July 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Annex Residents’ Association holds virtual AGM (June 2021)
Over 40 people were in virtual attendance at the Annex Residents’ Association’s (ARA) Annual General Meeting on April 22. Because of the pandemic, it was the first AGM in two years, but participation was up thanks to Zoom.
Chair Rita Bilerman recapped the ARA’s proudest moments of the year, including defeating the development at 64 Prince Arthur, fighting for a safer Avenue Road, and advocating for more and better bike lanes.
Guest speaker Tamara Anson-Cartwright from the city planning department announced the launch of the West Annex Heritage Project, part of a city-wide heritage survey. If your property becomes listed on the heritage register, you cannot demolish it without a heritage impact assessment (HIA). Professional heritage consultants will be hired to help the ARA gather material to determine which parts of the Annex could become heritage districts. The ARA will also be holding a public consultation about the study in September. Look for details in the next issue of the Gleaner.
The planning and development committee is monitoring 25 projects at various stages of development, according to co-chair Edward Leman. These projects will result in an increase of 2,225 dwellings and 3,300 residents to the Annex. Leman announced the launch of quarterly town halls on development issues. (For more information, contact planninganddevelopment@thearea.org).
Gardener Paul Richard announced that the aboriginal eco-restoration team has secured funding for work on the Paul Martel Park. This will allow them to do spring and fall plantings with native plants they’ve been growing at The Stop Green Barn. The Bloor BIA has applied for a mural for the park, and Richard remains hopeful this will also be approved. He found a clean copy of the original Ecology Park map in the toolshed which will replace the old one.
Designer Johan Harteveld unveiled a new and improved ARA logo and website, to be implemented this summer.
Terri Chu, Chair of the Parks, Trees and Environment Committee announced a plan to hire forestry students to update the ARA’s tree database, completed in 2014. Learn about the 10,000 Annex trees in the inventory at theara.org.
Councillor Mike Layton topped off the evening, urging Annexonians to make more deputations to city council.
“People have to start holding us to account. Ask your representatives what their strategies are to reach the goals they set, and stay plugged-in with what’s going on in the city,” he said. “The ARA will show you the avenues. I’m on the budget committee. We don’t hear enough from people. It takes sustained efforts from community to make politicians actually invest more. I’m here for you, if you need advice about how to speak to the rest of council, or you can just say it to me, and it will give me a little more spirit.”
July 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL: Doug Ford plays the joker card (June 2021)
Doug Ford has become the first Ontario premier to invoke Section 33 of the Constitution, the so-called notwithstanding clause. This allows him to ignore an Ontario court ruling that quashed Ontario’s new law limiting third-party advertising ahead of the provincial election. It is a tantrum by a premier who will do anything to silence his critics including violating the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
In the interest of fairness, limits on election spending are something all parties can agree is necessary in a free and democratic society. According to Elections Ontario third-party advertising made up 14 per cent of all political advertising in 2007. By 2014, it was up to 41 per cent. In 2017, Premier Kathleen Wynne introduced a cap that passed constitutional muster.
Until recently the law on the books limited third-party advertising to $600,000 in the six the months before election day. Left-leaning, union-sponsored third-party advertiser Working Families is a foe to Conservatives and has targeted ads against them in previous elections. Working Families initiated a court action to reduce the six-month limit. Lawyers for the province defended the six month limit describing it as “reasonable.” Those were this government’s own lawyers. Whilst they were in court, the province was crafting amendments to the law further restricting the spending time period cap to twelve months. The election is next June. The net effect is to cut off their critics at the knees.
The Ford government’s hasty disingenuous move undermined its own case defending the existing legislation. Justice Morgan responded by overturning the new law writing “skepticism of [the] government is not misplaced where new election procedures are concerned.” The new 12-month limit is much longer than in other provinces or at the federal level, it is tailored specifically as part of Doug Ford’s re-election plan.
