More than 150 interested people crowded into the Greenwood College School on May 8 for SERRA’s annual meeting. This year’s AGM, with its theme “Take Back Our Neighbourhood,” featured guest speakers Councillor Josh Matlow and Senior Planning Director Gregg Lintern, who updated residents on the state of play in the very busy Davisville Village. This year, we added to the very successful information booths introduced at the 2016 AGM. Among them were booths featuring City Planner Paul Farish and Midtown in Focus, LEAF, heritage, Davisville Village Greenways (DVG), developments such as the one proposed for 18 Brownlow/200 Soudan, T.A.N.G., tall homes, and so much more. Many thanks to Greenwood College School Principal Allan Hardy and his fine staff for hosting our group.
Click on the pictures to scroll through the gallery.
Former SERRA board member and volunteer Margaret Walker with board member and past president Geoffrey Jones at the AGM welcome desk.
Left to right – Paul Farish, City of Toronto Midtown In Focus, SERRA board members Jane Auster, Lilly McIsaac, residents and SERRA volunteer Amy Isaac
SERRA volunteer Janet Harrison created the TREE-SPECT information booth to help residents understand the value or our trees, and our natural heritage.
SERRA board member AL Kivi has created several resources for residents to use when preparing for CofA and OMB hearings for infill construction and tall homes.
Sharon Mourer (along with Amy Isaac) has become our go-to heritage working group head. Davisville Village Heritage was recently highlighted during the Jane’s Walk. Residents learned about the history and significance of many properties & important landmarks
The Midtown In Focus booth was popular with residents who were interested in seeing how the City will proactively manage future growth in our area.
We are appreciative of the many SERRA board members and resident volunteers who helped at the 2017 SERRA AGM.
The Tree- SPECT booth was based on the City of Toronto Forestry’s report called ‘Every Tree Counts’. Respect our urban trees – Plant – Protect –Maintain!
This year doors opened at 6 p.m. for residents to browse the development fair and information booths prior to the start of the AGM.
The Davisville Village Greenways booth.
The Davisville Village Greenways, an exciting new initiative by the SERRA Green / environment Working Group. Left, SERRA board member Rosemary Corbett. Middle, Terry Mills, ARRIS Strategy Studio, and Marsha Nicols, SERRA member from 83 Redpath.
SERRA president Andy Gort and SERRA secretary Matias Valente at the start of the AGM
LEAF, Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection and improvement if our urban forest. Volunteers shared information about their backyard tree planting program, shrub bundle offers and upcoming events.
The Tall Homes Working Group shares some tips on what to look for when reviewing building plans to prepare for Committee of Adjustment Hearings.
Davisville Village has a rich history worth celebrating and protecting
The SERRA Heritage Working Group created an information booth illustrating that there are many properties with historical significance in Davisville Village.
Principal Allan Hardy welcomes the community to Greenwood College School
OMB Reform Information. Geoff Kettel from FoNTRA has worked with a number of Residents’ Associations to identify how changes tot he OMB are needed in order to give communities an equal voice at hearings.
The City of Toronto Midtown In Focus Planning Group shared information about the timeline for their initiative.
The City of Toronto Midtown In Focus Planning Group – is working toward building a livable Yonge and Eglinton.
The City of Toronto Midtown In Focus Planning Group shared plans that will help shape the growth and act as a blueprint for future growth in the Yonge & Eglinton / Midtown neighbourhoods.
SERRA president Andy Gort talks about managing growth so that our neighbourhoods remain walkable, livable and green.
Greg Russell and ken Burford from the Toronto Aviation Noise Group (T.A.N.G.) tirelessly advocates for shared flight paths, creating awareness and asking for noise mitigation to reduce or eliminate impacts to residents.
SERRA president Andy Gort speaks to attendees about ‘taking back our neighbourhood’.
Board member and past president Geoffrey Jones surveying AGM attendees on how they found out about the AGM. This year we also sent flyers to some apartments and condos with the Canada Post service.
SERRA President Andy Gort (front), SERRA Secretary Matias Valente (seated) and Terry Mills, ARRIS Strategy Studio (back).
Councillor Josh Matlow supports fundraising initiatives to help give the community an equal voice at OMB hearings.
AGM guest speaker Councillor Josh Matlow discussing how we can ‘take back our neighbourhood’.
Gregg Lintern, Planning Director for Toronto and East York, speaks to AGM attendees about intensification and what it means for our city.
Map of developments in the SERRA area; developments are either under construction, in the application process or future / anticipated.
Left to right, SERRA board members Dale Mathews and Paul Newbigging at the express renewals, SERRA volunteers and LEAF volunteers far right.
Below are some links to recent news articles. Please note that subscription to the news source may be required: Toronto Star Article by Jennifer Pagliaro, June 5th, 2019: Province overrules Toronto on plans for midtown, downtown to allow taller, denser towers Toronto Star Article by Jennifer Pagliaro, June 7, 2019 Province’s planning changes leave future of Toronto community building up in the air Gregg Lintern’s Report: Ministry’s Approval with Modifications of Official … Read moreOPA 405 and Bill 108 Background information and recent news articles – June 2019
More Homes, More Choices? Instead it’s RESTORING THE OMB AND MUCH WORSE The Ontario Government introduced Bill 108, an omnibus piece of legislation, that is really 13 bills in one, which threatens existing and well considered municipal and provincial planning acts. Here are the major changes that will hit cities like Toronto and especially neighbourhoods like Yonge Eglinton and Davisville very hard! 1) The OMB is back (but made even worse)! With the return … Read moreSERRA Residents – ACT NOW! Ontario Bill 108
The following letter was sent to Minister Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. We are inviting Minister Clark to join us for a walk in our nieghbourhood, to witness the impact development has had in our community. May 23, 2019 Dear Minister Clark, We are representatives of a group of Residents’ Associations located in the greater Yonge-Eglinton area of Toronto. We urge you to accept this invitation to join us for a … Read moreInvitation to Minister Clark to join us for a walk around our neighbourhood – May 2019
SERRA Area Residents … CALL TO ACTION!! Whether condo, apartment or low-rise residents, all of us have been watching in horror the never-ending development and construction in the Yonge & Eglinton area … some 21,000 new apartments/condos. Now development is spreading to Davisville and along our main streets of Bayview, Yonge and Mount Pleasant. We are all worried about subway overcrowding, schools overcapacity, loss of green space, lack of community amenities such as affordable daycare and … Read moreCALL TO ACTION – New Plan for Midtown needs your help
