Toronto Star: Councillor takes on Toronto’s chief planner over ‘flawed’ subway numbers
Josh Matlow2017-05-29T19:23:46+00:00Emails reveal conflict between Josh Matlow and Jennifer Keesmaat over seemingly inflated Scarborough ridership projections.
December 17
Jennifer Pagliaro
Toronto Star
Toronto's chief planner, Jennifer Keesmaat, has acknowledged the figures produced by city staff before council did a flip-flop on a Scarborough subway were produced in a rushed process. Photo: CARLOS OSORIO / TORONTO STAR
As the public debate over the Scarborough subway continues, behind the scenes, the city’s chief planner and the most vocal opponent of the project on city council have been sparring over “flawed” numbers.
The war of words between Ward 22 (St. Paul’s) Councillor Josh Matlow and chief planner Jennifer Keesmaat escalated last month, during a back-and-forth obtained by the Star.
Their letters highlight continuing criticism over the justification for a three-stop, $3.56-billion subway. But they also draw attention to concerns over the part senior staff played in seeing a seven-stop, fully funded, $1.48-billion LRT cancelled.
Matlow first sent a public letter to Keesmaat on Sept. 18 about the numbers that influenced council’s 2013 subway decision, which followed on a memo sent by Keesmaat to all councillors about upcoming public consultations.
“I am writing you in advance of these meetings to request that Toronto residents and council are provided with accurate, reliable information with which to assess these transit projects,” Matlow wrote.
Post City: Developer pledges to work with community on 42-storey condo plan at Yonge & St. Clair
Josh Matlow2017-05-29T19:23:46+00:00November 20
Angela Hennessy
Post City Toronto
Josh Matlow stands in front of the proposed site
Terracap developers were told to go back to the drawing board last month after Toronto and East York Community Council rejected their proposal for a 42-storey building near the southeast corner at Yonge and St. Clair.
Their original proposal called for a mixed-use building with 420 residential units, two levels of retail space and 136 parking spaces.
The proposal was refused largely because of the height and density, as well as the narrow setback that would have taken away sidewalk space.
“It would have just felt like a big wall on Yonge Street,” Ward 22 councillor Josh Matlow said.
Post City: Angry residents oppose new condo in Lower Village
Josh Matlow2017-05-29T19:23:46+00:00November 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
Josh Matlow2017-05-29T19:23:46+00:00Most 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
Josh Matlow2017-05-29T19:23:46+00:00Developer 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
Josh Matlow2017-05-29T19:23:47+00:00Developer 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
Josh Matlow2017-05-29T19:23:47+00:00A 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
Josh Matlow2017-05-29T19:23:47+00:00Vote 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.
Toronto Sun: Council orders signs removed for City Hall windows
Josh Matlow2017-05-29T19:23:47+00:00October 2, 2015
Don Peat
Toronto Sun
Rob Ford signs displayed in his office windows at Toronto City Hall Friday, October 2, 2015. (Stan Behal/Toronto Sun)
City Hall staff were ordered by council Friday to remove all signs from the exterior windows “immediately.”
The request, put forward by Councillor Josh Matlow, was a less-than-subtle bid to get rid of the two giant “Rob Ford Councillor” signs that have been displayed in the Etobicoke councillor’s office window for months.
Ford’s window is prime real estate — it looks out over Nathan Phillips Square and is just above the front doors to City Hall.
Toronto Star: Forest Hill residents win first round in fight over trees
Josh Matlow2016-02-22T16:01:14+00:00Property owner who wanted to build a two-storey house on Chaplin Cres. that would mean cutting at least 14 mature trees says he’ll appeal to the OMB.
September 24, 2015
Betsy Powell
Toronto Star
The ravine property at 256 Chaplin Cres. includes numerous mature trees that would have to be chopped down with a large home is built there. Photo: RICHARD LAUTENS / TORONTO STAR
The Toronto and East York committee of adjustment has refused a property owner’s request for variances to build a large home on a ravine lot in Forest Hill.
Some 22 residents, and the city’s forestry department, had objected to the plan because of the loss of trees and canopy coverage.
“We’re elated,” said Lucianna Ciccocioppo, a neighbour who led opposition to the project at 256 Chaplin Cres. “We look forward to seeing the revisions of the plans.”
