May General Members Meeting Highlights

Bylaw Enforcement

Merrick Sherman, Acting Supervisor, Public Spaces Central, Bylaw Enforcement, Municipal Licensing & Standards explained that his division looks after bylaw enforcement in public parks, including noise complaints in parks.  He is aware of the history of illegal raves and posters in Queen's Park North and his officers have been briefed of the situation in order to prevent a similar event this year during Nuit Blanche.

There are many new staff in the department and they work two rotating compressed shifts from 7 am to 4:45 pm and 2:15 pm to midnight.  These hours can be adjusted as needed.

Another division responds to general noise complaints and tend to work more evenings when the noise is above acceptable volumes.

Kathryn H. asked how Bylaw Enforcement would handle an unruly crowd in Queen's Park North.  Merrick responded that bylaw enforcement officers will increase their presence to take action in the middle of an event and gather information ahead of time.  Any information about attendance levels, locations, activities should be sent to Bylaw Enforcement at [email protected].

Christine D. asked about the illegal mushroom dispensary on Yonge, but business bylaw enforcement is not handled by Merrick's division.

Councillor Chris Moise, Ward 13 Toronto Centre

Councillor Moise reported that the new traffic lights at Yonge/Breadalbane-Maitland and Yonge/Grenville -Wood were activated May 22nd and May 15th respectively.

The Allan Gardens Palm House opened 1 1/2 week ago after a $12.5M renovation.  At the last City Council meeting, a motion was passed to allow Toronto Centre staff to work with Friends of Allan Gardens.  Funding was provided for a popular Saturday farmers' market.

The official launch of St. Lawrence North Market was a week prior and was attended by thousands of people.  The park beside the North Market will be upgraded.  Market Street has been pedestrianized for a 2 year trial period.  Councillor Moise is looking at making Scott Street pedestrian only as well.

The Alexander Street Parkette re-opening was May 22nd, with the linear parks opened a few weeks earlier.

Councillor Moise initiated a citywide Off Leash Dog Park Area (OLA) strategy.  As a result any OLA within 20 minutes of a residential property will have daily hours shortened from 7 am to 10 pm, instead of the standard 6 am to midnight.  Marzio Silva stated that Breadalbane Park should be quieter with the new hours.

Sherwin Lau gave an update on Participatory Budgeting 2023 projects.  8 new tree planters on St. Nicholas Street and 9 new tree planters on Irwin Street will be designed between June and September, with installation this year from October to December.  The design for the St. Joseph Street bumpouts will be finalized by the end of June, with installation by the end of July.  The funds for the cancelled St. Luke Lane mural project will be rescinded.

Councillor Moise announced that the parking lot across from the Wellesley TTC station will be turned into a park.

yongeTOmorrow Phase 1 construction will be delayed until 2030, due to the Ontario Line construction.  In addition, no construction is allowed in the City during FIFA in 2026.

Dundas TTC station will be renamed TMU.  Toronto Metropolitan University will cover all renaming costs and provide research.

Councillor Moise gave permission last year for Bar Volo to have their CafeTO patio without having to re-apply.  He is an advocate for small business and supported the business opportunity for Bar Volo.  Transportation is investigating issues with pedestrian and delivery truck access restrictions next week.  Joyce D. lives at 5 St. Joseph and while in favour of pedestrianization, finds the pedestrian access narrow and has safety concerns.  Councillor Moise responded that prior to 5 St. Joseph being built, complaints were received that St. Nicholas was being used as a shortcut for vehicles to get to Wellesley Street.  Kathryn H. inquired how the patio permission could be revoked if it was given in perpetuity.   She also asked if the delay in yongeTOmorrow was because of money issues, but Councillor Moise clarified it was because of the construction conflicts.  Michael L. wondered if there were open mechanisms to slow traffic while allowing delivery truck access and make wider pedestrian passages.  Christine D. said about 300 students move in and out of 5 St. Joseph every May and August/September, during the May to October patio street closure.

