Church Wellesley Update
News from the Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association
 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.  The "tower in the park" style of building, pioneered by Le Corbusier, was popular in Toronto in the sixties and seventies. These residential towers were distinguished by the generous amount of open space around them, leaving room on the property for trees, gardens, water features and other landscaping. Now that land values have skyrocketed, owners of some of these properties are looking to monetize their open spaces with infill projects.
One example is Isabella Court, the 27 storey, 400 unit rental building at 33 Isabella. Cromwell Property Management is proposing a 4 storey building on the west side of the property, with 15 apartments and ground floor administrative offices. A community consultation, held on May 8, provided an update on the original proposal. City staff had noted that, over time, some amenity spaces at 33 Isabella had been replaced by rented office space. As well, the infill building removes the existing outdoor tennis court. Some key points:
Negotiations between the City and the owner will continue before the City provides final approval of the project. Related: City Staff preliminary report (Dec., 2018) Toronto Development Application  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:
Toronto’s annual spring cleanup - Clean Toronto Together - is back! Over 200,000 residents will come together for the 16th annual city-wide cleanup of public spaces. On Saturday, April 27, join your neighbours in The Village Edition of Clean Toronto Together to spruce up Barbara Hall Park, Paul Kane Park, Alexander Street Parkette and Church Street. Meet us at Barbara Hall Park at 11:00 am. Cleaning supplies, coffee and snacks will be provided.  Development Watch: Church Wellesley Northwest Tower​(64 and 66 Wellesley E. & 552-570 Church)2/26/2019
 Since developer ONE Properties bought the northwest corner of Church and Wellesley, it has submitted two development applications and appealed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.
The City is now designating one of the buildings, 64 Wellesley E., under the Ontario Heritage Act. What ends up at this iconic intersection is far from settled. Find out the details on our Church Wellesley NW Tower Development Watch page. We want your input! The CWNA's 2019 AGM will be held on Thursday, March 21, 6:30pm at the 519. What do you want to hear about? Fill out our short (1 question) survey to let us know!
 With our neighbourhood undergoing rapid intensification, battling noise pollution is more important than ever. The City is reviewing the Noise Bylaw and wants to hear from you. The review aims to introduce updates that reflect our growing and vibrant city, while enhancing the noise standards that protect residents. The City began reviewing the Noise Bylaw in 2015. In 2016, a Noise Working Group was convened with stakeholders from resident associations, business improvement areas, the music and entertainment industry, the construction and building industry and other city divisions and agencies. The Noise Working Group met nine times and concluded in 2017. The group reviewed current and proposed amendments to the noise bylaw and highlighted outstanding issues. In April 2018, a report documenting these outstanding issues and next steps in the noise bylaw review was brought to City Council. The City has also undertaken additional research and consultation, and is now hosting five public consultations seeking feedback on emerging Noise Bylaw updates: 1. Power Equipment (for example: leaf blowers) Monday January 28, 2019, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. North York Civic Centre Member’s Lounge (5100 Yonge St.) 2. Motor Vehicles Tuesday January 29, 2019, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Metro Hall, Room 310 (55 John St.) 3. Amplified Sound (for example: music from bars) Wednesday January 30, 2019, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Scadding Court Community Centre (707 Dundas St. West) 4. Construction Noise (for example: condo developments and residential infill) Tuesday February 5, 2019, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Centre for Social Innovation, Regent Park Lounge (585 Dundas St. East) 5. General Prohibition (for example: general noise that is likely to disturb others) Wednesday February 6, 2019, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Garage (720 Bathurst St.) Your feedback will be used to recommend updates to the Noise Bylaw in a report going to Council in spring 2019. You can also submit feedback by email until February 28, 2019 at mlsfeedback@toronto.ca More information on the Noise Bylaw Review is available on the City of Toronto website.  Join MPP Suze Morrison and meet your neighbours at a Community Update Meeting. MPP Morrison will share her updates with community members like you about her work advocating for Toronto Centre at Queen’s Park. You will also have the opportunity to share your concerns at this meeting.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019 7:00 - 8:30pm Glad Day Bookshop - 499 Church Street.  [This article was updated in January 2019]
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 working hard to make our community safer. A Year of Fear and Anger The urgency for action was obvious following the chilling events of 2017:
The community was shaken to the core, as a sense of fear and vulnerability led to anger and questions about how the police had dealt with the cases. Did the sexual orientation, gender-identity and race of the missing and murdered affect the level of attention these crimes were given by investigators? Compounding the sense of vulnerability on the streets of the Village: an ongoing epidemic of opioids, crystal meth and other drugs, combined with mental health issues, resulting in bizarre and sometimes threatening behaviour and an increase in property crimes. [More] |
