Hello everyone. It was good to see so many people out enjoying the Avenue Road BIA Street Fair last Saturday. Josephine Grayson, a BPRO Board member and myself manned a table by Ambrosia and got to meet some of you which was nice.
Regarding new development, whether it be a condo on Avenue Road or a 4 plex on a local street, please be aware that the Provincial government has removed the ability of municipalities and residents to have much say.
For example, the City has advised that it is not in position to object to the additional 80 units proposed at 3180 Yonge Street because the overall height and massing of the building was previously approved by the Ontario Land Tribunal.
So, where does that leave a resident’s association like the BPRO?
Firstly, we still can respond to applications to try to ensure the best possible building. In the case of 3180 Yonge, one of our recommendations is to have a gate across the building’s service lane where it meets the sidewalk on Bedford Park to prevent cars from shooting across the busy walkway used by subway users and children attending Blessed Sacrament.
We can also focus our efforts on improving our neighbourhood. One improvement was to replace the assorted and often rusty or missing street signs in our neighbourhood so I am happy to report that new street signs with the Bedford Park logo will be appearing sometime soon.
As well, it appears that the metal street panels that newspaper boxes were tethered to and which cluttered Yonge Street have finally been taken away. These are small victories and hopefully more will be coming, particularly once the developer of 3180 Yonge Street applies for a building permit. We calculate that $1.5 million in community improvement funds will become available and we intend to continue lobbying the City to apply some of these funds in our neighbourhood.
This is where residents can help. If you stay quiet, money will get spent elsewhere.
One of the issues that BPRO has consistently raised is the state of the small parkette at Woburn and Jedburg. Currently, the most notable feature are the large garbage bins in the centre and the sad mesh fence that borders the west and south sides. BPRO believes this neighbourhood deserves an attractive and welcoming green space similar to other parkettes in the city.
The BPRO Board cannot do it all alone and the Councillor’s office needs to hear from more voices in the community. We are hoping there are some interested residents out there who would be interested in improving this parkette.
If so, please contact BPRO, we hope to hear from you. Naomi Faulkner, President