Bloor West Village Residents Association

Application for 10-story condo to go ahead without major changes.

At a public meeting held September 20th at St. Pius X school, the BWVRA Executive presented its objections to the 10-storey condominium tower (see image) proposed for the site.

The BWVRA presentation (PDF, 1.6Mb) included a series of proposed design changes which were developed with the help of the Office of Urbanism, and were based on what the Urban Design Study (PDF, 9.5 Mb) recomends for this highly visible “gateway” location in the Village. Objections/suggestions included that the upper floors be moved back from the front property line on Bloor to make it less dominant, and that it not be built right to the side lot lines, which would present blank facades up and down Bloor Street (see image).

The City Planning Department representative expressed his appreciation for the positive contribution, while the developer Paul Wynn was uncommittal.

However, Wynn subsequently agree to meet with representatives of the BWVRA and Office for Urbanism to discuss their concerns.

Architect David Pontarini and Mr. Wynn did so on October the 7th. It was repeated that the proposal fails to meet almost all of the criteria set out in the Urban Design Study. It was made clear that our efforts were to make it a better and more successful building, as well as one that would be more acceptable to the community.

Mr. Wynn committed only to reviewing the proposals.

Two weeks later, Mr. Wynn stated that it would be too difficult to carry out the suggested design changes. He stated that only cosmetic adjustments would be made to the building’s sides.

The Developer said he would submit the proposal for the required zoning changes (for height and density increases) at the January meeting of the Community Council.

The BWVRA Executive plans to meet again with Ward 13 Councillor Bill Saundercook to discuss the application. Options include making a presentation to the Community Council to oppose the developer’s request for re-zoning. We will post another update after our meeting with Councillor Saundercook.

More pictures of the proposed building, and the illustrations of how it exceeds allowed zoning in the submission are available in the presentation from the BWVRA and Office for Urbanism (also linked above — PDF, 1.6Mb).

Member feedback is most welcome: info@bwvra.ca

The Ontario Government will soon table legislation giving Toronto its own charter and expanded powers. Learn more about the important changes this will mean for planning, development and governance.

MPP and Education Minister Gerard Kennedy will hold an open meeting Tuesday, November 29, 2005, 7:30 p.m. Officials from the City of Toronto will also be present to speak and answer questions.

Location is the Fern Avenue Public School, 128 Fern Avenue, in the General Purpose Room. The meeting is being hosted by the Roncesvalles-Macdonell Residents’ Association. All are welcome.

The Bloor West Village Residents Association is happy to announce another public meeting, to which you are warmly invited.

The topic is “Our Vanishing Urban Forest“.

Have you noticed the mature trees in our parks and along our streets are dying, infested, blowing down? Hear and question a panel of experts on the loss of our urban canopy in the village and what steps, if any, we can take to restore our forest.

Participating on the panel will be:

• Richard Evans, Director of Urban Foresty, City of Toronto
• Regina Gudelis, Supervisor of Urban Forestry Planning and Protection
• Shelley Petrie, Executive Director, Toronto Environmental Alliance

Tuesday, November 15, 8:00 pm
Runnymede United Church
432 Runnymede Rd.
(2 blocks north of Bloor, across from Runnymede Public School)

Doors open at 7:45. Meeting starts at 8:00.

The Governing Toronto Advisory Panel, appointed by Toronto City Council, is preparing recommendations for changes to the City’s governance system in anticipation of broader powers under a new City of Toronto Act. The Advisory Panel has been hearing from Torontonians since it was appointed in July. You are invited to bring your ideas to a final public session before the Advisory Panel prepares its advice for Council.

In small roundtable discussions, you will have the opportunity to share your ideas and suggestions on governance issues such as public engagement, balancing neighbourhood and city-wide decisions and the roles and responsibilities of Council, the Mayor, Community Councils, etc.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005
7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
St. Lawrence Market Complex – North Market
92 Front Street East
(closest intersection – north side of Front St. E., west of Jarvis St.)

To register please call Access Toronto at 416-338-0338 TTY 416-338-0889
Weekdays 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m.

