Husband, Father, Registered Professional Planner, Urban Designer, Business Developer, Adjunct Professor, Author, Advocate and Torontonian. Views are my own.
A wee 🧵.
This was my commute, erm… walk home last night. 12 minutes sped up to a little over two minutes. Between Peter and King there were 14 streetcars stuck for nothing other than traffic congestion. This is not unusual lately and absolutely ridiculous.
This is a disgusting display of authority by the
@cityoftoronto
. Irrespective of the rationale, whether it be compliance with technical standards, or permit status, a degree of flexibility and compassion is warranted.
#TOpoli
Cc:
@PaulaFletcherTO
@LeslievilleBIA
My neighbours spent $20K to install a covered patio so their restaurant could operate during COVID
Now the
@cityoftoronto
is making them remove it
The City has nothing better to do than to kick small business owners while they’re still down
@PaulaFletcherTO
@LeslievilleBIA
Those who criticize
@oliviachow
for her response to the Ontario Place redevelopment and Ontario Science Centre relocation do not understand the boundaries of municipal jurisdiction. She has given nothing. The matter will be resolved by the courts.
Today marks the end of natural gas heating and hot water generation in my home. In a few months, I will replace my existing natural gas stove with an induction system, rip out my natural gas line, and declare the end of fossil fuel reliance in my home. I am excited beyond words.
Out of curiosity, is anyone else simply "not alright" at the moment? No explanation necessary. Just trying to determine where I land in the broader context of the emotional spectrum of my Twitter community.
The revised master plan for Villiers Island incorporates the roadway design standards and tower separation distances of an outer GTA municipality while benefitting from the location, services, infrastructure and amenities of inner-city Toronto.
#TOpoli
Have your say: The
#CityOfTO
is updating Mid-Rise rear transition performance standards (how these buildings transition to adjoining areas). Join a public consultation meeting on Sept 20, 10:30am-12pm OR 7-8:30pm. Register at:
I have spent the last two days testifying at the Ontario Land Tribunal in favour of a 24-storey residential building, adjacent to the Port Credit GO station, which protects for 25m tower separation distances. If not here, where?
This publisher operates out of a laneway at the University of Toronto's St. George Campus. Don't tell me it can't be done,
@cityoftoronto
and
@CityPlanTO
.
#topoli
During tonight's update on
@CityPlanTO
's EHON Study, a resident expressed concern that 4 storey buildings would cast shadows that could cause Multiple Sclerosis in children.
@GraigUens
was put in the ridiculous position of having to educate them, like the rockstar he is.
#TOpoli
The average household will pay an additional $350 per year under the
@cityoftoronto
's proposed property tax increase. It is necessary, after 13 years of austerity budgets. If people don't like it, they can sell their homes for what likely amounts to significant gains, and leave.
For those who were unable to attend today's
@ULIToronto
panel discussion, I want you to know that the Ontario Building Code's requirement for two points of egress is one of the most significant barriers to low to mid-rise multi-unit residential developments in Ontario.
#onpoli
I am pleased to announce that I have accepted a Partner position with
@SajeckiPlanning
. This is the latest in a series of milestones for a company that was founded only 4 years ago and now employs a team of 15 young, diverse, energetic and passionate planners and designers.
If Toronto zoning allows laneway housing, then why not cafés, barber shops, and more?
How can commercial uses in neighbourhoods support cultural vibrancy & affordability?
We asked these questions as part of our Venice Biennale exhibition exploring gentle density beyond housing.
Toronto is over four times larger than Vancouver, and it is growing and intensifying more rapidly than virtually any other city in North America. We are working to address mounting housing and environmental crises. Shadow impacts are the least of our worries.
So many tower proposals in downtown Toronto, including those well over 200 metres...
These are all taller than Metro Vancouver's current tallest of Shangri-La in downtown Vancouver.
And these aren't even the ones under construction right now.
Just casually walked by them. 1/4
I am building a full-blown coalition of like-minded city builders to tackle the issues, challenges and opportunities associated with mixed use laneways from all perspectives.
Some personal news. My daughter, Adeline Lillian Scorgie, was born on December 28th, 2019 at St. Michael's Hospital in downtown Toronto. Everyone is happy and healthy. Now, here is an adorable video of her hiccuping.
Pleased to announce that I have accepted the position of Course Director with York University's (
@yorkuniversity
) Department of Social Sciences (
@YorkU_SOSC
). During the Winter 2022 Semester, I will be leading the instruction of SOSC 3718 - Introduction to Urban Design.
@g_meslin
I just keep thinking about poor
@Cmdr_Hadfield
innocently snapping this photo, and being completely unaware of the fact that he was about to be pulled into the deep dark world of Toronto housing twitter.
If the
@cityoftoronto
were ever to embrace the idea of creating a district for experimental architecture, the Port Lands would be the logical place to do so.
#TOpoli
Preliminary estimates indicate that after installing my heat pump and hybrid-electric hot water tank, terminating my rental agreement with Enercare, and limiting my natural gas use to cooking, I am using approx. 5m3 per month, down from 520m3 this time last year. Last bill = $8.
