To view a copy of the annual newsletter, please click here: 2018 annual newsletter.

 

The Presidents Corner

In June, the Board of Directors elected your executive officers:

President: John Plumadore
Vice President:  Stephen CameronSmith
Secretary:  Cynthia Crysler
Treasurer:  Cathie Macdonald
Election of Standing Committee’s
Development: Cathie Macdonald
Communications:  Stephen CameronSmith
Heritage:  Chris Keating
Street Safety:  John Taranu

Members at Large
Andrew Boddington
Peter Boyd
Joan York
Diana Midwinter
Korrine Collins

The executive and the board of directors will carry out the duties of Deer Park Residents Group between annual general meetings.  Through our quarterly newsletters, we will keep you abreast of the affairs of the DPRG and report back to you at the AGM in June 2019.

DPRG Expands

The DPRG board welcomes Farnham Ave., Woodlawn Ave. W., Woodlawn Ave. and Balmoral Ave. to the DPRG residents group. The four streets were voted in at the AGM in June. This expansion, and the voices of its residents, will be a strong addition to the DPRG as we continue serving the best interests of our community.

Sidewalk clearing of snow and ice is an Election Issue for the DPRG
The surrounding core wards already have sidewalk clearing as does Playter Estates and most of Forest Hill and the northern wards. The downtown wards do not get their sidewalks cleared.

The DPRG is leading a web initiative on this matter.

We urge everyone to spend a few minutes click on https://cleardeerpark.com/and voice your opinion.

Rosehill Reservoir Rehabilitation
The rehabilitation is well underway with trucks moving in and out of the park everyday removing the top surface of the reservoir, resulting in the closure of the path round the park. This has been a source of frustration and disappointment to those who hoped to have continued access to the garden and The Little Parkfor the first part of the operation. Several meetings have taken place with the contractor, local residents and City Councillors. After due consideration, the path was deemed unsafe, and  work had to proceed on the reservoir.

City Council approved $400,000 from the South District Parkland Development Reserve funds to the Rosehill Reservoir Rehabilitation project, related to the repair of the concrete reservoir structure in David Balfour Park. These funds are to be used toward additional design work and enhanced improvements in 2018. The Rosehill Vision Committee continues to refine plans for the park when construction is complete.

The next meeting of the Construction Liaison Committee has yet to be scheduled. For an update or questions contact:
Kate Kusiak at 416-392-1932 or  kate.kusiak@toronto.ca

Yellow Creek/Vale of Avoca (Ravine beside Avoca Ave.)
The privately funded project Vale of Avoca Pilot Projectwith the U of T Faculty of Forestry let three Master Students start work mapping old forest growth trees and invasive species this summer. Their work focused on what can be done now to contribute to the major ravine remediation following the Toronto Water Geomorphic Study and streambed repair. This has now ended. Further funding will allow this project to continue.

We have not heard when the Geomorphic Study of the Creek will begin. Representatives from five residents’ groups abutting the Vale of Avoca continue to monitor its condition. In  conjunction with City crews, two community events were held to cut back a large patch of invasive Japanese Knotweed and to organize a walk through the Vale of Avoca led by Jason Ramsay Brown.

In the meantime, money donated to the U of T and a grant from the Helen McRae Peacock Foundation, enabled us to begin a Pilot Project “Seeds to Seedlings” program with three local schools in September. This involves collecting old forest growth seeds, planting them in seed boxes ready to transplant in the ravine and nearby areas at a later date, raising awareness by providing hands on education for students thus enabling them becoming future stewards of the ravines.

Yonge St. Clair BIA (Business Improvement Area)

BIA Streetscape Master Plan
Over the next few years, the BIA will be investing significant funds in the improvement of the public realm. That’s the sidewalks, benches, lighting, greenery, and other outdoor streetscape elements that make Yonge + St. Clair a pleasant place to walk and linger.

The first step in this process is the development of a Streetscape Master Plan – a strategic design document that lays out the long-term vision for the public realm, and provides short, medium, and long-term projects to achieve it.

