mount dennis community association...“clean tech”, refers to any process, product, or service...
TRANSCRIPT
NEWSLETTER #16 SPRING 2018
HOW TO REACH US Tel. 416-614-3371
www.mountdennis.ca facebook.com/Mount Dennis @MountDennisCA [email protected]
501 Alliance Ave. (at Rockcliffe Blvd.) – Long-term residents mayrememberthisastheCooperCanadasportinggoodsfactory.
A map of Mount Dennis
BUILDING GREEN IN MOUNT DENNIS
501Allianceisbeingreborn.S.StrashinandSonsLtd.istwo-thirdscompleteonatotalrenovationofthis380,000squarefootbuilding,targetingLEEDPlatinumcertification.(LEEDisthemostwidelyusedratingsystemforgreenbuildings).501Alliance featuresa298KWsolar farmon itswhiteroof,and includesdouble-glazedargon-filledwindows,addedinsulationandLEDlighting.Alsoincludedarestormwatercollectiontoflushthetoilets,andgroundsourceheatpumpsforheatingandcooling.AsElliotStrashinputsit:“Thisbuildinghasallthegreenbellsandwhistlesyoucouldwant!”
TheStrashinshavedeeprootsinourarea.Elliot’swife,Julian,isadescendantofJohnDennis,aUnitedEmpireLoyalistwho,around1800,wasgrantedlandwhere501Alliancenowstands.TheDennisfamilylateracquiredsixmoreparcelsoflandandsettledinthearea,leadingtothename“MountDennis”.
Theanchortenantat501AllianceisdynaCERTInc.,whichhasdevelopedaCarbonEmissionReductionTechnologytoimprovetheefficiencyandenvironmentalperformanceofdieselengines.Inenginesthatburnfossilfuels,dynaCERThasdemonstratedreductionsofupto20%infuelconsumption,40%ingreenhousegasemissionsand65%inparticulatematter.Photoontherightshowstheirunitonatransporttruck.Learnmoreatdynacert.com.
Mount Dennis Community Association
Strashinhopestoattractothercleantechnologycompaniestothearea.Cleantechnology,or“CleanTech”,referstoanyprocess,product,orservicethatreducesnegativeenvironmentalimpacts through significant energy efficiency improvements, the sustainable use ofresources,orenvironmentalprotectionactivities.
MDCA isexcited that this typeofactivity,which fitsright inwithourEco-Neighbourhoodagenda,ishappeningrighthereinMountDennis-Toronto’sgreenestcommunity.AndwearedelightedtowelcomeElliotasanewmemberofMDCA’sBoard.
Mount Dennis Eco-Neighbourhood
Initiative
“Tobealiveable,net-zeroenergyneighbourhoodandinspireotherstodothe
same.”
2 | MDCA Newsletter Issue 16 | Spring 2018
PUSH FOR CYCLING & PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
Last fall, Councillor Nunziata formed the Ward 11PedestrianSafetyandCyclingCommittee. ItsnewreporttoCityHallisameatydocumentisfullofrecommendationswhich, if adopted, shouldmake things a whole lot saferhere inMountDennis, andmake it easier for all ofus torealizethehealthbenefitsofactivetransportation.
Forpedestrians,thereportaskstheCitytodoroadsafetyaudits at dangerous intersections, including Weston &Eglinton. Itrecommends installingapedestriancrossingonEglintonbetweenWestonandJane,wherean85-yearoldresidentwastragicallykilledbyavehicleinDecember.And it calls for more safety measures at the existingHumberBlvd.N.&LouvainAve.crosswalk,aswellaslowerspeed limits around schools. Other pedestrian safetymeasuresincludeseparatingwalkwaysfromcyclingtrails,improving lighting,upgrading sidewalks, reprogrammingtrafficlightstobemorepedestrian-friendlyandimprovingwalkway access into hilly parks, such as the SE and SWFlats,forwheelchairusersandpeoplewithstrollers.
For cyclists the report stresses the importance of theWestonRoadcorridor–themajorarterythroughWard11between the Junction, Harwood, Mount Dennis andWeston.ItaskstheCitytoexplorepossiblebikelanesonWestonRoadandalsoonJaneStreet,whereitwantstoseeabikepathlinkingLambtonandEglinton.Italsoproposesacontra-flowbikelaneonBalaAve.,whichwouldbenefitpeople wanting to cycle from the Emmett and SidneyBelseyareastowardsMountDennisStation.
