Note from Councillor Bradford
March 22, 2019
|
|
After a long winter, spring is finally in the air! Looking forward to seeing you out in our wonderful parks and events as we move into the warmer months. If you have any local events or updates that you would like to include in our eblast please get in touch with me or my team. You can email us at councillor_bradford@toronto.ca or call the office at 416-338-2755. |
|
-Brad Bradford
|
|
City Hall Update
It was a busy week at City Hall. First, at Community Council, we got a big win to move the conversation on pedestrian safety forward with a report to implement Canada's first Vision Zero pop-up. We also took a number of concrete steps to increase pedestrian safety on local roads and helped our main streets a little by helping a new patio open on Queen Street with the community's support.
As well, in Planning and Housing Committee, we made important progress addressing zoning restrictions that limit new shelter construction and made it easier to build secondary suites. These are small wins by themselves but together they are another step to help housing affordability in TO.
Here's the run-down:
Canada's First Vision Zero Pop-Up
• Partnered with 8 80 Cities to offer an exciting opportunity at Woodbine and Danforth to move forward the conversation about road safety for all road users
• This unique weekend event will draw from communities across Toronto to come and see how a complete street looks and feels
Pedestrian Safety Improvements
• Installation of an all-way stop at Woodmount and Holborne Avenue
• Additional traffic calming speed humps on Herbert Avenue.
New Patio on Queen Street East
• Approved new wrap around patio for La Sala after receiving a majority of support from local residents
New Zoning for Secondary Suites
• Removed restrictions on secondary units to add to Toronto's housing supply including lower parking requirements, removing minimum size requirements, and allowing second suites in newly constructed homes.
Zoning Revisions for Municipal Shelters
• Removed the 250-metre separation requirement between shelters, and the requirement to be on or within 80 metres of a major street.
|
|
Please Recycle Right
Bad things happen when the wrong items are placed in the Blue Bin. How bad? Bad enough that they can damage equipment, cause workplace injuries at the recycling facility and ruin otherwise perfectly good recyclables. Contaminated recycling is currently costing the City millions annually. Approximately one third of what is put in the Blue Bin doesn’t belong there. That’s a big problem you can help fix.
Tips to help you recycle right:
- Know before you throw. Visit toronto.ca/recycle to learn what does and does not go in your Blue Bin.
- Check the Waste Wizard, the City's quick-and-easy search tool to find out what goes where. The Waste Wizard is available online or through the new TOwaste app.
- Empty and rinse food containers before tossing them in your Blue Bin and put any food scraps in your Green Bin.
- Donate items in good condition, such as used clothes, shoes, blankets, and curtains to not-for-profit agencies (visit toronto.ca/reuseit for donation locations).
- Don’t assume that everything with a recycling symbol is accepted in a municipal recycling program.
|
|
Let's Clean Toronto Together - Registration is Now Open!
Hey Toronto! It's time for some spring cleaning. Gather your friends, neighbours, co-workers and classmates to clean a park, laneway, or any other public space that needs your help. Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28, are the Community Cleanup Days, and Friday, April 26, is the Corporate 20-Minute Makeover / School Cleanup Day. You can register your cleanup event and find out when and where to get your free GLAD® garbage and recycling bags at livegreentoronto.ca or call 311 for details. Here's to a cleaner, greener Toronto!
|
|
Outdoor Mural and Street Art Program
Applications for the 2019 Outdoor Mural and Street Art Program are now being accepted. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, March 28, 2019.
Who is eligible?
Business Improvement Areas, business associations and community groups that include strong business participation are eligible. Successful projects have good exposure, are visible from a public road, have the support of local businesses, build community partnerships (financial and in-kind donations), undertake public consultation and select artists through an open process.
What is the Outdoor Mural and Street Art Program?
The program offers one-time funding of up to $5,000 for murals in commercial or employment districts. Eligible expenses for murals include artist fees, materials, installation and equipment rental.
Maintenance of the murals is the responsibility of the applicant.