This was a lower court decision. The province could have appealed it to the Ontario Court of Appeal, sought a stay to the initial ruling, and asked for expeditious consideration. Or, they could have reverted to the six month limit by recalling the legislature. But why do that when you are holding a joker card that trumps the whole game and exempts you from due process? The notwithstanding clause gives Ford a get out of jail free card that he has threatened to use before. In 2018 he slashed the size of Toronto’s city council in the middle of their election. He then threatened to use that card if the courts chose to disagree with him.
“Political speech is fundamental to an informed political discourse during an election,” said Paul Cavalluzzo, the lawyer for Working Families. “This government is acting like the Republicans in the U.S. by trying to muzzle and suppress the speech of persons they view to be their political enemies.”
Every time a province uses the notwithstanding clause it tramples rights of Canadians afforded by the Charter. It diminishes us as a country and waters down what defines us as a people. In Quebec, it is often used to try and defend a fragile French culture. Doug Ford’s use of it is simply to try and stay in power. Ford’s play is egregious.
July 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on FORUM: It’s time to walk the walk (June 2021)
Action not just “reflection” is needed as more burial sites are found
By Mike Layton
The discovery of several burial sites of Indigenous children killed in residential schools across Canada must move our country and our governments beyond words of condolences and toward actions that advance truth, reconciliation, and justice. As flags are lowered across the country, and vigils and moments of silence are observed, we need to recognize that these symbolic measures are important, but not nearly enough.
Residential schools operating in Canada for more than 160 years, up until the late 1990s, were federally funded and church-run. The last school closed in 1996.
Children stolen. Families are broken. Communities, robbed. This discovery has retraumatized many First Nations, Métis and Inuit across Turtle Island, who have long been dealing with the intergenerational trauma and lasting impacts of being forcibly removed from their families and communities, put into residential and day schools, and forced to abandon their traditions, cultural practices and languages in order to assimilate them.
The discoveries are shocking and disturbing, but all was predicted by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TSC) and the Calls for Justice from the MMIWG2S Final Report – Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Not enough resources have been committed to continuing their work and taking necessary steps towards reconciliation
We must recommit to advancing these Calls for Action. These actions must be far-reaching and must work to advance access to housing, clean water, prosperity and justice for all Indigenous people, in partnership with Indigenous communities. The dedication to reaching these goals must last longer than a news cycle.
The TRC made recommendations on efforts governments, justice systems, and church officials should take to try to locate, name, and commemorate the children who died. Six of these recommendations specifically list the actions the commission determined should be done to address missing children and burial information, including funding and coordination support to locate and protect school burial sites, both known and unknown.
In council I worked with the mayor to pass the following recommendations to move us toward truth, reconciliation and justice:
First we requested the federal and provincial governments to support Call to Action 82 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. More specifically, we asked for capital funding to the construction of Indian Residential School Survivors (IRSS) Restoration of Identity Project on Nathan Phillips Square – this is a publicly accessible, highly visible, residential schools monument to honour survivors and families. It could be replicated in every provincial capital. It is being completed in partnership with Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre.
In addition, earlier this year, city council allocated $13 million towards the construction of the Spirit Garden to honour residential and day school survivors and all the children who were lost to their families and communities, and those that are living with the trauma. The Spirit Garden will be a peaceful, contemplative space to help advance truth and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Toronto.
We also requested the federal and provincial governments to take action now on Calls 71 to 76 of the TRC to address missing children and burial information, including funding and coordinating support to locate and protect school burial sites, both known and unknown.
Finally, we joined the House of Commons in calling on the federal government to drop the Federal Court appeals related to compensation for First Nations children separated from their families.
On a local level, city council requested the Director, Indigenous Affairs office, in consultation with relevant staff, to report to the Aboriginal Affairs advisory committee and executive committee on what further actions are needed to advance truth, reconciliation and justice, how the city will hold itself accountable to community in advancing these actions, and whether additional resources and funding are required to further the City of Toronto’s work on reconciliation.
I will work to update you on advances to these actions as things progress.
As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with my office with your questions or concerns at Councillor_Layton@toronto.ca.
Mike Layton is the city councillor for Ward 11, University—Rosedale.
