Other Items Considered by the Community Council
(a)Presentation on Behalf of Etobicoke Concert Band.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having:
(1)endorsed in principle the request by representatives of the Etobicoke Concert Band, to seek the right for
community arts organizations in Etobicoke to occupy the Westwood Theatre property;
(2)requested the staff of the Facilities and Real Estate, Arts and Culture and Urban Planning Departments to
confer with a view to arriving at some sort of agreement with the arts community and the City;
(3)advised the Etobicoke Concert Band representatives, together with other arts and culture groups in Etobicoke,
to draft a letter that the Etobicoke Community Council can forward to the Members of Parliament representing the
Etobicoke area seeking their assistance in obtaining infrastructure funding; and
(4)received the following communication:
(April 28, 1998) from Ms. C. McGee, on behalf of the Westwood Theatre Project, requesting the opportunity, in the short
term, to obtain the right for community arts organizations in Etobicoke to occupy the Westwood Theatre property, at
nominal cost; and in the long term, if and when the property is declared surplus by the City of Toronto and offered sale,
that the development criteria include performing arts facilities.
Ms. C. McGee appeared before the Etobicoke Community Council in connection with the foregoing.
(b)Somali-Canadian Sports and Art Centre.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having received the following communication (i) and the following
report (ii):
(i)(April 20, 1998) from Mr. S. J. Ali, President, Somali-Canadian Sports and Art Centre, regarding the Somali Week
events at Centennial Park and issuance of appropriate permits; and
(ii)(May 6, 1998) from the Acting Commissioner of Parks and Recreation Services, Etobicoke District, clarifying the
issuance of permit for Somali Soccer at Centennial Park; recommending that where there is a community based event, the
community organize a meeting of its interested stakeholders and make one application only for the use of the City facilities
required; and that a list of officers of the committee be provided to facility staff in order to execute a permit within the
existing conditions and regulations governing such events.
(c)Arts Etobicoke - Request to Utilize Space in Municipally-owned Building.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having:
(1)requested the Manager, Realty Services, Etobicoke-York, to report back to the Etobicoke Community Council at
its meeting of June 24, 1998 on the use of municipally-owned facilities in Etobicoke by Etobicoke-based groups;
(2)received the following communications (i) and (ii); and
(3)received the following report (iii):
(i)(March 30, 1998) from Ms. M. Hopper, Chair, Arts Etobicoke, advising that their present lease will expire in November,
1998, and expressing an interest in moving into space which may become available in one of Etobicoke=s public building;
(ii)(May 6, 1998) from Mrs. S. Giovanella, President, Etobicoke Federation of Ratepayers= & Residents= Associations,
advising that the Association has formed an Airport Committee, and requesting office and support facilities in the
Etobicoke Civic Centre for the Committee;
(iii)(May 4, 1998) from the Manager, Realty Services, Etobicoke-York, advising that a draft policy is being developed by
the Facilities and Real Estate Group to set out the parameters for accommodation of such requests.
Mrs. S. Giovanella, President, Etobicoke Federation of Ratepayers= & Residents= Associations, appeared before the
Etobicoke Community Council in connection with the foregoing.
(d)The Franklin Carmichael Art Group.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having:
(1)referred the request for the development of an improved art facility at 24 Riverdale Drive to the Acting
Commissioners of Parks and Recreation Services Department for a report to the Etobicoke Community Council
with respect to:
(i)whether the proposal should be endorsed, in principle;
(ii)whether the solicitation of funds for this proposed project should be endorsed; and
(iii)whether the proposal should be included in the next review of the 5-year Capital Budget.
(2)requested the Acting Commissioner of Parks and Recreation Services, Etobicoke District to report to the next
meeting of the Etobicoke Community Council with respect to the immediate repairs necessary at 24 Riverdale
Drive, and to identify the associated costs.
The Etobicoke Community Council received a presentation from Mr. Geoff Le Feuvre, Chair of the Board of the Franklin
Carmichael Art Group, seeking approval in principle for the development of an improved art facility at 24 Riverdale Drive,
and permission to commence fundraising for this project.