For more information, please contact Michael Saunders in the Economic Development and Culture office, at 416-392-1005 or michael.saunders@toronto.ca.
|
|
Grant for Pollinator Gardens
Through its new PollinateTO Community Grants, the City is offering grants of up to $5,000 to support community-led projects that:
- create pollinator gardens and rain gardens on public and private lands, including residential streets, neighbourhoods and school yards
- enhance or expand existing gardens with native pollinator-friendly plants
Native pollinators are under threat from climate change, habitat loss and other stressors. You can help! Learn more and apply by May 1. Visit livegreentoronto.ca.
|
|
Pothole Blitz
The first pothole blitz of the year happened on Saturday, February 23. During the one day blitz, more than 50 crews used 109 tonnes of asphalt mix to repair 5,826 potholes. As of March 3, crews repaired more than 21,000 potholes. Weekend pothole blitzes are expected to continue through April. Please slow down if driving near crews and leave extra time during blitzes. Learn more about how the city manages potholes, including how they are created and repaired, at toronto.ca/potholes.
|
|
Bridge Rehabilitation Coxwell Avenue
Starting in April 2019 and continuing until September 2019 the City of Toronto is planning to rehabilitate the Coxwell Avenue bridge under the railway, south of Hanson Street, and repave and repair the pedestrian pathway south of the railway between Coxwell Avenue and Woodfield Road. To complete this work, there will be no NORTHBOUND traffic on Coxwell Avenue from Fairford Avenue/Gerrard Street to Hanson Street. Access to driveways, businesses, and streets will remain open at all times, but will only be accessible from Coxwell Avenue southbound.
As an alternative to Coxwell Avenue, motorists will be directed to use Greenwood Avenue.
The pedestrian pathway south of the railway will be CLOSED between Coxwell Avenue and Woodfield Road for a period of approximately three weeks during construction. A more specific timeline will be provided in a future notice. Signage will be posted near the pathway to help guide pedestrians.
This work will ensure that the bridge meets today’s standards and remains safe for vehicles and pedestrians into the future. The project is part of the Council-approved 2019 Capital Works Program.
|
|
Electric Vehicle Charge Stations
Toronto Hydro is preparing to install on-street electric vehicle charge stations on the electrical and street light poles noted below. Activation of the charge stations is anticipated in Spring 2019.
29 Bowmore Road: east side, from a point 13.7 metres north of Eastwood Road to and a point 6 metres further north (1 space)
Westlake Avenue/Oakcrest Avenue: east side, from a point 94 metres south of Stephenson Avenue and a point 12 metres further south (2 spaces)
The On-Street Electric Vehicle Charging Stations project is a pilot in partnership between Toronto Hydro and City of Toronto – Transportation Services.
|
|
Kids GO Free Program
Metrolinx recently announced that, beginning March 19, Kids 12 and under can ride for free on all GO trains and buses, making it easier and more accessible for families to take transit throughout the region! Kids under 12 do not need to tap with a PRESTO card or purchase a paper ticket to ride on GO Transit.
|
|
BeADonor Month
Every April, Ontarians celebrate BeADonor Month, a time in which all Ontarians are encouraged to show their support for organ and tissue donation by registering. If you haven't already registered, you can do so at www.beadonor.ca - it only takes two minutes!
April 7 is Green Shirt Day across Canada in honour of the Logan Boulet Effect. Logan Boulet died in the Humboldt bus crash last year. He was an organ donor and saved six lives and inspired 100,000 organ donor registrations across the country.
Since April 7 is a Sunday, schools and workplaces are being asked to wear green shirts on Monday, April 8, to show their support for national green shirt day. You can purchase the inaugural Green Shirt Day t-shirt here, or wear anything green. For more information on Green Shirt Day, you can visit here.
|
|
Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)
The City's Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) offers competitive fixed rate loans of up to $75,000 to homeowners interested in improving the energy and water efficiency of their homes. The funds can be used to upgrade your furnace and insulation, install high-efficiency water heaters, windows, doors, and even install solar panels on your roof!
On average, HELP participants are saving $560 per year and using 25-30% less energy, while at the same time significantly improving household comfort. We want to help people put away the space heaters and enjoy their home without having to worry about expensive heating bills or chilly drafts.
