Volume 20 Number 2 Newsletter of the Swansea Area Ratepayers' Association GARDENER'S SPECIAL NOTICE GENERAL PUBLIC MEETING ON NATIVE PLANTS OF HIGH PARK (Secrets of Propagation) to be held at SWANSEA TOWN HALL 95 Lavinia Avenue on Wednesday, March 23, 1994 at 7:30 P.M. This meeting is hosted by the Swansea Horticultural Society in co-operation with the Swansea Area Ratepayers' Association. The guest speaker is Solomon Boyd who works in High Park and has been experimenting on propagation of native wild flowers and has been identifying the species native to High Park. Our ravines and backyards were once part of the same eco-system that remains in High Park. This is an opportunity to draw on the experience of Mr. Boyd when it comes to deciding what to plant in our gardens. We hope you will to come to this meeting which deals with our own backyards. HIGH PARK We are continuing to monitor the progress of the various matters involved with High Park including safety issues. ELLIS AVENUE PROJECT SARA continues to monitor the proposal for the property facing Grenadier Pond. It is our understanding that the proposed subdivision is working its way through various city departments for comment. You should contact Councillor Bill Boytchuk and the City of Toronto Planning & Development Department if you wish to have your name put on the list of persons to be advised when any future public meetings occur. SWANSEA TOWN HALL As a reminder, please drop by and see the facilities. Speak to Jamie Bell and he can advise of the rental rates for conferences, receptions, weddings and meetings. SWANSEA MEMORIAL LIBRARY Use it or lose it. The library is on probation and unless it is used it will be closed. You can arrange for any movie, book or any other library material to be delivered to the Swansea branch for pick-up. You can also order by computer modem at the branch or from your home. LIBRARY HOURS ARE: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed 1:00 p.m.- 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed GARDINER LAKESHORE TASKFORCE We continue to monitor the Colborne Lodge Road project and will keep you advised. SOUTH KINGSWAY- HUMBER BRIDGES David Crombie has been asked to look into the issues raised by SARA with respect to the north/south bicycle path on the Toronto (Swansea) side being below normal high water mark. To date there have been difficulties getting all the parties together for a meeting. BLOOR STREET RESTAURANT BY- LAW The by-law was passed with our suggested changes. No objections were filed so it is now in force. We still remain concerned over the lack of parking criteria for restaurants which, when combined with the proposed reduced Mainstreets parking standards for Bloor Street West, may continue to create increased pressure for parking spaces on streets next to the Bloor West Village. SWANSEA BY-LAWS The special By-law strategy meeting was held on January 25th. As a result of the meeting the following directions were given to SARA in regard to further discussions with Planning & Development: - Swansea Plaza To seek protection in the Part m Plan which would include statements as to the importance of the commercial component to the surrounding residential areas and in particular to the many seniors living in the surrounding apartments and condominiums. There should be a requirement that the commercial component be kept. In addition we need to see if the density in the Official Plan can be reduced to approximately 2 times coverage. The matter of zoning parking should be addressed to ensure that there is sufficient parking for the existing commercial uses. The present designation of C1S (Commercial 1 Special) requires residential buildings to provide residential setbacks. In CR (Commercial/Residential) the only setback from adjacent properties is 3 metres or roughly 10 feet. Steps should be taken to correct this by including changes either in the zoning plan or the official plan. - Stelco SARA should pursue having the height limit reduced on the Stelco lands from 23m to 10m. The reason for this is the preservation of views of the lake from the Gardiner and from the Condominiums. - Ripley Ave. SARA supports the additional Industrial-Commercial uses as outlined at the meeting for Ripley Ave. - Gas Station at South Kingsway 8 Queensway. SARA supports the designation of the lands "G" (Open Space) with an exception to allow the gas station to continue with height and density limits. - Mainstreets. SARA should oppose the proposed parking standards. -Official Plan We are continuing to monitor this matter MEMBERSHIP Please remember that your membership is due now unless you have already renewed. The fees are $6.00 for individuals, %8.00 for family, and $10.00 for businesses per year. Please contact L. Gris at 766-2792 to join or renew. We have held the fee for the last three years despite increasing costs. Membership inquiries may be sent to Swansea Area Ratepayers' Association c/o Swansea Town Hall, Box 103, 95 Lavinia Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M6S 3H9. SARA EXECUTIVE If you need help, members of your executive are your neighbours. Your Executive consists of S. Wilkinson, President; G. Martinsons and D'Arcy Dunal, Vice-Presidents; S. Campbell, Secretary; J. Oreto, Treasurer; L. Gris, Membership; Ritvars Bregzis, Past-President; J. Bell, L. Clay, E. Gaigalas, T. Kortenaar, Tony Giniotis, B. Gordon, W. Haines, O. Iwanyshyn, R. Graham, P. Meier, M. Pew, R. Thede, Wm. Roberts, and M. Robertson. Please note that Executive meetings are public and held normally on the third Tuesday of each month. There may De seating limitations so Executive before you come to a meeting. INTERESTED IN GOING BACK TO SCHOOL? SWANSEA PUBLIC SCHOOL would be happy to hear from area residents who would he interested in volunteering one to two hours a week at Swansea Public School FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Jane Dickson, Principal or Anna Taylor, Vice-Principal at 393 - 9080 HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE MEETING! Mr. W. Roberts 63 South Kingsway Toronto, Ontario M6S 3T4 Editor- Bill Roberts Advisory Committee - G. Martinsons - S. Wilkinson