July 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on FORUM: Ford is no friend of affordable housing (June 2021)
Bill 108 cements opposition to inclusionary zoning
By Jessica Bell
Housing affordability crisis requires action
Housing prices are now so high that the National Bank of Canada calculates that only the top five percent of income earning households can afford to buy an average Canadian home. Housing affordability is one of the defining issues of our era, and it threatens the very soul of Toronto.
To build a thriving, green, livable and truly affordable city, we must pass laws to make housing more affordable for all. Here are some measures the city and province can take to make that a reality.
Build affordable housing
Directing police and security to forcibly move desperate people into temporary shelters and hotels is no solution.
Governments need to invest, build and buy more community housing, modular housing, and permanently affordable housing, including publicly-owned housing on provincial public land.
Ontario has ample suitable land, and the programs already exist – they just need funding.
Clamp down on speculation
There was a justifiable outcry when the Globe & Mail reported on developer Core Development Group’s intention to buy $1B of single family homes to rent.
Core Development is part of a wave of investors, from REITs to Wall Street firms to pension funds, who are investing in the housing sector, driving up prices and forcing first time home buyers to rent the very homes they want to buy.
Homes must be for people first, investors second.
That’s why I introduced a motion calling for Ontario to bring in a two percent annual speculation tax on homes owned by people who don’t pay the majority of their taxes in Ontario, as well as a GTHA wide two percent annual vacant homes tax to motivate investors to sell or rent empty homes.
Toronto is also developing its own vacant home tax (the proposed rate is one percent), and the public is able to provide input now.
Better protection for renters
While the pandemic has softened rents, they still remain high.
Our office regularly hears from renters who are being evicted, facing unfair above-guideline rent increases for superficial renovations, and being subjected to noisy and dirty renovations – 666 Spadina Ave is the notorious example – that is driving them to give up and move out.
Being a renter is precarious and expensive. It should be safe and affordable.
That’s why I am calling for better government enforcement of illegal evictions, as today there is next to none.
I am calling for real rent control, including a cap on the amount a landlord can raise the rent if a former tenant leaves.
Toronto has begun assessing whether an effective renoviction law from New Westminster, B.C. can be applied here.
The bylaw requires landlords to get a business license, prove proposed renovations require the tenant to leave, and pay the tenant for alternative accommodation until they can return.
Build new housing
The Greater Toronto Housing Authority needs new housing supply.
The real question is what do we build, and where?
Developers make the most profit by building high rise condos of bachelor and one bedroom units, and single family homes on greenspace – so that’s what they build.
The Ford government is encouraging urban sprawl by forcing municipalities to expand their boundaries to permit new development on nearby farmland.
Increasing urban sprawl will destroy our ability to meet current climate goals, as this kind of low-density development locks families into car dependency.
It should be easier to construct missing middle housing, like garden suites (the city is developing guidelines for garden suites right now), and more affordable duplexes, triplexes and townhomes within existing neighbourhoods.
It is incumbent on governments to expand and improve services to meet any increase in population. Funding for parks, community centres, a healthy tree canopy, transit, and schools ensure liveability needs are met for all.
Allow inclusionary zoning
Toronto is developing an inclusionary zoning policy that would require new residential developments near transit zones to include affordable housing units.
But will the units be affordable for a few decades or permanently? What percentage of units in a new building will be classified as affordable? And what definition of affordable will the city use?
Toronto is seeking feedback from you to answer these questions now. Premier Ford put hard limits on inclusionary zoning through Bill 108, which limits inclusionary zoning rules to transit stations.
Inclusionary zoning should be allowed beyond these transit stations.
Housing can be affordable, and it’s upon us to change the laws to make it so.
The perfect medicine to de-stress from the pandemic
Instructor Montana Skurka (left centre) leads yoga participants through a few last deep breaths before completing their practice for the day at Bickford Park. NABAHAT HUSSAIN/GLEANER NEWS
By Nabahat Hussain
Yoga in the park was put on hold in April due to a province-wide lockdown, but as of June, it’s in its third summer.
Teachers Montana Skurka and Michelle Karunaratne have seen their small group classes grow exponentially since leading their first park yoga sessions in 2019.