Eddie LaRusic is the Deputy Chief of Staff and explained that there are plans to purchase a community hub for 2SLGBTQ+ community organizations that have been forced out of the Village because of rising rent.  Historically, Section 37 benefits were negotiated with developers for community benefits that are enshrined in a bylaw.  He found some locations where money was left over, such as unspent funds from the Wellesley Community Centre pool that was built last year.  Unspent/unallocated funds can be used in proximity to the development and in line with the City's Official Plan policies.  There is $1.4M of unallocated money for 454 Yonge that is being redirected towards the purchase of the building that would become the home for queer community organizations.  Due diligence is underway on the potential building site and the money can be reallocated if the building purchase doesn't happen.  Marilyn T. asked how ongoing maintenance would be paid for.  Eddie answered that the City would rent out the space at market or below market rent to cover maintenance costs, with The 519 responsible for managing the building.  Councillor Moise explained that the City has several assets run by community organizations, such as Buddies in Bad Time Theatre and Young People's Theatre.

Previous Meeting Items

Following up on a prior report where a resident didn't report a break in to the police because the locksmith would not change the locks while a police investigation was ongoing, Cathy C. confirmed with Toronto Police Services that investigations for residential break ins is a priority and normally completed the same day.

Neighbourhood

City Council voted to accept a $50M donation from the Weston Family Foundation for enhancements and maintenance of Queen's Park North.  Plans are to have programming with museums and U of T.  Features like a skating rink, cafe and washrooms are possible.  A private board would manage the park.  Everyone was encouraged to complete a survey at https://forms.gle/2F5sp2imKTZ2XjHE7 and visit the Queen's Park North page on the website at www.baycloverhill.com/queens-park-north.html/ in the Public Realm section.

There was a Section 37 development funds reallocation meeting for the 2SLGBTQ+ community building purchase on April 29th.  Approximately $3M from 4 developments would be reallocated.

A review of the $5.5M in Section 37 funds for YC Condos at 454-464 Yonge was reviewed.  Some monies have been spent for bikeshare stations, public art, Grenville street improvements and courthouse landscaping.  Other amounts have been allocated for yongeTOmorrow.  The unallocated/unspent amount is about $1.4M.

Pollinator gardens and a paved raised BikeShare station are part of the St. Joseph curb extension project that will be installed in July or August.

The owners of the Oddfellows Building at 2 College want to have a large LED sign on the roof.  Consensus was that this was not desirable and the light would disturb the adjacent residential buildings.  A letter of concern will be written and sent to the Planning and Housing Committee for their September 25th meeting.

As part of Vision Zero, in road flexible speed signs have been requested for Bay Street between College Street and Charles Street.  Concerns were expressed this would impede fire trucks.  The request is under review by Transportation.

The City recently released the Homeless Strategic Plan that studied key homelessness issues, homelessness services and supports, transitions from homelessness and 5 year outcomes and indicators of success.  The conclusions were to establish measurable performance indicators, enhance Central Intake, work with organizations for indigenous and refugee solutions, increase transitional shelter programming and prioritize homelessness prevention.  The full report is available at https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/research-reports/housing-and-homelessness-research-and-reports/2025-2030-strategic-plan-to-address-homelessness/

The federal election districts changed and Bay Cloverhill is now all part of University Rosedale.  Incumbent Chrystia Freeland was re-elected for the Liberals with the Conservative candidate in second place.  Statistics for University Rosedale, Ontario and Canada were presented.

The new hours for Breadalbane Park is 7 am to 10 pm.  All dog off leash areas will have better maintenance and improvements, ensure responsible use and better enforcement, implement guidelines for commercial dog walker access and proactively plan for new dog off leash areas.

The proposed new logo for the Clock Tower Trail has been presented to the City for approval.

yongeTOmorrow Phase 2 will be from College to Davenport.  Design is scheduled for June 2025 to Spring 2027.  Parsons Inc. has been hired to develop engineering design and an operational plan.  The watermain on Yonge Street will be completed as the same time as yongeTOmorrow improvements.

Bill 5 is a new bill with the goal of fast tracking developments.  It will create Special Economic Zones that are exempt from environmental protections, heritage rules and public consultation.  It repeals the Endangered Species Act and weakens Indigenous consultation requirements.

The 2025 provincial budget expanded bike lane removal to Queen's Park Crescent and Avenue Road.  The Queen's Park bike lanes were installed in 2020 on the 6 lane major arterial road.  There is an injunction on bike lane removal on Yonge, Bloor and University due to a Charter challenge.

