“I was just looking at the BWVRA notice about the Humber/Riverview building.  I have to commend the BWVRA on its continuing work to keep the village development to a reasonable level.  The rendering of the proposed building is at least kept to mid-rise and the design at least has some interesting features that break up the glass box effect.  I think that without the continuing pressure that the Association has wielded, BWV would look very different at this point.  Well done!” 

ES, Toronto

Our recent survey highlighted the local tree canopy is an important issue with Bloor West Village residents. If you are interested in having some help engaging the community in your tree initiative, LEAF is looking for community partners to collaborate with their Young Urban Forest Leaders (YUFL) program.

YUFL participants will work closely with a community leader over a five-month period (May to September) to host outreach events, plant native species, deliver community events, and educate the community on the importance of native plants for urban wildlife.

To learn more and apply, click here. The deadline for applications is Sunday, 5 April at 11:59 PM. You can also join LEAF for the YUFL Information Session on Thursday, March 12th (6:30 PM to 8:00 PM). Register for the event here.

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Bike lanes along Bloor Street West is a topic that has resonated positively amongst our residents, accordingly to our last neighbourhood survey. We’ve made a copy of the complete 2019 Economic Impact study available here.

Some findings:

The number of businesses that reported 100 customers or more per day increased in the study area

After accounting for contributing factors (such as age, gender and proximity), visitors reported coming to Bloor three days more per month after the bike lane was installed

Walking remained the most popular travel choice, used by nearly half (48%) of visitors on Bloor, and driving is now the least (10%)

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Find out at this local meeting next month, hosted by Ward 4 Councillor, Gord Perks. The details are as follows:

Monday, February 3rd, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton School – 3rd Floor Staff Room
1515 Bloor Street West (near Dundas West Station)

An accessible entrance is available on the south side of the building on Dundas Street.

For more information, click here. For details on Toronto’s 2020 budget process and how to get involved, click here.

Some of the earliest forms of artwork were paintings on walls…

StreetARToronto (StART) is a suite of innovative programs designed specifically for streets and public spaces. Initiated in 2012 as an integral part of the City’s Graffiti Management Plan, StART has been successful in reducing graffiti vandalism and replacing it with vibrant, colourful, community-engaged street art.

StART programs encourage active transportation (walking and cycling), make our streets more beautiful and safe, showcase local artists, mentor emerging talent, reduce overall infrastructure maintenance costs and more.

You can download a copy of the 2020 Information Session here.

The Zoning By-law Amendment application for 2442-2454 Bloor St West has been approved by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT).

In April 2019, the developer, the City and all of the other parties to the appeal reached a settlement for a 12-storey building on site, which the LPAT approved in principle. The Final Order was held, pending satisfaction of a number of conditions.

Those conditions are set out in Appendix A of the Confidential Report from the City Solicitor adopted at the June 2018 meeting of City Council, which can be read here. All supporting documentation for the Zoning By-law Amendment application, including architectural plans and technical reports, is available online at the City’s Application Information Centre, under “Supporting Documentation” here.

A site plan application, including “streetscaping” at corner of Bloor and Riverview Gardens remains under review and a demolition application for buildings on site is still pending.