All posts in Carleton Village

On the site of what used to be the Nina Ricci jewellery factory on Old Weston Road a great big brick light industrial development

By On July 21, 2012 In Carleton Village, Industrial Heritage, Junction Industry, Ward 11 (York South-Weston}, Ward 12 – York South-Weston, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 17 Davenport With 6 Comments Permanent Link to On the site of what used to be the Nina Ricci jewellery factory on Old Weston Road a great big brick light industrial developmentPermalink


The site just after demo of the Nina Ricci factory

On the site of what used to be the Nina Ricci jewellery factory on Old Weston Road in the Carleton Village, Ward 17 area a developer is planning a large industrial development.

Located on Old Weston Rd just north of Junction Rd and south of the Davenport Rd and Old Weston Rd intersection this development will be the largest industrial development in the Junction in over 3 decades. The last major industrial Building designed and built for purpose was the Keele Centre.

The blog is half to see what appears to a light industrial use building in the artist rendering used on the sign.

Hopefully the developer has a business plan that attracts some of the technology firms that are now populating the Junction Triangle area.

The area within hearing and walking distance has no more need for small service industry uses as a motor repair, auto repair and window manufacturing.

There is a need for new excellent class buildings to serve creative and technological firms.

These types of small and medium companies can really spur the the creation of an active street use, and renewal in all areas.

 

Roaring through the Greater Junction Area by car – bump! or not

By On February 7, 2012 In Bloor West Village, Carleton Village, High park, Junction Triangle, North Junction, Old Mill, Parkdale, Roncesvalles Village, South Junction Triangle, Swansea, The Junction, Upper Junction, Ward 11 (York South-Weston}, Ward 12 – York South-Weston, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park), West Bend With 1 Comment Permanent Link to Roaring through the Greater Junction Area by car – bump! or notPermalink

 

To help enforce road safety some cities in the USA and the city of  “West” Vancouver are giving optical illusion a try,  might it deserve attention here?
They’re must be designed  to gain your attention long enough  to quickly cause you totobey the speed limit.

These optically created speedbumps, or “virtual humps” are written about in the above linked NYtimes article.

 

 

 

 

Really love this one below.

Toronto GJA Councillors: Office Expense Reporting 2010 to 2011..oh the changes

By On January 16, 2012 In Baby Point, Bloor West Village, Bloordale, Carleton Village, City of Toronto, College Street Little Italy, High park, Junction Triangle, Kingsway, Mimico, Mount Dennis, North Junction, Old Mill, Parkdale, Roncesvalles Village, South Junction Triangle, Swansea, The Junction, Upper Junction, Ward 12 – York South-Weston, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 15 Eglinton-Lawrence, Ward 16 Eglinton-Lawrence, Ward 17 Davenport, Ward 18 – (Davenport), West Bend, Weston With Comments Off on Toronto GJA Councillors: Office Expense Reporting 2010 to 2011..oh the changes Permanent Link to Toronto GJA Councillors: Office Expense Reporting 2010 to 2011..oh the changesPermalink

 

During 2011 new councillors aimed and accomplished the reduction of their office budgets of their old counter parts, while returning councillors greatly reduced their spending. Is this all  simply political thrift, that has come about by the seeming dissatisfaction with the politicos running the city, or do the people really want their elected people saving ten to twenty thousand dollars of their office budget.

Considering that these budgets are used by the councillor to service their electors. Is there simply grater loss than the saving of the funds.

 

below the blog has captured the 2010 and 2011 spending amounts of the area councillors.

 

Descriptive text from City web site…

Each Councillor has an office expense budget to pay for expenses that are allowable under the Councillor Expense Policy. City Council, at its meeting of April 15, 2010, approved a 5% reduction in the office expense budget for each Councillor. The annual budget of $53,100 has been reduced to $50,445. As 2010 is an election year, Councillors are allocated 11/12ths of the approved office expense budget until the end of the Council term, November 30, 2010, therefore each Councillor has an office expense budget of $46,241.25. The remaining 1/12th of the budget is allocated to December for returning Councillors. New Councillors also receive 1/12th of the allocation, $4,203.75 for the month.The Mayor has an annual operating budget approved by Council. Expenses disclosed relate to non-salary expenditures from this budget.

 

 

This is your post template. Shouldn’t you add a little more?

