Blog

Tis the season for song and snacks!

Next public board meeting: Dec. 6

Festive Singalong – Volunteers wanted

Hey friends, don’t forget to come out to our festive singalong and tree-lighting this Saturday, December 3 at 530. Also, if you are available to volunteer for setup at 430 (and don’t mind lifting some heavy things) email us at info@deca.to.

From the DECA Visioning Committee:

DECA Community, miss the ULI TAP Danforth Garage Webinar?

Earlier this month the Urban Land Institute (ULI) held a webinar to summarize their recommendations for the Danforth Garage (SoDa Barns) project at Danforth and Coxwell Avenues after holding a ULI Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) focused on this project. DECA finds their insightful review of the site a valuable contribution to the evolving vision for this city building project and the discussion as to how to get there!  The ULI TAP contribution reflects the expertise of a wide range of professionals involved in the building industry and the arts community. By providing a financial lens, among others, to this project they explored how to create a vibrant and sustainable project. Steve Wickens, the DECA Visioning Chair, provided a long and local perspective on the project having been in discussions about the site since initiating the event, “Imagine the Danforth” in 2014 with DECA Visioning members.

The ULI TAP provided five recommendations to direct the project moving forward (taken from the ULI report):

#1 Look at the project as a district to better use land and unlock potential funding sources beyond the 5-acre site. (see report for photos & similar scale maps)

#2 Increase the allowed density on the 5-acre site as well as on city-owned properties within the district. Add 750,000 sq.ft. of market residential housing to achieve the vision of a community hub for the Barns.

#3. Just start! Treat the Danforth Barns like a business incubator and start introducing interim uses.

#4. Future-proof the site by testing the circulation network in and around the site and
find out what works and what doesn’t, with different uses in mind.

#5. Attract a creative, long-term developer and funding partner to kick start the
revitalization of the site, help unlock potential city-owned real estate value, and phase
and maintain the project over time.

DECA also agrees we should get those interim uses going ASAP!

Peruse the report and watch the webinar for more, great information!

Below are the details from the webinar:

• Missed the Program: View the Webinar Recording
• View the TAP Report here
• Attached are the slides from the speakers.

We will keep you posted on this project in our community!

ULIToronto_DanforthGarageWebinar_Nov92022

We’re looking forward to a festive singalong with Shannon Butcher @shannonbutchersings in East Lynn Park on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 530! We’ll have songsheets online and printed, hot chocolate and cookies, and musical support from students at The Space.
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Bring a food donation for the community fridges and get a free hot chocolate! To read more about Community Fridges TOronto and see their donation guidelines, check out their website here: https://communityfridgesto.org/
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Special thanks to Juliette Fergus at Trust Realty for the donation to this event!

Sorry about the super-long headline but it’s been a while and we have a lot to tell you!

Neighbourhood Toy Store Day

This Saturday is the annual Neighbourhood Toy Store Day celebration at Silly Goose Kids.They’ve got events, deals and prizes all day for the kiddos!

Festival of Lights

On Sunday, November 27 at 530, join DECA in the park for a tree-lighting and festive sing-along! If you would like to volunteer at this event, email us at info@deca.to

Transportation Survey

The City of Toronto has partnered with the Ministry of Transportation Ontario to sponsor the Transportation Tomorrow Survey (TTS). The survey, which will be mailed to randomly selected Toronto residents, takes less than 15 minutes to complete, and the results will help plan improvements to transportation facilities for all road and transit users in Toronto and across the region. Residents should watch for a survey invitation in their mailboxes and visit the website to learn more.

Property Bylaws Amendments

From the Municipal Licensing and Standards office at City of Toronto:

At its June 2022 meeting, Toronto City Council adopted amendments to three bylaws: Property Standards Bylaw, Vacant and Hazardous Properties Bylaw, and the Building Construction and Demolition Bylaw.

Enforcement of the Property Standards Bylaw

The City is currently working to establish fines for violations of the Property Standards Bylaw, which will allow bylaw enforcement officers to issue tickets when required. Information about the fines will be made available on the City’s Property Standards webpage.

Residents can contact 311 to submit a complaint about a bylaw violation. If there is a complaint or information about a possible violation, Bylaw Enforcement Officers will review the complaint and if validated, investigate, educate and/or take enforcement actions. The goal is to resolve issues and ensure that property owners/operators and occupants are following the bylaws. Each issue is addressed on a case-by-case basis to make sure reasonable, fair and appropriate actions are taken. For example, in some cases the issue may be resolved through education. In other cases, further enforcement action is required.

If a property owner/operator or occupant does not comply with the Property Standards Bylaw, they are guilty of an offence. Enforcement action may include an Order to Comply, a fine or a summons to appear before the Court. If property owners/operators do not comply, the City may carry out maintenance work to ensure compliance, with the cost of the work added to the property tax bill.

2. Changes in the Vacant-Derelict Properties Bylaw

The Vacant or Hazardous Property Bylaw, applies to all vacant buildings and hazardous properties in Toronto, including unsafe properties that pose an immediate danger to the health or safety of people. In addition to the requirements of the Property Standards Bylaw, the owner of a vacant property must protect the building against risk of fire or danger by preventing the entrance of all unauthorized persons, ensure that all materials used to secure a vacant building are compatible in colour to the exterior of the building, and disconnect utilities if the building is vacant for more than 90 days. More information is available on the City’s Property Standards webpage.

3. Changes in the Right of Entry Requirements

Right of entry is required when property owners need to enter a neighbouring property to repair their own property, as the repairs cannot be done from within the boundaries of their own property. Effective March 1, 2023, new requirements in the Building Construction and Demolition Bylaw will be in effect for right of entry. Right of entry permits will no longer be required; instead property owners will have to follow a set of rules if entering neighbouring property to conduct work.

If there is a need to access a neighbour’s property to do work on own property, property owners should first speak to their neighbours and must provide reasonable written notice to the neighbour at least 24 hours before entering. The written notice must include the description of the work being done, the date of entry and duration of the work, and the resident’s telephone number. When entering neighbour’s property, property owners should ensure that they are not creating any hazards and should restore the property to its original condition after the work is finished. Compensation needs to be provided for any damages caused by entry.

4. Guidance for Using Security Cameras on Private Property

Property owners and residents may choose to use security cameras for a number of reasons, such as identifying visitors and ensuring the security of delivered packages. However, it is important that cameras are installed and used in a way that considers the privacy of residents and neighbours.

The City does not regulate the use of security cameras on private residential properties, but there are best practices that can be considered when installing cameras on private properties. These are available on the City’s Using a Security Camera on Your Property webpage.

If you have questions, please email MLSFeedback@toronto.ca.

540 Cedarvale Modular Housing Open House

From Woodgreen Community Services:

WoodGreen Community Services is pleased to extend an invitation to our upcoming Open House at our new supportive housing project at 540 Cedarvale Ave.

Date: Saturday, November 19, 2022

Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Location: 540 Cedarvale Avenue, East York, ON. M4C 4K8

 At the Open House, you can expect to:

• Meet with WoodGreen staff who can provide you with additional information about the services offered
• Learn more about the site
• See the facility and accommodations first-hand
• Learn more about homelessness in Toronto
• Learn more about modular housing
• Interactive activity: Create welcome cards for future tenants
• Find out how you can be involved in volunteer opportunities, including our Advisory Committee.

The event is family friendly – everyone is welcome!  You can find out more about 540 Cedarvale at the following webpage: www.woodgreen.org/welcome-to-540-cedarvale-ave  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact community@woodgreen.org.

WoodGreen Flyer (540 Cedarvale) Final Version