Archive for May, 2009

nationalpost.com article on Perth Ave house

By On May 29, 2009 In South Junction Triangle, The Junction, Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park), West Bend With Comments Off on nationalpost.com article on Perth Ave house Permanent Link to nationalpost.com article on Perth Ave housePermalink

That ’70s showing on Perth

If you live on Perth Avenue (off of Dundas between two sets of railroad tracks) and somebody asks you what area of the city you live in, expect them to look confused if you say, “West Toronto Junction.” Most people know the area as the Junction or the Junction Triangle. There, I found an Ugly Duckling semi-detached property on Perth just a few steps north of Bloor Street. With an asking price of $299,900 it was bursting with promise and potential.

I toured through the home with Jonathan Amantea (Sutton Group) and Norbert Dolecek (Renovation & Painting Specialist). It looks like a two-and-a-half-storey from the front with a flat roof over the bedroom at the back. Sometime in this Victorian’s century of history, an owner covered the brick with white siding, but it is not in terrible shape and could be spiffy with cleaning and caulking. …the restof the article at nationalpost.com

Ossington Avenue – Interim Control By-law to review the Review the impact of restaurants (and similar uses)

By On May 29, 2009 In City of Toronto, Development, Ward 19 - Trinity-Spadina With 1 Comment Permanent Link to Ossington Avenue – Interim Control By-law to review the Review the impact of restaurants (and similar uses)Permalink

Ossington Avenue is…has lost (hope not) it’s industrial nature and is moving to one that is more commercial and residential in nature many are saying which has caused the city to begin to study the issue…

City Study area

City Study area

Summary

The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in his report dated May 25, 2009, has recommended that a study be undertaken to review the impact of restaurants (and similar uses) on Ossington Avenue, between Queen Street West and Dundas Street West. This study is intended to determine the nature of conflicts between restaurants (and similar uses) and the surrounding neighbourhood areas, whether the current zoning provisions are sufficient to address these conflicts or whether the Zoning By-law should be amended to address these conflicts, and to identify appropriate enforcement strategies.

analysis so far

The analysis identified two types of land use conflicts emerging as a result of this transition. The first conflict revolved around the remaining industrial operations using Ossington Avenue for loading and unloading of raw materials and goods, which posed safety concerns to the increasing number of pedestrians using the street. The second conflict stemmed from the introduction of restaurants to the street which have an entertainment function. These ‘restaurants’, mainly karaoke bars and nightclubs, were generating community concerns with respect to noise, vandalism, disruptive behaviour, late night activity and parking congestion.

Review the impact of restaurants (and similar uses) for the lands on and flanking Ossington Avenue, between Queen Street West and Dundas Street West. It also recommends that an Interim Control By-law be adopted to prohibit restaurants (and similar uses) for a period of one year. [Full report at city site]

Councillor Pantalone, seconded by Councillor Rae, recommends:
1. That City Council adopt the recommendations contained in the report May 25, 2009 from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, respecting a planning study and Interim Control By-law for Ossington Avenue, between Queen Street West and Dundas Street West.

Member Motion MM36.5

Berminghammer’s pile driver hammer excellence, unused

By On May 29, 2009 In Carleton Village, Development, Mount Dennis, Railways, The Junction, Ward 11 (York South-Weston}, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 16 Eglinton-Lawrence, West Toronto Diamond project With 7 Comments Permanent Link to Berminghammer’s pile driver hammer excellence, unusedPermalink

Berminghammer one of the companies driving piles in the west Toronto Junction Go Transit project has considerable experience in driving piles just about everywhere in North America, and as well as being a significant manufacturer of the equipment to drive piles.  As this post is written the pile drivers can be heard – working in unison as they place the piles using the template (pictured below)…and  the noise and vibration issues continue, abet  with Go Transit  committing to a reduction of noise though various methods, yet one of  items that should not be overlooked is the use of  Berminghammer’s smokeless pile driving technology [link to their site], if  a lesser quality pile driver type and contractor were used the situation would be much worse.

Where the city loses in all the problems around the West Toronto Diamond project and the related crossings outside of our area is the bid process where the lowest cost bidder/and or method wins.

