Joe Pantalone is a City councillor representing Ward 19 Trinity-Spadina.
He a proponent of the controversial Front Street Extension.
He is also the Deputy Mayor.
Letter
Re: Stop Metrolinx Super-Bridge on Strachan Avenue - May 26 2009.
Joe Pantalone. Deputy Mayor. City of Toronto
Joe Pantalone
It is with the greatest pleasure that I am writing to let you know that Metrolinx has listened to the residents, businesses and other organizations that sent hundreds and hundreds of messages and letters regarding the rail grade separation at Strachan Avenue.
You will recall that all of us have been arguing for an urban friendly solution and against a solution that would have severely damaged our neighbourhood and our city. On all our behalf, I met with Mr. Rob Prichard, the new President and CEO of Metrolinx, last Monday morning.
The result of this, and countless other discussion, is a win-win outcome for our neighbourhood and Metrolinx. Here are some of the details of what Metrolinx will now propose and I support:
1) The super-bridge that cuts off Strachan Avenue from Douro Street and Wellington Street West is gone;
2) The rail corridor will be lowered at the Wellington Street West/Douro Street intersection will be 1.1 metres higher (approximately one foot higher than what the City proposed). The intersection will not significantly be affected with all traffic/pedestrian/cycling turns as they are at the present time; and
3) To further reduce the height of the new bridge, Metrolinx has thinned the brick deck. To also address the issue of creating a cycling and pedestrian friendly corridor to our Waterfront and to our neighbourhoods, cycling lanes and pedestrian sidewalks now are included in the proposal. While the details are not fully worked out, I am confident that this new proposal meets what we all have strived to achieve over the past year: to keep Strachan Avenue an urban friendly street. While there will be some construction disruption as this increased GO Transit and Union Station service to Pearson Airport are built, these now become matters of detail that can be solved.
Metrolinx will hold its second Open House on June 16th, 2009 at Historic Fort York between 3:00 and 8:00 pm. At that time, this acceptable solution will be formally presented to the community.
I want to conclude by thanking our MPP Rosario Marchese and our MP Olivia Chow for working closely with us. I want to thank Mr. Prichard and those at MetroLinx who listened to us, City of Toronto staff who worked hard behind the scenes, and I want to thank you for getting involved and, by doing so, making our Toronto an even better place to live, work and play as we expand our much needed public transit system in Toronto and the GTA.
Sincerely, Joe Pantalone Deputy Mayor City of Toronto
OSSINGTON AVENUE COMMUNITY MEETING
Thursday, May 28, 2009 6:00 p.m. St. Christopher House 248 Ossington Avenue (at Dundas) Community Hall
Dear Neighbours,
As your Toronto City Councillor, I am writing to invite you to a meeting on May 28, 2009 to discuss issues relating to changes on Ossington Avenue, between Dundas Street West and Queen Street West.
Over the past five years there have been enormous changes to Ossington Avenue and I think we all agree that they have been generally positive for the neighbourhood. Recently, both residents and business owners have raised concerns that this section is in danger of becoming over-saturated with *lounges and bars* and that bigger *entertainment facilities* will move into the area. Some of these establishments have generated complaints to the City related to noise, vandalism, garbage and congestion problems, amongst other concerns. Still, the business owners are currently meeting to discuss ways to beautify and strengthen the neighbourhood and many are also residents of this community.
On May 26, 2009, I proposed a motion, which was approved, in support of a Planning report at Toronto City Council recommending an Interim Control By-law affecting this portion of Ossington Avenue. Interim Control By-laws enable Council to temporarily restrict a land use for a period of time not exceeding one year while the City reviews the land use policies for the affected properties. The uses *frozen* are: restaurant, take-out restaurant, patio, bake-shop, place of amusement, and place of assembly or club. Other uses, such as art galleries, gift stores, clothing stores and grocery stores, are not affected by this by-law.
This temporary restriction will allow the Planning department to conduct a review or study with respect to land use policies along this area of Ossington Avenue between May 26, 2009 and May 26, 2010. It will give Planning, myself, and the community an opportunity to understand and address the neighbourhood's needs.
The meeting is an opportunity for business owners and residents to jointly discuss concerns about the changes to this neighbourhood. In addition, City of Toronto Planning staff will be in attendance to discuss current zoning by-laws and future Planning exercises.
If you have any questions about this or other municipal matters, please let me know. I hope to see you at the May 28 meeting!
Sincerely, Joe Pantalone Deputy Mayor City of Toronto