In the coming months, a landscape architecture consultant will be inviting the community to participate in a kickoff event. This event will allow the community to provide input into the plan, identify challenges and opportunities in the neighbourhood, and have your say in what investments the BIA should me making into the streetscape.

You can keep up to date on this process by registering directly for the Yonge St. Clair BIA newsletter at yongestclair.ca

BIA-led Flower Program
As you may have noticed over the past few weeks, the BIA has installed new planters and flowering grasses in the City-owned tree planters along Yonge Street. With most tree planters left ignored and uncared for in the past, it is exciting to see that there will now be annual care of the planters offering a pop of greenery and colour along the street.

Flowering grasses were selected due to their hardiness, so they can be maintained well into fall. In early December a winter display will be installed to keep the planters lively and animated during the cold months.

The reason for surface mounted planters is to not disturb the soil around the tree bases. The BIA went through a multi-month process with the Urban Forestry Department that maintains the planters to ensure the trees are not harmed. This resulted in an approval of floating planters that sit above the ground and that do not disrupt or damage tree roots.

Power Poles
The upgrade to the power supply is almost complete. A few duplicate poles remain because of third party equipment.

Restoration to removed poles is temporary while the fill settles. Final restoration is scheduled to be completed by the end of October and will include removing the top layer of screenings and replacing it with topsoil and seen or sod depending on the size of the area.

Should you pole not be restored correctly, please contact Fabian Cappelli fcappelli@torontohydro.comand provide your street address.

Yonge St. Clair Planning Study

Yonge St. Clair Secondary Plan Updates
Given all the applications in our area, we certainly need a review of current planning policies to ensure a great new Yonge and St. Clair, the centre of our neighbourhood. Councillor Matlow requested such a study in 2017 when City Council approved the OMB mediated settlement for 1417-31 Yonge south of St. Clair. (The settlement resulted in a much-improved building for its location, with Great Gulf now the developer.)

At its last meeting in July, City Council approved the planning study (https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2018/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-118144.pdf) for properties on Yonge and St. Clair near the intersection. The study is developing a framework for considering applications in the area and will focus on the public realm (open space, sidewalks, etc.) and where high buildings should be permitted as well as relevant City policies.

Area residents, the Yonge St. Clair BIA, and representatives of the current development projects will be asked to participate in this study.

Development

33 Rosehill Ave/44 Jackes Ave
Area tenants, condo owners, and the Linden School, as well as representatives of the Deer Park Residents Group and the Summerhill Residents Association met a number of times with Quadreal, the developer, and resolved many issues but ran out of time before the last City Council meeting in June. The remaining concerns are based around the size of the townhouse street podium. City Council did not approve the application as recommended in the Planning report. The next step is a prehearing on December 11, at the Local Appeal Planning Tribunal (which replaced the OMB) where a mediation process may take place.

1 Delisle (SW Corner Yonge & Delisle Ave.)
A 48-storey condo with a highly articulated exterior by International recognized architectural firm  Gang Studioswas presented in June at a public information meeting. The project will widen the Yonge St. sidewalk, return the art deco façade to the retail store front, widen the Delisle Ave. sidewalk and double the size of the adjacent public park on Delisle Ave. No date has been set for a public meeting.

Wittington Properties
The entire block bounded by Yonge Street, Heath St. E., Alvin Ave. and St. Clair Ave. E. less the Yonge St. Clair Centre has been now been assembled. A new development project will replace the 2008 approved project. No application has been made to the City. Once this is done a public meeting consultation date will be established.

Sunrise Retirement Residence – 1365-75 Yonge
The proposal for a 17-storey building was submitted in May. It is to be located on Yonge extending north from Rosehill. There is to be retail at grade and wide sidewalks. Watch for notice of a public meeting.

Building Improvements

Yonge St. Clair Centre
The skylight replacement has been completed. We are following up on the coloured glass component which was to be installed this summer. Replacement of the main floor flooring is just about finished.

A new restaurant by the Chase group called Arthursis scheduled to open in the winter of 2018. It will have a rooftop patio.

The newly renovated and much expanded Loblaw was supposed to open in August and is now tentatively reopening in early November.

NW Corner (Black Hoarding)
The two-floor clear cube should be open in the early winter this year. Bucais keeping their new food concept a secret for now.