Other Mount Dennis-related recommendations call forbikelanesonRockcliffebetweenBlackCreekandLambton,abikepathparalleltoBlackCreek(improvingaccesstotheRecCentre),andmakingsuretheCity’splannedmulti-usetrailonEglintonbetweenJaneStreetandWestonRoadiscompletedbeforeMountDennisStationopensin2021.
Finally, the report notes that most existing Bike Sharestationsare in the downtown coreand asks theParkingAuthoritytoexpandthatprogramintoWard11.
Toreadtheentire25-pagereport(andrecommendationsdealing with all parts of Ward 11) follow the links atmountdennis.ca.
THE ENGINE ON THE BUS
TheTTCownsafleetofmorethan1,800busesandoperatesmore than 150 bus routes. In 2008, under pressure fromCity Hall to reduce air pollution levels, Hybrid (diesel-electric)buseswereaddedtothefleet.MostoftheHybridswere based here in the new Mount Dennis Garage onIndustryStreetwhenitopenedthatNovember.
Unfortunately,aswithmanynewtechnologies,thereweremechanical reliability problems, and in this respect theHybridbusesfellfarshortoftheestablisheddieselfleet.Asaresult,theTTC’slatestvehicleorderwillinclude325all-dieselbusesandonly250hybrid-electricmodels.Butthisbus order is not entirely a step back in technology. TheCommission is also ordering 30 all-electric buses fordeliverybyMarch2019.ThiswouldbethelargestfleetofbatteryelectricbusesinNorthAmerica.
The Mount Dennis Bus Garage is just around the cornerfrom where the new Metrolinx Battery Energy Storagefacilitywill be built onRayAve., beside the rail corridor.MDCAbelievesitwouldmakesensetobasethenewelectricbuseshere intheEco-Neighbourhood,andhopestheTTCwillmakethathappen.RINK’S FUTURE IN DOUBT
Our22skating-daysof2018werefarmorethanin2017or2016, but average daily attendance at the Pearen ParkCommunityRinkwasonlyaboutathirdofpastlevels.Anditseemsincreasinglyhardtofindthevolunteersneededforicemaking,snowshovelingandall theother jobs.Weareunsurewhattodoforfutureyears.Ifyouwantinput,pleasegotomountdennis.ca,readthearticleandtakeoursurvey.
3 | MDCA Newsletter Issue 16 | Spring 2018
MOUNT DENNIS NEWS
NEW NAME FOR HUMBER SENIORS HumberSeniorshasmergedwithagroup from theBloor&Keeleareaand isnowcalledWestTorontoSupportServices.Butdon’tworry,theywillstillprovideallthesameservices.Andtheystillneedvolunteerdrivers forMealsonWheels. Call416-249-7946ifyoucanhelp.
ONTARIO ELECTION MEETING
YoucanvoteonJune7thtohelpdecidewhowillrepresentyouatQueen’sPark,andwhichpartywillrunourProvinceforthenextfewyears.Beforethen,onMay23rd,MDCAandothercommunityassociationsinYorkSouth–Westonwillbejointlyorganizinga localAllCandidatesMeeting.This isyourchancetoseehowourMPPstacksupagainst theotherparties’candidates,andtoquestionthemallaboutwhatisimportanttoyou.Ifyoudon’tknowwhichwaytovote,thismeetingwillhelpyoudecide.(Seep.7)
EFFECTIVE DIVERSITY FORUMS – happening now! MDCA’smulticulturalforumsarealreadyunderway,butdon’tworry–youcanstillsignupforfutureones.Thisseriesofhands-oneveningeventsnearWeston&Eglintonwillusecasestudiestoshareandprovideadviceonbestpractices,aswellasgivingpeopleanopportunitytodeveloppresentationskills.Findallthedetailson-lineatmountdennis.caYoucanemailquestionsto:[email protected]
RESIDENTS CHOKE ON MEAT INDUSTRY PLANS SouthofMountDennis,butcloseenoughtoaffectsomeresidents,aresomefloodplainlandsbetweentheBlackCreekandTerryDrive.TheCitywantstosellthisproperty,andSt.HelensMeatPackerswantstobuyit.AMarch7thpublicmeetingwasattendedbymanyconcernedRockcliffe-SmytheandMountDennisresidentsworriednotjustabouttheuse,butaboutpossibleincreasedfloodrisks.TheConservationAuthoritymustapproveallfloodplaindevelopmentsandmaywellturnitdown.MDCAiswatchingclosely.
