BEAR WATCH: There have been sightings of a Black Bear in the area of Bloomington Road & York/Durham Line today. Call 911 if you see a bear that poses an immediate threat to personal safety and exhibits threatening or aggressive behaviour. pic.twitter.com/vHQ77pqQDs

— Town of Stouffville (@townofws) June 6, 2022

Tips posted on the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville’s Facebook page seem to mirror the tips issued to Toronto residents in an effort to avoid attracting coyotes to our City streets. Coyotes are regularly spotted in our mid-town neighbourhoods. Stay safe everyone.

Call the toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 (TTY 705-945-7641 ) if you see a bear that does not pose immediate threat to personal safety. This line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from April 1 to November 30.

In order to not attract bears, residents are reminded to follow simple rules, including:
– Garbage: put garbage out only on the morning of garbage day, not the night before
– Bird Feeders: Do not use bird feeders during the summer months
– BBQs: Burn off food residue and wash the grill right away
– Pet food: Do not leave pet food outdoors, in screened-in areas or porches
– Dogs: Leash your dog(s) when walking through communities to reduce the potential of dogs harassing a black bear or of being attacked by one.

More helpful tips and information can be found here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/prevent-bear-encounters-bear-wise

The Annual Banff Road Street Sale is back after a pandemic hiatus. This Saturday, June 4, from 9am onwards. Banff Road, south of Eglinton, many families will be participating with kids, home, sports and clothing items for sale.

Over in East York, the giant Golden Triangle community garage sale is located at Pape and O’Connor. There will be well over 100 households participating. Sellers come from all over to set up at their friends and family’s homes and there are always new and exciting things to be had…practically anything you can think of! Saturday, June 4, 8am-2pm. Streets participating in the sale include: Pepler, Rivercourt, Chilton, Warland, Wolverton, Elmsdale, Hopedale, Stanhope, Beechwood, Minton, O’Connor, Pape and Donlands.

Metrolinx construction update — Watermain Connection Work: http://thecrosstown.ca/news-media/whats-new/reminder-watermain-connection-work-brentcliffe-road-closure-north-of-eglinton-a

What Work is Taking Place?

As early as Tuesday, May 31, 2022, crews will be continuing watermain connection works on Eglinton Avenue East at Brentcliffe Road. To facilitate this work Brentcliffe Road will be closed north of Eglinton Avenue East. Westbound traffic on Eglinton Avenue East will be reduced to one through-lane and one left-turn lane. Eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane approaching Brentcliffe Road. This work will take approximately three (3) weeks to complete. For more information, please review the complete notice or visit www.thecrosstown.ca.

What to Expect

Construction activities will include the installation of a new watermain line and four fire hydrants. Brentcliffe Road will be closed north of Eglinton Avenue for approximately three (3) weeks – the road will reopen upon completion of the works. Concrete barriers, fencing, and signage will be in place to delineate the work zones. Noise from construction activity including trucks, asphalt removals, and compacting can be expected. Expect delays while travelling through the intersection.

HOURS OF WORK

• Starting as early as Tuesday, May 31, 2022, for approximately three (3) weeks.
• Construction activities are expected to take place between 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• This work may be rescheduled or delayed due to inclement weather and/or unforeseen circumstances.
• Work may be longer or shorter than expected.

PEDESTRIAN DETAILS

The sidewalk on the north side of Eglinton Avenue East will remain closed between Brentcliffe Road and Glassworks Drive. The crosswalk on the east side of the Brentcliffe-Eglinton intersection will beclosed.

TRAFFIC DETAILS

Brentcliffe Road will be closed north of Eglinton Avenue East. Westbound traffic on Eglinton Avenue East will be reduced to one through-lane and one left- turn lane. Eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane approaching Brentcliffe Road.

TTC INFORMATION

The westbound TTC bus stop located on the northwest side of Eglinton Avenue East and Brentcliffe Road will be temporarily relocated approximately 10 metres west.
Please visit www.ttc.ca for more information.

The folks over at Green Canoe (900 Millwood Road) have revealed the name of the business that will be taking over their beloved cafe. In a Facebook post, they say:

Hello everyone this is a little introduction post for the new owners taking over the Green Canoe location. “Coming soon….La Casetta! Set to open mid-summer, La Casetta, the sister restaurant of Cafe Oro di Napoli, will be offering Neapolitan style pizzas, homemade pastas, antipasti and traditional italian desserts. Check out Cafe Oro di Napoli on Instagram to get an ideea of what they do and what they specialize in.” Please welcome Mathan and Cristina to the Leaside community with the same open arms as you did us the last 5 years! Thanks again and a great big hug to everyone who ever came out. #leasidecommunity #lacasetta #cafeorodinapoli #thankyou

A heat warning was issued for the GTA this morning. I don’t think you need us to tell you that it’s hot out there. “Maximum temperatures will reach the low thirties again today. Minimum temperatures in the low twenties will provide little relief from the heat tonight. Cooler air is expected to arrive on Wednesday. Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and can result in the Air Quality Health Index approaching the high risk category.” Stay cool everyone.