Both Anchor and Berminghammer have vast experience in these areas, and so does Delcan one of the design contractors.  Would it not have been reasonable to ask each of these companies to bid with with consideration to the urban environment they were to work in, no doubt they could have solved the problem.

pile-driver-hammer-end-apr-18th1

Council’s approval to restrict daycare facilties on High Park Avenue south of Dundas Street West will not effect the opening of the Teddy Bear Academy

By On May 29, 2009 In City of Toronto, High park, The Junction, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park) With Comments Off on Council’s approval to restrict daycare facilties on High Park Avenue south of Dundas Street West will not effect the opening of the Teddy Bear Academy Permanent Link to Council’s approval to restrict daycare facilties on High Park Avenue south of Dundas Street West will not effect the opening of the Teddy Bear AcademyPermalink

A source told us that…

it looks like Council’s approval to restrict daycare facilties on High Park Avenue south of Dundas Street West will not effect the openning of the Teddy Bear Academy because the academy received an approved building permit prior to the subject Council approval.

The City Planner advised  that during the year band of daycares along High Park Avenue, that further studies related to pick up/drop off, traffic and bus routes will be conducted along High Park Avenue to determine what the issues are if any and the results will be incorperateing into new citywide Zoning Bylaw.

background and more at the Junction Parents blog [link]

Old Mill dealership begins construction

By On May 28, 2009 In The Junction, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park) With 3 Comments Permanent Link to Old Mill dealership begins constructionPermalink

old-mill-dealership-site-5-28-2009-1-21-34-pm1

The images above detail the work so far performed on the New Old Mill Dealership at Jane and St Clair Ave. Viewed now as the the site leveling work is underway at St Clair Ave West, and Jane St corner – and the ring foundations walls for the pad type building being constructed, the main front of the building will face the St Clair Ave. West, and Jane St.

The entrance appears to going where the current construction entrance is now about 150 meters east of the St Clair Ave West, and Jane St corner.

55 Glen Scarlett Rd conversion new food processing plant

By On May 28, 2009 In buildings, Industrial Heritage, Junction Industry, The Junction, Ward 11 (York South-Weston}, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park) With Comments Off on 55 Glen Scarlett Rd conversion new food processing plant Permanent Link to 55 Glen Scarlett Rd conversion new food processing plantPermalink

glen-scarlett-rd-meat-plant

Work continues daily on the conversion of the old Intergen Biomanufacturing, a producer raw materials for the pharmaceutical & Bio technical industry, to food processing plant, by the site new owners.
The plant or the shell of the plant at 55 Glen Scarlett Rd has been undergoing this phase for some time, without much visible other that the slow and systematic take down of various parts of the building.
One good choice by the plants new owner is the reuse of the existing shell, where they could. It’s probably a good bet that this plant will be a meat packing plant.

Metrolinx to study electrification of the entire GO Transit rail system

By On May 27, 2009 In Carleton Village, Development, Mount Dennis, Railways, The Junction, Transit, Ward 11 (York South-Weston}, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 16 Eglinton-Lawrence, West Toronto Diamond project With 5 Comments Permanent Link to Metrolinx to study electrification of the entire GO Transit rail systemPermalink

…text is from Metrolinx, just moved around for the post – although all the Terms of Reference sound great

Yesterday, Metrolinx announced the launch of a study for the electrification of the entire GO Transit rail system to meet the future transit service demands across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Among the issues the Terms of Reference could address:

Criteria to determine the staging of electrification of GO’s rail lines Performance improvements for riders Power supply and distribution  Union Station capacity Rail corridor ownership Urban planning benefits Vehicle technology options and availability Physical constraints Property impacts Impacts on GO capital and operating costs

“The Big Move recommends future Express Rail service throughout the GTHA, for which electrification is an important element. This study is the critical next step. I am very pleased that we are moving forward on this issue in a comprehensive way”, said Rob MacIsaac, Chair of Metrolinx.

We are also establishing an external advisory committee that will be made up of community representatives, riders and independent technical experts, to advise Metrolinx on the Terms of Reference for the study. We will post the membership of the Advisory Committee in the coming weeks on our website. We are beginning work on the study immediately and expect to complete it by 2010.

We will continue to update you about the progress of the study. We are building an improved transit system for the region with your help.

