Thank you to all the South Eglinton Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (SERRA) city planning and each of you who took the time to attend Wednesday’s (July 22nd) community meeting for this proposal. The meeting was recorded, so if you were unable to attend, you can watch it by accessing this link and emailing me at councillor_matlow@toronto.ca if you have any questions or comments.
A full recording of the meeting can be accessed through the link below
https://toronto.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/toronto/recording/play/e78f44704643482392a3b851dd16b40f
Wednesday, July 22nd at 6:30pm
The meeting will be hosted on a secure video web conferencing platform called WebEx
ACCESS BY COMPUTER OR SMARTPHONE:
Please click the following link to access the meeting. If you are using a desktop or laptop computer, simply click the link below. If you are using an iPhone or Android, click the link, and you will be prompted to download the WebEx app. You are not required to register to attend the meeting.
https://toronto.webex.com/toronto/onstage/g.php?MTID=e669544bd4978fa4795156301fe05d9ee
If prompted:
Event number: 133 420 2125
Event password: Toronto123
ACCESS BY PHONE:
Dial 1-416-915-6530
Access Code: 133 420 2125
We understand that not everyone will be able to attend this meeting. Therefore, we will be recording the presentation and panel discussion which will be posted on this website. An important note for anyone who is attending and concerned about privacy, the format will not show any of the attendees, only your voice will be recorded if you wish to ask a question or make a comment. If you are not comfortable with participating in this format, you are welcome to observe the meeting and contact us offline so that we can speak with you directly.
Dear Resident,
I hope this letter finds you and your family well as we navigate these very challenging times. While much of the world has been put on hold, the development review and approval process has been pushed forward by the provincial government and we are faced with making an important decision for the future of our Midtown community.
As you may know, the property owners filed application to the City to redevelop the parking garage at 30 Merton Street. At a community meeting held in the fall 2017, we heard a number of very valid concerns about the development. Subsequently, the 30 Merton property owner filed an appeal to the provincial Ontario Municipal Board (now called the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal or LPAT). This is a provincial tribunal that ultimately has the final say on all development in Toronto.
LPAT mediation for 30 Merton
Solicitors representing the City (Councillor Matlow and City Council), the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), South Eglinton Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (SERRA), and other adjacent property owners registered as “Parties” to oppose the application. As part of the LPAT process, an option exists for Parties to participate in a mediated settlement to reach a compromise that might be acceptable to the various groups participating in the LPAT appeal as well as the local community.
A mediation session took place December 2019, resulting in a potential agreement. While we oppose the system that gives an unelected provincial body the final say over planning decisions, we believe that a better development outcome will be achieved through this process than what could potentially be built if the decision was left in the hands of a provincially appointed adjudicator at the Tribunal.
Next steps
Given the community’s opposition to the proposal, we do not believe we have a clear mandate on behalf of the community to support the settlement offer at City Council without first speaking to you first. We had planned to hold another meeting at Christ Church Deer Park, but as you know, meeting in person is not an option at this time due to the pandemic.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting,
Warm regards,
Josh Matlow, Andy Gort (on behalf of SERRA),
Councillor, Ward 12 President, SERRA
Councillor_matlow@toronto.ca serra@southeglinton.ca
416-392-7906
