January General Members Meeting Highlights

Our guest speaker from Bylaw Enforcement was unable to attend.  Bylaw Enforcement Officers work until midnight, but residents are encouraged to call 311 or file online 311 service requests at any time.  Reporting will highlight issues and may result in extended hours for Bylaw Enforcement Officers.

From our last meeting, an inventory is being done of Canada Post mail boxes.  Once completed, we will meet with the MP's who can work with Canada Post on this issue.  There are 5 buildings in the neighbourhood with Canada Post parcel pickup lockers that have a feature to accept outgoing mail.

The priorities for 2025 are the logo design for the Clock Tower Trail, a community plaque for Dr. Lillian McGregor Park that recognizes the community's efforts and advocacy, as well as artwork installation on some traffic control boxes, with the support of Councillor Moise's office.

Numerous projects are scheduled for installation in 2025.  They include converting the  right turn lane at Grenville Street and Dr. Emily Stowe Way into a parkette in Spring, sidewalk extensions on St. Joseph Street at Bay Street and Yonge Street in Summer, new tree surrounds along St. Nicholas Street and Irwin Avenue in Fall, traffic light installation on Yonge Street at College Park/Granby Street, Breadalbane resurfacing and pedestrianization, Primrose historical plaque installation and creation of a passenger drop off zone on St. Joseph Street.  Traffic lights are being installed currently at Yonge Street and Grenville Street, as well as Yonge Street and Maitland Street.

In addition, other projects that are being worked on include replacing the non-functional fountain in Queen’s Park with a sundial, creating laneway design standards, lighting for laneways and street, installation of benches, waste receptacle and bike stand that were requested in 2021, bumpouts on Grenville Street, traffic light installation on Wellesley Street West midblock between Yonge Street and Bay Street to Dr. Lillian McGregor Park, resurfacing of St. Luke Lane from Grosvenor to Grenville and Breadalbane to Grosvenor and the south half of Grenville to College, mail box locations/removal and Breadalbane Off Leash Dog Park signage.

The year end report for social media was presented. Our website www.baycloverhill.com had 4,243 page views (25% increase over 2024) and 2,636 unique visits (39% increase). The Facebook group Bay Cloverhill Community has 199 members (33% increase over the previous year) with 49 new members (13% decrease), 418 posts (1% increase) and 7,399 views (22% decrease). Our X account (formerly Twitter) @baycloverhill has 200 followers (3% increase over 2024) with 6 new followers (78% decrease).  There were 362 tweets (5% increase) and 27,626 views.  The person running our @baycloverhill Instagram account has moved.  Although there were no new posts, there was a 20% increase to 49 followers.  Our new Instagram @baycloverhillcommunity is being launched and anyone interested in helping out is encouraged to contact [email protected]. 

There is a survey on Toronto Centre Projects about the Neighbourhood Watch program at
https://torontocentreprojects.ca/en/projects/neighbourhood-watch-program-survey.  This program is supported by Community Relations Officers of the Toronto Police Service.  Feedback was positive to the idea of having more eyes on the street and encouraging residents to be engaged by reporting incidents.  Marzio from Councillor Moise's office confirmed that Neighbourhood Watch signs are available with a phone number to call.

Updates on developments included Loretto College at 70 St. Mary Street, on which there was a community presentation on November 28th.  The lower floors will be institutional, including student residence and the chapel will be converted to event space.  A minor variance will be submitted by the Loretto Sisters with the University of St. Michael's College.  A developer for the apartment or condominium suites on the upper floors has yet to be selected.  The construction plan for 95 St. Joseph Street was approved by Toronto East York Community Council on January 14th.  Demolition and heritage chapel relocation will start in Spring 2025.  The project will be rental apartments with completion estimated in 2030. Official Plan Amendment 710 and Zoning Bylaw 1391-2024 for 646 Yonge Street (including 646-664 Yonge Street and 2-4 Irwin Street) were passed by the City on December 18th.  The elevator at 25 Grosvenor Street that is part of the 2G site has been operationally maintained.  Interior demolition continues on the Banting Building at 100 College Street and vibration sensors have been installed in the Sound Post and Surrey Centre buildings.

The Toronto Police Service 52 Division town hall was held November 6th.  The Drug Squad reported the most common type of drugs are crack cocaine and fentanyl powder.  Crystal meth looks like bath crystals and is the cheapest type of drug.  Up to November 1st 2024, there were 148 overdoses in 52 Division.  62% of the overdoses were in public areas like parks and Sankofa Square which are patrolled by undercover police.  Drug use peaks at the end of month when social assistance cheques are received.  Most people carry Narcan kits and use the buddy system.

The Activism and Advocacy meeting for the Federation of South Toronto Residents Associations (FoSTRA) was held on December 12th.  Many topics were discussed including Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) retail uses in residential areas, the delay of the Environment Assessment for Billy Bishop Airport expansion because it had to be translated into French, the creation of a new affordable housing committee, no political debate will be organized for any upcoming elections, a letter of support for maintaining in person sessions for Toronto Local Appeal Board was sent out, Private members Bill 48 about rental controls was not successful and the closures of safe injection sites.

Another FoSTRA Activism and Advocacy meeting was held January 9th.  The relocation of raw sewage overflow into the swimming and rowing channel by the lake shore because of the spa construction is problematic.  More EHON discussion was held.  The City is studying Avenue designation, which is already in place in Bay Cloverhill.  There will be distribution of election information to encourage voter participation.  Ways to advocate for affordable housing were reviewed.  Residents association have found that developers are using the Committee of Adjustment to supercede community commitments and Toronto Island ferry service management currently operated by Parks and Recreation are under review.

Kathryn and Merick attend the recent University of Toronto Community Liaison Committee in the Fall.  Hart House improvements to the loading dock area have resulted in construction on Queen's Park Crescent West south of Harbord Street.

Al hosted a meeting on public realm with various residents associations to talk about the Clock Tower Trail, Relic Linear Park, Allan Greenway, Westend Loop.  Paul from the Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association is interested on focusing on the cultural elements of the Clock Tower Trail.  The Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area wants to get involved with the development of the Clock Tower Trail pedestrian route.