CWNA - Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association
  • Home
  • About CWNA
    • What We Do / Mission
    • Our Members
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Us
  • Development
  • Placemaking
  • Heritage
  • Safety
  • Join Us
  • News & Resources
    • Church Wellesley Update
    • Board Meeting Minutes
    • CWNA Calendar
    • Community Directory
    • Planning Documents
  • Map

Church Wellesley Update

News from the Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association
Subscribe to Church Wellesley updates

Crews / Tangos: Community Consultation to be Held April 28

4/16/2021

 
There will be a community consultation on Graywood Development's proposal for a 15-storey midrise at 506-516 Church Street (Crews / Tangos and the adjacent parking lot) on Wednesday, April 28 from 7 to 8:30 pm. 

​
In July 2020, Graywood submitted a development application to the City.  City staff released a Preliminary Report regarding the application on Sept. 21.  A community-based Working Group has met twice since then. This public meeting will be a chance to see how stakeholder feedback from these meetings have influenced the proposal, and an opportunity to raise your concerns.  

Registration for the Webex meeting is required.  For background information see the Development Application Centre and the City Staff Preliminary Report.

Park Renewal Consultations Wrap Up

3/16/2021

 
On February 17 the City hosted a second online public consultation regarding the revitalization of  George Hislop and Norman Jewison Parks and Alexander Street Parkette.

The first (online) public consultation took place on November 5.  At the February 17 meeting City staff presented the preferred concept plans, informed by the community feedback in November and stakeholder meetings in November and February. 

A master plan for the three connected parks parallel to Yonge Street (George Hislop, Norman Jewison and James Canning Gardens) was completed in 2017 and James Canning Gardens is now being renovated in line with that plan.

Alexander Street Parkette, which was not included in the 2017 master plan, has been added to the scope of the project. 

According to the City's Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division, the consultation process will "refresh and build on engagement completed to date for the linear parks, and provide opportunities for additional input during the design process."

"George Hislop Park will also have an integrated public art/design element that celebrates LGBTQ2S+ history, leadership, excellence and resilience - a new feature that was not identified in the [2017] master plan."
 
The consultations, held between late 2020 and early 2021, included: 
  • two online stakeholder (Community Resource Group) meetings. CWNA was a participant.
  • two online public information meetings
  • physically distant interviews with vulnerable communities / park users
  • public feedback via email, phone, mail and  online survey 

George Hislop Park is currently closed and will be the first of the three parks to be rebuilt. Parks & Foresty's most optimistic estimate for George Hislop is a start date of mid-2021 with completion in late 2021 or summer 2022.  The other parks will follow.  

Ongoing updates are being posted on the City's web page, Yonge Street Linear Park Improvements. You can view a pdf of the Feb. 17 online presentation here. 

Friends of Barbara Hall Park

3/10/2021

 
Interest has been voiced to form a Friends of Barbara Hall Park group. Community park groups in Toronto engage in  various activities, including organizing volunteers to green and care for their local park, advocating for park improvements and hosting events. 

There are no formal rules or guidelines on how a community park group should be organized and operated. Just as every park is unique, every park group is unique and part of the process will be finding a structure that works best for  Friends of Barbara Hall Park.   Some features of a successful park group, according to Park People, are inclusivity, transparency, community engagement and a spirit of cooperation.

The Park People website offers many resources for new and established park groups, including:  
  • How to Start Your Community Park Group 
  • Resources (links for "Activities and Events" and "Organizational Planning")
If you are interested in being part of this initiative, please provide your contact information to be invited to a virtual founding meeting.  We look forward to hearing from you. ​

Crews / Tangos: Revised Plan coming Soon

2/12/2021

 
The Working Group on Graywood Development's proposal for a 15-storey midrise at 506-516 Church Street (Crews / Tangos), met for a second time on January 18. 

The group, of which CWNA is a member, is discussing the proposal and site plan from the economic and cultural perspective of the Church Wellesley Village, with the aim of preserving and protecting the historical significance, character and culture of the Village. 

According the group's Terms of Reference, it 
"will review the Zoning Application, which involves the review of the building’s height, massing, setbacks, angular plane, cultural and heritage conservation, and land use designations. The Working Group will also review the Site Plan application, when submitted, which involves the review  of features such as the building design and materials, site access and servicing, lighting and safety, waste storage, parking, loading and landscaping."

The first Working Group meeting was held on December 1. The January 18 meeting followed up on several aspects of the proposal that had been brought up at the December meeting, notably the relationship of the building to the streetscape and feel of the Village.  Graywood proposes that the Crews / Tangos building be partially preserved to a depth of 5 metres.  A bar / restaurant space remains a part of the plan.  

​Graywood will now take away comments from the second Working Group meeting and resubmit a revised plan to the City in March.   A community consultation, open to the public,  will be scheduled to follow the resubmission. 

Yonge TOmorrow approved by City Council

2/9/2021

 
On February 2, City Council approved the final report on a revitalized downtown Yonge Street, dubbed YongeTOmorrow.

YongeTOmorrow proposes a full and flexible redesign of the street from Queen Street north to College Street, where sidewalks will be expanded, vehicle lanes modified, restaurant patios extended and street furniture and streetscape elements added.

The Yonge TOmorrow Environmental Study Report (ESR) will now be finalized and submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks and will be subject to a 30-day public review period. Following provincial approval, the project will then develop a detailed design along with construction phasing and schedules.  Construction is expected to start in 2023. 

Looking further forward, the redesign of Yonge Street north between College Street and Davenport Road, as well as the redesign of Church Street are one step closer. 

See the final report here. 