Other ways to get involved: complete an online survey at http://www.toronto.ca/governingtoronto or email the Advisory Panel at govpanel@toronto.ca

For more information on the Panel visit http://www.toronto.ca/governingtoronto/backgrd.htm

The following description of the project comes from the Office for Urbanism, the private planning firm that has been retained to carry out the study. Note that public input is being sought. There is a contact address below and the BWVRA is looking at asking the firm to make a presentation and answer questions at a public meeting on High Park.

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officeforurbanism – antonio gómez-palacio

We are at the outset of a new and exciting process.

Over the next few years, the Grenadier Group will be upgrading their facilities and services by improving their concession stands, amenity spaces and by enhancing programming. With a 25 year history in the park, The Grenadier Group operates all concessions in High Park, Sir Casimir Gzowski Park, and Sunnyside Park.

This is the beginning of what will be a long-term visioning exercise.

The Grenadier Group has initiated a consultation process with City Staff, the local councillor, area residents and a broad array of stakeholders. These events have provided an initial opportunity to kick-start the process with the public, to receive and document feedback, and to identify constraints and opportunities. Input received will be further used to refine key principles for the development of a concept plan.

Already, input received points at the true potential of an enhanced vision for High Park and Sunnyside. Some of the emerging goals include:

1. Publicly Accessible
All concessions should remain accessible to the public at large, (e.g. children, families, seniors, abled, disabled… everyone). No entry/user fees be charged for any space.

1. Year-round 24 / 7 / 12
Currently the parks are best used during the daytime, weekends and summer months. The potential for enhanced use during evenings, weekdays and the winter – the times when the parks are currently underutilized – will be explored. The Grenadier Group proposes to adapt and enhance spaces/uses/programming such that they are well used at all times, and during all seasons.

2. Respect for the natural environment
Respect for the natural environment will continue to be a clear priority for many park users, and the Grenadier Group will continue to work with users to further protect and enhance the natural environment.

3. Safe
The safer people feel the more will come to the parks, and correspondingly, the more people come, the better the parks will be used, and the safer the parks will be.

4. Connect High Park to the Waterfront to Neighbourhoods to the City
High Park and the waterfront are perceived as separate when in fact they are adjacent. Pedestrian connections across the Queensway and train tracks are limited and unpleasant. There is a clear potential for an enhanced system of trails, wayfinding and signalization, and enhanced physical and visual connections.

5. Diversify: different spaces for different people
A wide range of users (morning commuters, families, joggers, seniors, children, couples…) should translate into a wide range of space types throughout the different concessions (restaurant, coffee shop, playground, eatery, bistro, passive, active, economical, fast, slow, indoor, outdoor…).

6. Complete a Destination
The parks are already local and city-wide assets, attracting people from close and far. Missing are some of the services that cater to people when they do arrive (e.g. support for winter activities).

7. Remember
Particularly with Sunnyside Pavilion, but also in other areas of the parks, there is a strong sense of history attached to the concessions. A priority is to re-live the former glory and renew the legacy.

8. Increase Value
City properties are underutilized and deteriorating. Significant investments will be made to City owned buildings, resulting in an increased number of visitors, which in turn will result in an increased enjoyment of City parks.

9. Collaborative
A clear commitment by the Grenadier Group (as demonstrated over their 25 year presence in the park) and of interest to many residents and stakeholders is a continuation of a consultative process.

A key objective of the initial consultation has been to identify all people who are knowledgeable of the park, are interested to contribute ideas, and keen to be involved in the process. Anyone interested can be added to the growing contact list by contacting me at Office for Urbanism.

Contact Antonio Gomez-Palacio (416 971 7521) for more information

(via World19)

Thursday, November 3rd
7 – 9 PM
Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School Auditorium
1515 Bloor Street West
South east corner at Dundas St. West

MPAC has now sent out the 2005 Property Assessment Notices in Parkdale-High Park. Please join me to hear representatives of MPAC discuss changes in the 2005 Notices and answer your questions about how your property is assessed. Learn how to ask for reconsideration from MPAC or appeal your assessment (appeals deadline is March 31, 2006).

Special guest Councillor Sylvia Watson will be on hand to discuss how your municipal taxes are calculated.

Hope to see you there!

416 763-5630
gkennedy.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org