March General Members Meeting Highlights

Guest Speaker - Councillor Dianne Saxe

University Rosedale Councillor Dianne Saxe talked about the many boards she is on, including Infrastructure and Environment Committee, Art Gallery of Ontario Board of Trustees, Toronto Transit Commission, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 18 BIA's and 20 residents' associations.  She encouraged residents to sign up for her monthly newsletters and attend monthly town halls.

Tonight was the opening of the Tapestry Opera and Nightwood Theatre rehearsal and performance space at 877 Yonge Street.  The building was purchased by the City and is operated by St. Clare's as supportive housing.  The conversion of a dilapidated sub-basement space was one of the first projects taken on by Councillor Saxe when she was elected in 2022.  The project cost $1.5m in Section 37 funds to construct the performing hall, with the first show this weekend.

Everyone is encouraged to attend the kickoff meeting for the recently approved Ramsden Park Community Centre on March 24th at Belmont House.  This will be the only community centre in University Rosedale and will include 2 pools, gym and meeting spaces.  It will take a few years to design and build the space, which could be used as an emergency evacuation centre.  Community programming will be offered, including seniors' programs.  Residents are encouraged to support the establishment of the community centre with Transportation Services (who previously used the site for parking) and the Mayor.

Belmont House will be starting a program for lonely seniors this fall on a temporary basis until the Ramsden Park Community Centre is operational.

The agenda for the March City Council meeting will be released on Friday and several exciting park projects will be included on the agenda.  

It is a challenging time with the political situation, tariffs chaos and recent provincial election that cost $1b and no change in representation.

Michael L. spoke about the Sidewalk Safety priorities.  Councillor Saxe said that her 2023 motion regarding bikes/e-bikes on sidewalks did not receive much support from staff or other councillors.  She did speak with the food courier companies and convinced them to educate their delivery drivers not to ride on sidewalks.  Michael also mentioned issues with the bidirectional bike lanes on Queen's Park Crescent East, and it would be beneficial to have bike lanes on Queen's Park Crescent West.  Councillor Saxe recommended that letters be written to the Transportation Department and Mayor.

Councillor Saxe advised that the legal case against the province's removal of bike lanes is still viable.  
​

Neighbourhood

On street permit parking is available in the neighbourhood:

• St Mary Street from Bay Street to Yonge Street
• St. Nicholas Street from St. Mary Street to Charles Street West
• Irwin Avenue from Bay Street to Yonge Street
• St. Joseph Street from Bay Street to Yonge Street 

Residents can purchase permits for 6 months.  Temporary or visitor permits are available for 24 hours, 48 hours or 7 days.  More information https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/applying-for-a-parking-permit/residential-on-street-parking/.

The provincial elections results were reviewed.  Kristyn Wong Tam and Jessica Bell were re-elected as MPP's for Toronto Centre and University Rosedale respectively.  Over 39,000 votes were cast in Toronto Centre with a voter turnout of 47.7%, an increase over 2022.  For University Rosedale, there were almost 40,000 votes with a voter turnout of 45.3%, better than 2022 participation.

The 45th federal election may be called soon.  The mandatory election period will be between 37 and 51 days.  Election day is always on a Monday.  Voting will be available by mail, at the local Elections Canada office, or on the weekend before the election at 4 days of advance voting.  The last election in 2021 cost $574.2m with a voter turnout of 62.6%.  170 of the 338 seats are needed for a majority government.

LOFT Community Services is a charity that provides mental health services, addictions support, and supportive housing for youth, adults and seniors in Ontario.  They contacted Councillor Moise's office looking for $1.1m in necessary capital repairs for Simon Apartments at 32 Grenville Street.  There are some available Section 45 funds acquired by some neighbourhood residents that may be allocated to this project.

Work is underway to resurface Grenville from Surrey Place to Dr. Emily Stowe Way.  The underutilized right turn lane at Dr. Emily Stowe Way and Grenville is being replaced with seating, a new Bike Share station and a 3 oak tree bioswale.  The project is estimated to be completed by the end of November. 

Development Update

On February 26th, the Toronto & East York Committee of Adjustment granted approval for the Loretto College proposed development at 70 St. Mary to increase the podium height from 3 to 6 storeys, alter building setbacks and reduce parking spaces from 11 to 5. 

There was a Community Consultation Meeting for the rezoning of 530 Yonge Street on March 11th.  A 860 unit 67 storey residential tower is proposed.  The facades of the historic buildings on Yonge will be restored and there will be a 5,000 SF community space and privately owned public space adjacent to St. Luke Lane.  Work might start in 2028 and construction would take 3 years.

