The Wish List

[monkeyronin]

It's that time of year again kids!

Time for us to get our lists together of all the things we want Santa to bring our city. Though with the events that transpired at City Hall this week, it looks like some of us have already got our gift. But with a coming leadership change, now more than ever is the perfect time to ponder some of the changes our hypothetical new mayor & council could make.

I'm mainly thinking in terms of policy directions they could take, but you're free to wish for anything you want (...so long as it's within the realm of reality).



1. Widening sidewalks + adding bikelanes + streetscape improvements on Yonge, Bloor, King, and Queen.

Get rid of a lane of traffic in either direction on each of these streets, and replace it with a much-needed sidewalk expansion and bike lane (with the expanded sidewalk at least being of a higher-quality material than what exists for most of these now). In the case of Queen St, the overhead power lines (excluding streetcar lines of course) would be buried, and more trees would be planted. For King St, if done in conjunction with the DRL, the streetcar would be removed entirely. The exact improvements to the streetscape (i.e. the style of lighting, sidewalk paving, plants, etc) would reflect the context of its surroundings. So while King might call for elegant wrought iron lamp posts, Queen would need something more contemporary.

Queen St. for example, would go from this:



To something more along the lines of this:



(excuse the crude Photoshopping, lol)



2. Amending zoning laws to make it easier to build laneway housing.

As it stands now, getting approval to build homes in most laneways is quite difficult due to fire regulations (existing firetrucks are too big to get down them). So this would first involve the purchase of a few smaller trucks before changing the zoning to allow these everywhere.




Laneway houses are a great way to increase density while also increasing the amount of houses (instead of relying solely on condo buildings). They also make for lovely, intimate streetscapes, and are a great opportunity to experiment with more creative architectural ideas.







3. More of a focus on small-scale, mid-rise (5-10 stories) infill + heritage preservation in non-core areas.

I'd like to see more infill developments like these, that preserve the scale and fine grain of our low-rise commercial streets while adding density & architectural interest; less block-busting tower podiums.














This would need to involve both height restrictions (don't worry, these wouldn't apply downtown, in other major commercial centres, and on some major street corners) and width restrictions of new developments, as well eliminating parking requirements to make constructing these sorts of buildings more attractive to developers.

Related to this, there would also be more rigorous protection of historic buildings. The catalogue of historic properties would be significantly expanded and laws tightened to make receiving an amendment more difficult. Potential restrictions on redevelopment of non-historic properties however would be eased.

On a strip like this for example, the highlighted building would be open for development, while the neighbouring historic properties would not:





4. Amending zoning laws to make it easier to build small condo/apartment buildings in SFH neighbourhoods.

In currently gentrifying inner-suburbs, the old bungalows are in the process of being replaced with larger, even more expensive single-family homes - and only single-family homes, as limited by zoning laws, despite the land values dictating a need for multi-family. So I would propose that small, say 3-5 floor apartment or condo buildings be allowed in areas like these. The same would apply to non-historic properties in more central locations.

So instead of new construction being limited to "monster homes" like this:




Developers would also be able build small multi-family homes like this: (again, excuse the especially terrible Photoshopping here)





5. Removing/changing last call.

One of the powers given to the city in the 2005 City of Toronto Act is - if I'm not mistaken - more authority on liquor licensing and serving times. While its been used so far to grant extended bar hours during special events, I'd like to see closing times removed entirely, or at least extended until 4 am every weekend.

[Innsertnamehere]

I want a DRL for Christmas
Only a DRL will do
Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy
I want a DRL to play with and enjoy

I want a DRL for Christmas
I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you?
He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue
Just bring him through the front door,
that's the easy thing to do

I can see me now on Christmas morning,
creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise
when I open up my eyes
to see a DRL standing there

I want a DRL for Christmas
Only a DRL will do
No Streetcars, no Sheppard Subways
I only like DRLs
And DRLs like me too

(Short Music Interlude)

Mom says the DRL would cost too much, but then
Teacher says a DRL is a a good investment

(Short Music Interlude)

There's lots of room for him On queen street
I'd feed him there and wash him there and give him his massage

I can see me now on Christmas morning,
creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise
when I open up my eyes
to see a DRL standing there

I want a DRL for Christmas
Only a DRL will do
No Streetcars or Sheppard Subways
I only like DRLs
And DRLs like me too!

(a play off of "I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas)

[Taller, Better]

Very intelligent and well organised thread, Monkey!

