sidewalks, the installation of medians and the realignment of intersections.

COMMENTS

As part of the Dundas Street West bridge rehabilitation over the Humber River, road improvements and streetscape enhancements have been included in the overall design.

These street and landscape enhancements extend westward to the intersection of Old Dundas Street and Dundas Street West. Currently, Old Dundas Street intersects Dundas Street West at a skewed angle. To normalize this intersection (i.e. create a 90-degree t-type intersection), staff recommends the realigning of the south approach of the intersection to Dundas Street West as shown in the attached sketch and described in Appendix A. These modifications will improve traffic operations and enhance the streetscape in this area by creating more boulevard space.

Junction Arts Festival creates blog

The Junction Arts Festival has created a blog to provide information on the festival as it is created. Their goal is to give the artists participating and people interested in attending the festival, those wanting to work with the festival and people wanting to volunteer an insight into the festival,  and how they can get involved.   Festival Blog Link

4187 Dundas Street West Private Tree Removal

4187 Dundas Street West and 567, 569 and 571 Prince Edward Drive – where a developer wants to place a 10 story condo, is undergoing study from the city regarding the amount of trees they want remove, to build their project. The staff report is an interesting read as to how they approach the issues concern link below (opens in internal window)

View staff report in inset window

Staff report download

Local development apps before council this week

City community council will attend to two development applications this week (Wed), both of which are not getting much attention at the present time.

1) DUNBAR DEVELOPMENTS. 4187 Dundas Street West development plan and the issue between the developer and the city over the numbers of tress to be removed.

from the staff report...

Etobicoke York Community Council – March 26, 2009 Decision Document General Manager advised that of the remaining 7 trees, 5 could be removed subject to conditions but the General Manager refused to issue a permit to destroy Tree Nos. 4192 and 4193, being a red oak and a horse-chestnut, as: inspection of the trees by staff revealed that both are in good condition and, for the reasons set out below, the General Manager cannot support the removal of these trees.


The applicant has appealed this decision to refuse to issue permits to destroy these two trees to Etobicoke York Community Council. The applicant had requested the removal of all 9 trees (including the 2 on the abutting property) to permit the construction of a proposed residential building that was the subject of a zoning and site plan appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board (the “OMB”).

The OMB has issued a decision allowing the proposed building; and, in appealing the General Managers refusal, the owner stated that: the above noted decision . . . contradicts decision PL070056 of the Ontario Municipal Board. The decision of the General Manager would not permit the construction of the 7 storey condominium development on site as approved by the Ontario Municipal Board. I believe that the decision of the General Manager cannot ignore and also contradict the decision of the Board ....

Full report PDF

 

2) Etobicoke York Community Council to recommend that City Council amend the Zoning By-law No. 1-83 in favor of  3385 Dundas Street West Zoning By-law Amendment Application –

ISSUE BACKGROUND

The applicant wishes to amend Comprehensive Zoning By-law No. 1-83 for the former City of York to permit the construction of a 6-storey, mixed use building at 3385 Dundas Street West, containing 118 residential units and ground floor retail. The development is intended to be a rental building for individuals 65 years of age and over. No government funding or ownership is proposed. It would be operated as a private, for profit enterprise.

The building is to be designed as an apartment building, in that all of the residential units will have full kitchens. No common dining facilities or nursing care are proposed. It is to be an apartment building oriented to senior citizens as opposed to being a “supported living environment” which one might usually associate with senior citizens.

On the basis that the building is to be occupied by people 65 years of age or older, Technical Services accepted a parking ratio which is less than the normal parking ratio for an apartment building under Comprehensive Zoning By-law 1-83 for the former City of York.

The concern is whether the City, through the tools available to it under this application,can guarantee that the building will only be occupied by people 65 years of age or older, thereby justifying the lower parking ratio. The draft zoning by-law amendment attached to the Final Report does not contain any definition of senior citizen’s dwelling unit.

 

Full report PDF