Picture

73 Storeys at 2 Carlton: LPAT Settlement Hearing Set

2/1/2021

 
The fate of 2 Carlton Street, which was first proposed for re-development in 2016, will soon be determined. 

The proposal calls for a 73-storey tower replacing the heritage listed mid-century modern 18-storey office tower that currently stands there. The City opposed the application and it was appealed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT, formerly the OMB) by the developer, Northam Realty Advisors (Carlton Tower Limited). 

During the development application process, two Working Group meetings focussing on the site plan were held with affected parties, including the CWNA; a third meeting is to be scheduled. 

On January 4, 2021, the City received a settlement offer from the developer. A case management conference/settlement hearing has been scheduled at the LPAT for March 18, 2021.
Picture
For more information:
Development Application Information Centre
https://tinyurl.com/4k9kdkjt
City Staff Preliminary Report (Feb. 2, 2018):
https://tinyurl.com/yapv3gff
City Staff Report for Action (Jan. 25, 2021):
https://tinyurl.com/1bj8z4mx

Crews/Tangos Development: Working Group Meetings Continue

1/19/2021

 
The Working Group, struck by Councillor Wong-Tam, regarding Graywood Development's proposal for a 15-storey midrise at 506-516 Church Street, met for a second time on January 18.

The group, of which CWNA is a member, is discussing the development proposal and site plan from the economic and cultural perspective of the Church Wellesley Village, with the aim of preserving and protecting the historical significance, character and culture of the Village. 

According the group's Terms of Reference, it
"will review the Zoning Application, which involves the review of the building’s height, massing, setbacks, angular plane, cultural and heritage conservation, and land use designations. The Working Group will also review the Site Plan application, when submitted, which involves the review  of features such as the building design and materials, site access and servicing, lighting and safety, waste storage, parking, loading and landscaping."

The first Working Group meeting was held on Dec. 1 and allowed for participants to share opinions with the developer on various aspects of the proposal.  CWNA subsequently submitted a number of recommendations.

The Working Group meetings are separate and apart from broader public consultations, which will be held later this year.  We will keep you posted as the Working Group continues its discussions.

20-26 Maitland: 45 Storey Proposal Goes to LPAT

1/18/2021

 
In October 2019, PlazaCorp proposed a 45-storey condominium tower at 20 to 26 Maitland Street, where the former Catholic Children's Aid building and a Victorian house (since demolished) stood. 

In March 2020, before the City had made a decision, PlazaCorp appealed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT). The LPAT hearing is scheduled for April 15, 2021. The City Solicitor and City Planning staff will attend the hearing to oppose the proposal. 
Picture
The many objections to the proposal include inconsistencies with provincial planning policies, the Toronto Official Plan and area specific planning policies. The  overall height and massing of the tower and the significant shadow it would cast on neighbouring areas, including Paul Kane Parkette,  are key issues.
 A community consultation meeting has not yet been held, due in part to limitations imposed by Covid-19, but one will be held  prior to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal hearing.  In the meantime, City Planning and Legal staff prepare their case for a more appropriate building on the site.  

City Reports and Supporting Documents

Toronto Staff Preliminary Report (Dec. 11, 2019)

Toronto Staff Request for Direction Report (Sept. 21, 2020) 

City Council Decision on Direction Report (Oct. 27, 2020)

​LPAT Hearing Order (Oct. 28, 2020)

Development Application Information Centre - supporting documentation including architectural plans and shadow study.

Second Public Consultation for Park Renewal Plan Set for Feb. 17

1/12/2021

 
The City will host a second online public consultation regarding the revitalization of  George Hislop and Norman Jewison Parks and Alexander Street Parkette on February 17. [register]

Read More

YongeTOmorrow Plan Advances

1/11/2021

 
On January 11, the final report on the downtown Yonge Street redesign, dubbed YongeTOmorrow, was adopted by City Council's Infrastructure and Environment Committee. It will be considered by City Council on February 2. 

The Committee also requested a supplementary report be attached for City Council that clarifies the timelines, requirements and recommendations of the Environmental Assessment; summarizes next steps for the detailed design, operations planning and construction; and describes next steps for consultation and engagement with street businesses and other stakeholders.

​ YongeTOmorrow proposes a full and flexible redesign of the street from Queen Street north to College Street, where sidewalks will be expanded, vehicle lanes modified, restaurant patios extended and street furniture and streetscape elements added.

The plan would change the way the street functions from day to night. During the day, the street would be prioritized for people walking, cycling and experiencing the street, while still providing for vehicle traffic through a combination of pedestrian priority zones, one-way and two-way driving access. Overnight all blocks would have two-way driving access to support TTC night bus service, deliveries, and general traffic.
Picture
YongeTOmorrow: typical cross-section between Carlton and Gerrard Streets.
Looking further forward, the redesign of Yonge Street north between College Street and Davenport Road, as well as the redesign of Church Street are one step closer. 
​
See the final report here. 
Picture
<<Previous
    Subscribe to Church Wellesley Updates

    Categories

    All
    Development
    Noise
    Safety

    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    March 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    August 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    October 2015
    August 2015
    March 2015
    June 2013

Join CWNA Today!   -   Subscribe to email updates
Home      Development      Placemaking     Heritage     Safety      Map     CW Update
  • Home
  • About CWNA
    • What We Do / Mission
    • Our Members
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Us
  • Development
  • Placemaking
  • Heritage
  • Safety
  • Join Us
  • News & Resources
    • Church Wellesley Update
    • Board Meeting Minutes
    • CWNA Calendar
    • Community Directory
    • Planning Documents
  • Map