Dear Katrina,

Things have been so busy since the New Year that it's been next to impossible to find the time to sit down and write an update as to what's been going on at City Hall. And to say that a lot has been going on is an understatement!

Clearly the biggest change at City Hall has been the relationship between Council and the Mayor. From the budget through to the fate of public housing and the debate over the future of the TTC, it's clear that council has taken charge and better decisions are now the result.

As your elected representative I have been working hard to ensure the neighbourhoods of the ward are not only protected during this volatile political drama, but together with leaders from the residential, institutional and commercial communities of Trinity Spadina we have found a way to advance the interests of downtown Toronto.

Our accomplishments are many.

On housing: only one property in Ward 20 remains on the list of potential houses to be sold by Toronto Community Housing Corporation. The Hydro Block, the Beverley-Dundas Mansions, and the Huron-Madison apartments have all been sent back to TCHC with instructions to strike these communities from the for-sale list. Additionally we have begun a process to amend the Official Plan policy that prevented us from creating new units of affordable housing in condominium developments. This opens the door to inclusionary zoning and sustaining the economic diversity of neighbourhoods.

Still on the planning file, we have created a new policy and process to create Heritage Conservation Districts. This means the studies and designations needed for Harbord Village, Kensington Market, the warehouse district in the King-Spadina area and the Annex can all move forward. Not only did council pass a new policy, but a motion I moved will also staff and resource the Preservation Services Division at City Hall so that the capacity to enact this critical piece of planning law is now possible. This is a big win for the conservation of our architectural and cultural history.

On the move to revitalize our neighbourhood parks, rebuilds are underway in every corner of the ward. Others will start as soon as what passed for winter this year ends and spring starts. None of these projects have been affected by the year long debate over the budget. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the costs of permits for our City's sports fields. Baseball, soccer, and cricket leagues are all facing steep increases to fees the City charges youth leagues to operate. Council is looking to reverse the budget decision from only a few weeks ago to make sure we don’t bankrupt local organizations, or price sport out of reach to families in the city.

Finally, the John St environmental assessment has passed through Council. The bold move to create a pedestrian friendly, cultural corridor, from the waterfront to Grange Park, now advances towards final design and build out with the Entertainment BIA taking the lead on this project. Residents concerned about cycling capacity in the south end of Ward 20 are being accommodated with bike lanes on Peter, Simcoe, Richmond, and Wellington.

For the last year we have made progress in Ward 20 precisely because of the new alliances and spirit of co-operation emerging on Council. The same political relationships that have saved public housing and moved transit forward are what have allowed us to safeguard progress in our ward. For this reason the year ahead looks good. Spring is here early!

Upcoming Public Meetings

Queen Street West Community Planning Meeting

Date:        Monday March 26, 2012
Time:        7:00 - 9:00 pm
Location:  Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St W, Committee Room 3

Join me and City Planning staff to hear about the plans for two proposed developments on Queen St W and provide your feedback. Presentations will be provided on:

- 219 Queen St W (parking lot on south side of Queen, west of Simcoe)
- 244 Queen St W (BMV Bookstore on north side of Queen, east of John - proposed renovation)

Toronto Port Authority Public Meeting about Tunnel Construction

Date:        Wednesday March 28, 2012
Time:        7:00pm
Location:  Harbourfront Community Centre,
                 627 Queens Quay (at Bathurst), gymnasium
 
The Toronto Port Authority will be hosting a public meeting to provide updates about the construction of the pedestrian tunnel, as well as plans for the TPA's proposed taxi staging and parking area. Construction of the tunnel is planned to begin this month and is estimated to take 25 months to complete.
 
I am requiring that the Toronto Port Authority create a Construction Management Plan for this project and my office has recommended the creation of a Construction Liaison Committee of immediate stakeholders, including the schools, Harbourfront Community Centre, and area residents adjacent to the airport, to quickly relay information and address concerns as they arise.

Community Meeting about Bellevue Square Park

Date:         Monday April 2, 2012
Time:         6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location:   St. Stephen's Community House, 91 Bellevue Ave, The Gym

This is the next in a series of public meetings to develop a plan to revitalize Bellevue Square Park. Join me, the design team, and staff from Parks, Forestry and Recreation to provide your feedback about some preliminary design concepts for the park.
 

Meeting about Proposed Development at 120-130 Harbour Street

Date:          Tuesday April 3, 2012
Time:          open house 6:30pm, public meeting 7:00-9:00pm
Location:    Pawsway, 245 Queens Quay West

Join me and City Planning staff to hear about the plans for the proposed development by Tridel at 120-130 Harbour Street (also referred to as 10 York Street). The application is for a 75-storey condominium tower with retail at grade.

For more information about any of these meetings, please contact my office at 416.392.4042 or by email to councillor_vaughan@toronto.ca

Environment Day is April 14th

Garbage Day Change in Seaton Village

Effective April 2, solid waste collection in Seaton Village (bounded by Bathurst Street, Christie Street, Bloor Street and the rail tracks at Dupont) will be on Thursdays instead of Tuesdays.

The first day of the new collection schedule will be Thursday April 4, 2012.

You should also receive a notice in the mail from the City of Toronto, and a new one-page collection calendar.

Please follow your current calendar and put out your waste materials on Tuesdays until March 30. Do not begin to put out your waste on Thursdays until the week of April 2.

Please also keep your current calendar as a reference guide for information about proper waste disposal. You can find local collection info online here:http://www.toronto.ca/garbage/single/index.htm

If you have questions about the new collection schedule or if you do not receive a new one-page collection calendar please call 311 or visit toronto.ca/311. If you have concerns or further questions please call Rebecca Hewitt of my office at 416-392-4044 or email rhewitt@toronto.ca.

TTC Work this Summer

Beginning in July, 2012, construction work will take place on sections of Spadina Avenue, between Bloor and Adelaide.  This work is required to bring the street and track infrastructure to a state of good repair.

The work has been deemed necessary municipal work, and will typically take place from 7am to 11pm, Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 11pm on weekends.  

The work is expected to be completed at the end of November, 2012.

During the construction there will be some changes to streetcar service on Spadina Ave, Queen St W, and Adelaide St.  Details will be posted on the affected stops prior to construction.

A poster regarding this work has been provided to area residents and business, and another notice with more details will be provided before the construction begins in July.

Road resurfacing will take place on Bloor Street West from Bathurst Street to Dundas Street West (including associated utility cut repairs, deficient curb / sidewalk replacement, and road works) starting Mid 2013.  My office and City staff are working with local BIAs to coordinate streetscape improvements with this work, and to try to ensure a smooth construction period.

This work is in planning stages, and more details will be forthcoming.