Homeowners can decide which energy efficient renovations to complete and choose their own contractors. When the work is complete, homeowners can repay the loan over time in instalments on their property tax bill while enjoying the benefits of a newly renovated and more comfortable home. With repayment terms of 5, 10, or 15 years and fixed interest rates as low as 3.70% the program offers flexibility as well as security.
The HELP team is also available to help homeowners in understanding the process, accessing certified energy assessments, utility rebates and incentives as well as information on related city programs.
Learn more about HELP and apply at www.livegreentoronto.ca or here.
Top 5 Benefits of HELP
- Enjoy competitive rates and repayments terms of up to 15 years.
- Avoid the large upfront costs of home energy improvements and pay for them over time as you save on your energy bills.
- Repay the loan via installments on your property tax bill. You can pay off the loan at any time without penalty.
- Receive ongoing support from the HELP team and assistance accessing additional utility rebates and incentives.
- Hire the contractor of your choice and complete your renovation.
|
|
Winter Stations
The 5th annual Winter Stations is coming to a close on April 1 so I encourage you to take in this unique design exhibition on the Beach if you haven't already done so!
There is one more Pop-Up activity this Sunday. Meet at the foot of Woodbine Avenue on the Beach, where East End Arts and Small Print Toronto will tour the Winter Stations with city builders aged 4-12 years. After a guided tour of the installations on the beach, return to the Pop Up location (1961 Queen Street East) where kids can envision and build their own miniature Winter Station using recycled materials and craft supplies. Kids will also be invited to act as media observers. Aspiring reporters can write and draw mini-articles for the newspaper of record, The Mouse City Times.
Sunday, March 24
Meet at foot of Woodbine Avenue on the Beach
1:00 p.m.
|
|
|
TorQ Percussion Quartet Concert
|
|
East York Historical Society Meeting
All are welcome to the monthly East York Historical Society meeting. Dr. John Cooper, a long-time writer, journalist and public relations and corporate communications specialist, will be speaking about his family of East York.
Tuesday, March 26
Refreshments at 7:00 p.m., Meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.
S. Walter Stewart Library, John S. Ridout Auditorium, 170 Memorial Park Avenue
|
|
Right to Walk TO
Walk Toronto is hosting Right to Walk TO, a panel discussion that explores walking – the love of it, our need for it, and its meaning – through a justice and equity lens. This event is a love letter to walking, as well as a critical look at the walking experience our city creates, from different perspectives.
This event is sponsored by University of Toronto Urban Studies Program, University of Toronto School of Cities, public space workshop, and Spacing.
For more details and to register, please visit our Eventbrite page. ASL-English interpretation will be provided. Childminding will be available upon request.
Tuesday, March 26
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Town Hall, Innis College, University of Toronto, 2 Sussex Avenue
|
|
Antiques Roadshow
What are your valuables worth? Bring them to Community Centre 55's Antiques Roadshow to find out. Treasure Antiques and Appraisals of Oakville with be onsite to evaluate antiques, heirlooms, fine art, decorative art, jewellery and watches. Appraisal is $5.00 per item, with a portion of the proceeds going to Centre 55's year round programs and events.
See here for registration information.
Monday, April 1
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Community Centre 55, 97 Main Street
|
|
Community Consultation Meeting for 968 O'Connor
An application has been made for a Zoning By-Law Amendment Application to facilitate the development of 968 O'Connor Drive with a 10-storey residential mixed-use building with retail at-grade. The proposed mixed-use building will contain 135 residential units.
You can view a copy of the Preliminary Report providing background information here.
The City is holding a Community Consultation meeting where you can learn more about this application, ask questions and share your comments.
To speak to the planner directly, contact Nader Kadri, at (416) 338-5324 or Nader.Kadri@toronto.ca.
