The current Environmental
Assessment needs to thoroughly consult with all of the
stakeholders in its community review. I will work to ensure
there is a real community process that will bring our
community into effective consultation with TTC and City
staff. before decisions are made. The door to my office
will be open to our community.
The Environmental
Assessment needs to look thoroughly at different models
of dedicated lines, to look at whether and where various
models might work for St. Clair. Traffic studies already
show bottlenecking at arterial roads like Vaughan and
Old Weston Road. These need to be improved not worsened.
If the planners
conclude a right-of-way makes sense, the style of streetcar/road
separation needs to be carefully examined. Different models
exist in Toronto. I believe the Spadina model, with a
20-centimetre curb is too high and too restrictive for
motorists and pedestrians in Ward 17. It might work elsewhere
on the line – but not in this Ward. The Queen’s Quay line
has a 10-centimetre track platform and leaves room to
get by a double-parked car. In many European cities, separation
is effected by a simple rubber bumper.
The Environmental
Assessment needs to include the City’s Bicycle Plan. New
routes linking St Clair and the bicycle lane on Davenport
need to be enhanced. For years there has been talk of
adding a bicycle path along the railway and hydro corridor;
it’s time to make this a reality. The TTC and the City
could also install a bicycle locker room at St. Clair
West subway at the Heath Street exit and south side of
the St. Clair entrance, so cyclists can ride from our
neighbourhoods, leave their bikes in safety and take the
TTC downtown.
3. What
is your position with regard to efforts to revitalize
St Clair Ave West? What actions, if any, would you take
regarding this issue if elected?
College Street
and Bloor West were transformed when businesses, residents,
community groups, the local Councillor and City staff
came together to work on a shared vision. It’s time to
create that shared vision for St. Clair West.
We need to use
the occasion of the track re-construction as an opportunity
to beautify St. Clair. St Clair needs a facelift. Integrating
art into the re-design of the avenue, adding attractive
street furniture, cleaning up business facades, and removing
graffiti should also be part of the transformation.
Toronto Hydro should be encouraged to move its wiring
underground. We need an urban design process that draws
on the talent of local artists and urban designers.
As much as possible,
streetscape improvements need to happen early to compensate
for any loss of business during reconstruction. Thriving
local businesses are crucial to St. Clair West. I will
work to build up the Business Improvement Associations
and to assist in attracting new businesses to St. Clair.
I’ve already begun compiling demographic research to support
efforts to attract new businesses.
4. What
is your position with regard to the Official Plan and
the implications for St Clair Ave West, which has been
identified as an Avenue and therefore targeted for intensification?
What actions, if any, would you take regarding this issue
if elected?
Intensification
has to be appropriate. It should only happen where there
is public transit that can support it – like where the
subway intersects St. Clair at Bathurst and Yonge - and
shouldn’t disturb the character of our local neighbourhoods.
It should preserve existing height and density where it
is going in and not disrupt neighbourhoods of single-family
dwellings. What would be appropriate is main street rejuvenation
through modest intensification at select appropriate sites.
A skyscraper at St. Clair and Dufferin is not appropriate.
I will work to ensure that any intensification of St.
Clair builds and strengthens our neighbourhoods for residents
and local businesses.
5. What
is your position with regard to plans for the Wychwood
Carbarns? What actions, if any, would you take regarding
this issue if elected?
I am fully in support
of the plan City Council has approved to save four barns,
convert them to non-profit, non-commercial uses and create
an integrated park that provides outdoor recreation as
well as an indoor greenhouse, sheltered garden and space
for local arts and culture groups, and live-work space
for artists. This park will support the work I want to
do on St. Clair to build a vital avenue that serves us
all. I will fully support this project at Council and
on committees and will be pleased to support the community
fundraising that needs to happen to make it a reality.
Let’s keep and enhance our local heritage as part of the
future of St. Clair.
6. What
is your position with regard to the Drive-through By-law
currently the subject of a hearing at the Ontario Municipal
Board? What actions, if any, would you take regarding
this issue if elected?
I support the Drive-through
by-law that prohibits drive-throughs within 30 metres
of residentially-zoned property. I will oppose any attempts
to weaken or replace the by-law. A drive-through on
St. Clair would destroy the pedestrian nature of St. Clair
and the ambience. It is the wrong way to go.