(e )Enforcement of Regulations with Respect to Mobile Signs.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having:
(1)directed the Property Use Division of the Urban Development Department, Etobicoke District, to take
immediate action to remove illegal mobile signs on public property;
(2)requested the Urban Development Department, Etobicoke District, to prepare a letter to be circulated, to the
best of their ability, to all business that have rented illegally placed mobile signs, advising that the signs do not
conform to municipal by-laws and that they should seek recourse with the sign company; and
(3)received the following communication:
(April 21, 1998) from Mr. L. Reina, President, Red Hot Signs Inc., requesting a 30-day period in which to comply with
directives from the Property Use Division of the Urban Development Department to remove all mobile signs from public
properties.
(f)Variances to the Etobicoke Sign By-law.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having received the following reports (i) and (ii) for information:
(i)(April 7, 1998) from the Secretary, Sign Variance Advisory Committee, advising of the decisions of the Sign Variance
Advisory Committee made on March 31, 1998, with respect to applications for variance at the following locations:
(a)730343 Ontario Ltd., 577 Burnhamthorpe Road;
(b)Winners, 180 Queen=s Plate Drive;
(c)Shell Canada Products Ltd., 135 Rexdale Boulevard; and
(d)The Shoe Club, 1255 The Queensway; and
(ii)(April 29, 1998) from the Secretary, Sign Variance Advisory Committee, advising of the decisions of the Sign Variance
Advisory Committee made on April 28, 1998 with respect to applications for variance at the following locations:
(a)Glit/Gemtex, 60 Belfield Road;
(b)Urban Outdoor Trans Ad, 2182 Islington Avenue;
(c)Gould Outdoor Signs, 1770 Albion Road;
(d)730343 Ontario Ltd., 577 Burnhamthorpe Road;
(e)Pro Golf, 5429 Dundas Street West;
(f)Sheridan Nurseries, 700 Evans Avenue; and
(g)Humberwood Centre, 850 Humberwood Boulevard.
Mr. J. Cole, of Gould Outdoor Signs, appeared before the Etobicoke Community Council in connection with the foregoing
report (ii)(c).
(g)1998 Awards of Excellence.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having:
(1)approved the following recommendations of the Civic Awards Selection Committee for the 1998 Etobicoke Civic
Awards, which include the Etobicoke Hall of Fame, Citizen of the Year, Corporate Citizen, Award of Distinction,
and Youth Achievement Awards:
-Citizen of the YearDr. Murray Lang
-Hall of FameJames A. McNabb
-Award of Distinction Ruth Grier
-Corporate Citizen Campbell Soup Company
-Youth Achievement AwardOlivia Lee
(2)concurred in the following recommendations of Volunteers Etobicoke for the Etobicoke Volunteer of the Year
Award:
Group 1 - Health Related
-Barbara Johnston - Queen Street Mental Health Centre;
-Eva Jean Kiverago - Lakeshore Area Multi-Service Project (LAMP)
-Valerie Moore - Queensway Hospital Auxiliary
Group 2 - Arts and Culture
-Bruce Jackson - Etobicoke Youth Choir
Group 3 - Education, Sports & Education
-Jack Blasutti - Etobicoke Youth Soccer Association
-Rohan Smith - Highfield Community Enrichment Project
Group 4 - Community and Social Services
-Donald White - Rexdale Community Legal Clinic
-Carolyn Whiteside - Central and North Etobicoke Home Support Service
(3) concurred in the recommendation that these awards be presented at the Etobicoke Community Council meeting
to be held on Thursday, June 25, 1998;
(4)received the following reports (i) and (ii):
(i)(May 6, 1998) from the City Clerk, forwarding the recommendations of the 1998 Civic Awards Selection Committee for
the Etobicoke Hall of Fame, Citizen of the Year, Corporate Citizen, Award of Distinction and Youth Achievement Award;
and
(ii)(April 23, 1998) from the Executive Director, Volunteers Etobicoke, submitting the names of the nominees for the
Awards of Excellence, Etobicoke Volunteer of the Year.
(h)All-Way Stop Study: Thirtieth Street at Rimilton Avenue.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having received the following report for information:
(May 6, 1998) from the Commissioner of Works, Etobicoke District, advising that a report on the implementation of stop
controls at the intersection of Thirtieth Street and Rimilton Avenue will be available for the Community Council meeting
of May 27, 1998.
(i)Urban Development Department - Report for the First Quarter of 1998.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having received the following report for information:
(May 6, 1998) from the Commissioner of Urban Development, Etobicoke District, reporting on all activities in the Urban
Development Department for the first quarter of 1998.
