Category: Feedback

UPDATE: How High Are We Prepared To Go In Bloor West Village?

April 29, 2026 Michael Leave a comment Feedback, Meeting info

(A PUBLIC MEETING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR THIS PROJECT ON JULY 8. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE. THE MEETING CAN BE FOLLOWED LIVE, HERE)

This High?

A sixteen story building is being planned for 2273/2279 Bloor Street West, which falls on the south side of the street between Durie Street and Windemere Avenue. The proposed design and height is rendered in the graphic above. 

Key aspects of proposed development include:

  • 16 storeys plus an additional mechanical and amenity floor on top
  • 60 residential dwelling units (rental)
  • 6,500 square metres (69,965 sq ft) residential gross floor area
  • 159 square metres (1,711 sq ft) at-grade retail space 
  • 6,659  square metres (71,677 sq ft) total gross floor area
  • No vehicle parking
  • 74 spaces bicycle parking

The BWVRA Position

Our position is to not restrict development in Bloor West Village, nor to limit the building of rental housing. Our unique village is not ours alone to enjoy and live in. We support responsible development that’s in keeping with neighbourhood character and that complements surrounding buildings. The proposed development is an over-sized structure that will be harmful to the main street of Bloor West Village.

The proposed development has a floor space index (FSI) of 10.8,  well beyond an FSI of 6 that is now the provincial required minimum density for a mixed-use building at this distance from a subway station (over 200 metres and less than 500 metres). 

We support limiting the development to an FSI of 6. We also support a reduction in building height to 8-10 storeys in total, not the proposed 16+ storeys.  

Our Concerns

Building is out of scale with the village centre 

  • At 16 storeys, the proposed building is out of scale and place with the consistent blocks of 2-3 storey buildings that provide the “Village Main Street” character identified in the 2018 Bloor West Village Avenue Study. 
  • Tall buildings that pop up in the middle of a block are not a compatible built form for this section of Bloor West Village.
  • They are suited to the existing and emerging contexts at the east and west ends of the Village, providing a sense of arrival and transition to the lower scale Village Main Street area.
  • Limit the development to an FSI of 6 instead of the 10.8 proposed in the application. This will address the minimum density requirement for transit station areas while allowing for a better fit with the central section of Bloor West Village.

Over-shadowing of north side sidewalk  

  • One tall and narrow building will have limited immediate shadow impacts on the north side sidewalk, but it may be a precedent for similar or higher buildings adjacent to it and elsewhere along Bloor. 
  • The result over time will likely be an accumulation of tall buildings on the south side that will severely limit sun and light on the north side sidewalk throughout the year.  

Parking

  • A new 60-unit building without parking is unprecedented in Bloor West Village. 
  • The Transportation Impact Study for the application notes “Under Zoning By-law 569-2013, the site requires a minimum of three visitor parking spaces; however, the proposed development provides no on-site parking and therefore does not meet this requirement.”
  • The transportation study also notes 3 nearby Green P parking lots on the north side of Bloor within a 2–5 minute walk that can accommodate visitor demand and offer a practical alternative to on-site parking.
  • Elimination of parking requirements on new development is a recent policy direction for Toronto. It is unclear how demand for parking from future occupants and visitors for this development will impact parking in the neighbourhood, particularly on-street parking and overnight parking.
  • Will the City ensure that NO on-street parking permits will ever be issued to this development? 

Solid waste and recycling  

  • It is unclear how garbage and recyclables from 60 units will occur. 
  • The applicant’s presentation at the March 11th meeting and documents in support of the application contain inconsistencies on how and where materials will be picked up (e.g., some say Bloor, some say Durie) and by whom.
  • Concern is that the quality and space of the sidewalks and surrounding public realm (street trees, bicycle path, benches, outdoor seating and dining, etc.)  are not impacted by solid waste and recycling management and potential associated nuisances.

How Did We Get Here? 

At a standing room only meeting on March 11, 2026 at Swansea Town Hall, residents expressed many concerns about a proposed rezoning application for a 16-storey building on three properties on the south side of Bloor, just west of Durie (2273, 2277 and 2279 Bloor Street West). 

Concerns arising from local meeting

  • Proposed height and built form.
  • Sunlight access on Bloor Street West specifically on the north side of Bloor.
  • precedent for future developments in the area.
  • Servicing the building including garbage pickup.
  • Protection of adjacent buildings and uses during construction
  • Bird migration and potential impacts on chimney swifts.

