DRAFT

The St Lawrence Forum and People Plan Toronto

“Making our Voices Heard in Planning our Neighbourhoods”

Notes from Public Forum in Scarborough

Saturday May 24, 1 to 4 pm

Scarborough Village Recreation Centre

Introduction

The Scarborough Forum was an opportunity for residents and residents

groups to share experiences, learn from each other, and better develop

networks. It consisted of two parts; panel presentations, and open

discussion. The discussion focused on 2 questions:

• “What are the obstacles to having our voices heard?”

• “How can we address these obstacles?”

Summary

Alan Burton from Clairlea Neighbourhood Association described how an established neighbourhood dealt with a new housing development; Ernie McCullough, executive director of the Sheppard East Village BIA discussed the long-term benefits of an LRT line in his area; Lori Metcalfe described the East Scarborough Storefront project to "map" their area of the City and Patti Fox described the frustrations in dealing with the city planning process while striving to meet the needs of the community. Jane Farrow the Executive Director of Jane’s Walk and the Centre for City Ecology and a former CBC broadcaster moderated the session. Also present was Alan Appleby, Director of Planning, Scarborough District

Presentations

Alan Burton (Clairlea Neighbourhood Association).

• Clairlea was a suburban development like Don Mills – but preceeded Don Mills by three years (1950).

• Safe stable residential neighbourhood - desirable place to live work and play

• Industries moved out and infusion of big box stores

• NE corner St Clair/Warden – intensive affordable housing 3000 units

• 15,000 residents in Clairlea and additional 9,600 ie. 60% increase

• Neighbourhood issues – keep informed, traffic, right to know about toxic chemicals, caring for natural heritage

Recommendations:

• Become involved in development

• Pool resources across neighbourhood groups e.g. compile city wide list of contacts

• Design charettes

• Maintain close relationships with city councillor and planners

Patti Fox

• Community developer - works with East Scarborough Storefront (West Hill area) also resident of condo (president of condo board) - near Morningside Mall

• Worked to create the Residents Rising community group composed largely of public housing low income tenants

• Councillor’s interest and commitment makes a big difference in moving forward on improvement issues

Ernie McCullough

• Sheppard Village BIA extends from Midland Avenue to Markham road. 500 businesses

• Intent is to beautify the area and create safer more attractive environment.

• Currently involved in RT planning – issue is how to survive the construction phase. Need to look at options like tax relief

Lori Metcalfe

• President East Guildwood Village Community Association

• East Scarborough Storefront project involved "mapping" their area of the City – 35 community agencies in storefront location

• Highest concentration of affordable housing – Kingston Galloway, Orton Park

• Mapping process – participants asked to identify

  • places you like?, eg mall, parks, library, bluffs

  • places that had changed? - good eg. storefront saved (moved), social club started, motels demolished

  • things not so pleased with? e.g. motels, parks at night, not enough for seniors, dirty, litter.

  • What changes do you like? Eg farmers market, postal outlet, restaurant and doctors offices, BIA along Kingston Road

Discussion

Urban design

• Urban planning concerns e.g. Lack of proximity of retail and residential - need to figure out how to minimise the need for car travel

• Much industry moved out of area (to 905) so travel to work increased

• Need to look at whole community - not NIMBI (self-serving) but bigger picture – whole community

• Basic needs – transit, groceries and housing

• Acceptance of necessity of intensification – provincial policy is driving it but need protection of natural and cultural environments - a balance between the two

• Need consultation/transparency

City governance

• More citizen involvement not more politicians - should be more citizen involvement in city ABCs. Eg. TTC and TPS Board should have citizen members not just politicians

• City should actively support residents associations - they are required to register (2 page form)?? How to reach them?

• Silos need to be connected

• Need to be concerned with whole city not just individual wards

• Need to recognise different levels of involvement in different areas and income levels

Other

• OMB serves no useful purpose

• Too much bureaucracy e.g. BIA it took 4 ½ months to get approval for banners

Notes by Geoff Kettel

June 13, 2008