How To
Complain about club/bar/restaurant noise
Object to a liquor license
Complain about construction noise
Complain about air quality
Become involved in an OMB Hearing
File a police report
Find someone at City Hall
Look for agendas, meetings and minutes at City Hall
Access City data ... From Open Data Toronto
Report a dangerous/unlawful driver behaviour or a neighbourhood traffic issue/concern
Search for details about development applications
Deal with discarded injection needles safely
How to Speak or Comment at a City Committee Meeting
Object to a liquor license
Complain about construction noise
Complain about air quality
Become involved in an OMB Hearing
File a police report
Find someone at City Hall
Look for agendas, meetings and minutes at City Hall
Access City data ... From Open Data Toronto
Report a dangerous/unlawful driver behaviour or a neighbourhood traffic issue/concern
Search for details about development applications
Deal with discarded injection needles safely
How to Speak or Comment at a City Committee Meeting
Complain about club/bar/restaurant noise
Listed and linked below are a group of documents that may be useful for activities ranging from submitting repeat noise complaints to objecting to a new or expanded liquor license application. I’ve also added the most recent amendment to the noise bylaw[i] regarding amplified sound. We call it the “prohibition” as it shows a property line as the point at which no disturbance from amplified noise shall lawfully pass. This is the prohibition we requested to have maintained at the city’s most recent public meeting on the updated bylaw. It’s tough to enforce, but it has the benefit of not suggesting anything that a resident should have to put up with when it comes to amplified sound.
Please note, in the instance where a noise disturbance is ongoing, residents should file a complaint[ii] by emailing licenf@toronto.ca or by contacting 311 every time they are disturbed inside their home. Eventually, MLS (Municipal Licensing & Standards) will contact the resident and ask them to fill in and submit a city-issued noise log[iii]. That log becomes evidence in any potential court case against the venue operator. Fines will escalate with repeat complaints, charges and court appearances. Eventually, the matter may become one of license revocation, but this can take years (I’m not kidding; four-and-a-half years in my experience).
Should there be a liquor license application that is of concern to GDNA residents, I highly recommend objecting both individually and as a neighbourhood association before the deadline date (all information is posted on the AGCO placard that must be posted outside the venue). A written submission[iv] can be sent in email form to the AGCO at: customer.service@agco.ca
The objection will trigger a pre-hearing where residents can meet with the applicant and express their concerns in a mediated environment. The AGCO has increasingly backed away from adding additional conditions to a license, so we face more one-size-fits-all applications. Still, it’s worth objecting because it gets the attention of the applicant. Always make sure that the councillor’s office is cc’d on the objection. The city may also be objecting to a specific application for different reasons, so always go for safety in numbers. Applicants must also acquire a business license from the city, so there is always the possibility of leverage in that regard.
Dieter Riedel
Member, GDNA (Garment District Neighbourhood Association)
[i] most recent amendment to the noise bylaw
[ii] 311 complaint (draft)
[iii] city-issue noise log (sample)
[iv] AGCO complaint (draft)
Listed and linked below are a group of documents that may be useful for activities ranging from submitting repeat noise complaints to objecting to a new or expanded liquor license application. I’ve also added the most recent amendment to the noise bylaw[i] regarding amplified sound. We call it the “prohibition” as it shows a property line as the point at which no disturbance from amplified noise shall lawfully pass. This is the prohibition we requested to have maintained at the city’s most recent public meeting on the updated bylaw. It’s tough to enforce, but it has the benefit of not suggesting anything that a resident should have to put up with when it comes to amplified sound.
Please note, in the instance where a noise disturbance is ongoing, residents should file a complaint[ii] by emailing licenf@toronto.ca or by contacting 311 every time they are disturbed inside their home. Eventually, MLS (Municipal Licensing & Standards) will contact the resident and ask them to fill in and submit a city-issued noise log[iii]. That log becomes evidence in any potential court case against the venue operator. Fines will escalate with repeat complaints, charges and court appearances. Eventually, the matter may become one of license revocation, but this can take years (I’m not kidding; four-and-a-half years in my experience).