The building at 510 Yonge has been sold to Podium Developments.  The project will be student rental housing instead of condominiums/apartments.

The redevelopment of 25 St. Mary will start late 2025 or sometime in 2026.

1075 Bay has decided to build affordable rental apartments on the lower floors instead of the office space originally proposed.  Due to reduced ceiling heights, it will increase from 59 to 62 storeys, with the same overall building height.  There will be retail use along Bay.  A privately owned public space and midblock pedestrian connection on Inkerman will be part of the development.

Occupancy starts this week at 8 Wellesley.  Streetscaping on Wellesley will be done by end of March.  St. Nicholas streetscaping should be finished in April.  All exterior work should be completed by May.

Community Meetings

At the Toronto Centre Ward Council meeting on February 4th, due to the advocacy of the Sidewalk Safety Committee, 'walk your bike' signage will be installed on sidewalks throughout the ward, starting with the Bay Cloverhill neighbourhood.  Issues with debris/safety of the orphaned laneway on St. Joseph Street was discussed and neighbouring landlords have agreed to take responsibility for upkeep.  The uneven sidewalk at the St. Joseph and Bay Streets intersection will be corrected when the sidewalk extension project takes place later this year.

At the 52 Division Community Police Relations Committee meeting on February 5th, there was a speaker on noise enforcement.  Sidewalk safety, condo break-ins and homeless mischief concerns were mentioned.  It is important for residents to report all incidents, as police activity is data driven.  This year's community barbeque that will raise funds for a charity is planned for Wednesday June 11th.  Jack C. mentioned that there was an attempted break in at his condo last year that he didn't report to police, as the locksmith advised him that the broken door lock could not be repaired if there was a police report.  Cathy C. will bring up this matter at the next meeting.

The quarterly residents' association meeting with Councillor Saxe happened on February 13th.  The status of the non-functional fountain in Queen's Park North is under review by City staff.  Any available Section 37 funds could be directed towards sidewalk improvements on St. Joseph Street, adjacent to Clover Hill Park.  There is construction at Hart House in the University of Toronto campus with temporary access to Queen's Park Crescent.  The province's removal of bike lanes on University Avenue and Bloor Street was discussed.  A new community centre is planned for Ramsden Park.  Inadequate requirements for visitor or short term parking at new developments is a problem.  There are energy grid capacity issues with the demand for EV chargers.

At the February 13th Activism and Advocacy Meeting of FoSTRA, Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods that would allow retail uses in residential areas was reviewed.  A policy questionnaire for provincial parties was sent out, with only the NDP responding.  A summary of affordable housing issues for MPP candidates was released.  Ports Toronto is backing down on the high impact Billy Bishop Airport expansion option.  A policy letter on Avenues and pending Official Plan Amendment was sent to the City.  Information was shared on the upcoming provincial election.  Management of the Island Ferry service is being reviewed by a consultant for the City.

The Sidewalk Safety Committee met on March 6th to discuss the 'Walk Your Wheels' murals to be painted on sidewalks at roadway corners.  Many residents experienced issues with delivery bikes using the sidewalks due to winter conditions on the streets.  Safety concerns should be reported to George Sgouromitis, Toronto Police Service [email protected] with a copy to Staff Sargeants Romi Manota  [email protected]a and Daniel Lee  [email protected].

Another Activism and Advocacy Meeting of FoSTRA was held on March 13th.  Kyle Fearon of the Planning Department spoke about Avenues policy, which excludes the downtown core, including the Bay Cloverhill neighbourhood.  Ingrid Buday of No More Noise Toronto talked about a new campaign to encourage the Board of Health to make noise an official medical problem.  There was support for Councillor Saxe's motion related to a gap in the rental replacement housing for rooming house tenants.  There was consensus for a Committee of Adjustments recommendation that all agreements between developers and neighbourhood associations would be formally documented.  It is difficult to define what is considered a 'minor variance'.  The Island ferry service will be transferred from the Parks and Recreation Department to Fleet Services.  The request to redirect sewage at Ontario Place into the lakeside channel was withdrawn.

Community Concerns

A new billiard hall has opened at 31 St. Joseph, the former location of the night club with the disruptive patrons at 3 am.  Residents of adjacent condo buildings are asked to report any issues with billiard hall customers. 

Community and Special Events

Various charitable and area events were reviewed.  Plans are underway for the Mayor's Cleanup Day on Saturday April 26th.  The “Clock Tower Trail in Downtown Toronto” walk will be back by popular demand as part of Jane's Walk on the weekend of May 3rd.