(j)New Development Applications for Etobicoke District.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having received the following reports (i) and (ii) for information:
(i)(May 6, 1998) from the Commissioner of Urban Development, Etobicoke District, forwarding a list of development
applications received by the Urban Development Department since April 1, 1998; and
(ii)(May 6, 1998) from the Commissioner of Urban Development, Etobicoke District, forwarding a list of additional
development applications received by the Urban Development Department, Etobicoke District, to April 30, 1998.
(k)Request for Closure of Municipal Walkway between Goa Court and Edilou Drive.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having directed that a public meeting be held to consider the following
report:
(May 6, 1998) from the Commissioner of Works, Etobicoke District, regarding a request for closure of the municipal
walkway between Goa Court and Edilou Drive.
(l)Zoning Code Review - Supplementary Report No. 3 - File No. Z-2001B.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having directed that a public meeting be held to consider the following
report:
(May 6, 1998) from the Commissioner of Urban Development, Etobicoke District, with respect to proposed revisions to the
Etobicoke Zoning Code pertaining to Waste Disposal/Recycling Facilities.
(m)Simcoe Construction, 505 The West Mall - File No. Z-2245.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having directed that a public meeting be held to consider the following
report:
(May 6, 1998) from the Commissioner of Urban Development, Etobicoke District, regarding a site specific proposal to
amend the Zoning Code from Fifth Density Residential (R5) to Sixth Density Residential (R6) to permit the development
of an additional 93-unit, 10-storey residential condominium in conjunction with an existing 6-storey apartment building on
a site at the south-east corner of The West Mall and Holiday Drive.
(n)Lavington Properties, 5 Lavington Drive - File No. Z-2250.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having directed that a public meeting be held to consider the following
report:
(May 6, 1998) from the Commissioner of Urban Development, Etobicoke District, regarding an application for amendment
to the Zoning Code to legalize eight existing apartment units located above a neighbourhood plaza, and to permit four
additional units in a 403 m5 (4,340 sq. ft.) addition to the plaza, for a total of twelve apartment units.
(o)Notice of Proposal for an Instrument Pursuant to the EPA, s.27 Approval for a Waste Disposal Site, 90
Shorncliffe Road -MOE Reference A680288.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having received the following communication:
(April 17, 1998) from Willms & Shier, Barristers & Solicitors, opposing the issuance of a certificate of approval in respect
of an application by 1115314 Ontario Inc., for the lands and a proposed building at 90 Shorncliffe Road, to permit the
handling and recycling only of a maximum of 30 tonnes per day (and total storage of 150 tonnes) of only non-organic
construction and demolition waste.
(p)Application for Amendment to the Official Plan and Zoning Code- Tanana Investments and Royal Gate
Apartments, 1407 Royal York Road - File No. Z-2249.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports, after considering the findings of fact, conclusions and
recommendations contained in the following report (April 1, 1998) from the Commissioner of Urban Development,
Etobicoke District, having:
(1) deferred consideration of the following reports (i) and (ii) until the next meeting of the Etobicoke Community
Council for a continuation of the statutory public meeting;
(2)requested the applicant and representatives of the community to meet prior to that time in an attempt to achieve
a resolution of the issues; namely, square footage of the units, landscaping, density, driveway locations, traffic,
building height, etc.;
(3)requested the Commissioner of Works, Etobicoke District, to conduct a traffic study in the area, to be a
minimum of three days, to verify the numbers given in the staff report; and
(4)requested the applicant to enter into discussions with the Toronto School Board with respect to appropriate
contributions toward their needs and a report back to the Community Council from either the applicant or the
School Board.
(i)(April 1, 1998) from the Commissioner of Urban Development, Etobicoke District, regarding an application by Tanana
Investments and Royal Gate Apartments for amendments to the Etobicoke Official Plan to permit the development of two
condominium apartment buildings, 10 and 15 storeys in height, containing a total of 219 units, to be developed in
conjunction with an existing 13-storey rental apartment building located at the south-east corner of Royal York Road and
LaRose Avenue.
(ii)(May 6, 1998) from the Commissioner of Urban Development, Etobicoke District, reporting with respect to inclusion of
a provision for a public art component and, further, with respect to the complete text of Special Site Policy No. 20 as stated
in the Etobicoke Official Plan pertaining to density provisions of the subject lands.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having held a statutory public meeting on May 6, 1998 in accordance with
Section 34 of the Planning Act, and that appropriate notice of this meeting was given in accordance with the Planning Act
and the regulations thereunder.
