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The CWNA's primary concerns are Development, Placemaking (Parks and Public Spaces), Heritage Conservation and Community Safety.
[More about the CWNA] Check out our Interactive Map for information on planned and current condo development projects and improvements to our parks. Recent highlights from
Church Wellesley Update [view all] 5 Year Downtown East Action Plan goes to voteDowntown East Toronto is in the midst of an overdose and housing crisis and we can see the challenges everywhere around us. Last summer, the one year Downtown East Action Plan was adopted by City Council. The Plan includes 36 actions to address the areas of mental health, substance abuse, housing and homelessness, public safety, economic opportunities, and parks and public realm.
There is now a proposal for a 5-Year Action Plan for the Downtown East that will build and expand upon the work of the 12-Month Action Plan that has been in effect since last year. On Wednesday, June 26, the Economic & Community Development Committee will vote on the plan. It will be considered by City Council on July 16, subject to the actions of the Committee. Please sign the petition to support the Plan today. 
On May 27, a full house packed Toronto City Council chambers to learn about legislation proposed by the Ford government that would bring back the controversial Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), a provincial body known for running roughshod over city planning.
Bill 108, the More Homes, More Choice Act, was introduced on May 2 and weakens 13 existing laws regulating the development industry. Notably, the bill will bring back the rules of the old OMB, allowing provincially-appointed panels to decide what development is allowed, in the process overruling decisions of local councils. It was just a year ago that the Liberal government phased out the OMB and replaced it with the new Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), which was to have much less power over local decision-makers. Now those reforms will be reversed. If the new law is passed, we can expect the old ways to continue, with towers being built that are much taller and denser than what city planners calls for. But it will be worse, as the bill also merges — and significantly weakens — the tools used by cities to negotiate funds from developers to create new parks, schools, community centres and other infrastructure. The changes are being rushed, with little time for consultations. City Council has asked the province to provide the city and others with more time to officially comment on the proposed changes. For more information on Bill 108, see the City's web page: Bill 108:Changes to Ontario's Planning System. Make your voice heard! You can provide written comments to the Committee on Justice Policy: comm-justicepolicy@ola.org Doug Ford, Premier premier@ontario.ca 416-745-2859 @FordNation Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing: steve.clark@pc.ola.org 613-345-9522 @SteveClarkPC 
The CWNA held its 2019 AGM on March 21. The meeting was addressed by Councillor Wong-Tam, MPP Suze Morrison and School Board Trustee Chris Moise. CWNA Board members then reported on the areas of development, safety and placemaking.
The draft minutes of the meeting are now available. For an added visual experience, please take a look at the accompanying slide presentation pdf. 
Strolling down Church Street south of Wellesley these days, it’s hard not to notice the number of darkened storefronts and “For Lease” signs. While you might conclude this is a sign of decline in the Village, quite the opposite is true: because of intensification, land values are increasing, leading to a period of investment. As some businesses close down, others eventually come to take their place. Still, some of these storefronts have been closed for a while.
Every vacant shop has a story. Let’s look at some of them:
Downtown has experienced huge growth over the past few years, making the sidewalks on Yonge Street busy -- and crowded.
The City of Toronto is carrying out a study that focusses on the section of Yonge Street from Queen Street to College / Carlton Street. A number of opportunities will be considered to increase pedestrian space and improve the way people experience Yonge Street. A public information session about the project was held on May 9, but in case you missed it, check out the online version of the display boards, which map out the process and illustrate various redesign options. One key decision: how much of the street to dedicate to vehicles, pedestrians and bikes. You can also take an online survey to register your priorities for a revitalized Yonge Street. 33 Isabella (Isabella Court) Infill Consultation
Cromwell Property Management is proposing a 4 storey infill building on the west side of Isabella Court, the 27 storey, 400 unit rental building at 33 Isabella.
A community consultation, held on May 8, provided an update on the original proposal. Read on for details. Development Watch
Church Wellesley Northwest Tower
Village Safety Initiatives Move Forward
In the wake of a wave of murders that shook the Church Wellesley neighbourhood in 2017, the City and federal government, local organizations and the Toronto police are taking action to make our community safer. [More] Church Wellesley Update [view all]
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Community Calendar CWNA Board Meeting Sat., July 20 10 a.m. 519 Church St. 
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Join Us!
Please support the great work we do at the Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association
Annual memberships are just $5
Please support the great work we do at the Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association
Annual memberships are just $5