Church Wellesley Update
News from the Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association
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CHURCH WELLESLEY NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION Annual General Meeting November 18, 2020 7:00 PM– 9:00 via Zoom Meeting called to order at 7:03 pm Zoom tutorial – Tara Schorr Land Acknowledgement – Peter Small Chair’s Message – Connie Langille Challenges during pandemic; thanks to community partners and our elected representatives. Remarks by Ward 13 Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam – pre-recorded Congratulations to CWNA on 10 years of accomplishments. Introduction of Board Members – Connie Langille Paul Farrely, Robert Packman, Donald Altman, Neil Gibb, Tar Schorr, Trevor Hennig, Kyle Ianuzzi, Peter Small Committee Reports
Safety – Tara Schorr - safety is a key area of concern for neighbours and businesses in the area - COVID-19 has exaggerated an already challenging issue in our neighbourhood, amplifying challenges around homelessness, marginalization, addiction and mental health issues. - Key challenges: crystal meth usage and sale; mental health crisis; lack of affordable and supportive housing; lack of washroom and other facilities for unhoused; increase in vandalism, congregation (though decrease in major crimes); lack of feeling of safety for housed community members; increase in incidents inside businesses; increase in lateral violence; decrease in public space - Ways CWNA and its partners currently engage with these issues: the Downtown East Action Plan (DEAP; Church Wellesley Safety Network; Community Police, Park Ambassadors and Release Conditions; Implementation of Community Crisis Response Program teams; volunteer cleanups by CWNA, the 519 and extra cleanups by Parks via the DEAP - Ideas for Action: CWNA hosts a Safety Townhall; CWNA has asked for quarterly safety audits from Community Crisis Response Network and Councillor Wong-Tam to identify issues of concern; Dog Walk meet-ups; Create a dedicated “Friends of Barabara Hall Park” group; placemaking and park/ neighbourhood animations (ie a farmers’ market; lobbying for additional housing from all levels of government; lobbying around harm reduction and mental health and addictions support; Neighbourhood watch; lobbying around accessible streets via snow clearing. Communications and Membership – Trevor Hennig - demonstration of CWNA website and interactive map; monthly Board minutes now posted to website - e-newsletter “Church Wellesley Update,” being sent every 2 to 3 months. Development / Heritage / Housing – Robert Packham / Paul Farrelly Development - The CWNA has successfully lobbied for the North Downtown Yonge Planning Framework that keeps sun on Church Street, with street line limited to 4-5 storeys; set back limited to 45 degree incline; an example is the Beer Store site. - Current Developments and Land Assemblies can be seen on our interactive map - 66 Wellesley East (NW corner Church & Wellesley). Original application did not include the property to the west (64 Wellesley E) and was for 39 storeys almost straight up from the sidewalk with much shadow to the east. CWNA worked to get the bulk of the building shifted west with a better relationship to Church Street. The new application sees a mid-rise on the intersection that conforms to the 45 degree angular plane. CWNA has a watching brief at the upcoming Local Planning Appeal Tribunal hearings. There is still a significant shadow impact on Barbara Hall Park. All tenants in 66 Wellesley will be offered rental accommodation in the new building. - 508 Church Street (Crews / Tangos) application demonstrates the positive impact of the North Downtown Yonge Design Guidelines are having on Church Street proposals; preserves the heritage facades of Crews / Tangos and infills around it with a building topping out at 15 storeys, but set back above a four storey street edge at a 4 degree angle; Councillor is establishing a Working Group to further identify issues / ideas regarding cultural heritage to this and other sites. Both 508 Church and 506 Church have heritage value, though only 508’s façade is to be preserved. 506 (was once the home of Hester How (1848-1915), a social and education reformer. - Tall Building Applications: 2-8 Gloucester at Yonge (34 storeys, 232 rental units); 20-26 Maitland (45 storeys, 527 condos); 55 Charles East (46 floors, 541 condos, 100 rental); 625 Church St. (59 storeys, 651 rental units) - Infill Applications: 33 Isabella (four storeys on tennis court); 100 Wellesley E. (10 storeys around existing building); Towne Inn Hotel approved for infill, but no indication of impending construction. Heritage - Adam Wynne has submitted 467-475 Church St. (c.1864) (Woodys’ to Churchmouse) for Heritage Listing - many properties on Yonge have been Listed Heritage Properties and Yonge has been designated an Heritage Conservation District, though developers are appealing the Heritage Conservation District at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal. - Heritage Outlook: The Toronto Heritage Survey and Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment are new tools to aid in the identification, listing and designation of heritage properties. Housing - The parking lot opposite the Phoenix Theatre will become an affordable housing building. Placemaking – Connie Langille All through our community CWNA has taken on the challenge to improve the everyday lived experience of our neighbours. Be it advocating with the City for the restoration of the AIDS Memorial or time spent revitalizing the Wellesley Street planters, Placemaking is always looks for ways to improve and brighten up our neighbourhood by working in partnership with city agencies and Village organizations. Examples of work are the annual Meet Your Neighbours event, naming of lanes, lobbying for more and improved green space (ie 14 Dundonald new green space; linear parks revitalization; benches in Barbara Hall Park); projects such as the Wellesley Street planters improvments and Grace McInnis Co-op sideyard rejuvenation. 311 - call, email to contact city departments for many issues including damaged street signs, illegal dumping, graffitte, sink holes, noise violations, damaged waste bins and much more. Administrative CWNA Annual General Meeting Minutes, March 19, 2019 Moved for approval by Paul Farrelly ; seconded by Peter Small; so moved 2019 Treasurer’s Report Balance Dec. 2018 $2457.62 Revenues Membership Fees $450.00 519 Grant $3226.52 Total Revenues $4126.52 Expenses 2018 AGM $230.10 Meet Your Neighbours $3226.52 CWNA planter sign $200.89 Bank fees $50.55 Donations $400.00 Total Expenses $4108.06 Balance Dec. 2019 $2026.08 Paul moved CWNA accept the Treasurer’s report; Donald Altman seconded; so moved. Board of Directors Election - 6 of 9 positions open - because of COVID-19, voting is online; electors can vote until 7 pm tomorrow. 6 Incumbents Standing Donald Altman (3 year term - elected) Paul Farrelly (1 year term - elected) Kyle Iannuzzi (3 year term - elected) Connie Langille (1 year term - elected) Tara Schorr (3 year term – elected) Peter Small (1 year term – not elected) 4 New Candidates Sam Katz (3 year term) - elected Monica Forrester – not elected Christopher James – not elected Buck Lem – not elected Continuing Board Members Neil Gibb Trevor Hennig Robert Packham Meeting adjourned Questions & Answers with Councillor Wong-Tam Comments are closed.
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