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.
In September 2019, with the help of Terry Mills, Arris Strategy Studio, our SERRA Tall/Mid-rise WG team prepared a Davisville Neighbourhood Survey. The survey was our way of gathering information from residents about various services and facilities and if they view them as a “Must Have” or lower priority. The survey questions and graphics prepared by Terry Mills were used on the survey boards we had provided at the SERRA Annual General Meeting, in May … Read more Davisville Neighbourhood Survey Results (2019)
City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following: ========================================== News Release November 15, 2019 City to launch pilot to enhance safety and mobility around construction hot spots On December 2, the City of Toronto will launch a new pilot project to reduce the impacts of construction, improve road safety and keep traffic moving around “construction hubs” – areas in the city with a dense concentration of construction activity. The Construction Hub Coordination Pilot is … Read more City to launch pilot to enhance safety and mobility around construction hot spots
On Tuesday September 10, 2019 a traffic accident involving a cement truck claimed the life of a 54 year old woman who was crossing the street at Yonge Street and Erksine Avenue in Toronto. Our community was shocked and saddened, but unfortunately, not surprised that this tragedy happened so close to home due to the heavy construction activity on our local streets. . The victim of this tragic accident is Evangeline Lauroza. A growing memorial … Read more Tragic traffic accident at Yonge Street and Erskine Avenue on September 10, 2019
WHAT DO WE NEED TO KEEP THIS A GREAT COMMUNITY? WE NEED YOUR INPUT! As you are likely aware, the neighbourhood is currently facing 8 new developments at 265 Balliol, 155 Balliol, 22 Balliol, 30 Merton, 140 Merton, 274 Merton, 141 Davisville and 1951 Yonge. Those projects might not all proceed as currently proposed, but it is very likely that something tall will be built at each of those locations, especially with the response of … Read more Davisville Apartment Neighbourhood Survey