Karunaratne says that last summer, classes had to be broken up in accordance with city guidelines, as the amount of people wanting to attend exceeded the number of people allowed in a single outdoor gathering.
Another issue posed by the pandemic was being unable to practice for two months, however online yoga sessions were available and many attended.
Keeping classes small and keeping distance between yoga mats are some precautions being taken during this time.
Roxanne, an attendee since 2020 says, “If I put on a YouTube video, I’m still having to do more work myself,” says Roxanne, a Yoga in the Park attendee. “With a teacher, I get the chance to let go, and have someone else take care of me for an hour.” Karunaratne sees a whole other appeal to the sessions. “People were missing that communal experience,” she says.Community is something that both instructors stress as a part of their mission.
“Everyone is included and welcome,” says Skurka, who has a background in education and mental health.
Both instructors aim to infuse their classes with different benefits. Skurka hopes to “empower people to feel agency over their own bodies and mental health,” while Karunaratne’s practice centres around challenging the body.
Being in the park is also decidedly more enjoyable after a stay-at-home order, as being in a space with several activities going on the background helped people reconnect with one another.
On one occasion, says Skurka, the group turned around for a certain pose and came upon a double rainbow.
Sometimes there’s music in the background, and people playing sports, all keeping the environment lively in accordance with the Annex’s character.
Skurka says mindfulness is integral to eradicating any stress and anxiety brought about during the pandemic.
In simple terms, it’s about grounding yourself in the present moment, in the same vein as a “taking it one day at a time” view on life. With deep breathing techniques, movement, interactions with others, and a connection to nature, Skurka says doing yoga outdoors works in several ways to make people feel better.
As intimidating as starting a new sport or hobby may seem, the instructors reassure that yoga is not complex at all — all you need is a mat, and even without one, deep breathing is enough to develop that “mindfulness muscle” as Skurka calls it.
Currently classes are being held three times a week – Tuesdays at 6pm, Thursdays at 6pm and Sunday at 11am, all at Bickford Park.
July 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on LIFE: Baseball Leafs prepare for a summer of action (Jun. 2021)
Christie Pits set to welcome fans back to the old ballgame
As Ontario reopens after the pandemic shutdowns of the past year, the Maple Leafs look forward to a summer of baseball at Christie Pits. R.S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS
By R.S. Konjek
The sights and sounds of live baseball will return to Christie Pits this summer, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are raring to go.
After the 2020 season was wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic, players are dusting off their spikes and conveying their feelings about playing ball again.
“Ready,” says Garrett Takamatsu.
“Liberated,” says Grant Tamane.
“Super-pumped,” says Johnathan Solazzo.
In June, the Intercounty Baseball League’s proposal to play a shortened 2021 season was approved by the Ontario government, allowing for a July-August regular season and playoffs this September.
Over the next two months, the Leafs will play 15 home games at their traditional 2:00 pm Sunday and 7:30 pm Wednesday start times.
Now that it’s game on, Leafs manager Damon Topolie finds himself doing “a million things” to get his ballclub ready.
In early July he met with City of Toronto officials to confirm that Dominico Field could reopen for baseball, and that fans would be welcomed back to the park.
Although the city did not present any specific rules or requirements for reopening, fans coming to Christie Pits will be encouraged to observe the provincial COVID-19 health and safety guidelines that are still in effect. Social distancing and facial coverings are two things that fans can continue to do.
As well, the Leafs are looking at restricting the seating behind the team benches to avoid those areas becoming overcrowded. The hillsides surrounding the field will be wide open to all and admission is free.
Shortly before the season was scheduled to begin, city staff were seen mowing the grass and preparing the field for play.
Topolie has done an impressive job of constructing a team that will don the famous maple leaf logo this summer.
Popular veterans like Takamatsu, Tamane and Solazzo will be joined by two of the league’s top sluggers, Jordan Castaldo and Sean Reilly. Both are one-time Leafs who spent most of their careers with other teams, but whose return ensures that the home team will have a potent lineup at the plate.
Topolie spent the final days before the season “still working on the pitching part.”
Starters Zach Sloan and Marek Deska are returning, but ongoing cross-border travel restrictions mean that Buffalo, New York native and veteran pitcher Justin Cicatello will be unable to start the season in Toronto.