Transit, Politics blog on Transit, Politics talks about the Junction and Go Transit

By On July 4, 2010 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 Comments Off on Transit, Politics blog on Transit, Politics talks about the Junction and Go Transit Permanent Link to Transit, Politics blog on Transit, Politics talks about the Junction and Go TransitPermalink

outtake…

GO was so preoccupied with opposition in Weston that it failed to take account of the quickly growing population around the rail corridor south of West Toronto Junction.  Aside from the question of daily train movements, GO further alienated residents with a proposal for the Strachan Avenue grade separation that would have created a major barrier within the new King West / Liberty Village community.  This matter was not resolved until intervention by Metrolinx and a compromise solution acceptable to the City of Toronto was adopted.

GO runs popular services, and as a provincial agency it is used to getting more or less what it wants.  Public participation and accommodation have not been GO’s strong suits.

Full article

Go Transit – Electrification Study Update Meeting – Georgetown Corridor

By On May 17, 2010 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 2 Comments Permanent Link to Go Transit – Electrification Study Update Meeting – Georgetown CorridorPermalink

Train passing over an area of the diamond project where the overpass will be.

The update meeting will be held Thursday, May 27th 2010 from 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. at the Lithuanian House, 1573 Bloor Street West. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an update on the Electrification Study progress to date.  The meeting format will consist of a presentation by the Electrification Study Team, followed by an opportunity for participants to ask questions and offer feedback on the work completed to date.

The construction and the train

Metrolinx drops West Diamond appeal

By On April 9, 2010 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 32 Comments Permanent Link to Metrolinx drops West Diamond appealPermalink

DSC00750

The Toronto Star is reporting….

In a major victory for Toronto’s Junction community, Metrolinx has agreed to drop its appeal of a decision that limits the amount of noise it can make in the west-end neighborhood.

In December, the CTA ordered GO to limit work hours and use quieter methods at the rail crossing. GO had already implemented quieter technology and shrouds over the pile drivers to try to reduce the noise.

About 85 per cent of the 2,400 piles required have been completed, Thomas said. But the project, which was to have been finished last year, now won’t be done until the end of this year.

link to full story at TS

Thanks to blog reader Helen for bringing to the blogs attention

Federal court denies GO/Metrolinx the ability to bypass a federal CTA decision

By On February 4, 2010 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 1 Comment Permanent Link to Federal court denies GO/Metrolinx the ability to bypass a federal CTA decisionPermalink

DSC00447

Toronto Star article

Court upholds order for GO to halt heavy hammer use – thestar.com
Court upholds order for GO to halt heavy hammer use: Ruling is a victory for residents of the West Toronto Diamond..

February 4, 2010

DiNovo Congratulates Local Residents over Pile-driving Victory

Parkdale-High Park—NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo is sending her heartfelt congratulations to the citizens of the West Toronto Diamond in Toronto’s historic Junction neighborhood.

Last night, the federal court denied GO/Metrolinx the ability to bypass a federal CTA decision stating that Metrolinx’s pile-driving project was causing undue harm to residents of the West Toronto Diamond.

“This is a clear victory for the West Diamond citizens,” said DiNovo.

“The federal court has stated clearly that Metrolinx must listen to the legitimate demands of citizens. Metrolinx has lost their game of using tax dollars to go after tax payers,” added DiNovo.

DiNovo is now calling on GO/Metrolinx and Minister of Transportation Kathleen Wynne to stop the noise up the line and to settle damage claims without wasting more tax dollars.

– 30 –


Media Inquiries: Charles Smith (647) 405-1425

Toronto West Diamond grade separation enters onto changing industrial streets

By On February 2, 2010 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 2 Comments Permanent Link to Toronto West Diamond grade separation enters onto changing industrial streetsPermalink

DSC00449DSC00450Monarch Road and Old Weston Road

Monarch Road at Junction Rd as it is now, ripped up and fading from view the roadpath of Weston Rd to the road had been closed for years yet the sidewalk was there so you legally walk along it to the Monarch Rd.  Now with the sidewalk ripped up and the pile driving crew  working right up to side of old flour mill offices the change is permanent and drastic.

Bill Davenhall: Your health depends on where you live

By On January 25, 2010 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 9 Comments Permanent Link to Bill Davenhall: Your health depends on where you livePermalink

Today we have a post sent in by a blog reader (Patrick), I watched the video, it is quite interesting.

