With the support of Councillor Josh Matlow, the proposal to restrict to buses only one of the two lanes in each direction on Bathurst between Bloor and Eglinton was dropped from the proposal sent to city council on July 16. A dedicated streetcar line from Bloor to Lakeshore was retained and passed by city council.
The proposal was dropped after community groups like Protect Bathurst and the CLRA pointed out the disastrous consequences that the proposal had on businesses on Bathurst and in neighbouring communities.
A community gathering and press conference took place today at Kos Café Patio on Bathurst just south of Dupont to publicize how our neighbourhood has been put at risk by the planned introduction of a dedicated bus lane on Bathurst St. from Eglinton to Bloor. (South of Bloor it would be a dedicated streetcar line).
It was organized by PROTECT BATHURST, a grassroots coalition of residents, small business owners, accessibility advocates, and community leaders. Many CLRA residents attended as many of our neighbourhood issues are the same and the retail shops south of Dupont, that are threatened to be put out of business, are servicing our neighbourhood.
We learned that Diane Saxe, the Councillor for south of Dupont is prepared to work on compromises including a postponement of the 24/7 dedicated bus lane through her riding until after the next election. (Dupont to Bloor). She, as well as our own Councillor Josh Matlow have recognized the many faults with the project.
We also learned that the proposal has been removed from the Agenda for the Executive Committee Meeting on June 17th and rescheduled for July 16th.
The speakers and those gathered spoke to the same concerns we all have:
A rushed project without proper consultation with the residents, shop owners, places of worship and schools impacted by the proposed reduction in lane capacity by 50%, new restrictions on right and left turns, and encroachment into neighbourhoods by cars looking to escape the massive congestion and looking for impossible to find parking alternatives.
Many shop owners would go out of business for there is no alternative to curb side deliveries that would now become prohibited.
A lack of data and the interpretation of the limited data at hand to further an ideology or wishful thinking.
No consideration of how the Eglinton Crosstown will affect bus transportation on Bathurst.
No consideration of the lane closures from construction underway (Condominium at Bathurst and Barton) and future redevelopment.
No consideration of the streetcar lane in use between St. Clair and Bloor to ferry streetcars between St. Clair, Hillcrest Yards and downtown routes and the logistics this means for cars that now would be forced to use the same lane. (During the 1 hour press conference, 2 streetcars occupied this lane)
Exaggerated claims on the expected increase in bus riders and reduced travel times.
No equitable consideration to the many more thousands that travel by car and service vehicle down Bathurst.
No consideration to the traffic pattern differences between rush hour (25 hours a week) and non-rush hour (143 hours a week).
The awful aesthetic of painting the surface of the bus lane in red through residential neighbourhoods; probably to make any reversals after actual experience too costly.
Speech by Paul Macchiusi, local resident and shop owner.
We will keep you posted as we continue to work on this project with more engagement time available to us now because of the postponement of the Executive Committee meeting for one month.
We have heard from the Liberty Village Residents Association that they are concerned enough about coyote sightings this winter to ask for action from the City of Toronto. We have learned about a couple of sightings on Austin Terrace earlier this winter which is not that unusual given our proximity to the city’s ravine system. However, we would like to keep track of sightings as we may want to join Liberty Village’s efforts to have the city more pro-actively control them.
TO REPORT A COYOTE SIGHTING, please call 311 and let the CLRA know at ">
From the City of Toronto
Coyotes generally do not pose a danger to people, but can pose a danger for pets. They are active during the day and at night, particularly dusk and dawn, and help to control rodent and rabbit populations. Coyotes thrive in urban areas because of the abundance of food and shelter available. They do not hibernate and may be seen more often during winter months as they are not hidden by foliage. Coyotes will eat whatever food is available such as small mammals and birds, and improperly stored garbage.
Remember these tips:
Never feed coyotes
Do not approach coyotes, their dens or their young
Do not touch coyotes, even if they appear tame, sick or injured
Keep your dog on a leash
If you see a coyote, do not run but make some noise to scare it away
Dispose of garbage and waste before leaving parks
Take an e-learning course on Coyotes in the Urban Landscape to learn basic facts about coyote behaviour and how both animals and people can remain safe. This informational module has been created in partnership with Coyote Watch Canada.
Enhanced operator licensing requirements to promote health and safety
An enforcement and compliance program
City-wide zoning standards that permit the use across the city, and
Initiatives to support tenants and maintain affordability of housing
Residents who may be renting rooms or are considering renting rooms should participate in the discussion. Details on a Questionnaire available until May 18 and a public meeting scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on May 11, 2021 are available HERE.
If the Casa Loma Residents Association can be of help, please email
The CLRA Executive, the Head of the Ardwold Gate Association, Slavisa Mijatovic of Councillor Matlow’s office and Chris Papadopoulos, COO of Casa Loma met at Casa Loma on April 10th for an update on progress to improve the traffic, parking, noise and other issues being experienced by residents in the proximity of Casa Loma.
Considerable progress has been made and the foundation has been laid for further progress. We believe the makings of a good relationship between the CLRA and the management of Casa Loma are in place.
We are pleased to report that the Italian National Day event has been scaled down by Casa Loma compared to previous years. This year’s event is scheduled for Sunday June 2nd. Our concerns are being brought to the attention of the event’s co-organizers from the Toronto Italian community.
