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Post City: Angry residents oppose new condo in Lower Village
November 18
Samantha Peksa
Post City Toronto
Renderings of condo buildings proposed for 390-398 Spadina Rd. in Forest Hill.
A community consultation meeting on Oct. 20 in Forest Hill saw approximately 100 angry residents voice their concerns about a nine-storey building proposed in the heart of the Lower Village.
The development for 390–398 Spadina Rd. by Armel Corporation, calls for 46 residential condo units and ground floor commercial space on the corner of Spadina Road and Montclair Avenue — where a two-storey building has sat empty for years.
Many residents at the meeting expressed their fears that this development could be the beginning of the end for Forest Hill Village’s small-town feel.
Ward 21 and 22 councillors Joe Mihevc and Josh Matlow delivered opening remarks, with Coun. Matlow opposing the development outright.
Toronto Star: Grade 6 students push for crosswalk with traffic study, impressing councillor
Most students say they jaywalk to reach a laneway behind their school, rather than taking a longer, safer route up the street.
November 13, 2015
Tara Deschamps
Toronto Star
Classmates from The Linden School collected data on traffic along Pleasant Blvd., which was then presented to Councillor Josh Matlow for possible action to establish a crosswalk.
For the most part, the Grade 6 girls of the Linden School are a well-behaved bunch.
Except when they’re crossing Pleasant Blvd. on their way to class.
It’s then that most dart across the street, jaywalking — a step that makes getting to school quicker, they say, because they can use a laneway behind Linden. Quicker maybe, but it also makes the trek more dangerous.
Post City: Push to protect landmark De La Salle College site
Developer takes proposal to build on historic property, near Avenue and St. Clair, to OMB.
October 20, 2015
Samantha Peksa
Post City
Local resident Michael Vaughan stands in front of the Oaklands property at 131 Farnham Ave. (1931)
Local heritage advocates celebrated a small victory last month, after a report by City of Toronto planners was adopted at Toronto city council to ensure more comprehensive heritage protection for the De La Salle College property — a prominent landmark on Avenue Road for over 150 years.
Councillor Josh Matlow initiated the heritage review two years ago, when he heard of the Catholic private school’s plan to sell a portion of the property to the developer Treasure Hill Homes.
The developer submitted a proposal for 28 townhouses for the site in March, which would require the demolition of the Fieldhouse (1924) and relocation of the wrought iron gates (circa 1860). They have now taken it to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), but a date has not been scheduled.
Post City: Push to protect landmark De La Salle College site
Developer takes proposal to build on historic property, near Avenue and St. Clair, to OMB.
October 20, 2015
Samantha Peksa
Post City
Local resident Michael Vaughan stands in front of the Oaklands property at 131 Farnham Ave. (1931)
Local heritage advocates celebrated a small victory last month, after a report by City of Toronto planners was adopted at Toronto city council to ensure more comprehensive heritage protection for the De La Salle College property — a prominent landmark on Avenue Road for over 150 years.
Councillor Josh Matlow initiated the heritage review two years ago, when he heard of the Catholic private school’s plan to sell a portion of the property to the developer Treasure Hill Homes.
The developer submitted a proposal for 28 townhouses for the site in March, which would require the demolition of the Fieldhouse (1924) and relocation of the wrought iron gates (circa 1860). They have now taken it to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), but a date has not been scheduled.
Toronto Star: Struggling UPX could work as part of SmartTrack, city report speculates
A draft report says the Union-Pearson airport express line could address some objectives of Mayor John Tory’s commuter plan.
October 14, 2015
Jennifer Pagliaro
Toronto Star
Passenger disembark from the Union Pearson Express train on its first day of operation in June. Photo: STEVE RUSSELL / TORONTO STAR
Toronto Mayor John Tory’s SmartTrack train network has the potential to absorb the fledgling Union Pearson Express (UPX), according to a draft city staff report viewed by the Star.
“While there is a need to consider the ridership ramp-up period and viability of a new transit operation over a period of time, there is a possibility that the business model for this (UPX) service may need to be modified at a future date,” says a draft version of a staff report on SmartTrack.
“There may also be a future opportunity to address some of the objectives that a SmartTrack service between Union Station and Pearson airport might afford. City staff are monitoring this situation and are prepared to work closely with Metrolinx in the event that options arise to adjust the current UPX business model,” the draft version said.
CBC News: Old City Hall: staff to study city museum option
Vote means any move to turn historic building into a retail space are on hold for now.
October 5, 2015
CBC News
A city committee is looking at possible future uses for Toronto's Old City Hall. The building is currently being used as a court house but the lease with the province expires in 2021. (Tony Hisgett/Wikimedia Commons)
Those who feared Toronto's Old City Hall would become a new city mall in five years can breathe a sigh of relief.
The city's Government Management Committee voted Monday to study the feasibility of turning the historic building into a city museum, before examining any other options for future tenants.
The building, which opened in 1899, is currently in use as a courthouse by the government of Ontario, but that lease will expire at the end of 2021.