SE Corner (Scotia Bank)
Planning is behind schedule and no revised date has been given showing the planned improvements to the lower parts of the building. There will be an enhanced TTC entrance and a friendlier streetscape.

40 St. Clair Ave. W.
The walkway on the east side of 40 St. Clair Ave. W. is now open to the park on Delisle Ave. A design competition is being drafted for enhancement of the walkway and parking ramp area.

Business News
A new Mexican restaurant Playa Cabanais scheduled to open this winter at 21 St. Clair Ave. E. (1^stbuilding to the east of the subway entrance)

Baskitshave been in the gift baskets and boxes business for over 30 years. They are opening a new location in the St. Clair Centre in front of the escalators after the Thanksgiving long week end.  Baskits make up corporate and personal gifting on a national basis.  They specialize in customer service and offer gifting solutions for all occasions, including weddings, birthdays, holidays and more, while carrying over 100 brands that cover wellness & beauty, style, men’s grooming, baby & kids, as well as gourmet food and snacks.

Note on Membership
The DPRG will be going back to an annual membership payment plan. This will allow more funding of projects for the community and enable the DPRG to keep in better touch with the members. The annual fee will be $20.

The Presidents Corner

Dear Members:
This issue of the DPRG newsletter contains items on development projects that will change the face of Deer Park in the near future.  Some steps have already been taken with the new corner lot look at Yonge/St.Clair northeast corner.  Read the upcoming changes in this issue with interest.

We are also excited by new tenant laws, both at the municipal and provincial level.  We are featuring one of those changes in this newsletter (New Standard Lease).  Yellow Creek and Rosehill Reservoir are two other exciting projects presently in the works (see below).  Deer Park is taking on a new look and will revitalize our community with these changes and once again our businesses will thrive along with a new BIA (business improvement area).
Yours truly,
John Plumadore
President

Tenant News
Rent increases have been capped at 1.8% for 2018 versus the previous 2.5% cap.
Tenants launch “No More AGIs” campaign with our President John Plumadore speaking on behalf of tenants in Deer Park and the province at a Queen’s Park press conference.  The above Guideline (Rent) increases add up to 3% each year for three years, over and beyond the annual Ontario rent guideline in June of each year.

The Province has created a standardized lease which is required to be used by all landlords. To review the lease  click here.

Did you know that Ward 22 in which the DPRG is situated has the highest number of rental units per Ward in the City of Toronto.

Business Improvement Area
A BIA for the Yonge/St. Clair area (Business Improvement Area) has been formed and had its first meeting on Feb. the 13th.  Eleven nominations were put forward to Chair the Board. The objective is to improve the retail environment for the Yonge St. Clair intersection area. Funding will come from the local businesses with matching grants from the City.

Development

St. Clair Centre
The Loblaw in the St. Clair centre closed Valentine’s Day February the 14th for a major renovation. The reopening is planned for eh end of August this year. The much anticipated new skylight will be unveiled in the spring.

1427 Yonge St.
This condominium project will be going through the usual site plan approval process this year with current planning for a mid-2019 construction start. With the future lane connection provision to Pleasant Blvd. added to the project, the developer is looking to beautify the lane so it could be used also for a walking lane. The TTC’s dead end lane would need to be included to make the improvements work.

NW Corner Yonge & St. Clair
Slate Asset Management the owner of all four corners of the intersection is in the process up upgrading the building lobby, retail and the street presence. The renovations will include a new two storey glass podium with an outdoor at grade patio.  The podium will act as a see through beacon to show animation and street life day and night. The same granite sidewalk material is planned around the podium. Click hereto see the rendering. Scroll down.

The King Street Food company will be bringing a new Buca restaurant concept to the two floor space. Buca currently operates three successful locations. The opening will probably be at the end of this year.

Previously Slate commissioned the 12 storey mural on the west side of the SW corner building by Phlegm who is considered as one of the world’s top 15 street artists. Now Slate has engaged Daniel Mazzone an up and coming Toronto artist to enlarge some of his art to create street art which is located on the black hoarding. Worth a trip to Yonge & St. Clair to view and figure out who the images are.