Signage has appeared at 1608 Bayview Ave. (formerly Romeo & Juliet Hair Studio) announcing the future opening of Ramona’s Kitchen. The photos would suggest that their sandwiches and pancakes will be delish. It looks like Bayview could soon be known as the brunch capital of Toronto. Cheers!

Yonge-Eglinton Secondary Plan, Midtown Character Areas (City of Toronto, March 29, 2018)

Having considered input from the community, the City made changes and will be reporting on a recommended zoning by-law for the Midtown ‘Villages’ to Planning and Housing Committee on May 31, 2022. This is the first phase of a zoning by-law amendment to implement the Yonge-Eglinton Secondary Plan, which was brought into force in 2019. Future phases are anticipated to be brought forward in 2023, following further consultation. Project Website: www.toronto.ca/ReadySetMidtown

In the e-update on March 24, 2022, the draft zoning by-law for five Midtown ‘Villages’ was available for review and comment. The Midtown ‘Villages’ are identified on Map 21-2 of the Yonge-Eglinton Secondary Plan and include Eglinton Way, Yonge Street North, Mount Pleasant South, Bayview-Leaside, and Yonge Street South. Since that time, they received emails, phone calls, and letters offering input and suggestions to make the draft zoning by-law better.

Join Councillor Mike Colle and your neighbours to see a new park site! The old Green P parking lot at Castlefield between Yonge and Duplex is the future home of a large new park! More green space is coming to the Yonge-Eglinton area.

Contrary to the old Joni Mitchell song – you CAN unpave a parking lot!

SEDRA works closely with many residents’ associations across the city including the Eglinton Park Residents’ Association (EPRA). Our friends at EPRA have asked us to join in their celebration.

Come for the music, kids’ activities, food & drink, plus bike checkups with Cycle Toronto. There will be samosas and dipping sauce, and hot dogs. For the thirsty, there will be cold water and cold drinks. But city discourages plastic bottles. There will be cups, but you can bring your own flask or thermos, and fill it there. On hand will be folks from EPRA, LPRO, 500 Duplex Tenants’ Association, City of Toronto Parks Department, and of course Eglinton-Lawrence Councillor Mike Colle.

Where to meet:
Duplex and Castlefield – Saturday May 28th – 1 PM to 4 PM

Proposed 21-storey residential development 537-543 Eglinton Ave E

Proposed 21-storey residential development 537-543 Eglinton Ave E

Proposed 21-storey residential development 537-543 Eglinton Ave E

South Eglinton Davisville Residents’ Association has released a call to action regarding a development proposal at 537 Eglinton Ave East. Mark your calendar for SEDRA’s Zoom Meeting on May 30th at 7:00PM.

After both the North York Community Council (NYCC) and City Council unanimously adopted City Planning’s Refusal Report, developer Eglinton Hoyle Realty Inc and their law firm Aird & Berlis are proceeding with an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal. The Case Management Conference (CMC) has been scheduled for 10 am on June 9th via video. SEDRA believes the City has a very strong case against this appeal, but their case is much stronger with the support of the community. SEDRA (South Eglinton Davisville Residents’ Association) – formally SERRA – plans to participate. SEDRA strongly recommends that as a resident, you also consider signing up as a Participant. The more residents who show their support by attending this hearing, the better.

SEDRA Zoom Meeting – May 30th at 7:00PM
Topic: SEDRA – 537 Eglinton meeting
Time: May 30, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: Link
Meeting ID: 889 0893 7601
Passcode: 338001

SEDRA will be focusing on the following issues in our communication to the OLT:

• Suitability of the site to accommodate such a tall building
• Potential wind impacts associated with a tall building with limited stepbacks
• The proposed height of 23 storeys (double the permitted height of 8-12 storeys for this location per OPA 405)
• The lack of transition from such a tall building to the homes to the south
• Shadow impacts on neighbouring residential properties to the north
• Lack of on-site parking, and in particular, visitor parking.

All the information regarding the latest application, the rationale for the city’s recommendation and your input from the community consultation meeting can be found in the link below.

537, 539, 541 and 543 Eglinton Avenue East – Official Plan Amendment Application – Refusal Report

Do-or-die battle to save low-rise Davisville west of Bayview