Positive news re. Build Toronto and Quarry Lands

Hi everyone,

We're pleased to report positive news on the Build Toronto front.

Members of the CCQLD Board met Feb. 24 with Build Toronto COO Derek Ballantyne and other agency staff overseeing city-owned property on the Quarry Lands site. In contrast to earlier indications, we are now extremely encouraged with the direction and approach that Build Toronto is taking.

While plans are not complete, we were assured that Build Toronto has no designs for high rise or high density development on its property. Current thinking calls for a a mix of low rise / town-home style housing, with park space, and commercial / retail development integrated appropriately into the site towards the northwest corner. Again, this would not be a high rise development in any way. In our estimation, the preliminary ideas that were shown would be consistent with the character of the surrounding community.

We stressed the importance of Build Toronto communicating its plans directly to area residents and the need for residents to provide broad-based feedback. To this end, Mr. Ballantyne promised that Build would present its ideas at a public community meeting this spring. We will let everyone know as soon as a date is set, likely sometime in late April or May. We also reiterated our concerns regarding the environmental sensitivity of the site. An environmental risk assessment will have to be done in conjunction with any development plans, and CCQLD will be watching closely and participating in the process to the fullest possible extent.

Overall, our ultimate goal remains the same: to ensure a coherent, responsible development over the entire 49-acre site that fits with the surrounding neighbourhood. While Gerrard Clonmore Developments and the City continue hearings over a site plan application and by-law amendments at the Ontario Municipal Board, we remain hopeful and optimistic that a better solution can be found -- one that links Build Toronto and GCD lands under an appropriate, environmentally-friendly, pedestrian-friendly design. Build Toronto did indicate they would be contacting GCD in the near future to continue discussions.

We will keep you posted as we learn of any new developments. In the meantime, though, please keep those 2011 membership renewals coming (and thanks to those who renewed at our Annual General Meeting in January). Membership in CCQLD is just $10, helps cover assorted costs is a strong investment in the future of our community. Cheques made out to 'Concerned Citizens of Quarry Lands Development' can be mailed to W. Longley, 63 Woodland Park Road, M1N 2X5.

Lawn signs are also available for $10; if you send the money and make a request when renewing membership we'll drop off the sign within a few days.

Thanks as always for your support,

Board of Directors,
Concerned Citizens of Quarry Lands Development

2011 Board Planning Next Steps

Hi everyone,

Thanks to those who came out to our Annual General Meeting in January. The elected Board of Directors for 2011 is as follows: Mark Brender, Karen Direkze, Tamara Hermann, Reg James, Sneva Lee, Wilf Longley, Joanne Smith, Tim Weber.

Several members of the Board attended the Ontario Municipal Board hearing on Feb. 17. This was a carryover from an OMB decision last years that in effect affirmed the existing zoning for the private developer (Gerrard Clonmore Developments) on the site. The hearing dealt with minor changes to GCD's proposal for buildings on 'Block 1' of its development, to better conform to the city's tall building guidelines. The changes with respect to unit sizes and would require a further by-law amendment; a date has been set for May 26 for the parties to return before the Board.

As we've said all along, Concerned Citizens of Quarry Developments does not agree that this is appropriate zoning and an appropriate development for the site. We are dismayed that the OMB is taking this direction and once again has sided with developers over the wishes of residents, elected officials and planning staff for responsible development. (see also http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/mcguinty-urged-to-undo-condo-development-plan-in-brampton/article1908863/print/). Similarly, we remain deeply concerned about what Build Toronto may be planning for its large parcel of property on the Quarry lands site.

It all points to a very busy next few weeks and months and for the CCQLD Board, the membership and our community. We are considering next steps and will be back to you shortly.

CCQLD Board of Directors

Save the Date - Jan. 18 for CCQLD Annual General Meeting

Hi everyone,

We wanted to give you an early heads-up that CCQLD's 2011 Annual General Meeting will take place on Tuesday January 18, 7:30 pm., at Birchcliff Bluffs United Church (behind the library, corner Warden and Kingston Rd). We will be electing the CCQLD Board for 2011 and providing an overview of where things stand. Scarborough Southwest Councillor Gary Crawford, who made the Quarry Lands issue a top priority during the recent municipal election, will be present to share his thoughts.

Also at the AGM, there will be lawn signs available for purchase for $10. If you had put your name on the sign list previously, we encourage you to pick your sign up (and pay the $10 if you haven't already) at that time.

A quick update on recent developments:

You may recall that in August, the Ontario Municipal Board instructed Gerrard Clonmore Developments (GCD) and the City to try to work out mutually acceptable modifications to a site plan for one of GCD's proposed high rise tower buildings by Dec. 31 of this year. While the two parties have talked, no mutually acceptable changes have been agreed upon. City planning staff, like CCQLD, continues to believe the proposed development is inappropriate for this property and flies in the face of good planning and community-building.

As a result, it is possible that GCD and the City will appear before the OMB in late January or February to present separate submissions. We will be monitoring the situation in upcoming weeks and will let everyone know as soon as a new OMB date is set.

Build Toronto -- the city's arms-length development arm that has been assigned responsibility over the large piece of city-owned property at the northwest part of the site -- is also exploring its options. CCQLD is working to arrange a meeting with Build Toronto to get a better idea of their intentions, and to reiterate the unanimous sentiment within our community that whether it be on city land or private land, there must be responsible development across the Quarry Lands site, with utmost attention paid to serious environmental concerns and the needs and existing character of the surrounding community.

That's the short version for now. We look forward to providing a complete update on Jan. 18

Thanks as always for your support, and all the best for the holiday season,

Board of Directors,
Concerned Citizens of Quarry Lands Development

November 2010 Update

Hi everyone,

It has been a while since our last update so we have a bit of catching up to do.