Heres the text he sent along with the link

As a Junction resident (Mulock Avenue), I’m obviously VERY concerned about the pile-driving and destructive plans for the rails.  Today I happened to watch a fantastic presentation on “geo-medicine”, which makes the case for attention to where you live, being as important as your genes, your diet, your exercise, etc.25-01-2010 2-59-41 PM

Not especially damning for the project, but definitely useful in explaining the situation:

http://www.ted.com/talks/bill_davenhall_your_health_depends_on_where_you_live.html

Toronto West Diamond grade separation class action lawsuit meeting

By On January 7, 2010 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 5 Comments Permanent Link to Toronto West Diamond grade separation class action lawsuit meetingPermalink

MPP Cheri DiNovo’s  class action lawsuit  at her office at 3136 Dundas Street West 7pm  tonight

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Now

Thursday, January 14th, 2010


Junction related articles in other media today

By On December 11, 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 Comments Off on Junction related articles in other media today Permanent Link to Junction related articles in other media todayPermalink 
1)

Toronto Star article by Joe Fiorito

Fiorito: Metrolinx diesels are dirty,

ugly and NOISY

 full story link
2)
Residents have say on day nurseries



Toronto City Council enacted the bylaw in May of this year, which will remain

in effect until May 2010. During this time, city staff is conducting a study

 of the area bound by Glenlake Avenue to the south, Dundas Street West to the

 north, the rear lot lines of properties fronting the west side of High Park Avenue

 to the west and the rear lot lines of properties fronting the east side of High Park Avenue to the east. The study's purpose is to evaluate appropriate standards and regulations for transforming residential homes into day nurseries.

The purpose of Monday night's meeting at Annette Recreation Centre,

 said Senior Planner Philip Carvalino, was to get feedback from community members 

"so we have a better understanding of the impacts felt or perceived."

Canadian Transportation Agency finds GO Transit to be rude

By On October 9, 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 6 Comments Permanent Link to Canadian Transportation Agency finds GO Transit to be rudePermalink

From the Bulletin GO Transit has 14 days to respond

GO Transit is in breach of its obligation under section 95.1 of the Canada Transportation Act to cause only such noise and vibration as is reasonable, in relation to GO Transit’s pile-driving activities at the West Toronto Diamond. The Agency found that, in the circumstances, the prolonged exposure of the local citizens to the noise and vibration generated at that location is unreasonable.

The Agency’s proposed measures are:

  1. Vibratory hammer:

Use a vibratory hammer to completely install the piles by modifying the hammer’s frequency settings and, where this is not possible, drive the piles to the maximum depth possible considering soil conditions and then finish the pile-driving with an impact hammer.

  1. Giken hammer:

Extend the use of the Giken hammer in conjunction with vibratory hammer use, as discussed in the Decision, for the entire length of pile-driving activities and not just until the scheduled 250 piles are installed, especially in the more sensitive areas.

  1. Impact hammer and related mitigative measures:

a) Use an impact-vibration hammer which switches automatically from one mode to another depending on soil resistance. Alternatively, use the impact hammer on the project only in conjunction with a vibratory or Giken hammer and only where it has been demonstrated that no other method is technically or commercially feasible;

b) De-power the impact hammer and decrease the hammer energy wherever possible and use shrouds, skirts and rubberized chasers. Any opening in the shroud should always be positioned down the tracks and not toward any residential area;

c) Employ moveable noise barriers to deflect noise away from nearby residential areas by moving them to current pile-driving locations and by setting them up around the shrouds to deflect noise from the fourth, open side of the shroud.

  1. Limited hours for pile-driving activities:

a) Restrict the hours of work for installing piles to 40 hours per week from between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays;

b) Negotiate an agreement with the City of Toronto to allow for road closures during the weekday hours to complete the required work at that location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays;

c) Negotiate agreements with other railway companies to allow for train blocks during the weekday hours to complete the required work at that location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.

Information on the Agency’s process for dealing with rail noise and vibration complaints is contained in its Guidelines for the Resolution of Complaints Concerning Railway Noise and Vibration.

full text file hosted at this blog download here

3500 Eglinton Avenue West – old Kodak site – City staff report out

By On October 8, 2009 In 3500 Eglinton Avenue West, Carleton Village, City of Toronto, Heritage, Industrial Heritage, Junction Industry, Mount Dennis, South Junction Triangle, The Junction, Ward 12 – York South-Weston, West Bend, Weston With 5 Comments Permanent Link to 3500 Eglinton Avenue West – old Kodak site – City staff report outPermalink

Report outlines and informational highlights below full report here at city and here hosted on this site.

