Noise By-law review underway this fall

A young woman annoyed by construction noise outside

The 2023 review will focus on the outstanding issues related to the bylaw and will include virtual and in-person public consultations in late summer or early fall of this year. The appropriate regulations for two stoke small engine equipment such as gas powered leaf blowers are proposed to be dealt with separately in 2024 in the context the proposal to ban them.

How Airbnb may be fuelling gentrification

AirBnB Toronto

A new study sheds light on how short-term rentals like Airbnb make housing less affordable.

The average asking price for a rental unit in Canada reached $2,042 in June, marking a 7.5 per cent increase from 2022. Metropolitan districts are particularly affected by rising rental costs, with some local families forced to relocate due to a lack of affordable housing.

City reminds pet owners to be responsible, keep their dog leashed

dog being walked on leash

The City of Toronto is reminding pet owners about their responsibilities and requirements for owning a dog in Toronto and emphasizing the importance of keeping their dog leashed and under control at all times.

There has been a recent surge in incidents involving dogs that are off leash including incidents involving children, pedestrians and cyclists.

Cities need to make space for transportation alternatives

person on an e-scooter

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered how people work, move and interact with each other. Patterns of employment, shopping, food consumption and leisure have shifted markedly.

One of the most visible changes, particularly in big cities, is the embrace of e-bikes and other micro-mobility devices (scooters, hoverboards, e-skateboards, e-trikes, Segways and more).

Investing in the dream of University Park

University Avenue

The City of Toronto is in talks with two foundations to fund studies for University Avenue revitalization.

“The dream of modifying the roadway of University Avenue and transforming and connecting its patchwork of green spaces into a major park in the city’s downtown core came a bit closer to the possibility of being realized last month after a number of stakeholders committed to fund the studies necessary to push the project forward.” ~ Novae Res Urbis (July 14, 2023)

Noise Bylaw Review underway this fall

loud-quiet road sign

The 2023 Noise Bylaw review will focus on the outstanding issues related to the bylaw and will include virtual and in-person public consultations in late summer or early fall of this year. The appropriate regulations for two stoke small engine equipment such as gas powered leaf blowers are proposed to be dealt with separately in 2024 in the context the proposal to ban them.

Ford Government wants to weaken the provincial Planning Policy Framework. Now everyone is asking why?

Ontario farmland

On April 6, 2023, and again on June 16, the Province proposed more destructive changes to provincial planning laws.

The Alliance for a Livable Ontario (ALO), based on a comprehensive review by expert planning advisors, concluded that if implemented, the proposed changes will turbocharge sprawl and fatally harm Ontario’s agricultural sector and environment.

Think your property assessment is too high? Here’s what to do

ABC area houses

An ongoing Toronto Star investigation into the accuracy and fairness of property assessments found that the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) consistently under- and over-assessed homes’ worth compared to their sales prices.