Rosario Marchese Discussion on Electric Trains

On October 29, Trinity—Spadina MPP Rosario Marchese will host a discussion on the benefits of electric trains. A Q & A and an Action Plan brainstorming session will follow. Full flyer here:

http://nnnow.ca/Rosario_Train_Flyer_VER3.pdf

Two Points of Interest Affecting South Stanley

FYI - the city has sent a couple of notices regarding the park. You can find the full city reports at the URL below:

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2009/te/reports/2009-09-15-te27-cr.htm

Closure of Stanley Terrace / Expansion of the Park

Summary:
Transportation Services recommends that the portion of the public lane known as Stanley Terrace at the rear of Premises 23 to 29 Stafford Street be permanently closed and that jurisdiction be transferred to Parks, Forestry and Recreation for incorporation into Stanley Park.

Rezoning Recommended for Approval at 23-29 Stafford St. (Brad Lamb's "Parc" Development)


Summary:
This application was made on or after January 1, 2007 and is subject to the new provisions of the Planning Act and the City of Toronto Act, 2006.

This application proposes to redevelop the properties at 23-29 Stafford Street with a terraced 10-storey condominium containing 104 residential units and three levels of underground parking.

This report reviews and recommends approval of the application to amend the Zoning By-law.

Community Consultation about the Canada Malting Silos

Community Consultation about the Canada Malting Silos

Date: Wednesday October 21
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Harbourfront Community Centre
627 Queens Quay West (Queens Quay and Bathurst)
Medium Assembly Room

Councillor Adam Vaughan invites you to attend this public meeting to provide your feedback about the future of the Canada Malting Silos.

Over the years there have been a number of meetings, ideas and plans about the Canada Malting Silos site. Recent discussions about a Toronto Museum at the silos have concluded. Some new ideas are now emerging about the Malting Silos and we want your input.

City staff from City Planning, Heritage Preservation Services, and Urban Design will be in attendance to provide updates about the current condition of the Malting Silos and receive your feedback about next steps.

For more information, please call 416-392-4044 or e-mail Councillor_Vaughan@toronto.ca.

Councillor Adam Vaughan
Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina
416-392-4044

Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West
2nd Floor, Suite C50
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

Town Hall Meeting Regarding HST and Condo Fees

MPP Cheri DiNovo would like to invite you and the condo owners/residents that you represent to a town hall meeting regarding the new Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and its effect on condo fees and other expenses.

If interested, please post the following file to the community bulletin board of any condominiums you represent:

http://www.nnnow.ca/cheri_quarter_bloOCT09.jpg

If you would like to attend this meeting, please contact pighinp@ndp.on.ca.

When: Tuesday, October 27th
Time: 7:30-9:30
Where: Swansea Town Hall, 95 Lavina Ave

Georgetown Rail Expansion Approved / Summary of Neighbourhood Projects

The Environment Minister has approved the Georgetown Rail Expansion – the project to provide high-speed rail to the airport from Union Station. The full press release can be found here [PDF]:

http://www.metrolinx.com/Docs/News/News_Release-MOE_Decision-Oct_5_FINAL.pdf

More info on the changes that will be happening in our area can be found here:

http://savestrachan.com/

For those keeping track, there’s a LOT happening in our area over the next few years!

1) The above-mentioned rail link and changes to Strachan Avenue
2) The pedestrian and cycling bridge to Fort York and new parks:
http://nnnow.blogspot.com/2009/09/fort-york-pedestrian-and-cycle-bridge.html
3) The changes to South Stanley Park:
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/parks_gardens/south_stanley_park.htm
4) The Bathurst Pedestrian crossing:
http://nnnow.blogspot.com/2009/09/bathurst-crosswalk-progress.html

South Stanley Revitalization Project City Website

Full text from the URL http://www.toronto.ca/parks/parks_gardens/south_stanley_park.htm below:

(start)
South Stanley Park Redevelopment Project

South Stanley Park, located at 845 King St. W. (between Walnut Ave. and Stanley Terrace) is undergoing improvements by Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation. Construction is expected to occur in phases, beginning in spring 2010. The park currently has a baseball diamond, outdoor pool, tennis courts, sports field, community centre (Niagara C.C.) and dog park.