The big Christmas gift I am hoping for is a new mayor for our city. One whose last name is not Ford. I'm totally with you on the last call, too. I thought they now have the power to extend it too and am surprised that they have not. Abolish the danged last call altogether, and give the LCBO the boot. Also, take away the cosy near-monopoly of The Beer Store (which is mostly owned by two big foreign brewers now) and allow liquor/beer sales in private stores and supermarkets. I'd like to buy a bottle of Scotch with my potatoes and chicken breasts.

[isaidso]

Well done Monkey.

[AndrewJM3D]

My one and only wish is that Toronto becomes a Ford free city. If that happens all of our other wishes may some day come true.

image hosted on flickr

[monkeyronin]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

The big Christmas gift I am hoping for is a new mayor for our city. One whose last name is not Ford.

So I guess that rules out this guy:

[Taller, Better]

Well, I would CERTAINLY make an exception for that Ford, any day of the week!

[Skybean]

DRL would be nice.

[Innsertnamehere]

I have a feeling we will have a DRL by next Christmas, but not this one.

[InTheBeach]

DRL, and that Canadians stop racking up debt, and that we have soft landing on housing.

And bike lanes everywhere.

[Marcanadian]

Awesome post. Obviously I'd like a DRL, plus more bike lanes rather than less. I'd also like more pedestrian spaces. I feel the St. Lawrence area would be the perfect spot for a pedestrian plaza and that idea could be tested out on the weekends.

[Innsertnamehere]

I'd love to see Yonge street pedestrianized, as well as the two streets beside the st Lawrence market. I also want to see yorkville pedestrianized.

[chuguie]

Queen ROW between Jarvis and Bathurst, reducing it to a two-lane street with no on-street parking and bike lanes if possible.

[smokiboy]

monkeyronin - absolutely brilliant, I wholeheartedly agree with all your ideas. And all of your ideas are so easy and inexpensive to realize. They would improve the quality of life in the city tremendously. We just need some progressive visionaries on council. There are so many neighbourhoods where small condo/apartments would work, especially the ones near subways and streetcar lines. I would allow two lots to be used for this purpose. In fact I think this intensification is necessary if our city is to continue to prosper and financially survive in the future.

I would like to see the railway tracks from where Black Creek Drive ends, to downtown, buried and above a beautiful wide 'European boulevard' take its place. A 4-6 lane boulevard with bike paths, an extra wide sidewalk (6-10m) with 12-16 story buildings framing the avenue. I think the railway corridor is wide enough for all this, and the city/province could fund the burying of the railway line (in this case GO could become a regional 'subway' with all day frequent service) by selling the air rights to land it owns adjacent to the corridor.

[StEC]

Not sure what this building is called or what city it's from but my wish list would be to see...

1. Some beautiful buildings like the one below to dot the Toronto skyline to add some much needed colour & character to the city!



also...

2. Some modern apartment highrises (not just condo's)!
3. Subway expansion.
4. An amusement park at Ontario place with a few rollercoasters, would be awesome right on the lake!
5. A skyscraper of 450m just to be able to claim tallest in North America lol!
6. The Oxford Casino project to go ahead as proposed.
7. Continued PATH expansion.
8. The Gardiner Expressway to be buried.
9. Were not just Hollywood North were pretty close to being the new Hollywood I want to see continued support from all levels of government and expansion!
10. Infrastructure improvements to handle the massive growth the city has been getting before something really embarrassing happens that brings all this growth to a screeching halt!

Bonus wish... Toronto to host CES & E3... just once at least!

[yankeesfan1000]

American Radiator Building, New York, NY.

[Taller, Better]

It is a beautiful tower, built in 1924, but wishing for historical towers to appear in 2013 in any city in the world is a pretty tall order.. verging on Science Fiction!

The best that can be hoped for is a good quality knock-off that at least captures some of the original feel.

[monkeyronin]

Though a black & gold modern tower would be cool too. Its a nice colour scheme.

[Taller, Better]

Originally Posted by monkeyronin

Though a black & gold modern tower would be cool too. Its a nice colour scheme.

+1 agreed. 100%. Very dramatic.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

It is a beautiful tower, built in 1924, but wishing for historical towers to appear in 2013 in any city in the world is a pretty tall order.. verging on Science Fiction!

The best that can be hoped for is a good quality knock-off that at least captures some of the original feel.

One St. Thomas isn't really that far of a departure, it just lacks the dramatic colour scheme and some of the intricate ornamentation.



http://condosonyonge.com/location_it...-residences/71

And of course, One Worldwide Plaza has fooled many people into thinking it was old when in reality it was only built in 1989. Although I'm personally not in love with th design, it would definitely add some variety.