Also stuck in Buffalo because of travel restrictions are the major league Blue Jays, a predicament that makes Topolie chuckle.
“We’re the only game in town right now,” he says, noting that from their inaugural season in 1969 to 1976, the Maple Leafs had the Toronto baseball scene all to themselves. Until the Blue Jays are permitted to return to their home stadium, the Leafs will open the summer as the only baseball action available to fans in North America’s fourth largest city.
The Maple Leafs’ complete 2021 season schedule can be found at www.mapleleafsbaseball.com.
June 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on ON THE COVER: REDress at Trinity-St. Paul’s (May 2021)
Red dresses hang on the exterior of Trinity-St. Paul’s Church in a show of solidarity with those seeking justice for Canada’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The REDress Project started as an art installation by Jaime Black at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in 2014, and has since spread across the country as a reminder of the shocking number of women and girls lost. For more information, visit jaimeblackartist.com. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
June 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: Brunny Rexall to shutter (May 2021)
Closing comes as a surprise after only 3 years in operation
On June 11, as many patios and retailers reopened, Rexall’s sign came down. NEILAND BRISSENDEN/GLEANER NEWS
By Nicole Stoffman
Rexall Pharmacy in the former Brunswick House is closing after only three years, on June 11. Employees will be re-assigned by the corporately-owned store, but the future of management is uncertain, according to an employee.
The move comes as a surprise to Bloor BIA Chair (and publisher of this newspaper), Brian Burchell, especially after Rexall’s extensive restoration of the heritage building.
Founded in 1874 as The Brunswick Hotel when Bloor Street was just a wagon road, by the 60s the “Brunny” was a legendary beer hall and blues venue.
Mementos of its storied past now grace the Rexall pharmacy’s interior.
“That is a real credit to the retailer who was under no obligation to offer that historical glance for their patrons,” said Burchell. “We’re sorry to see them go.”
Rexall’s American parent company, McKesson Corporation, has been thriving in this pandemic, earning $238.2 billion in revenues in 2020, a 3% increase from the previous year. So, it might be hard to believe Rexall’s official statement that the closure is due to lower sales resulting from pandemic restrictions.
There may be other reasons why the Brunny Rexall didn’t thrive. There are six pharmacies within walking distance.
According to Professor David Soberman, Canadian National Chair in Strategic Marketing at Rotman School of Management, the pharmacy needed to draw 50% of its competitors’ business to be viable.
High rent, financing the renovation, and a storefront that shoppers can’t see into may also have played a role.
The Gleaner spoke with customers who said that high prices and the lack of an accessible entrance on Bloor, were reasons they didn’t frequent Rexall too often.
McKesson Canada closed 40 of its 450 stores in 2018, citing falling prices for generic drugs and higher minimum-wages that cut into profits.
“When you’re a big network like Rexall, you’re going to be opening and closing franchises all the time,” explained Soberman, who added that in order for a large corporation to work, every piece needs to generate profits. He adds that Rexall may have seen the Brunswick House location through “rose-coloured glasses.”
What about the eight billion McKesson Corp. has to pay over the next 18 years to settle opioid litigation in the U.S.? As distributors, they have been accused of fanning the flames of the opioid crisis by not adequately vetting suspicious orders.
“If you’ve got a location that is generating money independent of what liabilities you have,” responded Soberman, “you’re going to keep it open.”
Soberman speculates that the company plans to sublet its lease to a tenant that could make a profit at the storied location.
The building is owned by Larry Sdao, a board member for the Bloor Annex BIA.
June 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: City moves forward with Garden Suites (May 2021)
Plan could allow homeowners to build additional housing in rear yard
The city is looking at garden suites located in rear yards behind a single detached house, a semi-detached house, and a townhouse or low-rise apartment block. COURTESY THE CITY OF TORONTO
By Joshua Chong
Some Toronto residents may soon be allowed to construct a detached housing unit in their rear yard. Under the City of Toronto’s new Garden Suites project, which is currently being developed, eligible homeowners will be permitted to build an ancillary building that can be rented out or used for additional housing.
