News – Page 9 – ABC Residents Association

ABC advocates for improved noise regulations

Published on: January 11, 2024 | Last Updated on: January 13, 2024

The livability of the City is being eroded by excessive unrestricted noise and a lack of enforcement for the rules that we do have.

This review is important in order to address some of the deficiencies in the 2019 update and help create a policy that establishes clear, meaningful limits on noise and adequate, efficient enforcement. ABCRA did attend multiple community consultations and submitted comments and concerns that we hoped would be addressed through the staff recommendations.

What Torontonians want Olivia Chow to spend more on

Published on: January 10, 2024 | Last Updated on: January 30, 2024

Cartoon image of woman giving budget presentation.

More than a third of Toronto residents who took part in a prebudget online survey want to boost funding for affordable housing and shelters and cut funding for police, according to a partial copy of the survey obtained by the Star.

The survey was part of a new prebudget consultation process introduced by Mayor Olivia Chow and led by budget chief Shelley Carroll. According to the city, a total of 16 in-person and virtual public meetings were held and an online survey conducted during November 2023.

Toronto city staff propose 10.5% property tax hike as part of 2024 budget

Published on: January 9, 2024 | Last Updated on: January 16, 2024

House sitting on top of property tax binder next to gavel.

Toronto staff are recommending a nine per cent hike to the city’s residential property tax — the largest single-year increase since amalgamation in 1998 — as they look to fill a nearly $1.8 billion budget shortfall in 2024 and a grim long-term fiscal outlook.

With the recommendation of an additional 1.5 per cent increase to the city building tax, property owners could see their tax bill jump 10.5 per cent this year if the figures go unchanged during five weeks of scheduled budget debates and consultations. The city building tax is a special levy introduced in 2016 that goes toward major transit and housing projects.

Toronto made a bylaw to crack down on Airbnb and other short-term renters

Published on: January 6, 2024 | Last Updated on: January 25, 2024

The sales rep on the phone is reassuring. He works for a property management company that specializes in short-term rentals, and he says Toronto’s bylaw is easy enough to get around.

Yes, you need to register if you want to list your place on Airbnb now, and you need to say that you live in the condo, he says.

But if you don’t, all you have to do is change the address on your driver’s licence.

Don’t Be Shocked By (Even More) Condos in (Even More) Toronto Neighbourhoods

Published on: January 1, 2024 | Last Updated on: January 13, 2024

Density is the name of the game when it comes to the Greater Toronto Area’s (GTA) urban planning agenda – especially in areas surrounding current and upcoming public transit hubs. With new provincially-passed legislation as a driving force behind it, these neighbourhoods are in store for a drastic transformation in the not-too-distant future.

“Not another condo,” exclaim countless Toronto residents daily, as they throw up their arms and shake their heads in disbelief at news of yet another towering new development.

ABCRA Winter Newsletter

Published on: December 15, 2023 | Last Updated on: January 13, 2024

Welcome to ABCRA’s Winter 2023 newsletter. In this edition, we want to share updates and news from the neighbourhood, upcoming events and opportunities to get involved in your City.

What have we been up to? Lots! First off – there’s our new website (you’re looking at it) and and we hope you’ll take it out for a thorough test drive and let us know what you think.

Finally, a plan for Avenue Road

Published on: December 14, 2023 | Last Updated on: December 15, 2023

In a significant development last month, the City of Toronto unveiled new designs for Avenue Road at an open house event, signalling progress in addressing the long-standing issues. The designs aim to transform Avenue Road into a more pedestrian-friendly, people-friendly environment, prioritizing safety, comfort and connectivity.

1080-1088 Yonge Street development

Published on: December 13, 2023 | Last Updated on: January 5, 2024

We are writing to express our opposition to the 1080-1088 Yonge Street – Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment Application and request a deferral on the item. We have been in negotiations with the Developer and acknowledge the good steps that have been taken in reducing the massing on the west side of the site, but are of the opinion that more work needs to be done.

City could shut down Yonge bike lanes and sidewalk for years for one condo

Published on: December 13, 2023 | Last Updated on: January 12, 2024

Cycling enthusiasts from various communities are gearing up to challenge the construction plan for a 50-storey condo along a stretch of Yonge Street, challenging the proposed closure of bike lanes and sidewalks for nearly three years.

Eye-popping 11-storey tower proposed for site of historic Toronto homes

Published on: December 13, 2023 | Last Updated on: December 15, 2023

171 Lowther proposal submitted to City of Toronto

A row of homes dating back almost 125 years could be transformed by an impressive 11-storey tower, if a new development application is approved by the city. Not surprisingly, local residents have questions about the growing intensity in a quiet section of one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods where a number of proposals to increase density are piling up.