News

1837-1845 Bayview Update

Bayview High-rise

The Gupta Group has proposed a 25-storey mixed-use building for the southeast corner of Bayview and Broadway, currently occupied by 6 single-family residences. The developer has asked that the site be rezoned from its current Residential Detached zoning, with a height limit of 8.5M, to allow an 83.5M high building with an additional 7.4M mechanical penthouse. A total of 288 dwelling units and 256 square metres of non-residential uses are proposed, with a density of 8.695 times the area of the site.

The developer has not responded to any of the City’s (or residents’) concerns and appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, with a 14-day hearing scheduled to start on October 17, 2023.

Opposition to strong mayor legislation grows

Toronto City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square

Opposition to Ontario Bill 39, Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022, giving the Toronto’s John Tory “strong mayor” powers continues to grow. FoNTRA wrote a letter to Mayor John Tory on November 23, 2022 expressing strong objections to what is widely seen as an anti-democratic move by the provincial government. It was followed by another letter on November 28, urging the mayor to call an emergency session of council to discuss the matter; he refused, despite calls from many of his own councillors to do so.

On December 6, fifteen of the 25 city councillors, including Ward 15’s councillor, Jaye Robinson, sent a joint letter to Premier Doug Ford and Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark, urging a halt to the legislation.

Municipal election candidates’ meeting

Toronto Skyline with election slogan "Your City. Your Vote."

The LRA is helping to organize a virtual meeting of candidates for City Councillor in Ward 15 (Don Valley West) on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, 7-8:30 PM.

New Electoral Map

Ontario Electoral Map

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario has proposed a new electoral map for consideration at public hearings this fall. This map introduces changes to Ontario’s federal electoral district boundaries and has been developed through an independent and non-partisan process.

The electoral boundaries for Leaside will change drastically – splitting Leaside into two different electoral districts. This will potentially affect ALL levels of government, as the provincial boundaries and the municipal ward boundaries are currently the same as the federal ones since the number of Toronto wards was reduced to 25 in 2018.

Leaside Neighbourhood Transportation Plan moves ahead

Traffic diversion example

We are pleased to report that the Leaside Neighbourhood Transportation Plan is moving ahead, bringing us one step closer to making our neighbourhood safe for everyone. Following an initial community consultation in February, the City has launched an on-line mapping tool for residents to register problem areas and offer suggested improvements. The on-line mapping tool will be open for your input until September 2nd, 2022 so be sure to take advantage of this opportunity. You can also sign-up for email updates about this project.

Yonge4All – what’s it all about?

Yonge4All

Anyone who has gone for a stroll down Yonge Street between Davisville and Bloor recently has seen how the Midtown Yonge Complete Street Pilot has transformed Yonge Street, with people out walking and biking, dining in streetside cafes, pop-up events orchestrated by the local Business Improvement Areas, and improved safety for everyone. The Leaside Residents Association has supported this project since its inception in 2021 because it strives to balance the needs of all road users and protect the most vulnerable, while supporting Toronto’s climate goals by encouraging low carbon modes of travel such as walking, biking, and taking transit.

eglinton TOday Complete Street

Complete street

Following on the successes of quick-build complete streets such as Danforth Avenue and Midtown Yonge, City Council recently approved the eglinton TOday Complete Street project. You may recall that the Eglinton Crosstown LRT was to be accompanied by Eglinton Connects Streetscape – a complete street installation with space for walking and cycling, street beautification and designated areas for parking, deliveries and accessible loading. As the Eglinton Crosstown LRT nears completion, the City has initiated the eglinton TOday project to bring the complete street benefits to the corridor sooner using a quick-build approach, with the permanent installation to be scheduled coincident with future road work projects.

Candidates debate

Elections Ontario map of Don Valley West

The LRA and nine other local residents’ associations are convening a virtual debate for candidates in the upcoming provincial election in Don Valley West. The debate is scheduled for Monday, May 16, 7 – 9 p.m..

The following candidates are confirmed:

  • Green Party: Sheena Sharp
  • Liberal Party: Stephanie Bowman
  • New Democratic Party: Irwin Elman
  • Progressive Conservative Party: Mark Saunders

Garden Suites – call to action

Garden-Suites

The City enacted a bylaw change in February to allow the construction of garden suites throughout Toronto as of right (i.e. no need for a variance):

  • A garden suite can occupy 20% of a lot and be two storeys plus basement. That’s approximately the size of an original Leaside home.
  • In the view of the LRA, this bylaw change was made without sufficient consultation and will allow for construction that is too large and intrusive for many lots.
  • You can read more about garden suites on the website of the new “Building Better Neighbourhoods” association – an alliance of residents’ associations from across Toronto.
  • This group has launched a letter-writing campaign supporting changes to the bylaw, including size limits and greater tree protection.
  • As a call to action, you can send a letter to the Mayor and Councillors expressing your views.

1778-1787 Bayview Avenue

Leaside Station

The LRA is becoming increasingly concerned about the possibility of high-rise construction to the southeast of Bayview and Eglinton:

  • As previously reported, 1787 Bayview (Leaside Station entrance) is vastly overbuilt for a transit entrance and is structurally designed to support a large tower – see the photo above.
  • Also as previously reported, 1783-1785 Bayview (first quadruplex south of the station) has had its tenants evicted. Two weeks ago, the heritage consultants for Metrolinx released a draft report [PDF, 139 pages] stating that the building had no heritage value. The LRA has written to critique this report including its own assessment reaching a different conclusion about the building’s heritage value.