Part of the city’s Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods initiative, Garden Suites is meant to complement the existing Laneway Suites project—which was adopted city-wide in 2019—and to address the lack of rental housing options in the city.
Garden suites, like laneway suites, remain on the same title deed as the main house. All public utilities, such as electricity, water and sewer, are provided through a connection from the primary housing unit.
The program was developed in light of changes to the Ontario Planning Act, which now requires the city to permit the construction of ancillary detached housing units on low-rise residential lots.
However, not all houses with backyards will be eligible for a garden suite, which must be at least five metres away from the main dwelling and no more than 45 metres from the street. Additionally, they cannot cover more than 40 per cent of the rear yard area. These criteria, among others, are meant to prevent shadowing, ensure emergency services can access the unit, and protect green space and privacy.
The city held a series of three public consultations between May 11-13 to solicit feedback on the policy. They were led by David Driedger and Allison Reid, co-leads of the Garden Suites study team. Among those in attendance was Councillor Ana Bailão (Ward 9, Davenport).
Bailão stated that the new program would help address Toronto’s housing crisis.
“We need to give Torontonians more housing options,” she said. “Our city is growing quite fast [and] we know that there’s going to be 700,000 new residents moving into our city over the next 30 years.”
She also highlighted that these supplementary units can help facilitate intergenerational living and allow seniors to live close to their families—a topic of interest amid the senior long-term care crisis.
Based on a preliminary survey of 2,700 residents from across the city, presented by Reid, there is significant support for the Garden Suites program: 56 percent of respondents strongly support the policy, while 13 per cent somewhat support it. A third expressed interest in potentially building a garden suite on their property one day.
However, 28 per cent of those surveyed worried about the potential impacts of the project. Concerns with how the suites would affect privacy, shadowing, and the natural environment were most often cited.
“It’s concerning because of how our mayor implements net-zero and greening [policies] … and [yet] here we are developing and building buildings in the back gardens,” said one participant in the question-and-answer portion.
In response, another participant argued that the benefits of the policy outweigh its potential impacts on the environment and density. “There’s a lot of great neighborhoods and people can’t live in them, [even though] they want to live in them. People, I think, should take priority over trees and cars, and I just want to make sure that we all keep that in mind as we move forward.”
In an email statement to the Gleaner, Councillor Mike Layton (Ward 11, University-Rosedale) wrote that he has not yet taken a position on the policy, since consultations are still ongoing.
“I have spoken with a number of residents and their respective associations and their support and concerns are varied,” he stated.
Anne Fleming, chair of the Harbord Village Residents’ Association, wrote in an email to the Gleaner that the association is still studying the proposal and has not taken an official position on it. She did note, however, that few houses in Harbord Village would be eligible to build a unit under the Garden Suites program, since most back onto a laneway, and thus would be covered under the Laneway Suites program.
The Gleaner also reached out to the Annex Residents’ Association for comment. Chair Rita Bilerman wrote in an email that the association’s Planning and Development Committee is still reviewing the policy and examining its implications for residents of the Annex.
June 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: Appeal against 225 Brunswick Ave. (May 2021)
Developer seeks “middle ground” to resolve dispute with neighbour
This architect’s rendering depicts how this one-time synagogue located on Brunswick Avenue might look if it’s converted to residential units. COURTESY SUULIN ARCHITECTS
By Madeline Smart
The approved development plan for the one-time synagogue at 225 Brunswick Ave., whose plan required nine bylaw variances, has been appealed by a nearby neighbour.
After a virtual hearing in March, the Committee of Adjustment (CoA) made the decision to approve the variances requested by the developers plan on April 6 on the condition that no other variances were made.
By April 30th, neighbour Simon Wynberg had filed his appeal. In that appeal he represents 30 other residents within a 60 metre radius of the development.
The appeal restates the multiple variances of the proposed development that do not meet the city’s zoning standards in an attempt to have the plan’s approval reconsidered.
Some of the variances include not providing parking for future residents, no waste enclosure, decreasing the natural landscaping, possibly damaging some trees and most importantly to Wynberg, a proposed density that is 3 times larger than what is usually permitted.
