Council Highlights: Neighbourhood Retail, Winter Roads, Flood Protection & More
- councillorcarroll
- 1 hour ago
- 8 min read
City Council met last week for another busy couple of days. We thoroughly debated the Neighbourhood Retail Report, strengthened our Winter Maintenance Plan after our early snowfall showed where service needs to improve, and expanded the City’s work on basement-flooding protection.
Council also approved important updates to the Encampment Response Strategy to improve safety and support for residents in need. And right here at home, the Hillcrest Tennis Club stepped forward with a generous donation that will upgrade the courts at Cresthaven Park—great news for local players of all ages.
Arguably the most debated item on this month’s agenda was the issue of neighbourhood retail. With many amendments passed at both Planning and Council, a fair amount of confusion has circulated since the meeting about what exactly is permitted.
Council’s final decision limits as-of-right retail permissions in suburban wards to designated major streets. To permit retail on neighbourhood streets, councillors had to opt in. I chose not to do so at this time.
In Don Valley North, the major streets are fairly straightforward. North–south routes include Bayview Avenue, Leslie Street, Don Mills Road, and Victoria Park Avenue. East–west routes include Sheppard Avenue, Finch Avenue East, and Steeles Avenue East. In several downtown wards, councillors opted to go further by adding selected local neighbourhood streets where legacy shops still exist. In those wards, new stores will be allowed at the ends of blocks.
Even on major streets, the permissions are limited. To qualify, a property must have its front or side lot line on a major street, and the main pedestrian entrance for any commercial space must also face that major street. Properties that back onto a major street but front onto a local street do not qualify. These conditions significantly narrow where new retail can open, even within the major street network.
We also heard strong concerns about infrastructure capacity, parking pressure, and neighbourhood character as these changes roll out. In response, Council has required staff to closely monitor the impact of these new permissions and report back within two years—or sooner, if 100 permits or business licences are issued. That review will help us understand how the policy is working on the ground and will recommend any necessary adjustments to zoning, policy, or enforcement.
There are several restrictions, including limits on the allowable square footage of new retail spaces. I am most encouraged, however, by the information we received from staff regarding cannabis stores. The over-licensing of cannabis retail proved to be the largest concern during this debate, and staff have already begun conversations with their provincial counterparts to address it.
I want to note that I have never received a complaint about a cannabis shop once it opens with the proper licence. What I hear most often is concern each time yet another licence is approved. We have far more of these stores than anyone anticipated. Perhaps this neighbourhood retail debate has finally created the momentum needed to secure the moratorium on cannabis licences that many of us have advocated for. Council welcomes that discussion with the Province.
It was frustrating to watch the media frame this issue in the days leading up to Council. Many reports insisted that nothing had improved since last year’s disappointing snow-clearing performance, and that nothing would change this winter. That narrative could not be further from the truth.
Here’s what has actually happened: After the extreme snowstorms of early 2025, the Mayor and Council gave clear direction that we expected a new approach to winter operations. We called for stronger management of snow clearing and a more concrete, dependable plan for snow removal when accumulations become extreme. Until now, removal has been treated almost entirely as an emergency service, with an ad hoc response each time. That is no longer acceptable.
Several key staff changes have now been made to ensure that the new recommendations will be carried out with a fresh and focused approach. The changes are as follows:
Winter Operations Improvements – Key Highlights
1. Enhanced Service Access & Responsiveness
311 hold period discontinued: submit service requests anytime during winter events for faster issue identification and better customer service.
Year-round Winter Services Unit: improves operational preparedness, contract management, inter-agency coordination, and continuous improvement.
2. Operational Efficiency & Staffing
Surge staffing and “all-hands-on-deck” mobilization, including redeployment where appropriate.
Streamlined operation sequencing: road and windrow plowing prioritized before sidewalk clearing to reduce rework and speed completion.
3. Vehicle & Parking Management
Traffic Agents reassigned to support parking enforcement.
Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) app notifications and stickers on parking meters for snow route advisories.
Use of TPA lots for resident parking during snow removal.
Expanded major snow routes and new signage.
4. Contractor & Fleet Performance
Contractor monitoring via GPS dashboards and real-time tools for improved reliability and accuracy.
Expanded fleet and maintenance: additional equipment, pilot sidewalk plows, mobile technicians, and extended garage hours.
5. Enhanced Field Verification & Proactive Measures
Field audits with longer segments, traffic cameras, and real-time monitoring to ensure service standards.
Earlier proactive snow removal at high-priority locations to preserve snow storage capacity for future events.
I’m optimistic about this shift, especially because the staff now leading this work are people I know well and respect from past projects. We will all see the results together during the first major snowfall, and I expect a stronger, more responsive system this time.
While 311 service should improve, remember that my office is always your back-up. Hearing directly from Don Valley North residents during heavy snow events helps us troubleshoot issues quickly and advocate for the fixes our neighbourhoods need.