Should there be a liquor license application that is of concern to GDNA residents, I highly recommend objecting both individually and as a neighbourhood association before the deadline date (all information is posted on the AGCO placard that must be posted outside the venue). A written submission[iv] can be sent in email form to the AGCO at: customer.service@agco.ca
The objection will trigger a pre-hearing where residents can meet with the applicant and express their concerns in a mediated environment. The AGCO has increasingly backed away from adding additional conditions to a license, so we face more one-size-fits-all applications. Still, it’s worth objecting because it gets the attention of the applicant. Always make sure that the councillor’s office is cc’d on the objection. The city may also be objecting to a specific application for different reasons, so always go for safety in numbers. Applicants must also acquire a business license from the city, so there is always the possibility of leverage in that regard.
Dieter Riedel
Member, GDNA (Garment District Neighbourhood Association)
[i] most recent amendment to the noise bylaw
[ii] 311 complaint (draft)
[iii] city-issue noise log (sample)
[iv] AGCO complaint (draft)
Object to a liquor license
Click here for the definitive guide from the AGCO. The GDNA has submitted several objections but, by talking with the proprietors and with the backing of the Councillor's office, has always managed to elicit reasonable conditions.
Click here for the definitive guide from the AGCO. The GDNA has submitted several objections but, by talking with the proprietors and with the backing of the Councillor's office, has always managed to elicit reasonable conditions.
Complain about construction noise
Although noise is a fact of urban life in Toronto, Toronto Municipal Code 591 sets out specific times during which construction noise can be made:
Although noise is a fact of urban life in Toronto, Toronto Municipal Code 591 sets out specific times during which construction noise can be made:
Although the simple recommendation to “Call 311” is accurate, there are a few details to consider before doing so:
What to Expect:
The 311 operator will note your complaint, and provide you with a case number.
Some days later, an inspector will call you to provide you with his/her name and contact information.
The inspector will schedule a visit to the construction site to speak to the site supervisor and inform them that a complaint has been lodged. Depending on the workload, this may be weeks.
If the situation warrants, the City will arrange to place an inspector near the site to observe the noise. If the infractions are verified, the City will take further action.
You are urged to continue logging incidents while this process is unfolding. The City will commit to updating you as the investigation unfolds.
Sometimes, lodging an official complaint will be sufficient to encourage compliance on the construction site.
If you feel a more rapid and/or aggressive response from the City is warranted, contact your City Councillor’s Office.
The Municipal Code Chapter 591 in its entirety can be viewed in this PDF file.
Rick Green
Member, GDNA (Garment District Neighbourhood Association)
- Keep a log of infractions, including dates, times and notes of what was occurring and for how long. The 311 operator will ask if this is a first time occurrence, and if not, have you kept a log.
- Where possible, take pictures.
- Get licence plates and descriptions if vehicles are involved.
What to Expect:
The 311 operator will note your complaint, and provide you with a case number.
Some days later, an inspector will call you to provide you with his/her name and contact information.
The inspector will schedule a visit to the construction site to speak to the site supervisor and inform them that a complaint has been lodged. Depending on the workload, this may be weeks.
If the situation warrants, the City will arrange to place an inspector near the site to observe the noise. If the infractions are verified, the City will take further action.
You are urged to continue logging incidents while this process is unfolding. The City will commit to updating you as the investigation unfolds.
Sometimes, lodging an official complaint will be sufficient to encourage compliance on the construction site.
If you feel a more rapid and/or aggressive response from the City is warranted, contact your City Councillor’s Office.
The Municipal Code Chapter 591 in its entirety can be viewed in this PDF file.
Rick Green
Member, GDNA (Garment District Neighbourhood Association)
Complain about air quality
For the air quality issue, please see the following link:
https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/air-quality/
As a follow-up, air quality issues are addressed by the Ministry of the Environment (MOE). You may also find information on their website at http://www.airqualityontario.com, with contact information at http://www.airqualityontario.com/press/information.php
For the air quality issue, please see the following link:
https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/air-quality/
As a follow-up, air quality issues are addressed by the Ministry of the Environment (MOE). You may also find information on their website at http://www.airqualityontario.com, with contact information at http://www.airqualityontario.com/press/information.php
Become involved in an OMB hearing
This document relates to the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board). Development applications that were appealed to the OMB before Bill 139 received Royal Assent on December 12, 2017 will be subject to this process as documented. The OMB is being phased out in favour of a new "Local Planning Appeal Tribunal", details of which can be found here.
The first trick to getting involved is to find out that a developer has indeed appealed to the OMB and what case number has been assigned. Then you can enter that number in the form of PL###### here and review the status and activity to date.