“Our sticking point has always been the volume,” said Wynberg. “It’s just out of proportion.”
Developer Jeff Kopas said they have adjusted their plans to include waste storage, added parking for bikes, and received support from transportation services.
However, Kopas says only so much can be done about the density because renovating an older building is already expensive.
“To convert this building to residential is extremely cost prohibitive,” said Kopas in an emailed statement. “We are absolutely willing to do what we can, but it has to be reasonable.”
According to the developments’ website, they had looked into creating fewer units which may have reduced the density but it “wouldn’t have covered the hard and soft costs associated with renovating this structure.”
In order to turn the current two and a half storey building into three storeys with seven apartment units, the plan is to increase the building depth by five metres more than the permitted maximum depth. The plan also increases the floor space to over three times the area of the lot due to the addition of the third floor, when the applicable bylaw states it should only be one time the size.
Overall the community isn’t opposed to 225 Brunswick Ave. being turned into a residential building, but some just wish it were being done differently.
Another resident, Margaret Zeidler, prominent city builder, and President and creator of 401 Richmond Limited, is worried that that the development will set a harmful precedent for the neighbourhood as well as older buildings in the city.
“Yes it is an unusual development but it’s not unusual in the way it faces someone’s backyard,” said Zeidler. “And if they’re allowed to do that then why isn’t the next guy allowed to do it?”
Though 225 Brunswick Ave. was never officially designated as a heritage building, Wynberg wishes it would be treated with similar respect. “Nobody is objecting to it being housing, we would just like to see proper treatment of a heritage building,” said Wynberg.
Originally a gospel mission hall in 1911, the building went on to become a synagogue that hosted one of Toronto’s oldest Jewish Orthodox communities in the 1930s. It has long since become a commercial building but the character and history still remain.
However, Anne Fleming who is chair of the Harbord Village Residents’ Association (HRVA), says that 225 Brunswick Ave. will not set any precedent for the area. “225 was an absolute anomaly, it’s a completely unique situation,” said Flemming. “It’s a unique building to the neighbourhood and so whatever happens here is not a precedent for anything else.”
Kopas was disappointed to hear about the appeal, stating that he believed his company had done their best to work with the community. “This is an incredibly challenging building and we have been working on finding a proposal everyone could support for over three years now,” said Kopas.
According to Kopas, the building hasn’t had a legal use as a commercial building since the 1980s and was only being used as one conditionally because the previous owners could not afford to renovate it into a residential unit. So Kopas will keep fighting for their plan if the appeal is approved, because they don’t have another option. They hope to find a middle ground with the neighbours that makes everyone happy.
Wynberg and the other neighbours he represents for the appeal are still open to negotiations and finding a middle ground with Kopas, but for now they are taking the legal steps and hoping to see the process take place fairly.
The virtual hearing for the appeal is set for August 24.
June 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Farmer’s Market returns to the Annex (May 2021)
Cameron and Shaylynn from Sun Ray Orchards in Beamsville, Ontario were happy to be serving customers at the first Bloor-Borden Farmer’s Market of the season. NICOLE STOFFMAN/GLEANER NEWS
The Farmer’s Market returns for a 14th season with 16 organic food vendors, which is the same number found there during pre-pandemic times.
Gus Sinclair, a long-time organizer of the popular market told the Gleaner the market begins June 2 and runs between 3 – 7 pm. They will continue every Wednesday until October 28.
The layout this year will feature farmer’s stalls on the periphery of the east end of the Green P parking lot off of Borden Street. All staff and customers must wear masks while on site allowing the safe operation of a market during COVID-19. At the centre of the market will be live instrumental music.
A new feature this year will be an organic craft beer supplier offering samples allowing shoppers to perhaps get a little tipsy while buying turnips.
The market’s survival is completely dependent on volunteers. To join the team that makes it happen email bloorbordenmarket@gmail.com.
—Brian Burchell/Gleaner News
Comments Off on CHATTER: Farmer’s Market returns to the Annex (May 2021)Tags:Annex · News · Food