For full release: Metrolinx to study electrification of GO Transit’s rail system

Their site metrolinx.com

Councillor Saundercook’s motion today – rather good

By On May 27, 2009 In The Junction With 2 Comments Permanent Link to Councillor Saundercook’s motion today – rather goodPermalink

Councillor Bill Saundercook has moved the following motion on the Roncesvalles Avenue Streetscape Study: (Toronto City Clerk’s Office at 10:37 A)


That Council adopt the following recommendations of the Toronto Pedestrian Committee, contained in the letter (April 28, 2009) from the Committee [PW24.5a]:

1. The Toronto Pedestrian Committee be included in the review of future road projects, particularly those with streetcar stop alterations.

2. Given that the parking supply in the recommended alternative is greater than the observed peak demand, the next phase of design work investigate the possibility of removing additional parking spaces in low demand areas in order to widen sidewalks or provide bicycle parking.

how the local concillors voted …

Votes and Motions on Roncesvalles Avenue Streetscape Improvements

Motion to Adopt the Item as Amended (Carried)

5/27/2009 11:18:17 AM “PW24.5 – Adopt the item as amended” 34 yea+5 nay,2/3 maj,quorum
YES Ashton YES Augimeri YES Bussin [Chair] YES Carroll YES Cho YES Davis YES De Baeremaeker YES Del Grande YES Di Giorgio YES Filion YES Fletcher YES Giambrone YES Grimes YES Hall YES Jenkins YES Kelly YES Lee YES McConnell YES Mihevc YES Milczyn YES Miller YES Moscoe YES Nunziata YES Palacio YES Pantalone YES Parker YES Perks YES Perruzza YES Rae YES Saundercook YES Stintz YES Thompson YES Vaughan YES Walker

NO Ford NO Holyday NO Minnan-Wong NO Ootes NO Shiner

TTC hands Dundas West subway station alternate exit reponsibilty to Metrolinx and Go Transit

By On May 27, 2009 In Bloor West Village, Carleton Village, City of Toronto, High park, Old Mill, Parkdale, Railways, Roncesvalles Village, The Junction, Transit, TTC, Ward 11 (York South-Weston}, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park), West Bend With Comments Off on TTC hands Dundas West subway station alternate exit reponsibilty to Metrolinx and Go Transit Permanent Link to TTC hands Dundas West subway station alternate exit reponsibilty to Metrolinx and Go TransitPermalink

[email_link]

Photo credit onshi http://www.flickr.com/people/pragmatic/

Photo credit (adapted from ) onshi http://www.flickr.com/people/pragmatic/

The Dundas St.  West subway station identified as a priority in a Fire and Life Safety Assessment Study completed in 2002, as requiring an alternate means of egress from the station platform has had the responsibility for this  second exit issue tranfered to Metrolinx and GO Transit by the TTC.

from the city report…

Dundas West Station:

The second exit concept was being developed by GO Transit as part of their plans for a new connection to the station. The concept included an automatic entrance to permit a direct connection between Dundas West Station and GO Station. The project has been recently handed over to Metrolinx and discussions are on-going with Metrolinx and GO Transit to pursue this option including cost sharing arrangements  [Full TTC report opens in new window from TTC ] [Full TTC report opens in new window from archive on this site]

Should the Dundas West Station have a proper – weather protected – traffic avoiding direct link to the the GO station? The new air link go rail effort will pass right though the area only 350 meters away.

the route now from subway to Go station  in the TTC’s own text… (2004 numbers)

In order to transfer between the TTC Dundas West Station on the Bloor-Danforth Subway and the GO Bloor Station on the Georgetown line, customers walk approximately 350 metres along Bloor Street, between the two stations. Based on the most-recent GO passenger surveys, approximately 100 passengers per day, in each direction, use the GO Bloor Station, which represents less than 2% of the 6,900 total daily inbound passengers on the Georgetown line. Very few of these passengers currently transfer between TTC and GO services at this location.

also from their 2004 report

The proposed rail link between downtown Toronto and Pearson Airport, recently announced by the Federal government, would operate in the current GO Transit Georgetown corridor, and is premised, in part, on an improved connection with TTC at Dundas West Station.

