City is Welcoming Your Comments Re Short-Term Rentals

Announcement, Community

On June 19, 2017, the City of Toronto Executive Committee directed Municipal Licensing & Standards (ML&S) and City Planning to consult the public on proposed zoning bylaw amendments and licensing and registration framework. The proposed regulations are to:

  •  Amend the City’s zoning bylaws to create a new land use called “short-term rental” that is permitted in principal residences across the city;
  •  Prohibit short-term rentals that are not in a person’s principal residence;
  • License companies that facilitate short-term rental activity, like Airbnb; and
  • Create a registry for anyone who operates a short-term rental in their home.

If you have concerns or interests about these proposed rules for short-term rentals (e.g. Airbnb) in the neighbourhood, the City invites you to express those concerns in an online survey. It takes about ten minutes to complete. The survey will be available online until August 18, 2017.  The input that you provide will inform the final recommendations that staff will report to City Council in the fourth quarter of 2017.

For more information, please visit toronto.ca/mlshaveyoursay. Please note that public consultation meeting dates will be made available online once they are finalized.

Sunnyside (Roncy) Pedestrian Bridge Mural Launch Party – July 27th

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

Chicago artist Justus Roe, his local Public Art Assistants, as well as members of the Parkdale – High Park community have been hard at work transforming the Sunnyside (Roncesvalles) Pedestrian Bridge to commemorate Canada’s 150th birthday and the “Year of Public Art” taking place in Chicago and Toronto (sister Cities).

Join them for “Building Bridges of Flavour”, a locally inspired menu by Palais Royale Chef Steffan Howard, along with local musicians, artist Justus Roe, and John Tory – Mayor, City of Toronto.

We look forward to celebrating the completion of this new artwork with you – and ask that you RSVP by Monday, July 24th for this community event!

Date: Thursday, July 27th
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Place: Palais Royale (1601 Lake Shore Blvd West, Suite 100)

Women Paint transforms Parkdale Laneway – July 16

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

A talented mix of emerging and established Toronto-based artists will transform the laneway that runs north behind 1468-1486 Queen Street West — between Lansdowne Avenue and Macdonell Avenue — into an outdoor art gallery. Working side by side, the collective of all female artists will paint approximately 2,000 square feet of murals that respond to the theme of “Intersectional Feminism: Representing Diverse Experiences”.

Women Paint – As a closing celebration, community members, mural enthusiasts and interested Torontonians / Parkdalians are invited to meet the artists and be inspired by the murals.

Date: Sunday, July 16th
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Place: the laneway that runs north behind 1468-1486 Queen Street West—between Lansdowne Avenue and Macdonell Avenue.

Community Control over Development in Parkdale – June 29

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

COME LEARN ABOUT HOW TO GAIN GREATER COMMUNITY CONTROL OVER DEVELOPMENT IN PARKDALE

The Parkdale Community Economic Development (PCED) and Atkinson Foundation are organizing the first in a series of lectures – ON COMMUNITY BENEFITS.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS 101 – Come learn about using Community Benefit Agreements as tools for gaining greater community control over development.

THE PANEL
Rosemarie Powell – Toronto Community Benefit Network
Mariam Paul – East Scarborough Storefront
Michelle Francis – Community Action Planning Group
Moderated by Jenn Miller – Atkinson Foundation

Date: Thursday, June 29th
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Place: 1303 Queen St W. – Parkdale Library (basement)

WQW Planning Study & Heritage District Report Meeting – June 26

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

This Town Hall meeting will present the final report recommendations of the West Queen West Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Study. The Study reviewed all the properties on Queen Street West between Bathurst Street and Roncesvalles Avenue.

The WQW HCD is but a component of a much larger WQW Planning Study started in 2015. This meeting is the kickoff and start of a conversation about the Parkdale and West Queen West areas can change and grow over time.

The evening will begin with an Open House from 6:30-7:00pm, followed by:
•   A brief summary by City Staff on the WQW Heritage Study;
•   Background on the Planning Study;
•   Planning policies, building guidelines;
•   Approaches to main street development.
•   The type of development that may be possible in Parkdale / West Queen West; and,
•   Next steps in the Planning Study process.

This presentation is followed by a discussion facilitated by the project team. This is where YOU can ask questions and share your comments. For more information contact Councillor Perks Councillor_Perks@toronto.ca or City Planner Graig Uens guens@toronto.ca, 416-397-4647.

Date: Monday, June 26th
Time: 6:30 p.m. – Open House,
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Presentation &  Discussion
Place: 1115 Queen St W. – The Theatre Centre

Sunnyside Pedestrian Bridge Street Art Meeting – June 12

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

The STEPS Initiative, in cooperation with Street Art Toronto, will be hosting a community information session to provide local community members and stakeholders with some information about the project, artist, design, and opportunities for engagement.

This International cultural exchange will host one of Chicago’s most prominent street artists – JUSTUS ROE – to create an energetic and engaging abstract piece across the length of the pedestrian bridge to Sunnyside beach. http://stepsinitiative.com/

Come out and shape your neighbourhood!

Date: Monday, June 12th
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Place: 1303 Queen St W. – Parkdale Library (basement)
Can’t make the info session? Check them out at Roncy Rocks on June 17th

Community Control over Development in Parkdale – June 20 & 29

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

COME LEARN ABOUT HOW TO GAIN GREATER COMMUNITY CONTROL OVER DEVELOPMENT IN PARKDALE

The Parkdale Community Economic Development (PCED) and Atkinson Foundation are organizing the first in a series of lectures – ON COMMUNITY BENEFITS.

DEVELOPMENT 101 – Come learn about the development and planning process in Parkdale and how to gain greater community control.

THE PANEL
Benjamin Hoff – Urban Strategies
Clara Stewart-Robertson – Jane-Finch Community Centre
Claire Heese-Boutin – Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust
Moderated by Emily Paradis U- niversity of Toronto

Date: Tuesday, June 20th
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Place: 201 Cowan Ave. – St. Marks Church

COMMUNITY BENEFITS 101 – Come learn about using Community Benefit Agreements as tools for gaining greater community control over development.

THE PANEL
Rosemarie Powell – Toronto Community Benefit Network
Mariam Paul – East Scarborough Storefront
Michelle Francis – Community Action Planning Group
Moderated by Jenn Miller – Atkinson Foundation

Date: Thursday, June 29th
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Place: 1303 Queen St W. – Parkdale Library (basement)

TTC Notice – Queen St. Worn Rail Replacement – June 5

Announcement, Community

Starting June 5, TTC track crews will begin work to replace worn rail at three streetcar stops on Queen Street West. Only one location will be completed at a time. Work at each streetcar stop will take approximately four days to complete.

Queen and Triller – westbound streetcar stop – works starts on June 5.
Queen and Dunn – eastbound streetcar stop – work starts soon after Triller is completed.
Queen and Dufferin* – eastbound streetcar stop – work starts soon after Dunn is completed.

This work is being planned while the 501/301 Queen route is operated with buses. Queen bus service will be maintained through each work zone.

If you have any questions you can contact our office at this email address or Diego Sinagoga, Senior Community Liaison, 416-393-2197; diego.sinagoga@ttc.ca.