Naming of Proposed Public Street -

44 Norwood Terrace - Littleyork Road

(East Toronto)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (May 14, 1998) from the City Engineer, City Works Services:

Purpose:

This report recommends that the name "Littleyork Road" be authorized for use on the Draft Plan of Subdivision for the proposed residential development at 44 Norwood Terrace.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not Applicable

Recommendations:

(1) That the name "Littleyork Road" be approved for the proposed public street to be located at the residential development at 44 Norwood Terrace, illustrated on the enclosed Map A; and

(2) That the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

I have a request from Rashmi Nathwani of Namara Associates Limited, to name the proposed public street at the residential development at 44 Norwood Terrace, "Littleyork Road." The name Littleyork was submitted by William Greer, Namara's Heritage and Preservation Consultant, and relates to the unincorporated Village of Little York which was located in the Main Street and Gerrard Street East area, circa 1880. When East Toronto was incorporated as a town in 1903, it absorbed the unincorporated Village of Little York along with other hamlets in the area. East Toronto was then annexed by the City of Toronto in 1908.

Comments:

The proposed name Littleyork Road has been circulated for comment and has the support of Councillors Sandra Bussin and Tom Jakobek, Heritage Toronto, Toronto Planning and Toronto Fire Services, however, Mary Campbell of the Beach and East Toronto Historical Society has objected to the use of the name and has suggested some alternative names. The correspondence from Namara Associates Limited and the Beach and East Toronto Historical Society are set out in Appendix A.

Conclusions:

The proposed name "Littleyork Road" is consistent with the policy for naming streets and lanes approved by Toronto City Council on July 11, 1988 (Clause 4, Executive Committee Report No. 22).

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Desmond Christopher

Telephone: (416)392-1831

Fax: (416)392-0081

E-mail: dchristo@city.toronto.on.ca

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Appendix A

Letter dated March 16, 1998, from Rashmi Nathwani, Namara Associates Limited, 372 Bay Street, Suite 1402, Toronto, Ontario, M5H-2W9.

This is our application for naming the newly created road for our development at 44 Norwood Terrace now known as "Upper Beach Village" in accordance with the City of Toronto Policy regarding Naming of Public Streets (Clause 40, ECR #22 Passed July 11, 1998).

Our Heritage and Preservation Consultant, Mr. William Greer, has recommended the name Littleyork Road (consisting of one 10-letter word) for the new road along the north side of the subdivision. Mr. Greer's recommendation was based on consultation with Ms. Kathryn Anderson at Heritage Toronto. The accompanying coloured Site Plan and Draft Plan of Subdivision indicates where the new road will be situated.

The name "Littleyork" was chosen after the unincorporated Village of Little York which was situated in the Main and Gerrard Street area, circa 1880. When East Toronto was incorporated as a Town in 1903, it absorbed the unincorporated Village of Little York along with other hamlets in the area. East Toronto was then annexed by the City of Toronto in 1908.

We believe that "Littleyork" Road would be a well deserved commemoration to the history of this locale.

The Draft Plan of Subdivision and the Subdivision Agreement are expected to be registered next month. Your early consideration of the matter would be appreciated. If you require additional information please do not hesitate to call.

Letter from Mary Campbell, The Beach and East Toronto Historical Society, dated April 13, 1998

Thank you for your letter of March 31 (which I received last week) inviting my comments on the proposed name "Littleyork Road" for a public street to be located at the 44 Norwood Terrace development.

I think that this name is most inappropriate for several reasons. First of all, with all due respect to Heritage Toronto, I feel that the name would be misleading. While the name "Little York" may originally have been used to refer to the community around the York railway station (which was located east of Main Street and north of Gerrard), the Village of East Toronto was incorporated in 1888, centred around the Main and Gerrard intersection, at which time the area known as Little York was centred around the intersection of Danforth Avenue and Dawes Road. This was the Little York which was incorporated into the Town of East Toronto in 1903.

My other major concern has to do with the form of the name. It would seem to conflict with Name Selection Criteria #9, as a "corrupted or modified name," and would be historically inaccurate as well.

It seems to me that the community of Little York would be more suitably remembered by using its name - properly spelled - for a major street in the new development east of Main street and north of Gerrard.

As to the naming of a street or streets in the 44 Norwood Terrace development, why not consider names like "Fielder" or "Paper Box" for the business which recently stood on the site, or "Delaplante" for the lumber company which thrived in the immediate area in the days of East Toronto?

I hope that you will seriously reconsider this matter, and not use the name "Littleyork." Please continue to keep me informed of the street naming process in this area. I am always glad to be of assistance in matters of local history.

(Copy of map appended hereto is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)