Weston’s main street features prominently in Amazon’s new trailer for “The Boys”—a shocking, gory, and quite good satire of superheroes.
Neither the trailer nor the show is safe for work.
Thanks to Joey for pointing it out.
UrbanArts virtual show this Thursday
UrbanArts and Artscape Weston Common have been hosting “Run It Black” for the past few weeks, and this Thursday will be their third (of six) live showcases.
You can tune in at 6:00 on Facebook Live to see Mighloe, a Toronto R&B artist perform.
UrbanArts says the series came about to respond to current events:
 In response to anti-Black racism, Artscape Weston Common, in partnership with programming partner, UrbanArts, and non-profit organization, MANIFESTO, has launched the ‘Run It Black’ live showcase series to amplify voices of young black artists, celebrate the rich diverse culture in Weston and Greater Toronto Area, and provide paid and safe performance opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Locust St development to be considered at community council
A huge proposed development on a small residential street will be considered at Etobicoke York Community Council next week.
Developers are proposing a 35-storey tower with 374 units and parking for 154 cars. The proposal violates planning guidelines and some city bylaws about height, density, size, setbacks, waste handling, and parking (the developers kindly provided council with a draft bylaw amendment).
By my calculation, this will be the tallest building in Mount Dennis.
I think it’s in a terrible location at the end of a narrow street, and will provide little to the community. The Etobicoke York Community Council will meet July 14 to discuss the building.
Flooding in Weston
Large parts of Weston were flooded by a heavy summer storm today, exactly 7 years after an epic flood damaged many properties.
Many streets in Weston are under construction, they may have been the worst hit, with much flooding on Queens and John posted to the Weston Neighbours Facebook group.
The storm also flooded many other neighbourhoods in the west end of Toronto.
Summer camps still available
If you’re looking to get the kids off screens, there are at least two summer camps in Weston that are taking munchkins—and are taking good care of them.
Both Frontlines and the Community Place Hub are hosting socially-distanced camps with virtual activities.
Stop signs coming to South Station and John
The curve in the road where South Station meets John Street is pretty dangerous. To me, it looks like it should be an all-way stop because there are wide sidewalks and a large pedestrian area near the bridge.
But the cars don’t stop—in fact, they move pretty fast around the corner, I’ve found when crossing with my kids.
Happily, if Etobicoke York Community Council approves, the city will be installing stop signs at the intersection. The EYCC will consider the proposal on July 14.
Notting Hill condo development coming to Eglinton.
Remember Plant World, that sprawling 2-hectare garden centre on Eglinton with rather high prices but some spectacular and unusual horticultural specimens? It was operated in various guises by the Delworth-Reeves family from 1889 when, “Cornelius Delworth purchased a parcel of land on Richview Side Road (now Eglinton Avenue) in the outlying farming community of Weston, as an expansion of his downtown nursery operation.”.
Many green-fingered folk were dealt a crushing blow when the last customers were ushered out last September having been sold several years earlier. Yes, you could say their lives were uprooted.
The large site was a tempting one for developers and the owners were probably made an offer too good to resist. In December 2015, purchasers Lanterra Developments submitted a site proposal for 5 condo towers on the site ranging in height from 18 – 33 stories with 1900 apartments and townhomes. The project was grandly named ‘Notting Hill Condominiums’ but don’t expect to see Hugh Grant or Julia Roberts anytime soon.
Lanterra’s 2015 proposal went over like the proverbial lead balloon with the Planning Department and people attending the community consultation in May 2016. Issues such as, density, school capacity, shadow and traffic concerns and compatibility with the neighbourhood (despite already being dotted with 16-20 storey apartment towers) were some of the objections raised. The developer was told by Etobicoke York Community Council to tone it down, sharpen their erasers and try again.
Later in 2016, Lanterra invoked the Ontario Municipal Board’s appeals process (an appointed body that prior to having its wings clipped by Premier Wynne was accused of rubber-stamping developers’ excesses). The developer wanted an OMB intervention claiming that Council was dragging its feet.
Instead of bringing judgement from on high and picking a winner, the newly relevant OMB mediated an agreement released in 2018 between all parties and the result was lower overall podium and tower heights, no townhomes, revised setbacks, lower density and a reduction to 1360 apartments. In addition, 25% of the apartments were mandated to be 2 or 3 bedrooms; the developer was to pay $3.8 million in (Section 37) community benefits including up to $800,000 in public art (oh dear lord).
According to Urban Toronto, the latest plan submitted in June has the number of dwellings at 1275 but Lanterra’s website says 1320. The OMB has reserved the right to step in again if needed but so far everyone seems happy. Ontario Liberals might call it a Wynne Win.
The mediated agreement was approved by Toronto City Council in 2018.
More details from Urban Toronto here.
View the condo sales pitch here.