EXECUTIVE MEETINGS      

        Please note that Executive meetings are public and held normally on the third Tuesday of each month, excluding July and August. There may be seating limitations, so contact the Executive before you come to a meeting.

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

        Several matters were discussed and reviewed. Staff Inspector Brody Smollett of 11 Division spoke about the search for a new headquarters and local issues.

 

        The new executive as of the date of the AGM: V. Masnyk - President; P. Keefe - Vice-president & Louis Gris - Vice-president & Membership;  - John Meijer - Treasurer (and web-master); V. Vancas - Secretary ** ; Peter Chant -Past President; Directors: R. Braun, Ritvars Bregzis, G. Dubauskas, M. Fenner, Bill Haines, M. Hudson, F. Labelle, J. Oreto, William (Bill) Roberts, Nick Singh and S. Wilkinson.  ( ** Note at a later date V. Vancas stepped down as Secretary and became a director and M. Fenner moved from being a director to being Secretary.)

 

GARDINER LAKESHORE TASKFORCE

        SARA continues to monitor this committee's work. Several meetings have been cancelled and SARA is concerned that this citizen's committee is being by-passed by the new lands consortium being created by the Province, City and the Dominion Government, much as citizen groups were cut out of the process when Harbourfront was created and started selling off public lands.

 

MEMBERSHIP

        If you haven’t already renewed, there is a membership application attached to this newsletter for 2003 renewals. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE FEES FOR 2003:

                                Single membership   ............      $10.00

                                Family membership ..................  $12.00

                                Business membership............. $14.00

 

                Please contact L. GRIS at 416 - 766 ‑ 2792 to renew. Membership inquiries/renewals may also be sent to Swansea Area Ratepayers' Association, c/o Swansea Town Hall, Box 103, 95 Lavinia Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M6S 3H9.

 

HIGH PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE -- We continue to monitor this body.

 

HOURS OF OPERATION OF GAS BARS -- A settlement was reached and the Petro Canada station is now closing at night. Thanks to Ron Braun for all his work on this matter.

 

STELCO – We continue to monitor the project. There have been some Committee of Adjustment matters dealing with technical problems which SARA has not opposed. Communication has now improved. For further information contact F. Labelle.

 

JOY OIL STATION. SARA continues to watch the situation. While the City has written advising us the site is secure and the station is not at risk we remain concerned for its preservation. SARA previously took the position that it would prefer the station to remain in situ (where it is) or if it is to be moved that it be moved to the east at the northeast corner of Lakeshore and Ellis. It appears the on site location is a poor one and so SARA has recommended that the station be moved to a better location with a clear purpose for its use.

 

MEOW CLUB --  We continue to monitor the matter. Those of you who were present at a meeting in the community are aware of the size and scale of the proposal which is over 5 times density. This is out of keeping with the area and does pose a serious threat to the public lands on the north side of the Lakeshore. It is likely that a pre-hearing will be held by the (Ontario Municipal Board) OMB during the summer.

                While City staff state that the proposed development for the "Meow site" does not pose a threat – because, except for the hotel and Joy Oil site, all other lands are public and would not be sold. This would give us comfort, except it should be noted the Meow site and the Joy Oil site were publicly held before they were sold. Furthermore despite the statements to the contrary during the public hearing process on the Official Plan, it is now clear from the appeal filed by the City that it intends to sell several pieces of public lands some of which are park or open space designated lands under the proposed Official Plan to private persons.

 

COMMUNITY POLICE LIAISON COMMITTEE.                 Bill Haines is our representative on this committee.

 

HUMBER RIVER PEDESTRIAN/CYCLING TRAILS. We continue to monitor this matter as well. Marianne Fenner, along with other SARA executive members met with the City to review the area and suggest changes to the design.

 

1947 BLOOR STREET WEST. It is our understanding that problems persist in regard to the site.

 

THE FAN/BILLY BOB'S/WEDGE. The owners of the Fan have reapplied for their roof top patio to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission. SARA has filed an objection to the application, and appeared along with other community groups and neighbours at the hearings on this matter. Unfortunately the Alcohol and Gaming Commission disregarded the concerns of the community and granted the license.

 

THE DARK HORSE.              It appears that it is in contravention of the requirement to have a sound proof barrier before opening the patio. SARA is writing to Councillor Miller and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission concerning this.

 

CITY PLAN. SARA has filed its own appeal separate from that of CORRA (Confederation of Resident and Ratepayer Associations in Toronto) but remains part of a coalition of ratepayer groups appealing the official plan.

 

SWANSEA MEMORIAL LIBRARY

                We continue to keep an eye on the Library. Please remember if we do not use it we will lose it. Remember it is as a living memory to the Village of Swansea soldiers who served in the First World War – the 22 who did not come back and the 150 who did.

                Also do not forget you can arrange for any movie, book or any other library material to be delivered to the Swansea branch for pickup.

 

NEW LIBRARY HOURS ARE:

Monday:                                 Closed

Tuesday:                               10:00 A.M. ‑ 12:00 & (*) 1:00 - 6:00 P.M.

Wednesday:                         1:00 - 8:00 P.M.

Thursday:                              10:00 A.M. ‑ 12:00 & (*) 1:00 - 6:00 P.M.

Friday:                                    Closed

Saturday:                               10:00 A.M. ‑ 5:00 P.M.

Sunday:                                 Closed

 (*) closed for lunch from 12:00 - 1:00 P.M. Tuesday & Thursday

Please contact G. Dubauskas at 416 - 762 -6413.

 

                Please note once Runnymede Library is closed for renovations Swansea's hours will be extended; however, the Friends of Swansea Library are pressing for more hours while the Runnymede Library is closed and has requested SARA's support. SARA has agreed to support the request by writing the Library Board.

 

MUNICIPAL SHELTERS. SARA is monitoring the matter.

 

TRAFFIC CALMING. We continue to follow this matter.

 

OUR WEB SITE continues to be created. Thanks to John Meijer. You can view our site at www.swansearatepayers.ca.           

 

SWANSEA/SOUTHPORT PLAZA

                At present the City does not support the applicant. A pre-hearing was held on the 13th of June, 2003. SARA through the Swansea Area Ratepayers Group (SARG) supports the Ripley Area Residents Group Ltd (RARG) in their opposition to the present proposal and is, along with RARG, a party to the hearing. The City and a local resident are also parties in oppostion to the application. Needless to say the applicant is a party. A further pre-hearing is scheduled for the 22 August, 2003. The full hearing is scheduled for the 27th of October, 2003. Very few people from the neighbourhood appeared due to a break down in the notice procedures. The applicant appears to have complied with the basic requirements of the Planning Act for notice. SARG and RARG through their counsel William (Bill) Roberts requested that the public be allowed to speak. Any one wishing to avail themselves of that right must appear at 10:00 A.M. on the 27th of October, 2003 to have their names recorded. At the beginning of the hearing, a future time and date will be set to allow such attendees to speak. Several issues have been raised by SARG and RARG such as but not limited to height, massing, location, traffic and parking, hydrology and ensuring adequate commercial services are retained as envisioned by the Swansea Part II Plan. RARG has hired an experienced planner and architect to assist them in preparing for the hearing.

 

ALL CANDIDATES NIGHT

                Details will follow in the Fall. Please mark your calendar now. The All Candidates for the up-coming Municipal Election is scheduled to be held at the Swansea Town Hall on Wednesday the 15th of October, 2003. Hope to see you there.

 

                WISHING YOU A CARE FREE SUMMER.

William (Bill) Roberts: Editor

Louis Gris & John Meijer: Advisory Committee