NEW STATION TAKING SHAPE Behind the piers for the new Photography Drive bridge (atright),theformerKodakEmployees'Buildingsitsraisedtoitsfinalposition,whereitwillberenovatedtobecomethestationconcourse. The LRT platforms will be in the "station box"betweenthetwo.
A. SMITH GTAYORK REGIONPEELDURHAMHAMILTON/ WENTWORTH
24 HRS / 7 DAYS A WEEK
Residential Commercial Industrial
Tel: 647 -855 -5118Earth,Wind,Fire & Flood Disaster Clean up
PEEL TORONTO DURHAM
PLUMBINGDRAIN & HEATING
WESTON ROAD IN TRANSITION (Second article in a series on the future of Weston Road)
Most issues of thisNewsletter include a “Newon the Street” columnabout the ever-changing face ofWestonRoad (seeoppositepage).Butmoreandbiggerchangesarecoming.
HappeningNow:TheformerCIBCbuildingat#1174WestonRoadisnowupforsaleandseemstohaveattractedalotofinterest.ThisisoneofthemoreattractivebuildingsonWestonRoad,andMDCAwillbeworkingtomakesure itstaysthatway.Aswegotopress,interiorworkat#1194isnearingcompletion.Weunderstandthiswill be a new outlet for the Subway restaurant chain – now theworld’s largest fast food franchise. #1234, the former PinetreeDaycarepropertyatGlenvalley,hasbeenboughtbytheCityforanewdaycarecentretoreplacetheonedemolishedonHollisSt.CouncillorNunziatatellsusthis isexpectedtobetheCity’s largestdaycare,anewtwo-storeybuildingwithagenerousoutdoorplayarea;watchforthedetailsofanupcomingpublicmeetingwiththeCouncilloranddesigners,wherelocalresidentscanhaveinput.
HalfablocksouthoftheKFC,#1286isbeingfullyrenovatedfor the familyhealth team fromWestParkHealthCentre.Theirnewdoctors’officeswillopenMay5thwhennewtel.#416-242-2850will go live. Nextdoor, thepharmacistsofWeston Jane Pharmacy, who own the entire building at#1288-#1294(picturedatright),alsohavedoctorsonsiteandareseekingtoattractavarietyofotherhealthserviceproviderstomakethisareaalittlemedicalcampus.
ComingSometime:AteitherendofMountDennis,outsideWeston Road’s main retail area, two long-approvedresidential projects have been inwaitingmode for years.Constructionwilllikelystartthisyearonatown-housecomplexpart-waydownthehill,onthevacantformerfactorysiteat#951-963.Nowordyetabouttheseniorshousingcomplexonthevacantlandnorthofthe7-Elevenstore.Immediatelynorth of that, the privately-owned greenspace between DoraSpencerandSidneyBelseywasapprovedaboutthirtyyearsagoforcommercial development, but the owner has taken no stepstowardsstartingconstruction.ThevacantsiteatRayandWeston(formerly a Royal Bank, then Coffee Time) is also planned forredevelopment, though work has been delayed pending subsoilremediation.
WehavelearnedthattheShillaDynastyandHumberSeniorssitesat #1161-1167 have been acquired for redevelopment. Theyremain under lease as the developer makes plans and seeksapprovals. If you want future information and input, werecommendyousignupforMDCA’se-blastsandtheCouncillor’sregulare-newsbulletins.
4 MDCA Newsletter Issue 16 | Spring 2018
Branch Hours: Mon to Wed: 9:30am to 4:00pm Thu: 9:30am to 5:00pm Fri: 9:30am to 6:00pm
Expert Predictions: The opening of Mount DennisStation in 2021will surely drive further change in thecore of Mount Dennis. Back in 2012, leading planningconsultantsUrbanStrategiespredictedthat intheshortterm, the combination of improved transit access andlower-than-average housing costswould attractpeopleto this area. They expected more local owners wouldinvesttoimprovetheirhousing,andthatsomesmaller2-3 storey infill housing and townhouse developmentswould likely be built.These changeswould lead to “animprovement to the retail market alongWeston Road”and perhaps “re-occupation of vacant storefronts asresidentslookfornewamenitiesandservices”.
