’ Association The ABC Residents r 2004 Edition Newsletter Summe Taking Control of Our Neighbourhoods Inside this issue: As your ratepayer’s asso- in a house, why not main- nificent tree canopy, while ciation we are doing our tain the 15 or 25 or 40 others are spotty at best. OMB Reform 2 best to highlight those feet of sidewalk outside Is there a location for a Traffic Report 2 issues which impact the your home. Many boulevard tree on your quality of life in your neighbours are already street? Call the City and Development Update 2 neighbourhood. Why is it doing this. A clean team up with your so difficult to keep our streetscape can only en- neighbours to underwrite Love Me, Love My 3 streets clean? Certainly hance both the value and some tree plantings. As the Mayor’s clean-up day the enjoyment of your an example, the east side Problem with Signs 3 resulted in a marked im- home. Of course, some of of Bay at Davenport was a provement, but increas- the worst offenders are grey asphalt and concrete Annual Meeting 4 ingly it’s up to us - resi- raccoons! Which means be desert until a group of dents need to take own- careful putting garbage concerned neighbours, Membership Form 4 ership of their neighbour- out overnight! Jesse Ketchum students hoods. Toronto’s urban forest is and parents, teamed up to ANNUAL BOOK By “ownership” we mean shrinking, so plant a tree! plant large caliper sugar taking an active interest Some streets like maples. The trees are SALE in your street and area. MacPherson, Roxborough beautiful, particularly in As an example, if you live and Hazelton have a mag- the fall. WEINER ROAST Thursday June 24 (Rain Date Fri. June 25) Toronto Truck Theatre 5-7 PM RAMSDEN PARK The closing of the Toronto site developed by height, setback and ar- Truck Theatre, and with West side of Yonge Stratheden Homes. This chitectural character of it the record breaking run company has demonstrated Belmont. This is a good Opposite Rosedale Sub- of Agatha Christie’s ‘The way a remarkable degree of example of developer/ Mousetrap’, received ap- sensitivity and respect for residents cooperation. A Books, CDs, Tapes propriate publicity when it area resident’s concerns, “Thank- you” also goes to Records, Magazines was announced some and has had extensive Councillor Kyle Rae, who months ago. The theatre, Come and browse consultations with ABC, has agreed that a Section a former church, opened City Planner Steve 37 contribution from the and munch! in the mid 1970s and ran Daniels, and residents. As developer will be directed Book/CD Donations over 8000 performances a result, the developer to beautifying the Call B ill Stevenson of the famous “who-did- has presented a proposal ‘parkette’ on the SE cor- 416-925-0017 it”! for four 3-story town ner of Belmont and Dav- Shirley Morris The building will be de- homes, that respect the enport. 416-962-5909 molished, together with an adjoining house, and the Page 2 The ABC Residents’ Association Newsletter Summer 2004 Edition The Slow Pace of 164 Avenue Road OMB Reform (site of Downtown Fine Cars) One of the key election platforms The proposed development, on the Issues being addressed are building of the Provincial Liberal Party was west side of Avenue Road at Pears height, massing, shadowing, street- reform of the Ontario Municipal Ave., is a 138 unit, 18 to 20 sto- scape, and conformity with the resi- Board. A comprehensive review of rey building, with retail at ground dential character of Pears Ave. In the OMB is currently underway and level. A well attended public meet- arguing for a reduction in height and the ABC Board is concerned that ing, with area councillor, Olivia massing, residents are citing the new much needed reform will be wa- Chow, presiding, led to a working Official Plan policy that speaks of a tered down. We have recently sent committee, chaired by the area transition from intensive develop- a letter (co-signed by the BIA and planner from the City, and with ments to immediately adjacent “low – GYRA) to area MPP George participation of ABC and the Ave- rise” neighbourhoods”. Smitherman asking that he ensure nue/Davenport Village Committee. a ‘sunset clause’ be added to de- velopment approvals. At the mo- Rosedale Subway ment, no such clause exists meaning development approvals from the The TTC is proposing to enter into staff and Councillor Rae. early 1990’s (e.g. York Row) carry a long-term lease with the Garay Everyone understood the TTC’s in- an ‘as of right’ weighting that ef- Group to construct an 8-storey fectively handicaps the current terest in developing this property residential condominium building, for the contribution it would make, zoning process. A sunset clause of with retail at grade, on the bus 2 or 3 years ensures that if a de- however minor, to mitigating its se- turning loop and triangular parkette rious financial problems. But most of velopment is not built within that at the Rosedale subway station. time, any