Overall, many residents were concerned the 16-storey building is a very significant change for the “Village Main Street” at the heart of Bloor West Village. Opportunities remain for residents to learn about this proposed development and provide their input to the City as the application is under review. There will also be an opportunity for community input when the application goes before Toronto and East York Community Council for approval or refusal (expected by early summer).

Contacts for providing comments on this application are provided further below. This post also provides links to additional information about the proposed development.

Where is the application in the planning review process and what is ahead?

City planners and other staff are reviewing the application with respect to planning policies and bylaws, site specific details, municipal services, etc., as well as public input. The next step in the process will be a staff report from City Planning recommending refusal or approval of the application. The staff report is expected at a meeting of Toronto and East York Community Council later this spring (May 28, 2026) or early summer (July 8 and 9, 2026). A statutory public meeting on the application will be held as part of the meeting of Community Council.  The statutory public meeting provides a public forum for debate on the merits of the application.

Your opinions are important!

There is consensus that residential intensification along our main streets and transit lines is important. How it works with communities and neighbourhoods requires good planning and urban design. At this stage in the process, your comments or questions are important and welcomed. Write or contact the following City staff in the Development Review division and copy our elected officials.

Contact List and Links 

  • Pavel Kopec, Community Planning at pavel.kopec@toronto.ca or (416) 394-8016. 
  • Dan Nicholson, Manager, Community Planning at dan.nicholson.ca or (416) 397-4077
  • Councillor Gord Perks at Councillor_Perks@toronto.ca
  • Mayor Olivia Chow at Mayor_Chow@toronto.ca
  • Alexa Gilmour, MPP at agilmour-qp@ndp.on.ca
  • The Application Number is 25 269621 STE 04 OZ and the following is the link to the Application Information Centre page: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/application-details/?id=5759532&pid=717235&title=2279-BLOOR-ST-W
  • The City’s presentation provided background information on planning policies and the application review process.
  • The applicant’s presentation at the March 11 meeting featured graphics and details about the proposed development, including composition of the rental units and the building’s interior and outdoor amenity areas.

High Park: People and Bicycles

April 2, 2026 Michael Leave a comment Feedback

Our neighbouring High Park is popular with walkers, runners and cyclists. And all need to share the road network safely and equitably. With this in mind, the City is moving forward with a few permenant options to consider, in making changes to signage and pavement markings.

If you use High Park and would like to provide feedback, click here for a survey which is open until April 21. You can also attend this meeting, which is being held on April 7 at 6 PM.

What Do You Want To See As Toronto’s Street Furniture?

February 18, 2026 Michael Leave a comment Feedback, News

What is street furniture? Sofas, chairs and coffee tables? Not exactly, although seating is indeed included.

The City of Toronto is exploring opportunities to update its Street Furniture Program, and it wants your input. They’ve launched a short survey to learn what street furniture features and functions matter most to you (e.g. real-time information at transit shelters, more seating, Wi?Fi and more). Your feedback will be considered as the City makes updates to the program. 

Here’s a link to the survey which closes on March 29: https://ca.mar.medallia.com/StreetFurniture. No personal information will be collected.

Bringing Back Open Streets Programs

November 2, 2025 Michael Leave a comment Feedback

The BWVRA supports a return to programs we’ve seen in the past such as OpenStreetsTO and ActiveTO, and the encouragement they provide for healthier, more active lifestyles. Our neighbourhood, with its parks, streets and local shopping, is no exception. We believe we’d gain by people walking and biking more safely as they engage with their BWV community.

If you, like us, would like to see this program brought back in 2026 by our city leadership, please visit this link to learn more and show your support. Thank you.

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.

UPDATE: Bloor Street West Bike Lane Extension Beginning Week of September 11

May 30, 2023 Michael Leave a comment Feedback, News

THIS HAS BEEN APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL

The public consultation process is complete and you can review the Public Consultation Report as well as other project information at Toronto.ca/BloorWest.

Transportation Services is seeking City Council authority to install the proposed complete street elements on Bloor Street West from Runnymede Road to Resurrection Road as well as accompanying changes to the South Kingsway intersection.  If approved, phase 1 from Runnymede Road to Aberfoyle Crescent would be installed in summer of 2023. Changes to Bloor Street West would be made with materials that can be installed quickly, such as bollards, roadway paint, planters and signage. No major road reconstruction is planned.

