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.
There is lots going on in our neighbourhood! City of Toronto municipal election We await a ruling from the Superior Court on the legality of the province’s Bill 5 (The Better Local Government Act) to reduce the number of council seats to 25. In the meantime, the number and boundaries of wards continue to be in flux. In the event of a “25-seat council” election, the SERRA area would see FOUR incumbent councillors plus … Read moreCity of Toronto municipal election and other updates – September 7, 2018
We wanted to thank the many residents who responded to our survey about reducing the size of City Council to 25 members, and in particular, for offering the many comments to explain your position. A large majority of respondents objected to the reduction in the number of Council members, mostly because they felt that the new size of the wards would significantly impact the level of representation needed in the city. They also felt that Premier Ford’s claim of “for … Read moreMeet the 25 new City Council wards – August 19, 2018 Update
August 19, 2018 Update: The map of the new TDSB ward boundries is now available online. Click here to see the map. Click here to see a list of candidates. August 18, 2018 Update: **NOTE Bill 5, the Better Local Government Act, 2018, was passed by the Government of Ontario and received Royal Assent on August 14, 2018. More details about TDSB Trustee candidates and wards will be posted to the City of Toronto elections … Read moreTDSB Announced New Trustee Ward Boundaries
August 19, 2018 Update: The map of the new 25 wards is now available online. Click here to see the map. August 18, 2018 Update: Bill 5, the Better Local Government Act, 2018, was passed by the Government of Ontario and received Royal Assent on August 14, 2018. City Council has been reduced to 25 wards. To read a list of names for the 25 wards, click here. There is a special City Council Meeting scheduled … Read moreCity Council, the Municipal Election and Ward Boundary Changes – August 2, 2018 Update