This document relates to the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board). Development applications that were appealed to the OMB before Bill 139 received Royal Assent on December 12, 2017 will be subject to this process as documented. The OMB is being phased out in favour of a new "Local Planning Appeal Tribunal", details of which can be found here.
The first trick to getting involved is to find out that a developer has indeed appealed to the OMB and what case number has been assigned. Then you can enter that number in the form of PL###### here and review the status and activity to date.
The first activity is often the pre-hearing. If you have attended and signed in to a Community Consultation Meeting or if you live very near the proposal site, you might receive a scheduling notice by email or letter for the pre-hearing. The GDNA tries to keep on top of local applications and makes every effort to alert members and friends about upcoming pre-hearings as well.
The pre-hearing is a forum at which the duration and date of the eventual hearing is established. Much of that determination depends on what roles the various "players" will play at the hearing. At the pre-hearing, "players" seek status as either a party or a participant. Party status allows you to present witnesses and to cross-examine witnesses called by the other parties at the hearing proper. Participant status allows you to say your bit and be cross-examined. As you can guess, party status requires a larger commitment in terms of time (you are required to appear throughout the hearing which may last weeks) and cost (mostly for printed documentation and display boards). Participants need only appear at an agreed date/time and may incur little or no expense.
To date the GDNA has sought party status for two OMB cases. This status, although requiring more effort and commitment, allows the GDNA to participate more fully in the hearing’s outcome. Issues not raised by the City can be championed and issues dear to the hearts of participants can be supported. At the very least, party status satisfies this maxim … if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.
The OMB website is easy to navigate. It provides a good description of the party and participant roles and provides information about the citizen liaison office, a user-friendly resource available to all.
The pre-hearing is a forum at which the duration and date of the eventual hearing is established. Much of that determination depends on what roles the various "players" will play at the hearing. At the pre-hearing, "players" seek status as either a party or a participant. Party status allows you to present witnesses and to cross-examine witnesses called by the other parties at the hearing proper. Participant status allows you to say your bit and be cross-examined. As you can guess, party status requires a larger commitment in terms of time (you are required to appear throughout the hearing which may last weeks) and cost (mostly for printed documentation and display boards). Participants need only appear at an agreed date/time and may incur little or no expense.
To date the GDNA has sought party status for two OMB cases. This status, although requiring more effort and commitment, allows the GDNA to participate more fully in the hearing’s outcome. Issues not raised by the City can be championed and issues dear to the hearts of participants can be supported. At the very least, party status satisfies this maxim … if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.
The OMB website is easy to navigate. It provides a good description of the party and participant roles and provides information about the citizen liaison office, a user-friendly resource available to all.
File a police report
... under construction
... under construction
Find someone at City Hall
Know a name but want to know a phone number or what department this person works for?
Know a name but want to know a phone number or what department this person works for?
- Use this link ... hope you know the surname because the directory is 300+ pages long!
Look for agendas, meetings and minutes at City Hall
Looking for an upcoming meeting or the minutes for a past meeting? We are part of the Toronto and East York Community, Ward 20.
If you know the date, access this site.
If you know the meeting type, take this link.
You can request email updates of a particular meeting type by subscribing here.
Looking for an upcoming meeting or the minutes for a past meeting? We are part of the Toronto and East York Community, Ward 20.
If you know the date, access this site.
If you know the meeting type, take this link.
You can request email updates of a particular meeting type by subscribing here.
Access City data ... From Open Data Toronto
The City makes available an amazing range of data, found here. The GDNA used Open Data Toronto to research bicycle usage on Richmond Street West for an OMB Hearing ... and from that we learned that the bike lanes on Richmond Street are the most heavily utilized in the City.
The City makes available an amazing range of data, found here. The GDNA used Open Data Toronto to research bicycle usage on Richmond Street West for an OMB Hearing ... and from that we learned that the bike lanes on Richmond Street are the most heavily utilized in the City.
Report a dangerous/unlawful driver behaviour or a neighbourhood traffic issue/concern
The Toronto Police provide a site for citizens to report dangerous or unlawful driver behaviour, be it a single instance or an ongoing issue.
Take a picture or short video of this behaviour with license plate visible and complete this online Driving Complaint Report.
The Toronto Police provide a site for citizens to report dangerous or unlawful driver behaviour, be it a single instance or an ongoing issue.
Take a picture or short video of this behaviour with license plate visible and complete this online Driving Complaint Report.