Related info link to the city PDF file of the Bloor Dundas Avenue Study outlining the planning uses for the area of the subway. [link]

Gord Perks City Councillor on Annette Street bicycle lanes

By On May 27, 2009 In Baby Point, City of Toronto, The Junction, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park) With Comments Off on Gord Perks City Councillor on Annette Street bicycle lanes Permanent Link to Gord Perks City Councillor on Annette Street bicycle lanesPermalink

bike-lane-ahead

Councillor Gord Perks has sent out this informative update about the bicycle lanes along Annette Street.

The installation of the bicycle lanes along Annette Street, from Jane Street to Keele Street will be undertaken, as the resurfacing project for that area is completed. It is my understanding that this will happen within the next two weeks. The bicycle lanes along Annette Street, east of Keele Street, and those along Dupont Street from Keele to Lansdowne Avenue would be installed shortly thereafter.

[email_link]

GO to study electrifying rail lines

By On May 26, 2009 In Transit With 1 Comment Permanent Link to GO to study electrifying rail linesPermalink

[email_link]

The Toronto star has an article on how GO Transit is begin to study to study electrifying it’s rail lines.

From the article….

GO Transit will begin a study this summer on electrifying its entire train system.

Metrolinx plans to announce today that the study, to be complete by winter 2010, will be overseen by an external advisory committee including community representatives, technical and environmental experts. It’s likely a member of the Clean Train Coalition would be invited to join the committee, a source told the Star.

That group, composed of residents, community associations and businesses living along the Georgetown line – in the path of a huge expansion of GO service – has been pushing the province to go to cleaner electric trains rather than diesel. …the rest of the article [link]

Social media and city employees

By On May 26, 2009 In City of Toronto With Comments Off on Social media and city employees Permanent Link to Social media and city employeesPermalink

Recently a comment was posted on a blog post regarding city employees access to social networking sites, by Keith McDonald a Communications Coordinator at the City of Toronto which details and answers many of the emailed questions  the blog received on subject. Below is the comment as posted .

City employees are able to access social media if they present a business case on how they need to use such sites. In the above example, members would outline how the interaction applies to their work. To date, staff making such cases have been granted access.

I suspect the staff in question are not aware of this. Communications around social media has started but not all staff are tuning into vehicles such as a Monday Morning News blast or the intranet. The City is actually well underway in preparing a policy on use of social media. On first brush, it may seem like a no brainer “turn it on” issue but when you begin to address legal obligations such as required data retrieval (even from sites that our not the City’s property e.g. Facebook, YouTube, etc), it is by no means straight forward. There are actually hundreds of issues at play.

Further to communications, City of Toronto staff are encouraged to partake in the internal social media blog: webbook – to discover more on how social media is entering the government and what is being done.

This is accessible through the City intranet site. Some of the webbook blogs, in particular those by the CIO, Dave Wallace and Deputy City Manager, Sue Corke are by no means taking an anti-social media view.

As for City employees being “disallowed from commenting regarding city issues in a public forum …”, this is not precise. The issue here is citing a personal opinion that may be construed as an official “City” opinion.

Again, the social media policy is addressing the particulars. I speak here as a member of the toronto.ca re:Brand team and not as an individual personally engaged in social media.

Should I want to comment personally I would need to clearly say this is my personal opinion and not that of the City of Toronto. It’s a clear distinction.

We are also looking to engage residents directly and hear their comments about the web and our relationships with you. I am not sure I can make active links in responses so I will err on this not being allowed. But, we encourage anyone who has something to say about toronto.ca and web interactions to participate with us. Go to:https://wx.toronto.ca/inter/city/tosurvey.nsf/Survey?OpenForm
for an anonymous survey or go to:
https://wx.toronto.ca/inter/city/tosurvey.nsf/Participation?OpenForm
to become a tester with us around toronto.ca pages.

Among the many things we are examining is how we can engage Toronto through social media – ours, yours and theirs.

Information about the city web site plans is well covered in an article over at www.refresh-events.ca [link]

200 Annette Street – Czechoslovak Church SOLD

By On May 25, 2009 In 200 Annette Street (Church), buildings, Heritage, The Junction, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park) With 1 Comment Permanent Link to 200 Annette Street – Czechoslovak Church SOLDPermalink

The Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec (“the Convention”)  has sold the  200 Annette Street Church which they acquired at the closure of Annette St. Baptist Church at nominal value.  The property was loaned to the Czechoslovak Church since 1980.

