City
This week at City Hall
BY Dale Duncan April 07, 2008 10:04
There are committee meetings every day this week at city hall. Here’s a look at some of the things worth keeping an eye on in the week ahead.
Monday, April 7
Executive Committee
9:30am — Committee Room One, City Hall
Two new environmental initiatives — one underway, another in the idea stage — are on the agenda today. First, starting at 10am, the non-profit organization Zerofootprint will school councillors on how to use a new online “calculator and communications tool” developed specifically for Toronto. Later on, the Executive Committee will receive a report (PDF) on the feasibility of installing vacuum waste collection systems, which would transport garbage through underground tubes that are connected to a central station. The benefits of this system, used in places in Europe, Asia and the US, include fewer garbage trucks (which means less noise and CO2). The disadvantages, however, will likely be enough for the committee to decide to shelve the report, at least for now. The biggest drawback: the high cost of operation and maintenance.
Also up for discussion: an update on Toronto’s gun violence strategy (PDF), preparing for an influenza pandemic (PDF), Toronto’s 2006 performance measurement and benchmarking report (PDF), and more!
Tuesday, April 8
Toronto and East York Community Council — Committee Room One, City Hall
Etobicoke York Community Council — Council Chamber, Etobicoke Civic Centre
Scarborough Community Council — Council Chamber, Scarborough Civic Centre
North York Community Council — Council Chamber, North York Civic Centre
9:30am
Councillors to debate sign permits, zoning amendment applications, new speed bumps and a whole lot more!
Wednesday, April 9
Public Works and Infrastructure Committee
9:30am — Committee Room One
Forget traffic congestion, pedestrian congestion is now a concern for some of Toronto’s most heavily used walkways, such as the PATH. A future spike in the population, partnered with Union Station revitalization plans that will accommodate more GO Transit users, will soon see even more people using Toronto’s underground walkway. The solution is to build another northwest underground route between Union Station and Wellington Street. It’s time for councillors to choose an exact route, issue an environmental study and figure out how to fund it all. You can read the staff recommendations on the subject here (PDF).
Also up for discussion: whether or not to name new streets after Canadians serving in Afghanistan (PDF), and how to clear well-used bike lanes of snow for winter cyclists (PDF).
Thursday, April 10
Planning and Growth Management Committee
9:30am — Committee Room One
Ever wonder how the planning department deals with applications to build residential developments that will pack significantly more people into a neighbourhood whose services and schools are already strained? Staff will table a report to the committee outlining the answer to this question. You can read it for yourself here.
Also up for discussion: an update on the Spadina-York subway extension (PDF), building permit fees (PDF), and the operation of the committee of adjustment (PDF).
Friday, April 11
Licensing and Standards Committee
9:30am — Committee Room One
Expect to see the Toronto Public Space Committee and Illegalsigns.ca out at this one — staff are tabling a report (PDF) on how the city enforces (or fails to enforce) its billboard bylaws. You can be sure that Rami Tabello and Jonathon Goldsbie will let city staff know if they’ve missed anything important.
Not surprisingly, illegal billboards aren’t the only things the city has a tough time cracking down on. In a letter to the committee, Councillor Mike DelGrande refers to an email that he recently received from the Toronto Advertising Hall of Shame on illegal postering in the city. He wants to know whether business and individuals who don’t follow Toronto’s new harmonized postering bylaw are actually being fined.
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