Casa Loma has already put in place a drop off/ pickup area (east parking lot) for Uber, Lyft, Taxis and others. A-Frame signage is being used to direct this traffic during popular events. Permanent signage will require Heritage approval. Residents across from the castle are encouraged to use this location for drop-off and pick-up when using these services
Management has engaged a Toronto based global leader in parking management to study the parking configuration of the 235 spaces at the castle and identify appropriate solutions and technology to address the congestion at the parking lot entrance. The first meeting took place April 11th. Management will also review the process used by its valet parker to remove any congestion its process may cause. This is not likely a major cause of congestion as according to Chris his experience has been that at most 12 cars use the service on a Saturday night and far fewer during the week.
Casa Loma has a Parking Manager and Security in front for all popular events. Paid duty police are also employed but occasionally the contracted officer may cancel at the last minute. New, more visible and authoritative jackets are being considered for the Casa Loma attendants. Casa Loma has started to track data to identify peak periods to assist in staff planning and positioning.
BlueBlood restaurant will be opening a patio lounge this summer. The location is on the south west side of the castle. Chris advised that this is not a party lounge but instead a high-end cocktail lounge. The expected ambient music should not pose an inconvenience to any of our residents.
The CLRA, Casa Loma and Councillor Matlow’s office have not received any update from the TMMP Study Group. However, the TMMP have sent Casa Loma a questionnaire so they are working on the study. They have been consistent in telling us that we will receive notice when they are ready.
Slavisa Mijatovic will be sending us information on the process required and resident approval needed to change parking restrictions on streets in the vicinity of Casa Loma, including setting earlier hours for overnight parking permits and obtaining temporary parking permits. As soon as we have the information, we will communicate with residents on those streets and ask for an area captain to organize the process. We were told it takes about 2 months for the signs to be changed once an application is submitted. Slavisa will also look into regulating where taxis can park.
Casa Loma has recently refreshed its website. We have asked Casa Loma to put public transportation options more prominently on the home page of its website. The new site has public transportation four levels (navigation clicks) below the home page and secondary to driving instructions. One idea discussed to bring public transportation to the forefront is for the TTC to attach Casa Loma to the Dupont station name.
Casa Loma lists upcoming events on its website http://casaloma.ca/events. We were informed that the After Dark Summer Series this year will run Monday to Wednesday evenings beginning with Soul in the City June 3rd and ending with Just for Laughs on August 28th. Like in previous years if weather is favourable the series may be extended. Other events scheduled are the Kerry Stratton Maestro Gala Benefit April 30th indoors, Mother’s Day Brunch a sold out event on May 12th and the above mentioned Italian National Day on June 2nd. Private weddings and corporate events will also take place through the summer.
Chris Papadopoulos offered to initiate a hot line to site security that can be used by residents to report urgent situations that should be brought to management’s attention. We will let residents in the vicinity of the castle know what the hotline number is when operational. Respectfully, some requests received by Casa Loma this past winter for snow removal on neighbourhood properties and free use of Casa Loma facilities for neighbourhood events were not well received by management.
We were told by Chris that there are no concrete discussions underway with the City regarding the Stables lease which we understand is renewable in 2020. Chris mentioned that the City as property owner is evaluating paving the staff parking lot behind the stables and erecting a new fence along the back perimeter of the property. Slavisa Mijatovic will check with Museum and Heritage Services to see what info he can get about the city’s plans for the Stables lease.
Management is sensitive to the issue of noise at the castle and last year implemented an agreement with the City. As a result of efforts by the CLRA and others, this past fall all the loud screaming sounds were moved indoors for the Legends of Horrors month. Neighbours reported a significant improvement this past October and expressed appreciation for Casa Loma efforts. We have requested signage on exits from the castle notifying patrons that they are exiting into a residential neighbourhood and a request to minimize noise and respect private property. Signage has been used by Casa Loma at the exit from the stables but we would like to see this made permanent and extended to other exit points from the property and perhaps used in some literature. Casa Loma management will bring this up with Heritage who have to approve all permanent signage.
We also addressed attendance management for Casa Loma events and were assured that Casa Loma manages capacity within its licensed capacity as stipulated by the fire department.
Slavisa Mijatovic will be following up with city departments (i) to get more information on the noise by-law, the definition of outdoors and confirm the 10pm limit on outdoor noise, (ii) check with Signs and Markings about having some Quiet Zone/ Residential Area signage near Casa Loma, and contact Fire Services on how the outdoor capacity was determined. He will also contact the TTC about the suggestion to change the name of Dupont Station to Dupont-Casa Loma and the possible re-routing of buses to pick-up/drop-off people at large events.
The CLRA will meet regularly with Chris Papadopoulos and his team on a regular basis to maintain a good relationship. The meeting on April 10th was friendly, cooperative and professional and bodes well for a productive dialogue between the CLRA and Casa Loma on behalf of our residents. We will keep you posted.
We will also let you know as soon as we hear from the TMMP Study Group.
Comments, questions and suggestions can always be directed to
Casa Loma has already put in place a drop off/ pickup area (east parking lot) for Uber, Lyft, Taxis and others. A-Frame signage is being used to direct this traffic during popular events. Permanent signage will require Heritage approval. Residents across from the castle are encouraged to use this location for drop-off and pick-up when using these services