new application brought us were more impressed by architect The site is zoned G (open space) Robert Allsopp’s sketches of a dif- forward later will be considered and both the station and the adja- based upon current planning regula- ferent possible future for the site. cent green space were designated He proposed combining the TTC tions. heritage properties by the City in We encourage you to let Mr. lands with adjacent Budd Sugarman 1990. Many ABC residents at- Park, and Ramsden Park, across Smitherman know your views. It is tended a lively public meeting, April our opinion that the development Yonge St., to form a green oasis on 26, sponsored by the South Rose- Yonge – the only such relief in that landscape of this city is best de- dale Ratepayers’ Association, to termined by its citizens, their main Toronto artery from the wa- hear submissions and comments terfront to Hogg’s Hollow elected municipal politicians, and from the developer, TTC, City the professional planning staff at City Hall. (e-mail: ABC Traffic Committee Reports... george_smitherman-mpp- [email protected] or 410 Sher- Sidewalk widening at SE side of Bloor, and Avenue Road and Davenport: bourne St. M4X 1K2. Councillor Transportation Services has rejected the proposal to widen the sidewalk Rae can be reached at councillor- at these points adjacent to the Church of the Redeemer. However, the [email protected] alteration of the northbound curb lane for that purpose is still under re- view. Pedestrian Cross walk at Hazelton and Davenport: The creation of a pe- ABC Website destrian-activated traffic signal here is being investigated. The traffic light would always be green for Davenport traffic, except when a pedes- Check us out at trian signaled a desire to cross. www.abcra.ca Belmont Street: The first meeting of the ABC working group (Bill MacGowan, Janet Minor) was held with Michael Robertson (Kyle Rae’s Of- fice) and Jacqueline White and Joe Gallippi of Transportation Services. The ABC Residents’ Association Newsletter Summer 2004 Edition Page 3 Love Me, Love My Dog The dynamic between dogs and lim- There is positive news to report in Most of the dog owners frequenting ited greenspace continues to be a the dogs/people dynamic as the park not only pick up after challenge within ABC. In Ramsden Berryman street rep Janice Solomon their dogs, but also pick up much of Park the "off-leash" area boundaries notes: the litter left behind following are not being respected by all dog The “regulars” who come to the school hours. We appreciate that owners, and we are hearing frequent having our dogs on school park park with their dogs are responsible complaints from people with children. property off-leash is a privilege and conscientious about their dogs, We would also politely remind ABC and we have informally organized and very aware of their surround- dog owners that the 'poop and ourselves (a dog association?!) to ings. A single person with their dog scoop' laws are in place to ensure all encourage dog owners to act re- residents can enjoy their urban ex- is capable, just by being present, sponsibly. Please do so to ensure perience. Moreover, once of causing unsavoury characters to that we can all continue to enjoy we've'scooped' we must ensure move along or leave the park. The the benefits of the park. The com- proper disposal. park is, first, a school playground. munity effort is already in place. Unfortunately the litter left for Janice Soloman the infrequent City crew to pick up seems to largely originate with school children. Last fall, City Parks cleared away the brush and low hanging branches, which led to reduced litter, and made it less convenient for the drug dealers and young revelers to hang out and leave bottles littering the park. The Problem with SIGNS Think that they are inevitable? Well perhaps, but there are limits, and some of the signs around our neighbour- hood are illegal! Recently some ABCers and Councillor Rae’s Executive Assistant, Michael Robertson, did a “walk- about” in ABC territory to note excessive, over-size, signage – the Yonge/Davenport intersection is a prime ex- ample –and to make the point that City inspectors do not enforce the by-law. An article by John Macfarlane in the June edition of Toronto Life also referred to “out-of-control” commercial signage. We appreciate Michael’s interest, and wait for some appropriate action! Did you know….? You can check the agenda for Toronto City Council meetings at www.Toronto.ca ABC NEWS ABC N E W S The ABC Residents’ Association Newsletter Summer 2004 Edition Summer 2004 Edition Page 4 Phone: 555-555-5555 ANNUAL MEETING Fax: 555-555-5555 E-mail: [email protected] NOTE THIS DATE Public School Tuesday, September 28 Organization Registration starts at 6:30 pm We’re on the Web! Fellowship Towers example.microsoft.com (Basement auditorium) 877 Yonge Street (just north of Canadian Tire store) ABC Executive President’s Report President J.