Spring is here and we are rapidly moving into summer but please know that BPRO is continuing to engage with City officials and our neighbouring resident and business associations.
AGM
On May 14 BPRO held its ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING at Safari Bar and Grill and it was a great success. Jason Thorne, Chief Planner for the City of Toronto and Councillor Colle spoke to members and everyone enjoyed some nibbles and drinks.
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
Maybe because its an election year….Things are moving ahead:
1. I spent an afternoon with Teresa Morante Arona of Councillor Colle’s office undertaking a survey of deficiencies on Yonge Street (ie. dead trees, uneven sidewalks, graffiti covered utility boxes). We also reviewed the parkette at Woburn and Jedburgh. Teresa has promised to investigate available funds to make improvements and work with other City departments like Forestry and Works, to address these issues.
2. Councillor Colle endorsed a working group composed of the 3 resident organizations fronting Avenue Road together with the new Avenue Road BIA. The group will seek ways to make improvements including the use of pavers in the middle lane to slow traffic.
3. Doug Baxter, one of our Directors, recently completed a thorough survey of all the street signs in the neighbourhood which has been conveyed to the City. Hopefully, we will see new signs with a consistent moniker of “Bedford Park” added.
DEVELOPMENT NEWS
A few years ago, a developer received approval for a 9 storey condominium with 58 units on the west side of Avenue Road between Cranbrooke and Brookdale Avenues, otherwise known as 1650 Avenue Road. The developer, Starbank, is now planning to go to Committee of Adjustment on July 23 seeking to increase the height of this building to 12 storeys and 162 units.
All three resident associations fronting Avenue Road: BPRO, SAHRA (South Armour Heights Resident Association), and UACA (Upper Avenue Community Association) will be joining forces to object at Committee as approving this height would set a precedent for all future buildings on both sides of Avenue Road between Lawrence and Wilson. On the BPRO side of the street, several large properties could easily be developed such as the No Frills and closed Nissan Dealership sites.
Even if the Committee of Adjustment refuses the application, the developer will likely appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal. Retaining consultants to assist resident groups to participate in these hearings is costly. BPRO relies on funds collected from members so please keep this in mind when considering renewal or making a donation
Come out to the Yonge Lawrence Village Day & Sidewalk Sale TOMORROW, June 13, 11am to 4pm. Some BPRO board members will be there, so come say hello!
