Councillor Mark Grimes attended our Annual General Meeting on September 23rd, and gave us some updates on a number of issues. The following is taken from a handout provided to us by his staff.

Van Dusen Pedestrian Bridge

I was recently informed by the project team that work is slightly behind schedule. The delay was caused by the negotiation of some easements required for the project. As well, fabrication and sourcing the materials is taking longer due interruptions in the manufacturing sector as a result of COVID-19.

Bridge installation is expected to begin in January, with the bridge anticipated to reopen in February. Stream restoration will be occurring from February to March, and there will be some final site restoration including re-naturalization and plantings happening in the Spring.

A reminder that there is a project webpage at toronto.ca/mimicocreek, and you can also stay tuned to my eNews for new construction notices.

Pathway along the Mimico Creek

Residents had requested the paving of the informal trail along the Mimico Creek as a part of this project. I inquired about this request with City staff and I was advised that:

“for many years the public has been using the area along Mimico Creek as an informal trail. This trail was developed by the public walking along Mimico Creek and not by the City, and therefore the City also does not maintain the trail. The reason for this is the trail actually extends through private property. Therefore the scope of the construction work does not include repairs or formalizing the trail that exists from Van Dusen Blvd to Bloor. The area will be restored to a naturalized condition following construction.

The City’s Transportation Services division has previously studied developing an official multi-use trail along Mimico Creek at this location, but due to the amount of private properties that extend to and into the creek as well as potential flooding concerns, it was deemed unfeasible.”

If you have any further questions about this, please reach out to my office at councillor_grimes@toronto.ca, and I would be happy to connect you with the project team.

Tridel Development – 3100 Bloor St. W.

As many of you know, this development application was appealed to the Province’s Ontario Land Tribunal. City Council has provided instructions to the City’s lawyer to oppose the development in its current form based on the concerns voiced by City Planning staff.

Like all expert witnesses, the City’s land use and transportation planners are required to follow their own in- dependent professional expertise and opinions. Those opinions are guided by the City’s own land use planning policy documents.

Neither Council nor a Councillor can provide any direction to the City’s expert planners that would seek to sway or change their professional opinions.

As this matter has been appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, City Council no longer retains any decision making authority over the application. It will be the Tribunal (The Provincial Appeal body) that ultimately approves or refuses the developer’s plans.

TOCA (who is a party to this appeal, and does have the opportunity to call expert witnesses) will be at the table and taking part in mediation. This gives you a good opportunity to engage in the process, voice your concerns (make your case) with all the interested parties and participants. In the event that a formal settlement offer comes out of the mediation, it may be considered by City Council, who will act on the advice of the City Solicitor and the City’s planning experts.

Please note that I cannot pre-judge or comment on a Settlement Offer that have not been received, and is not before me.

The City lawyer acts and takes instruction only from their client, which is City Council. Residents may wish to consider fundraising for the purpose of being separately represented by their own legal counsel and ex- pert witnesses, on issues that may differ from the city’s position.

PROPOSAL BACKGROUND: City Planning Division has received an application to amend the City’s Official Plan including the Etobicoke Centre Secondary Plan, the former City of Etobicoke Zoning Code and the City-wide Zoning By-law 569-2013 to permit a 13-storey mixed use building with 319 dwelling units and 443 square metres of retail space at grade. A total of 449 parking spaces are pro- posed within 3 levels of underground parking. The application also proposes to naturalize and convey some of the site to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).

Traffic Safety

Traffic studies were previously on hold due to COVID-19, because the level of traffic on our roads was not normal. As more things are open, and traffic levels are beginning to return to normal, these studies have resumed. Staff are working through a backlog of studies that have come in during the pandemic, but please continue to contact my office at councillor_grimes@toronto.ca if there is a traffic safety issue that you would like addressed.

Past Traffic Safety Requests:

1. Angled parking pavement markings on Thompson Ave, east side (in front of Starbucks); Status: Completed.

2. Parallel parking pavement markings on Thompson Ave, west side for Green P Parking; Status: Completed.

3. Rescind left turn prohibition from Thompson onto Bloor to allow left turns; Status: staff do not support the removal of the current “Left Turn” Prohibition due to proximity to traffic signals at Montgomery Road & Bloor St. West. There is insufficient storage for westbound traffic and the safety of the northbound left turn movement would be compromised.

4. Request for speed humps on Gardendale Road from Bloor St. W to Van Dusen (2019 study); Status: warrants were not met, therefore traffic calming not justified.

If there’s anything that we didn’t cover tonight, or anything else that you’d like information on, please contact my office at councillor_grimes@toronto.ca or 416-397-9273.

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