Community engagement on the conversion of the existing surface Green P lot to a park is ongoing to next Summer, with construction planned from 2027 to 2028. 
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/construction-new-facilities/park-facility-projects/new-park-at-15-wellesley-street-east/​

Development Update

On March 19th, the Committee of Adjustment approved the change for 510 Yonge Street to become a 587 unit 59 storey private student residence.

There is a new submission for 10 St. Mary with the total storeys reduced from 60 to 59 and residential units increased from 640 to 650.  There will be retail on the street level, with office space on the lower floors and residential on the higher floors.

College Park is celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2030 and launched College Park 100.  Preliminary discussions about additional storeys or new buildings are underway.  https://collegepark100.com/  

Streetscaping and exterior work are almost completed at 8 Wellesley Street West.  The bike lanes on Wellesley Street West have been restored and the street closure on St. Nicholas has finished. 

Choice has taken over sole development from Greenwin Properties for 2G 26 Grenville/27 Grosvenor.  There is a minor variance pending and a meeting is scheduled for June 12th.

Community Meetings

At the 52 Division Community Police Liaison Committee on April 2nd, it was reported that there was an arrest of a break and enter suspect in the Yonge Street and Wellesley Street area.  The Neighbourhood Watch Program was discussed, as was the 'walk your bike' sidewalk signage in Ward 13.

The launch of Toronto Centre Participatory Budgeting was held on April 3rd.  From April to June ideas can be submitted online, in writing or in person.  City staff will review projects from July to September.  Residents can vote on their preferred projects up to $750K in October.

The Sidewalk Safety Committee met on April 8th and discussed support of building property managers for the Neighbourhood Watch program.  Councillor Saxe's bike safety motion reconsideration was supported.

The FoSTRA Activism and Advocacy Committee meeting on April 10th covered minor variance and Committee of Adjustment changes, gave an update on upcoming federal election and noted that recycling changes are coming January 2026.  There was support from multiple residents associations for concerns with the Queen's Park North donation/renovations.

A meeting was held on April 29th on the City-Initiated Reallocation of Section 37 Funds in Toronto Centre involving a reallocation of $2.9M in Section 37 development funds from 4 buildings.

On May 8th, the FoSTRA Activism and Advocacy meeting had many topics including an expansion of the Billy Bishop Airport by July 2027, federal election results, ferry dock upgrades, Bill 5 and the establishment of an Eastern Waterfront Construction Liaison Committee.

The Toronto Centre Ward Council was held on May 14th.  On the agenda was the Bar Volo patio, walk your bike decals and St. Joseph pollinator gardens.

On May 20th, there was a meeting of the University of Toronto Community Liaison Committee.  The Queen's Park North renovation consultation was mentioned.  Project Leap plans to reduce GHG by 50% by 2027 for the St. George campus.  The need to increase student housing was discussed.

The General Members Meeting for FoSTRA happened May 22nd.  An interesting presentation about affordable non-market housing was made by the City's Housing Secretariat.  The alliances, letters and initiatives so far this year were reviewed.

Community Concerns

A resident requested information on the maker of the wooden animal sculptures in Clover Hill Park, but Christine D. has not received a response from the Parks Department.

Media reports of a random attack on a homeless person gave inaccurate location information.  An individual with a violent history was arrested for murder and 2 other stabbings.

Michael L. observed that his previous request to Councillor Saxe to have bidirectional bike lanes on Queen's Park Crescent would likely not be possible, given the provincial government's position on removing bike lanes.  The removal of these bike lanes will increase the chance cyclists will ride on the sidewalk endangering pedestrians.  He recounted how he was aggressively chased by a cyclist on the sidewalk in 2018.

Kathryn H. made a motion that we don't want bike lanes removed and it was seconded by Marilyn T.  The Sidewalk Safety Committee will work on contacting cycling advocates, like Cycle Toronto, Albert Koehl.  Al R. mentioned that the Avenue Road Safety Coalition is also opposed to the removal of bike lanes on Avenue Road.

If you are interested in being part of the solution to make the neighbourhood safe for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers, join the Sidewalk Safety Committee.  Contact [email protected] to sign up,

Al R. suggested that a good participatory budgeting project would be a bioswale on the south side of Wellesley Street West, as well as on Bay Street, that would benefit the Clock Tower Trail route.

Community and Special Events

June is a busy time for events, including Pride, which is one of the biggest events in the area.  Details on events are available at ​https://www.baycloverhill.com/specialevents.html