Monday, April 1
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Toronto City Church, 36 Curity Avenue
|
|
Toronto Neighbourhood Summit
We are a city of neighbourhoods. When neighbours come together and collaborate, their communities become stronger and healthier. The lifeblood of this vibrancy is our volunteer-led neighbourhood associations! The TANGO map illustrates who these groups are and the communities they represent. Now, they're ALL invited together by TANGO (Toronto Atlas of Neighbourhood Groups and Organizations) for a one-day summit to share ideas, learn from each other, and discuss ways that we can work together across the entire city.
See here for registration information.
Saturday, April 6
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West
|
|
National Piano Trio Concert
|
|
Bowmore Make It Fair
This family-friendly event welcomes everyone from Bowmore School and the surrounding community to celebrate and enjoy invention, creativity and resourcefulness.
Part science fair, part craft fair, and part something entirely new, the Bowmore Make It Fair is an all-ages gathering of local tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, artists, students, and community exhibitors. All of these “makers” come to Make It! Fair to show what they have made and to share what they have learned.
Saturday, April 13
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Bowmore School, 80 Bowmore Road
|
|
Toronto Beach Chorale
Join the 60-member Toronto Beach Chorlae, professional orchestra and soloists for a Good Friday performance of Maurice Duruflé's Requiem, along with motets by Gounod, Fauré and Poulenc. The Duruflé Requiem combines elements of Debussy, Messiaen and Fauré into a choral masterpiece with a subtle orchestration and a focus on peace and rest. Featuring full choir, professional soloists and orchestra.
For more information see here.
Friday, April 19
7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
St Aidan's Church, 70 Silver Birch Avenue
|
|
Toronto Beaches Lions Club Easter Parade & Egg Hunt
|
|
East York Toronto Canada Day Festival
We're excited for the launch of the new website for the East York Canada Day Festival! Beginning in 1957, this festival has become Toronto's longest-running Canada Day celebration. Mark your calendars now for the parade in East York on July 1st at 10:00 a.m., followed by a full day of festivities.
This event is run entirely by volunteers! Without the support of the community, this event would not be possible. If you can help out on June 30 or July 1 for a couple of hours, please get in touch! All the details are here.
|
|
Daily Essentials Program
The Daily Essentials Program is new to Community Centre 55, providing hygiene products to low-income families and seniors from our Share a Christmas Program. The purpose of this program is to provide products that will empower people with dignity through hygiene. This bi-monthly program needs community support.
They are looking for donations of shampoo, conditioner, tooth paste, feminine products, soap, deodorant, diapers and shower gel. They also will gladly do the shopping for you! Gift cards and monetary donations are accepted.
Donations may be dropped off at Community Centre 55 (97 Main Street), Monday to Thursday, 9-9, Friday 9-5, Saturday 10-1 and Sunday 11-3.
For more information contact Community Centre 55 at 416-691-1113.
|
|
CommunAuto Pilot Program
Residents may have noticed an influx of CommunAuto vehicles in the Ward. CommunAuto is a car share program which has a temporary (pilot) free-floating, on-street parking permit with the City of Toronto. CommunAuto has committed to having vehicles moved from any location within 48 hours. If you notice a CommunAuto vehicle on your street which has passed the 48 hour mark, please let us know! Email the following info to diana.gonzalez@toronto.ca:
-Street address where parked
-Licence Plate #
-Vehicle make/model
-How long it has been parked at that location
|
|
Danforth East Community Arts Fair 2019
Hold the dates! A call for artists and artisans for #DECAF19 is coming on March 31st and the fair dates are September 14 to 15, 2019. Watch for the launch of their shiny new website with more details here.
|
|
TTC Bus Shelters
Have you noticed? The TTC is making its stops accessible and compliant with AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act). They are moving away from the full bus shelters to the new wall and roof style. You may have noticed some of the new style of shelters around the Ward, and watch for more to come!
|
|
8 80 Cities Pop-Up Weekend Event
I'm so excited that Canada's first Vision Zero pop-up weekend event will be coming to Woodbine and Danforth this summer! This event will showcase what our streets look like when we put safety first. Thank you to 8 80 Cities for their vision and idea for this event. More details will follow once the weekend date has been set.
|
|
|
|
|