This report outlines the existing planning policy context for retail permissions on the former Kodak Lands.

The communication from Councillor Nunziata broadly seeks an interpretation of retail use for the subject lands. ~ the proposed development is for a mix of office, retail and service commercial uses having a total gross floor area of approximately 75,100 square metres. The office component would have an approximate floor area of 17,500 square metres, the retail component would have an approximate floor area of 55,575 square metres, and the service commercial component would have an approximate floor area of 2,025 square
metres. A variety of retail unit sizes is anticipated, ranging from 325 square metres to 10,350 square metres.

The applicant is proposing to construct a four-storey office building fronting on Eglinton Avenue West, which will replace a portion of the retaining wall (ouch) and provide pedestrian and vehicular access from Eglinton Avenue West to the shopping complex. The shopping complex would consist of a variety of large and small stores fronting on a series of covered pedestrian streets, with common gathering and plaza areas. Additional office and retail uses will be provided along Ray Avenue, with service commercial uses along Industry Street.

While the site has frontage on Eglinton Avenue West and will have direct access via a proposed a connection from Eglinton Avenue West to the interior of the site, the current site plan situates all of the retail and service commercial uses behind the office building fronting Eglinton Avenue West, extending towards the rear of the site and onto Industry Street. Because the current proposal provides for major retail activities to extend northerly to Industry Street, which is not a Major Street on Map 3 and does not form the boundary of the Employment Area, major retail activity on this street would not meet the locational criteria of Policy 4.6.3. To meet the intent of the Official Plan’s Employment Areas policies, substantial nonretail employment uses would need to be provided along the entire frontage of Industry Street for a significant depth of the site. The lack of an extensive non-retail employment along Industry Street would offend the intent of the Official Plan.

Continue Reading →

Metrolinx conditions on the Georgetown South Service Expansion placed by Environment Minister John Gerretsen

By On October 6, 2009 In Carleton Village, City of Toronto, Mount Dennis, Railpath, Railways, South Junction Triangle, The Junction, The Village by High Park, Transit, Ward 10 (York Centre), Ward 11 (York South-Weston}, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 15 Eglinton-Lawrence, Ward 16 Eglinton-Lawrence, West Bend, West Toronto Communites With 1 Comment Permanent Link to Metrolinx conditions on the Georgetown South Service Expansion placed by Environment Minister John GerretsenPermalink

metrolinx-logo

…from the Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment news release

Eighteen conditions on the Georgetown South Service Expansion that address concerns raised by the community about the effect of diesel emissions on human health and air quality. Three highlights are as follows:

Trains operated by GO Transit on the Georgetown rail corridor
and the Union Pearson Rail Link service must use Tier 4 state of the art
engines when the service expansion begins or as soon as the
technology is commercially available;

blog detail link… here is a PDF from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

details issues related to their Locomotive and Marine Diesel Emissions reductions tiers

(link to to their site PDF) click here for a copy archived on this blog


A significant human health and mitigation plan must be put in place

to address any remaining risks to human health after Tier 4 engines

are in operation on the line;

depending on the availability of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel with sulfur

content capped at 15 parts per million, which will be available by 2012. 1


An ambient air monitoring and reporting plan must be put in place

with monitoring locations situated within the boundaries of the

Georgetown South Corridor or within the adjacent community.

complete report opens in new windows as a

PDF file from MOE site from a PDF file archived on this site
  1. Regulatory announcement – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ↩

Uncomplimentary elements of the Railpath

By On September 17, 2009 In Carleton Village, City of Toronto, College Street Little Italy, High park, Natural Urban Living, Parkdale, Railways, Roncesvalles Village, South Junction Triangle, The Junction, Toronto Parks, Transit, Ward 10 (York Centre), Ward 11 (York South-Weston}, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 18 – (Davenport), Ward 19 - Trinity-Spadina, Ward 20 Trinity-Spadina, West Toronto Communites With 14 Comments Permanent Link to Uncomplimentary elements of the RailpathPermalink

post submitted by blog  reader SP

As a daily rider of the new rail path I’m left with one question:

Where are the garbage bins?  Garbage has begun to pile up in the form of
Mcdonalds trash, dog poop in bags and endless bottles.  Is there no
maintenance of the path?

uncomplimentary elements of the Railpath

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