Scotiabank building
By mid-summer the redesign for the lower portion of the building will be revealed. The TTC entranceway will move south on Yonge St. with a more pronounced entry and the lower level retail area will be totally reconfigured.  The streetscape will be revitalized and matching granite sidewalk paving material is planned.

South West Corner Yonge & Delisle
For Studio Gang a leading Chicago architectural firm this will be their first project in Canada. The building will be mixed use and will not be an all glass tower. Click herePublic consultation is scheduled for mid-year.
The site is owned by the Ontario College of Chiropractors. The proposed seven storey building is to be their head office. The project is on hold for now.

Yellow Creek ( Ravine beside Avoca Ave)
On Jan. 13, the Parks & Environment Committee recommended to City Council that the Yellow Creek Master Plan assessment be expanded to include more assets and a long term maintenance plan. Assets would include infrastructure items such as stairs, bridges, plant types, trees, trails, etc.  As well to develop the master plan in consultation with a working group made up of  the relevant community stakeholders. The DPRG has active members in the working group. The Yellow Creek Master Plan assessment will be used as a template for future ravine studies and costing models to bring and keep the ravine system in good working order.

Rosehill Reservoir
Since the last Rosehill Reservoir Rehabilitation public meeting in September 2017, the City has hired a contractor to undertake the rehabilitation of the reservoir. The project team is currently finalizing the construction schedule with the contractor. The community will be invited to a public drop-in event to take place in March to learn about the construction work and schedule and speak with the project team.

City staff will also continue to work with local Councillors and the Rosehill Vision Committee on the detail design of park features and landscaping. Park improvements will be funded by the City’s Parks, Forestry & Recreation Division.

The project contact list will be notified and the website will be updated closer to the next public drop-in event with date time and location details. Should you wish more information directly please contact Kate  Kusiak   416-393-1932 Kate.Kusiak@toronto.ca

Sidewalk clearing of snow and ice an Election Issue for the DPRG
With the large increase of senior citizens, encouragement to walk more and the increase in foot traffic, the sidewalks need to be uniformly cleared by the City not by home or building owners. The City does already clear a great number of sidewalk areas already but claims for technical reasons they cannot plow the rest of the sidewalks. Rubbish.

In a recent legal case the court ruled that there is no statutory or common-law duty on property owners to clear snow and ice from public sidewalks adjacent to their property. The Court of Appeal ruled that Ontario municipalities cannot pawn off their maintenance responsibilities to owners or occupiers of land next to city sidewalks.

Owners and occupiers of land next to a sidewalk may be risking a $125 fine under a city bylaw Municipal Code for failing to keep it clear of snow and ice, but they are not responsible for damage for any resulting injuries. The fine is basically unenforceable as it takes weeks for an inspector to come out to assess the complaint.

Regardless if sidewalks are not cleared please take a cell picture and send to 311@toronto.cawith the address of the sidewalk.

Owner residents over 65 can get free sidewalk clearing by calling 416-392-7768.

The City spends $8/9million in legal payouts a year related to injuries on City sidewalks. This is basically the same amount it would cost to clear the sidewalks.

This needs to become an election issue.

Please contact The Mayor John Tory, 416-397-2489   mayor_tory@toronto.caon this matter.

Street Power poles
Powerline Plus the installer of the new power grid (Millwood Phase 6) for Toronto Hydro has advised that they will be removing the redundant power poles in the Deer Park area starting April and completing by the end of May.

MP Carolyn Bennett’s Office Moves
Carolyn Bennett the Member of Parliament for our St. Paul’s riding has moved her constituency office to 40 Holly St. Suite #103   416-952-3990  carolyn.bennett@parl.gc.ca

The DPRG will be sending out a survey to address member’s issues so we may serve you better. We would appreciate if you could take several minutes to complete. Thank you. The survey is also planned to be distributed to all areas that lie within the DPRG boundaries.

DPRG Annual General Meeting
The DPRG annual general meeting will be held at the Calvin Presbyterian Church 26 Delisle Ave. Toronto, Registration will begin at 6:30 pm and the AGM will start at 7 pm.  Guest speakers are to be confirmed.