Don't get me wrong, this is an improvement over the previous plan and I appreciate the work that has gone into it. But answer me this: Why do we need 40 metre municipal right-of-way widths and tower separation distances in excess of 30, 40, even 50 metres?
It's time for the
@cityoftoronto
and
@CityPlanTO
to embrace the concept of mixed-use laneways. This should be reflected in the ongoing EHON Study, and I'm going to be speaking with them about it shortly.
On behalf of the Leslieville Residents Association, we fully support the City of Toronto in their approval of the Garden Suite By-law, and look forward to witnessing the dismissal of these appeals.
#topoli
#housing
This newly constructed laneway in Queen West hosts a number of businesses including a furniture store, interior designer, bakery, physiotherapist, mortgage broker, rentable office space, and grocery store. It can be done!
#TOpoli
To clarify for those who are wondering, I am referring to Toronto. However, the comment could also apply to _______________ (insert name of virtually any major city throughout North America here).
Why is the
@cityoftoronto
so hell bent on capping the number of units in mid-rise buildings on Major Streets? What does this accomplish, and how does it help achieve study- based and broader city building objectives?
#TOpoli
Greetings, to the three hundred followers I have gained this week. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I trust you are interested in laneways. Rest assured, you have come to the right place.
Far too many of you are running to be the next Mayor of Toronto. I respectfully suggest that you self-organize by political ideology, meet with your respective counterparts to determine campaign priorities, and collectively agree / vote internally on a preferred candidate.
This recently renovated building, which wraps the corner of Carlaw Avenue and a private laneway north of Queen Street East, is set to host a new retail use with dual frontage and adequate space for an outdoor patio.
#TOpoli
From an Urban Design perspective, the patio structure served as the perfect remedy for this previously underutilized and under-valued corner condition. Leslieville is littered with similar examples of remnant and forgotten spaces. We need to solutions, not barriers.
Furthermore, how do 40 metre right-of-way widths translate into a comfortable and human-scale environment? And how many additional market-rate and affordable housing units are being sacrificed to accommodate for what I can only describe as luxurious unimpeded private vistas?
The provincial government needs to introduce legislation to allow for small-scale land stratification to occur at the neighbourhood scale. The Condominium Act is unnecessarily complex for the purposes of permitting shared ownership of a fourplex or sixplex.
#onpoli
#topoli
I am disappointed by Committee of Adjustment's refusal of the proposed development at 91 Barton Avenue.
@GraigUens
's rationale is sound.
@craigitect
's design approach is on-point. The application meets the four test of a minor variance, and should be approved - full stop.
#TOpoli
Jimmie Simpson Community Recreation Centre offers one class (10 spots) for Guardian Swim Lessons (6 months to 5 years old) all summer. The pool services two neighbourhoods with a combined population of over 40,000 people.
#TOpoli
#lowtaxcity
Cc:
@PaulaFletcherTO
Know what keeps me up at night? The loss of natural heritage protections, state of long term care centres, dismantling of homeless encampments, shortage of affordable housing, and state of transit infrastructure.
Know what doesn't keep me up at night? The federal carbon tax.
Sure. Go out and speak to existing residents. I'll be more than happy to give you my two cents. But isn't the entire point to speak with people who haven't already found suitable ground-related housing options in Toronto's neighbourhoods? How do you plan on reaching them?
#topoli
Planners on the porch Saturday as
@CityPlanTO
will be out knocking on doors in the east end asking about what people are feeling about housing choice in low rise neighbourhoods
This article fails to consider the economic benefits that would result from the development of all municipally owned lands that would become viable as a result of implementing the "Boulevard Option".
this mass timber project features no modulations & is a simple box. this is critical to build mass timber structures. regulating whacky shapes kills their structural ability and forces builders to use concrete or steel. our land use codes need major reforms for sustainability
Personal News: After six incredible years at
@svn_ap
, where I have helped lead the company's Planning and Urban Design practices, and served as Business Development Director, I have decided to pursue a new opportunity beginning in September. Details to follow.
Following up on this post, having not received a response from
@311Toronto
and copying
@PaulaFletcherTO
,
@TrusteeSara
, and
@BrucePS_TDSB
. This courtesy crossing was installed as a condition of approval for the adjacent apartment building (seen here). What happened to it?
I would like to understand why this recently installed courtesy crossing on Larchmont Avenue, south of Queen Street East, has been dismantled. The lights and buttons have been removed. This is a school zone.
@311toronto
,
@cityoftoronto
,
@PaulaFletcherTO
I am calling upon the
@cityoftoronto
, and specifically
@CityPlanTO
, to expand the scope of the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods Study to examine the potential of retail and service uses within accessory buildings and structures.
Cc:
@GreggLintern
and Michael Noble
This is my son's childcare facility. Needles litter the rear of the property and the edge of the municipal sidewalk. In a related incident, a nearby storefront was vandalized yesterday evening. We are facing increasing drug use, violence and vandalism in Leslieville.
#topoli