Highlights of the proposed design on Bloor Street West include the following:

  • Reducing the speed limit to 40km/hr between Runnymede Road and Kipling Avenue;
  • New cycle tracks with physical separation on both sides;
  • One motor vehicle lane removed in each direction between Runnymede Road and Aberfoyle Crescent;
  • One motor vehicle lane removed in the eastbound direction between Aberfoyle Crescent and Resurrection Road (due to the wider right-of-way and motor vehicle volumes, it is proposed to maintain two westbound motor vehicle lanes in this segment);
  • Centre median maintained between Kingscourt Drive and Royal York Road, and a new painted median over the Humber River and the Mimico Creek bridges;
  • Centre left-turn lane between Aberfoyle Crescent and Green Lanes;
  • Centre lane or median converted to new, centre left-turn lane from Armadale Avenue to South Kingsway; Old Mill Drive to Riverside Drive; Old Mill Trail and Kingscourt Drive; and Royal York Road and Aberfoyle Crescent;
  • Existing turn lanes at major intersections maintained between Prince Edward Drive and Aberfoyle Crescent;
  • Westbound bus lane and right-turn lane on the north side of Bloor Street West from Armadale Avenue to Jane Street;
  • On-street parking retained on both sides of the street from Runnymede Road to Armadale Avenue, and in existing parking lay-bys from Armadale Avenue to Aberfoyle Crescent (in the summer, on-street parking can become cafés beside the sidewalk as part of the CaféTO program); and
  • One painted pedestrian lane on the south side between Kingscourt Drive and Prince Edward Drive to address the existing sidewalk gap adjacent to the cemetery before a permanent sidewalk can be built.

Highlights of the proposed design at the South Kingsway intersection include the following:

  • New cycle tracks and removal of one motor vehicle lane per direction on Bloor Street West;
  • Close the eastern entrance of Mossom Road to southbound vehicles in order to improve safety and predictability of motor vehicle movements at the intersection. The majority of pedestrian collisions have occurred with drivers turning across the South Kingsway crosswalk with pedestrians having the right-of-way. Two irregular driving manoeuvers would no longer be allowed with the proposed closure to the eastern entrance. Mossom Road would be converted to two-way travel for part of its length to provide residential access. A new left-turn lane would be provided at Riverside Drive and the existing left-turn restriction from Bloor Street West would be removed;
  • Extend the length of left-turn lanes for drivers turning from Bloor Street West onto South Kingsway and Jane Street; and
  • Add more green signal time for the busiest motor vehicle movements.

Toronto Life Magazine May Want to Hear From You Bloor West Village

May 26, 2023 Michael Leave a comment Feedback, Media

City magazine Toronto Life is looking for people with interesting real estate/housing stories (buying, selling, renovations, etc) or a strong point of view about a housing issue in the city that they are personally affected by who are willing to tell their stories. If you have an opinion or story to tell, please reach out to Maddy Mahoney, Digital Producer, Toronto Life at maighdlin.mahoney@stjoseph.com.

So How Do You Feel About Hens in Our Backyards?

January 18, 2023 Michael Leave a comment Feedback

Building on the broad public consultations conducted in 2022, the City wants to reconnect with you to hear your opinions on making the UrbanHensTO pilot program permanent and city-wide. Take an online survey to share your thoughts and any additional comments on issues related to the program, such as nuisance, public health, food security, veterinarian care and animal welfare in Toronto. The deadline to submit comments is February 7.

Your feedback from the survey will update the City’s understanding about the program, help staff gauge the extent to which the public support making the program permanent, and inform the final staff report expected at the April 2023 meeting of the Economic and Community Development Committee.

Learn more at toronto.ca/UrbanHensTO.

Do These Things Or Your Pipes May Freeze

December 21, 2022 Michael Leave a comment Feedback

This time of year can often be variable: cold days, mild days, cold days… It will eventually be much colder, longer, so consider these tips to ensure your home’s plumbing is safe:

Locate your main water shut-off valve inside your home and add a tag or label to it, so it is easy to locate and turn off quickly if pipes burst in your home

Seal air leaks in your home and garage to stop cold air from getting in. Check around windows and doors, electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes

Insulate pipes in your home most prone to freezing including near outside walls, in the basement, or in a garage with an outside water supply. Use foam pipe covers available from building supply or home improvement stores

Keep the house warm even if you’re away to prevent indoor plumbing from freezing, especially in the area near the water meter

When temperatures are below -15C for a few days, you can choose to keep the water moving in your pipes by running a pencil-thin stream of cold water from a tap in the lowest point of the house e.g. a sink or tub in the basement. Ensure the drain is kept clear of debris to prevent overflowing or flooding. However, if you choose to take this step, you will be charged for the water you use. 

More tips including a video on ways to avoid frozen pipes available at toronto.ca/frozenpipes