On March 30, 2009, the City conducted a visioning exercise for park improvements with local residents. The resulting conceptual design was presented at a public meeting on September 2, 2009.

The conceptual design includes the following proposed park improvements:
- Enclosed dog off-leash area
- Improved entrances to the park through landscaping
- New south-east entry plaza
- New walkways to improve circulation throughout the park
- Replacement of existing tennis courts
- New building addition to existing outdoor pool building (replacement of existing community centre)
- Tree planting to replace old and deceased trees

Specific elements such as additional lighting and seating will be considered at the detailed design stage

Documents for download:
Current aerial view of South Stanley Park (PDF)
Visioning exercise report (PDF)
Conceptual design for the future South Stanley Park (PDF)

For more information, please contact:
Barbara Carou
Parks Planner
416-392-8157
bcarou@toronto.ca

Joe Pantalone
Deputy Mayor
Ward 19 Trinity-Spadina
416-392-4108
councillor_pantalone@toronto.ca
(end)

Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge Update

Click image to enlarge
(Full Document [PDF])

In August 2008, the City of Toronto commissioned an Environmental Assessment Study to confirm the need and justification for a potential pedestrian and cycle bridge, connecting the west end of Fort York to areas north of the existing railway tracks, between Strachan Avenue and Bathurst Street.

The Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge Study is integral to the City of Toronto's broader plan to revitalize the waterfront, through a vision that will reflect the diversity of Toronto's past, present and future. Historic Fort York, and the lands around the Garrison Creek corridor represent cultural features in the urban landscape that have direct relevance to the pedestrian-cycle bridge study.

Two (2) Public Information Centre (PIC) Meetings are intended to present details of the project and to receive public feedback on the direction, alternative designs and recommendations of the study_ An initial PIC was held on April 16, 2009, which provided an overview of the many
background reports that preceded the current study, while also presenting a summary of various recent investigations that are pertinent to the Environmental Assessment process.

Much work has been completed since the first PIC, with the focus of the Project Team being directed at determining a preferred design concept for the bridge. In selecting a preferred design, the team has had to account for many technical, environmental and social factors as part of the evaluation process.

Based on a comprehensive assessment of the alternatives as well as consideration of public and agency feedback, it is the recommendation of the Study Team:

• that an inclined arch bridge, following an alignment that evokes the original Garrison Creek corridor (Alternative 4 “S” Design), be presented as the preferred design concept for the Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge;

• that the proposed pedestrian-cycle bridge include design features that will promote open space/heritage link between an extended Stanley Park to the north and various park amenities to the south, including Fort York and its proposed Visitor Centre, Garrison Common, Gore Park, June Callwood Park, Coronation Park and the Martin Goodman Trail;

• that Archaeological and Heritage Built Cultural features, which are prominent in the area, be further assessed in conjunction with the detailed design and construction; and,

• that the final design elements of the bridge fully recognize its future significance in the Toronto "landscape", by enhancing visual vistas to the Toronto Skyline and Fort York while complementing the context of Fort York's Heritage Conservation District and its designation as a National Historic Site.

Following completion of the Environmental Assessment, the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the Study Team, (including the results of the public consultation process) will be documented in an Environmental Study Report (ESR) which is scheduled for completion in 2009. The final ESR will be placed on the "public record" for a review period
of 30 days.

If any member of the public has outstanding concerns with the final ESR, which cannot be resolved in discussions with the proponent (City of Toronto), then a formal request may be made to the Minister of the Environment to consider an order for the project to comply with Part II of the Environmental Assessment Act (referred to as a Part II Order).

Upon the successful conclusion of this Environmental Assessment, it is the City's desire to move forward with detailed engineering and construction in 2010/2011. The ultimate goal of the City of Toronto is to open the Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge in time for the Bicentennial Celebrations of the War of 1812, planned for Spring 2012.

For further information regarding this project initiative, please contact:
City of Toronto
Waterfront Secretariat
Mr. Stephen McKenna, Project Manager
City Hall, 12th floor, East Tower
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5H 2N2
smckenna@toronto.ca
416-397-4082

Stantec Consulting Ltd.
Mr., Garry Leveck, P.Eng. Project Manager
49 Frederick Street
Kitchener, Ontario N2H 6M7
garry.leveck@stantec.com
519-585-7316