(q)Sidewalk Improvement - Royal York Road between Hay Avenue and Simpson Avenue.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having referred the following communication (March 24, 1998) to the
Commissioner of Works, Etobicoke District, for review and report back to the Community Council:
(March 24, 1998) on behalf of Concerned Business and Property Owners on the west side of Royal York Road between
Hay Avenue and Simpson Avenue with respect to sidewalk repairs and the introduction of info-railings which would
permit third party advertising immediately in front of their premises.
(r)Speed Limit Compliance on Urban Streets.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having referred the following communication (May 6, 1998) to the
Commissioner of Works, Etobicoke District, for review and report back to the Community Council:
(May 6, 1998) from Ms. Rhona Swarbrick, Etobicoke Member, Toronto Pedestrian Issues Committee, regarding the results
of radar spot speed studies in certain areas of the community, and vehicle operating speeds in excess of the posted speed
limit which are not considered to be within the enforceable range and therefore require only a periodic level of police
enforcement.
(s)Draft Discussion Paper on the Roles and Responsibilities of Community Councils.
The Etobicoke Community Council reports having:
(1)referred the following submissions, received at a public meeting to hear deputations on the role of the
Community Council, to the Special Committee to Review the Final Report of the Toronto Transition Team;
(2)received the following communication (March 12, 1998) from the City Clerk forwarding Clause 2 of Report No.
3 of The Special Committee to Review the Final Report of the Toronto Transition Team, headed A
(March 12, 1998) from the City Clerk, forwarding for consideration and community consultation, Clause No. 2 contained
in Report No. 3 of The Special Committee to Review the Final Report of the Toronto Transition Team, headed ADraft
Discussion Paper on the Roles and Responsibilities of Community Councils@, which was adopted, without amendment, by
City Council at its meeting held on March 4, 5 and 6, 1998.
The following persons appeared before the Etobicoke Community Council in connection with the foregoing:
-Mr. Gary Collver, on behalf of Etobicoke Citizens for Effective Government, regarding division of councillors=
responsibilities between policy making and administrative roles; engaging residents in meaningful participation;
development of a code to address the roles and responsibilities of councillors; neighbourhoods report cards; delegation of
powers to Community Councils with active citizen participation;
-Ms. Nadine Grant, LAMP, endorsing the concept of Community Report Cards, and in particular, reporting on the
community report card process that has been initiated in the Lakeshore-Queensway Wards; advising that the Healthy City
Coalition is working on benchmarks;
-Mr. Bob Berry, Islington Residents and Ratepayers Association, who stressed that the issues are accessibility and
accountability; that the Etobicoke Community Council rates very highly, both individually and collectively; that the
Council as a whole should not be tied up with what are deemed to be local issues; and identified issues that must be
considered by the entire Council such as a tax freeze, policing, pollution, transportation, user fees, etc., and the need to
have a level playing field.
-Mrs. Sylvia Giovanella, Etobicoke Federation of Ratepayers= & Residents= Associations, who recommended that the
area of each community council should be centred in the six previous local governments and each to have eight to ten
councillors; the community council should have Areal teeth@ and specific responsibilities for Zoning by-laws, consents,
building permits, plans of subdivision, local by-laws, and power to appoint a Committee of Adjustment; while each
Community Council should have administrative staff, they should not have a separate budget; the Chair should be
appointed for an 18-month period and elected by the Community Councillors; decisions of the Community Council to
require a 75% vote of the City Council to be overruled; there should not be neighbourhood committees. Mrs. Giovanella
also recommended outside scrutiny by an AAuditor General@;
-Mr. W. Culbertson, stressing the need for local advisory groups, such as local seniors= associations which are presently
actively involved with the local administration and need that support to continue;
-Mrs. Marjorie Hewett, speaking from the perspective of the local arts community, and stressing the need for local
Community Councils who understand the needs of the local groups;
-Mr. W. Alexander, Chair of the Etobicoke Barrier Free Accessibility Committee, who also stressed the need for
Community Councils in to order to support the work of community volunteers who establish such committees;
-Mr. D. Bannon who, while recognizing the work of local groups and staff, remarking that there must be some budget and
staffing efficiencies.