Increased demand for housing near Mount DennisStation may then lead to “higher density forms ofdevelopment … likely occurring first within the (NoFrills) area south of Eglinton Avenue and/or at theentrancetothestationoffofWestonRoadwherethereisgood visibility and access.” Eventually, the consultantspredicted, “it will be possible to attract even higherdensityformsofdevelopment.Thiswillhelptoincreaseactivity levels and (encourage) new retail uses in andaround the station area”. After all of this, they said,interestfromofficetenantsmayemerge.
CLEVER WITH THEIR NEEDLES 8TH GUIDE IN OUR SERIES
Doyouwantanewoutfitbutcan’tfindexactlywhatyouwant?WhynotgotoUnisexCustomTailoringat#1213Bandhaveitmadeforyou?Hereforfiveyears,theymakemen’s and women’s clothing in a range of fabrics andstyles.Youcanchooseyourstylefromapatternbookorbring ina picture to discuss the design, then find somefabrictocreateyourownuniquegarment,readyinabouttwoweeks.Itmaycostalittlemorethanoneofftherack,butno-oneelsewillhaveagarmentlikeit!
Youmayhaveagarmentthatneedsalterationstothehemor shoulders to fit properly, or it needs a new zipper.Severaldrycleanerswilldothisforyouonsite.TryLoyalCustom Cleaners at #1304, the Laundromat at #1217,Friendly Coin Laundry at #1357 or Tommy’s Dry-cleanersat#1121.
Do you have a cherished piece of furniture that needsfresheningup,orwasagreatfindatanantiquefair?TryourMountDennisupholsterers.GoldenTouchat#1101hasbeenherefortenyears.Franklynhasfabricsamplesinstoretochoosefromandcanmakeacustompiecefromtheframeup.Hesays,“itisworthre-coveringapieceifthe frameisgood.” Older furnituretendstohavebetterwoodandconstruction,butevenmodernfurniturewithscrewsworn loosebutmaybe reparable.Healso stainswooden furniture such as dining chairs. Hewill “try tobeat thepriceyoubought it for”andcanredoasofaforunder$500.OwnerDonovanofD&NCustomUpholsteryat #1160 stocks a range of upholstery fabric to choosefromandestimates$1200(includingfabric)tore-covera3-seater couch. Hehas fiveemployeesandhasbeen inbusinessfor27years.
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• Serving all faiths & cultures• Affordable options for any budget
• Pre-planning and payment options• 24 hour services available
Arbor Memorial Inc.
Scott Funeral Home - West Toronto Chapel
1273 Weston Road, Toronto, ON, M6M 4R2 416-243-0202 • www.scottwestonfh.ca
by Arbor Memorial
Because family matters. Let us take care of yours.
Worldwide Shipping
Specialist
5 | MDCA Newsletter Issue 16 | Spring 2018
Prin
ted
in M
ount
Den
nis b
y N
irvan
a Pr
ess,
647
428-
1932
$5.75 Haddock & Chips
Special with this coupon
Max 3 per customer Expires on
April 28, 2018 Not redeemable on Good Friday, Mar. 30
Golden Crisp Fish & Chips 1354 Weston Road | 416-245-8839
www.GoldenCrisp.ca What is your Golden Crisp Story?
Visit our Facebook page to share your memory with the rest of Mount Dennis!
NEW ON THE STREET
Destiny’sHairSalonhasopenedat#1023(oppositeDennisAve.)andZICASat#1030–seetheiradonp7.SKAutomotiverepairgarage(#1080besideRoyalFineMotors)andPhenoStitches(#1172A)havebothshutdownafterlessthantwoyearsinbusiness.ButAsianFood has opened at #1189, and up at #1368, theHarvestTimeCaribbeanSupermarketisre-opening(seetheiradonp3).
