Save
the Village": a background
Many people in the area are aware of the recent "Save
the Village" campaign. Here is a brief recap.
world19, a local
community group, became concerned about the direction of change occurring on Bloor Street.
More than just a commercial/retail strip, Bloor serves in many ways as the heart of our
community. In the midst of the megacity, "the Village" provides a "home
town" feel where residents and retailers know each other, the street is full of
familiar faces, and of course it serves the day-to-day needs of residents. Just as
important to its economic health, the unique character of the Village - its small
independent shops, especially the food stores - attracts visitors from around and well
beyond Toronto.
But: the big stores are
moving in, and the little stores moving out; we can all name many examples. Our concern
was not with any one change, but the trend was disturbing. More importantly, there was
little citizen awareness of and involvement in the type and extent of these changes
affecting our community.
So, in June we began
distributing thousands of flyers in the neighbourhood. The response was impressive, but
not surprising. People cared for their neighbourhood - residents, visitors and business
people. Faxes and emails poured in. Not only were people worried about what would happen
to their community, but they felt powerless to do anything about it.
We began a petition campaign,
supported by over 70 local businesses. In just a few weeks, over 4000 people signed,
requesting that the City and the local BIA attempt to find ways to keep traditional
Village businesses in the area. The petition also requested that a process be started to
enable all stakeholders in Bloor West Village to participate in developing a Village that
meets the needs of the future.
Councillor Miller tabled the
petition at Toronto Community & City Councils in September. A motion was passed as a
result, and the December 1st meeting is one of its first outcomes. The motion also called
for the Planning Department to review city policies for retail areas as part of the
revision of the Official City Plan. |
Questions,
ideas and thoughts
Mainstreets The old City of Toronto had an
official policy of "Mainstreets Intensification". Areas like the Village are
capable of efficiently supporting relatively high-density development. We have the
infrastructure: transit, water and other facilities. Two, three and four storey buildings
on streets like Bloor provide economic retail, housing and office space - and help reduce
urban sprawl.
Why is it that the most recent developments along Bloor are both single-storey? (Laura
Secord/Hallmark, and the LCBO building). One effect of single-storey buildings is that the
ground-floor retailer bears the full cost of the (expensive) land. It's no surprise that
these developments house huge corporations as tenants.
What can be done through zoning or tax means to discourage these inefficient
developments?
Zoning restrictions: A
few years ago, in reaction to the proposed Savannah restaurant, a city bylaw was passed
limiting the size of restaurants and other similar businesses.
What are the retail limits in areas like the Village? What is appropriate?
The Cheese Boutique and Book Barrel properties were recently purchased by one party. If a
landlord wanted to combine the 3-storefront property into a single superstore, what
controls or limits are there for such a change? What issues or restrictions exist if a
retailer takes over second storey residential or office space?
Chapters: it's here now;
what will it mean to the Village? If the store brings "new" shoppers to the
Village, what else will they find when they come here? Empty stores, unable to meet
increased rents? A street filled with other big-name chains? Or a still-vibrant and unique
neighbourhood? Interesting alternatives… how do we help achieve the answer we want?
Taxes: The cap on
commercial tax increases comes off in 2001, potential resulting in massive tax hikes -
especially in light of skyrocketing property sales.
What is our vision for the
Village? What has made the Village work for all of us? What will make it work in
the future? How do we try to make that happen? |