At the Nov. 16 meeting, we distributed a flyer asking for feedback on two questions:

What do you see as the key issues facing our community?

How might a residents association best respond to these issues?

Below is a summary of comments we received back. See also the meeting report and the feedback sent by e-mail (links to come)

1. What do you see as the key issues facing our local community?

Planning/Development Considerations/Concerns

• need for smart, integrated intensification
• high rise development issues – traffic, density, etc.
• zoning that will maintain the community
• Humber theatre development site
• Bloor St. W as an Avenue under the new Official Plan
• Bloor St. development, new condo developments
• lack of coherent plan re design elements

Neighbourhood Character

• preserving small business quality of BWV
• encouraging healthy business life along Annette
• impact of large corporations on small business, ie demise of independent business

Services

• supports for seniors to stay in their homes
• licensed infant daycare spots do not exist
• policing
• repair and maintain roads, sidewalks and parks

Environment

• condition of local parks
• preserving green spaces – protecting High Park, etc.
• grafitti
• replant black oaks to replace those cut down
• general maintenance -ways to reduce litter, improve streetscape
• schools – need money to maintain grounds – rebuild St. Cecelia’s school

Traffic

• traffic control – how to pursue with intelligence and efficiency?
• traffic noise and congestion on main roads (e.g. Runnymede)
• will Runnymede truck traffic increase with new Walmart?
• parking

Broad Interests

• meshing interests of adjacent neighbourhoods, eg. Junction and BWV, etc.
• taxes – MVA

2. How might a residents association best respond to these issues?

• as per Sewell’s ideas: provide good, timely information and ways for people to meet, debate and compare ideas and encourage action
• communications strategies – create website, blog, newsletter, public meetings
• request report-backs from public representatives – press local reps to represent community interests
• lobby government
• provide a clear liaison to City Hall
• represent community in official processes, e.g. Committee of Adjustment, OMB
• help sustain a prized neighbourhood – promote creative growth

Several responses indicate uncertainty as to how much or just what an RA can do, but they’re interested in exploring the possibilities.