Bloor West Village Avenue Study: Open House

October 7, 2024 Michael No Comments News

What kind of change and growth can we expect to see along Bloor Street West between Keele Street and the Humber River? Come out to an open house to see how the City proposes to guide and regulate intensification in this major corridor we share.

Work on this Avenue Study began several years ago, including technical analysis and community consultation. A parallel heritage study of the area was also completed. A good deal of work was completed and presented to City Council in 2018. After that milestone report, the Avenue Study process seemed to slow down for a few years.

But it’s back — and it is still important for communities along this stretch of Bloor Street West like ours. This open house will be an opportunity for residents to see the City’s current outlook on Bloor Street West, including proposed area-specific planning tools and urban design guidelines.

The details: October 15, 2024 from 7 PM to 8:30 PM, Runnymede United Church Memorial Hall.

More information can be found in this brief.

E-bike, Scooters and Mopeds Explained

September 16, 2024 Michael Leave a comment News

Our local bike lanes are becoming increasingly popular with bicycles and now, e-bikes, e-scooters and e-mopeds. Each are very different in size, weight, and speed. The latter three each pose an opportunity for transportation and exercise, but also issues for pedestrians and other non-powered cyclists. And regulation has not caught up. This Global and Mail article neatly sums up the story.

City Introduces New Changes For Short Term Rental Operators Like Airbnb

July 5, 2024 Michael Leave a comment Feedback, News

The City of Toronto has implemented the following changes for short-term rental operators like Airbnb and booking.com, effective June 30 of this year: 

  • Operators will need to post a physical copy of the emergency contact information and exit diagrams prominently in the rental for the duration of the guest’s rental period. 
  • The 40-day registration revocation process will be reduced to a 10-day process. The appeal process will remain to allow operators to provide evidence and information to explain why their registration should not be revoked. 
  • Revised definitions of short-term rental, principal residence and dwelling unit clarify the bylaw and make it easier for operators to understand the regulations.
  • Licensed multi-tenant house operators will be prohibited from applying for a short-term rental registration. 

Changes coming into effect in September 2024 will reportedly strengthen the principal residence requirements, authorize annual inspections and introduce a limit of one registration per dwelling unit. Starting January 2025, the operator registration fees will increase and operators will be required to choose between registering as either an entire-unit operator (i.e. short-term renting entire home) or as a partial-unit operator (i.e. short-term renting only rooms in the home) for the duration of their registration period. 

More information on the bylaw changes and an updated Good Operator Guide are available at toronto.ca/ShortTermRentals. For any questions regarding the new rules, please email ShortTermRentals@toronto.ca.

Walk Roll Map Makes It Easier To Get Around

July 3, 2024 Michael Leave a comment Media

If you walk or need a walking aid to get around Bloor West Village, this map is a great way to see where hazards, missing amenities or recent incidents have happened on our sidewalks and paths. It’s like Waze, but for when you’re not in a car.

Be sure to allow the site to access your location, so that you get the most accurate information.

Flooded Basement?

June 14, 2024 Michael Leave a comment Events

The City is arranging for a public consultation period for basement flooding in our area which can experience basement and recurring surface flooding during extreme rainfall events. A study is underway to determine the contributing factors to surface and basement flooding. The City is recommending solutions to improve the City’s sewer system and drainage routes in order to mitigate flooding problems.The study recommendations include:

  • New storm sewers and catchbasins on local roads
  • Replacing existing sewers with larger pipes that have more capacity
  • Three (3) new large relief sewers, the Sunnyside, Garrison and Cabbagetown relief sewers, to provide additional capacity to relieve the existing overburdened sewers
  • Underground tanks or in-line storage pipes in new or replacement sewers to store excess storm water during extreme rainfall events
  • Vertical storage shafts in relief sewers

More information on the study is available in the attached newsletter and at toronto.ca/downtownbf. The City is hosting a virtual public meeting to share details about the study recommendations. The meeting will include a presentation followed by a Question and Answer period.

The meeting details are as follows:

Date and time: Tuesday, June 25, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Register: https://toronto.webex.com/weblink/register/r3512ce3eaafdbd2826521549bb0e32e6

If you would like to attend this meeting please register in advance using the above link.

Bloor West Village Bike Lane Study May Surprise You

May 31, 2024 Michael Leave a comment News

Completed just this past week is a study on the recent effects of new bike lanes established along Bloor Street West in our neighbourhood. In short, the volume of bikes using the lanes has increased together with a reduction of bikes using our sidewalks. To read more and see the full stats, click here. As summer gets underway, the BWVA is very encouraged by these results.

Noise, Noise, Noise

August 28, 2023 Michael Leave a comment News

The Noise Bylaw (Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 591) provides standards for noise, and applies to all properties in Toronto. It must balance the desires of all residents to enjoy their homes and environments, and at the same time recognize that in a City as large and vibrant as Toronto, certain levels of noise are reasonable and reflect life in a densely populated area. 

The 2023 Implementation Review of the Noise Bylaw will assess
amendments made to the Bylaw in 2019 and consider potential refinements.

There will be six (6) consultation meetings to seek feedback on the public’s experience with the amended Noise Bylaw and the refinements under consideration. Each consultation will focus on one particular area related to the Noise Bylaw, as listed below. There will be a combination of in-person and virtual meetings. Note that there will be two identical meetings held for Amplified Sound and General Noise, one virtual and one in-person.  

If you’re interested in attending, please register using this link and select the meeting(s) that most align with your interest(s). You are welcome to attend multiple sessions. Links to the virtual meetings are available on the dedicated registration pages.

Traffic Changes In High Park

July 28, 2023 Michael Leave a comment News

Beginning Saturday, August 5:

  • The West Road and parts of Colborne Lodge Drive, south of Grenadier Café, will be car-free at all times
  • The main vehicle entrance will be at Parkside Drive and High Park Boulevard and will be open Monday to Friday and closed on weekends and holidays. Visitor vehicles will not be permitted to enter at Bloor Street West
  • Visitor vehicle access will be provided to the Children’s Garden, Colborne Lodge Drive and the Spring Road Parking lot at all times
  • Public parking spaces within High Park will be reduced. Designated pick-up/drop-off spaces will be added near main destinations
  • Dedicated bike lanes will be added to Centre Road and Colborne Lodge Drive
  • Improved pavement markings and signage will be added to pedestrian crossing areas