A-CSpecialDriveCool
Now
1140 Weston Rd.
MDCA’S SPRING CLEAN-UPS
FormorethantwelveyearsMDCA’sclean-upshavehelpedlocalresidentsofallagescareforandbeautifyourcommunity.Allgofrom10am–noon;seeoppositefordates.Weprovideeverything:gloves,bags,otherequipment,guidance…andgarbage!Youcanjustshowup,rainorshine.StudentsearnCommunityHours.AndifyouwanthelporganizingyourownMountDennisclean-upatanothertime,pleaseemailusorcall416-614-3371.
Forthethirdyearinarow,supercoffeeisourco-sponsor.Anhourormoreofclean-upworkearnsyoua"halfoffanydrink"coupon,andifyoualsotweetorInstagramaclean-upphototagging@supercoffeeMDand@MountDennisCA,thenyourdrinkiscompletelyFREE.ForallmeetingspotsandworkareasseetheClean-upsMapatmountdennis.ca
6 | MDCA Newsletter Issue 16 | Spring 2018
Let
’s sh
op lo
cal!
Ple
ase
supp
ort t
he b
usin
esse
s who
se a
dver
ts fu
nd th
is n
ewsl
ette
r.
Beginners & Experienced Players Welcome
Spring-Summer-Fall-Winter programs
Try Rugby Fun Day – Saturday May 26
Summer Camps – July 9–13, 16–20 NOMADS
JUNIOR RUGBY
For information visit nomadsjuniorrugby.com
NOMADS JUNIOR RUGBYGirls & Boys 4–18
It’s something different, and good exercise.
It’s fun meeting other people from the neighbourhood.
It’s a way to make a difference.
I get to know new areas in the community. I’m always surprised by the things we find!
They are a great excuse to spend time outdoors in the spring weather.
I can earn community hours. Seeing litter always annoys me. When
I get rid of it, I feel better. It helps me feel proud of where I live.
The supercoffee discount is a nice extra.
CheckoutourMeat&Seafoodcountersforagreatrangeoffreshitemsatgreatprices!
Ourin-storePharmacyoffers
Medicationindailyblisterpacks
VisitournewsectiondedicatedtoOrganicandHealthyChoicefood
andnon-foodproducts
TEL: 416-766-1487 FAX: 416-766-9423
25 PHOTOGRAPHY DRIVE TORONTO, ONTARIO, M6M 0A1
UPCOMING EVENTS
MARCH&APRIL:MDCA/supercoffeeSPRINGCLEAN-UPS#MDSpringCleanMar.31st–Jane&Pinehillravineedges.Meet10amBartonvilleatJane.Apr.7th–Somerville&Sunnybraeravine.Meet10am,WestendofGlenvalleyDr.Apr.14th–Eglinton&Jane.Meet10a.m.atSEFlatsPark,parkinglotentrance.Apr.21st–Lambton&Astoriaravineedges.Meet10am,LambtonatAstoria.Apr.22nd–PortagePark&trailtoHumber.Meet10amatPortagePark.Apr.28th–DoraSpencer&EmmettAve.:meet10am,WestonatDoraSpencerRd.
APRIL12:COMMUNITYENVIRONMENTDAY,4-8pmSponsoredbyCouncillorNunziataandtheCityofToronto.EglintonFlats(NWquadrant),101EmmettAve.
MAY23rd:ALLCANDIDATESMEETINGFORPROVINCIALELECTIONSYorkCivicCentreCouncilChamber,2700EglintonAve.West,7-9pm
GettingstartedonAstoria
HardatworkonSunnybrae
Alldone–andproudofit!
7 | MDCA Newsletter Issue 16 | Spring 2018
WANT MORE LOCAL NEWS? GetMDCA’se-newsblasts OurCouncillor,MPP&MPalsohavee-newsbulletins
Findhowtosubscribeatmountdennis.ca
YORK LIONS CLUB
IS LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY GROW STRONGER; OUR CLUB IS PROUD TO HAVE SERVED OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1935
FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING OUR CLUB, PLEASE CALL
(416) 769-3446 OR e-mail [email protected]
Coffee • Espresso • Hot Chocolate Fresh-Baked Pastries • Grilled Paninis
CanyouguesswhichofourWestonRoadstorespostedthis?
PleaseshoplocaltohelpstrengthenMountDennis.
8 | MDCA Newsletter Issue 16 | Spring 2018
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The Mount Dennis Report