Serving The Community

Concerns

Community Impact

Actions Required

Increased traffic volumes and need for additional traffic calming

Eatonville’s streets are used as a shortcut between Bloor and Dundas despite the installation of speed bumps, many residents witness excessive speeding and large truck traffic.

A pilot project to reduce speed and eliminate unnecessary trucks (e.g. road narrowing and chicanes). For increased policing in the area to reduce speeding and illegal traffic in the neighborhood.

Diminished retail shopping, home and personal care services (clinics and providers), and employment opportunities 

With the proposed redevelopment of land containing strips malls and the community-centred Cloverdale mall, residents will have decreased access to local goods, services, and jobs associated with these businesses without transportation considerations.  

Ensure that the community maintains or increases access to retail shopping, home and personal care, and the jobs associated with the businesses by following planning and design best practices for the development of mixed-used properties.

Increased demand for local schools

As young families move into the community, the schools will need to grow accordingly.  Currently, many of the schools servicing South Eatonville are already over capacity and using portable classrooms.  

School Boards need to put plans into place to mitigate the overcapacity issue South Eatonville schools are already facing and which are projected to get worse.  This needs to be achieved through expansion via renovation or the opening of new schools. The integration of new schools with new developments should be considered.  

Increased safety for school bussing 

Children need a safe space to get on and off the school bus (at the school and in their neighbourhood).

Proactively designate safe zones for school bus access as a requirement during planning and approval processes instead of afterwards.

Need for more parks, community services and public open spaces

Our community needs to be designed for all residents to live, work and play with reasonable expectations for recreation, pet ownership and socialization with their neighbours.

For developers to increase access to parks, community services, and public open spaces as part of development in conjunction with the city, including: 

• A neighbourhood Splash Pad facility (Silverhill Park)

• Expansion and enhancement of the Tree Canopy in existing parks by planting new trees to create shade in appropriate locations

• Provide an dog Off-Leash area for local residents in addition to those in the Condominium owned-areas

• Design bicycle and pedestrian pathways to parks and retail plazas which connect all of our parks to Echo Valley Park and the retail centres.

Streetscaping features to accommodate human needs and beautify the region

Previous studies prepared by the City speak to pedestrian friendly sidewalks along Dundas Street West.  We have not seen or heard of any plans to improve the streetscape along Dundas Street West from Kipling to Highway 427.

Implement a streetscaping initiative to improve the pedestrian area with trees, seating, and safety considerations for inclusive accommodation (hearing or visually impaired, mobility challenged)

Installation of public art

Public Art should be included in the redevelopment of our community.  

Install public art in in community spaces, especially along Dundas St. W. Look to include art by local artists. Art could be sources via partnership with Neilson Park Create Art Centre, Etobicoke Arts and the city’s Arts & Culture department. Situate art within the Transit Hub (along Dundas Street West and in the new proposed parks in the South Eatonville area).

Recognize and celebrate local heritage

Eatonville began as a 400-acre farm owned by Peter Shaver at the end of the 19th century.  The farm was one of two purchased by the Eaton’s department store in the 1890’s.  The Eaton Farm supplied milk, poultry and vegetables to Eaton’s until the 1950’s.

As part of the redevelopment acknowledge our recent local history by adopting the Eatonville name for the community identity. Look for opportunities to add education plaques, signs, etc. acknowledging Eatonville’s history.

Enable access to Police Services

During Etobicoke Centre planning meetings, it has been suggested that 22 Division may be relocated.  With the expected increase in population density within the neighbourhood and the location of the transportation hub, having first responders in close proximity is a grave concern for the neighbourhood and businesses served by this essential service.

For this rumor to be addressed, and if true for a public consultation to be held before a final decision is made, for a study to be conducted to determine the impact on community health and safety.  

Library Services

A new Library may be considered the Six Points Areas to support the high number of residences being added to the community. 

Support the addition of a new Public Library Branch to serve the increased need for library access and community programming services.

Recreation and Childcare

Enhanced services for community recreation is needed for the health and well-being of the community. Currently Cloverdale Mall has become a gathering place for seniors and residents and a walking program did exist.  

Recommendation to have enhanced and expanded recreation activities included in a parks and recreation plan for the area; A community meeting space (rent free); access to indoor walking in the winter months, outdoor skating, basketball, indoor swimming pool, childcare and other facilities are essential to community health.  

Housing

Housing should be provided in support of seniors, disabled and handicapped residents. 

For all new developments to be built with the needs of all community members in mind.

Short-term rentals

Short-term condo rentals have become a growing trend to sustain income property investments However, this results in increased street parking, added safety concerns and lack of interest to support community initiatives and standards.

Recommendation that AirBnB (short-term) rentals are not permitted in the Condominium units by establishing condominium association by-laws. Ensure new construction is built following CPTED best practices to safeguard the community

 Ensure condominiums have a dedicated bay for school buses and adequate parking.

Apartments & condominiums not built to meet needs of owners

New construction often does not have enough parking, adequate storage, bus bays, or other facilities (e.g. dog off leash areas, etc.), and as a result these needs are borne by the surrounding community. 

Require all new buildings realistically model and support the needs of potential residents.  

Ensuring benefits are tied to the source they are collected from

All of the proposed applications are of very high density which will necessitate investment in the area. Failure to do so would lower the quality of life for residents.  

Recommendation that Section 37 benefit funds be used for improvements within our community of South Eatonville and not directed to other communities. Furthermore, parkland contribution benefits of the highest possible value should be required given the density of the new buildings. 

Creating a sustainable city infrastructure and environment

There are concerns that there will not be adequate water and stormwater management systems in place to manage the demand for services as they continue to age. 

For storm water concerns to be fully addressed in all builds given Eatonville’s flooding history. Infrastructure projects should look to apply green technology, including solar-powered systems.

Building heigh and shadows

Buildings that exceed the recommend heigh will detract from the views of many residence and leave others in long-periods of shadow throughout the day

For the city to enforce the recommend heigh guidelines which were authored to protect the community.