- Those of us who live on Camden Street are well aware that drivers, many of them locals, regularly ignore the one-way street notices. Bad enough when they drive headfirst in the wrong direction but really scary when they drive in reverse.
- Because parking in the neighbourhood is nightmare, misuse of accessibility (handicapped) permits is endemic. Miscreants not only avoid paying for parking but can also park in “No Parking” zones which only snarls up already-snarled traffic.
- Area residents shudder when they observe potentially dangerous driver behaviour resulting from hidden or misleading traffic signage. In this case, report an issue with the signage. For example:
This one-way street sign at the intersection of Augusta on Richmond is very small and low, often completely hidden by a parked truck. As a result drivers turn left onto Richmond from Augusta several times a day resulting in potential head-ons and hasty u-turns. This one-way sign needs to be much higher and larger.
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Loud motorcycles are a curse in our community but difficult to regulate since they are governed provincially by the Highway Traffic Act … as addressed here.
Search for details about development applications
The City has updated its online search page for looking up a development application. Take this link: http://app.toronto.ca/AIC/index.do
Enter an address and the page returns all development applications in the general vicinity, presenting an information window if the address hits a bingo:
The City has updated its online search page for looking up a development application. Take this link: http://app.toronto.ca/AIC/index.do
Enter an address and the page returns all development applications in the general vicinity, presenting an information window if the address hits a bingo:
Take "Application Details" for a wealth of information, including supporting documentation and if the application has been appealed to LPAT. Happy reading!
If you take the option below, you are given a URL which you can use to share this page.
If you take the option below, you are given a URL which you can use to share this page.
Deal with discarded injection needles safely
The Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre (PQWCHC) is our resource for information on issues of this nature. The Queen West site is located at 168 Bathurst Street and services a vast catchment.
Services the Queen West site provide are diverse (https://pqwchc.org/) ... primary health care, dental care, harm reduction, health promotion, counselling, and community development programming to name a few. The GDNA became involved with the Queen West site as a member of its Community Liaison Committee when the Supervised Consumption Services started to ramp up in 2017.
In the arena of needle injection safety, the PQWCHC staff and volunteers:
Area residents who see discarded injection needles need to know that there is a needle drop-off box at the front of the PQWCHC building at 168 Bathurst. As far as advice goes, Lorraine Barnaby, Supervised Consumption Service Manager, offers the following:
In the arena of needle injection safety, the PQWCHC staff and volunteers:
- train others in the safe handling and disposal of sharps
- distribute harm reduction supplies including clean syringes and needles, Naloxone Kits and bio-hazard containers
- provide outreach services in vulnerable areas of high use such as alleyways, parks and "under the Gardiner"
- collect returns of used needles and paraphernalia
Area residents who see discarded injection needles need to know that there is a needle drop-off box at the front of the PQWCHC building at 168 Bathurst. As far as advice goes, Lorraine Barnaby, Supervised Consumption Service Manager, offers the following:
If residents encounter a used needle they can call our Centre at 416-703-8482 ext. 2124. If we can, we will come pick up the used needles (this depends on where the needles are and staff’s availability) and, if we can’t, we will direct them to TPH or give them advice on safe disposal.
In regard to the TPH poster below, I would include other tips:
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Details about the numerous in-house harm reduction services/programming provided by the PQWCHC can be found on this webpage:
https://pqwchc.org/programs-services/harm-reduction/
The City of Toronto is also a player in this arena by providing:
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How to Speak or Comment at a City Committee Meeting
Given the link to an Agenda Item for an upcoming meeting, notice that you have the option to “Request to Speak” or to “Submit Comments”:
If you choose to “Request to Speak”, an email form appears. You need to complete this form and send (and then actually attend the meeting).
If you choose to “Submit Comments”, a different email form appears. You can just type your comments in the email body – or – you can compose a document and attach it to the email form before sending. The difference? Comments in the email body are not displayed online but an attachment is if 1) you are an organization (for example, a residents association, a legal office, etc) or 2) you are an individual and request in the email body to have the attachment posted.
The City has a webpage devoted to this topic HERE.
If you choose to “Submit Comments”, a different email form appears. You can just type your comments in the email body – or – you can compose a document and attach it to the email form before sending. The difference? Comments in the email body are not displayed online but an attachment is if 1) you are an organization (for example, a residents association, a legal office, etc) or 2) you are an individual and request in the email body to have the attachment posted.
The City has a webpage devoted to this topic HERE.