Long-time readers know that I have worked for years to improve how the City supports residents experiencing basement flooding. Much of this work builds on the findings of the Ombudsman Toronto’s 2020 report, “Enquiry into How the City of Toronto Handles Homeowner Third-Party Liability Claims for Basement Flooding and Sewer Backups.” That review highlighted serious gaps in service, accountability, and communication—gaps we continue to close through improved programs, clearer processes, and better customer service. I
Council adopted a series of increases to the City’s home flood-protection subsidy programs. This is a straightforward and sensible investment. The amount of money the City saves when homeowners prevent basement flooding far exceeds the cost of providing these subsidies—so much so that the value is almost impossible to overstate.
Starting in 2026, the total amount available to each household will rise from $3,450 to $6,650. This increase reflects inflation since the program began, but it also adds important new features, such as support for backup power for your sump pump and the option to install a second backwater valve in larger homes.
The most important starting point for any homeowner is the $500 grant to complete a professional plumbing and stormwater assessment. These expanded benefits will come into effect after Council adopts the 2026 City Budget. I will share all the final details in a dedicated e-blast once the new subsidy amounts officially launch. If you plan to take advantage of the program, expect to apply next spring as you prepare to flood-proof your home.
In the meantime, here’s a friendly but important reminder: please don’t rake, blow, or dump leaves onto sidewalks, ditches, or roadways. Not only does that create a safety hazard, but you could also face a $200 fine. Fallen leaves can clog storm drains, which increases the risk of flooding on streets and private property.
The City has kicked off its annual Leaf Maintenance program, which will run through mid-December (weather permitting). Crews are manually clearing leaves and using street sweepers to collect them from public spaces like roads, boulevards, ditches, and culverts. However — and this is key — leaves on private property are not part of this program.
I strongly encourage residents to leave leaves on their lawns where they naturally enrich the soil, protect plants, and provide shelter for insects that support biodiversity. It’s a simple, eco-friendly way to make a real difference. For more on how to handle yard waste properly, check out the City’s Yard Waste webpage.
This motion left me somewhat torn. On one hand, I support the casework-based approach that City staff have used with hundreds of individuals who have lived in park encampments. We know that when people engage with outreach staff and accept a shelter placement with proper supports—or housing, if they are ready—they are better off. They don’t simply move to another encampment. They begin the journey toward the help they need to get back on their feet.
On the other hand, I’ve had recent experiences right here in our ward where encampments have formed in places that raise immediate safety concerns. One was directly beside a schoolyard with no fence separating the students from the campers. Another involved a lone camper who set up in a playground only about 20 feet from the patio doors of the nearest townhome. These situations aren’t just challenging; they pose risks that must be addressed quickly.
With the amendments Council introduced, the final motion now allows for a greater range of approaches. Casework remains important and should continue wherever possible. But in situations like the ones I described, staff must now prioritize removal as the preferred strategy. The new policy sets a 50-metre buffer around schoolyards, daycares, and playgrounds as the trigger to initiate a more urgent response.
It gave me great pleasure to move the necessary motion to accept the funds raised by Hillcrest Tennis Club to improve the tennis courts in Cresthaven Park.
People sometimes ask why a club gets to manage courts in a public facility. Here’s how it works:
Hillcrest Tennis Club is a community tennis club operating within Cresthaven Park, which currently has four hard courts. The Club plans to refurbish all four courts in spring 2026 using its capital reserve fund, raised entirely by members and players. The project will be delivered through a construction and donation agreement with Parks and Recreation.
The total in-kind donation for the project is valued at up to $150,000. Under City Council’s Donations to the City of Toronto for Community Benefits Policy, the proposed scope of work has been reviewed and approved by City staff. No costs will be incurred by Parks and Recreation, which means there is no cost to taxpayers. Ongoing maintenance will be covered according to the Policy for Outdoor Community Tennis Club Operations.
I want to congratulate the Hillcrest Tennis Club for this generous contribution. Their commitment helps improve our local facilities and ensures residents can enjoy high-quality tennis courts for years to come.
These club arrangements, in place since amalgamation, allow us to keep North York’s tennis facilities running efficiently, even though the level of tennis programming varies across the city. The legacy municipalities each had different practices, and this approach helps maintain consistent opportunities for residents.
As you can see, Council is making important decisions that directly affect our neighbourhoods—from supporting local businesses and keeping our streets safe in winter, to protecting homes from flooding, ensuring playgrounds are safe, and investing in community recreation. I will continue to keep you updated on these and other initiatives, and I encourage you to reach out to my office with your questions, experiences, or ideas. Together, we can make Don Valley North a safer, stronger, and more vibrant community for everyone.
If you ever need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact my office—we are here to help.