Initial report form people who have spoken to the new owners report there intend to rent the church out to many different users, such as church groups, the blog has emailed the new owners to confirm this.

The problem with the sale of 67 Vine Ave

By On May 25, 2009 In Heritage, The Junction, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park) With 23 Comments Permanent Link to The problem with the sale of 67 Vine AvePermalink

The sale of 67 Vine and the two houses next door to it to the east which are all owned by Niazi Holdings Inc and have been for ever so long, solves many problems for the east end of  Vine Ave, among them these pointed out commenter J.U. on April 4th of this year…

The people that own 67 Vine also own the other 4 derelict houses on Vine. 2 of the houses are attached and leaning/falling over badly, the third has a tenant but is in extremely poor repair and the 4th has been boarded up since the 60’s. How is it that a house can remain vacant for 48 years?

The sale of 83 feet on frontage may attract the attention of small infill developer with the interest of building 4 to 5 and may six – if they squeeze –  new townhouses on the site.  The new homes would be a welcome addition, but with one caveat …the saving of 67 Vine ave itself, a house virtually untouched by Home depot renovation  materials at least on it’s exterior. The house has a wonderful slate roof and most of what must be original creative exterior woodwork, all of which should be respected and restorted.

So maybe an enlightened infill developer can built his  new houses and leave the great one that alreday there?

…the listing description

Attention Builders/Investors! Prime Developing Junction Location! Over 84Ft Frontage! 3 Parcels Being Sold Together. 61, 63, 67 Vine Ave. Total Asking Price $800,000. Zone R2Z0.6/90M. Possibility Of Five Row Townhouses With Ample Parking Off Lane. Comparable Townhouses On Vine & Pacific Have Sold Between $430,000-$450,000.**** EXTRAS **** All 3 Parcels Are Being Sold In ‘As Is’ Condition (Including Raccoons!) Seller And Agent/Brokerage Do Not Warrant Status OrConditions Of Existing Dwellings. Walking Distance To The ‘Junction’. Minutes To Keele Or Dundas Subway.

Councillors Palacio, Nunziata table Member Motion about pile driving

By On May 22, 2009 In Carleton Village, Development, Mount Dennis, Railways, The Junction, Ward 11 (York South-Weston}, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 16 Eglinton-Lawrence, Ward 17 Davenport, Ward 18 – (Davenport), West Toronto Diamond project With 4 Comments Permanent Link to Councillors Palacio, Nunziata table Member Motion about pile drivingPermalink

the motion…

Member Motion
City Council
NOTICE OF MOTION
MM36.1 ACTION
Ward: 11, 13, 14,
17, 18
Support for West Toronto Residents – Excessive Noise from the Railto-
Rail Diamond Grade Separation Project – Councillor Palacio,
seconded by Councillor Nunziata
•Notice of this Motion has been given.
•This Motion is subject to referral to the Executive Committee. A two-thirds vote is required to waive referral.
Recommendations
Councillor Palacio, seconded by Councillor Nunziata, recommends:
1. That City Council express its support for the residents affected by the excessive
vibration and noise emanating from the Rail-to-Rail Diamond Grade Separation Project.
2. That the City Solicitor provide legal support to the residents in their complaint,
mediation, and other related matters before the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA).
Summary
Thousands of residents in Wards 17, 11, 14, 18 and 13 have been suffering a dramatic reduction in their comfort and quality of life as a result of excessive pile-driving taking place as part of GO Transit’s Rail-to-Rail Diamond Grade Separation Project, near Dupont Street and Dundas Street West.
Pile-driving on this scale completely undermines the livability of the neighbourhood and can be heard from many hundreds of metres away. The pile-driving is constant, all day, every day, and the project is not expected to be completed until December 2011. Other, quieter technologies exist to drive piles but are not being utilized.
A coalition of residents’ organizations has requested mediation and may initiate a formal complaint to the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), the Federal agency that regulates railway noise and vibration in Canada, asking for quieter, more reasonable methods of pile driving to be used.
(Submitted to City Council on May 25, 2009 as MM36.1)

Link to pdf file of this text at city web site

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