First off, thanks to all candidates for Ward 36 Councillor who participated in the CCQLD-organized all-candidates debate prior to the recent municipal election, and to all CCQLD members who came out to make their views heard. The event showed once again how strongly members of our community feel about ensuring responsible development on the Quarry Lands. Congratulations go out to the winning candidate Gary Crawford, who takes over as Councillor from the retiring Brian Ashton on Dec. 1.

The CCQLD executive met with Gary shortly after the election to further brief him on relevant issues and the Quarry lands process to date. Gary has also met already with Brian Ashton and Derek Ballantyne, the head of Build Toronto. As a reminder, Build Toronto is responsible for the second-largest piece of land on the full 49-acre site. We have been concerned that, like the private developer GCD, Build Toronto may also be seeking to maximize value through inappropriate high density development on their lands. We are hoping to meet with Mr. Ballantyne in the near future and will keep everyone posted.

Gerrard Clonmore Developments (GCD) and city planners also have been in touch in recent weeks. We are told that the door has been opened to some new site plan ideas that are a departure from the relatively narrow adjustments both parties were directed to discuss coming out of this summer's Ontario Municipal Board decision. We will stay in touch with the planning department and will pass on any new information as soon as it becomes available. As
always, we continue to stress the importance of community input and consultation as critical elements within any productive planning process.

A final note: We're finally moving ahead with ordering the next batch of lawn signs. For those of you who have already put your names on the list, we will be in touch once the signs arrive. If you haven't asked for a sign but would like one, please make an email request to karen.direkze@rogers.com. Signs cost $10, to be paid upon pick-up. In coming weeks we will also be sending out a save-the-date notice for our Annual General Meeting in January -- stay tuned for more information on both fronts.

Thanks as always for your support.

CCQLD Board of Directors

CCQLD Hosting Ward 36 All-Candidates Meeting Oct. 21

Hi everyone,

This is to let you know that Concerned Citizens of Quarry Lands Development will be hosting a Ward 36 All-Candidates meeting, Thursday Oct. 21 at Variety Village (3701 Danforth Ave), from 7-9:30 pm.

This will be an opportunity for the community to hear directly from candidates running to replace Councillor Ashton and represent our interests at City Hall. The meeting will be focussed primarily on the Quarry Lands issue, although there will be some opportunity to address other issues of concern to area residents.

As you know, the opposition to the proposed development on the Quarry Lands site is overwhelming from within our community, the city planning department and elected representatives from all three levels of government. Not surprisingly, all Ward 36 Councillor candidates have come out against the proposed development and have vowed to stop it. That said, it is in our collective interest to elect the candidate we feel is best able to deliver on this promise. The all-candidates meeting will help us all make that assessment.

It is also important that we continue to reinforce CCQLD's position that municipal politicians already have the tools to determine what happens on this site -- provided they see responsible development and community-building as top priorities for the next municipal government. (The recent Ontario Municipal Board decision does nothing to change this fact.) It's up to our community to hold all our elected officials accountable in this regard, and to make it known to the Conservatory Group once again that 1960s-era planning has no place in our community.

Space at Variety Village may be limited, so we encourage you to arrive early in order to ensure seating. CCQLD will have an information table on-site and will be accepting donations to help cover space rental and other costs. If anyone has access to a sound system and microphones that we could use for the evening, please let us know as this will help reduce our expenses.

We look forward to seeing you on Oct. 21.

Warmest regards,
Board of Directors, CCQLD

City to Assert Zoning Rights; Will Not Seek Leave to Appeal OMB Decision

Hi everyone,

Based on incorrect information provided to us, we reported earlier that the City would seek leave to appeal the OMB's recent decision. Apparently, this is not the case, as the City is unable to argue there was an error in law made in the OMB decision. The city will be writing to the OMB, we are told, to restate its ability under the Planning Act to initiate planning changes such as zoning. Please read below for a note from Councillor Brian Ashton.


Dear Residents:

Very recently I informed you that the City of Toronto was intending to seek Leave to Appeal the Decision of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) in favour of the Rezoning Application for the GCD lands within the larger "Quarry Lands" precinct.
I was premature in stating that we would be proceeding by way of the Courts. My statement was based on an understanding flowing from a preliminary meeting with City Planning and Legal. I assumed that the legal opinion given originated from the City Solicitor and her Litigation Division. This was not the case.
This was my fault for not being absolutely sure of the Staff's position before informing the community.
Following further discussions and consultation with the City Solicitor, it was felt that seeking Leave to Appeal would in all likelihood fail and leave the City's long-term position exposed and vulnerable. It was agreed that the City would not proceed through the Courts but would write to the OMB asking it to clarify and rectify the wording in the Decision that suggests that City Council could not pass a new zoning bylaw following the conclusion of the Quarry Lands Study that might rezone lands including the lands owned by GCD.
It is an important to reinforce the City's position by advising the Board that under the Planning Act, municipalities, as well as individuals, can initiate planning changes such as a zoning, subject to proper notice and rights of appeal. And that the ability to do so is not fettered by the Board's Decision.
Strategically this would serve to give notice of the City's position and protect the integrity of City Planning's mandated responsibilities and authorities.
I hope this clarifies the City's actions and corrects my previous miscue.

Regards,

Councillor Brian Ashton

City Seeks Leave to Appeal OMB Decision

Hi everyone,

We're pleased to report the City of Toronto is seeking leave to appeal the recent Ontario Municipal Board decision regarding the Quarry Lands to Divisional Court.

A Member of the Divisional Court will decide on the appeal request. If leave is granted, the appeal will be heard by a three member panel.

Stay tuned for further updates.

CCQLD