Mandatory Downspout Disconnect is getting close

An important announcement from our upcoming Spring 2013 Newsletter:

Downspout disconnection in the area of Ward 39 which is west of Kennedy Road must be completed by December 3, 2013. If you live east of Kennedy Road, you must disconnect the downspout by December 3, 2016.

If you have considered all the options and find it is not technically feasible, you could apply to the City for an exemption by completing a Mandatory Downspout Disconnection Exemption Application.

Financial assistance (up to a maximum of $500), is available for low-income seniors or individuals with disability who apply for the assistance and meet the criteria.

For more information and to obtain a copy of the exemption application, please check the website at http://www.toronto.ca/water/protecting_quality/downspout.htm or call my office for more information.

Have your say: 5¢ bag fee

The City of Toronto currently has a bylaw (Municipal Code Chapter 604, Packaging bylaw) which states that all retailers are to charge a minimum of 5¢ on all plastic bags. This money is collected by the retailer, and is not received by the City. Mayor Rob Ford has discussed plans to repeal section of the bylaw in the future.

We'd like to ask you for your opinion on this issue. Click on this link to send us your thoughts on whether this fee should or should not be repealed. Please include your full name, address, and phone number as anonymous comments will not be considered. All information collected will always remain confidential.

Alternatively, you can give our office a call at 416-392-1374. Once again be sure to leave your full contact information.

Useful Links
City of Toronto: 5 cent bag bylaw page
Municipal Code Chapter 604, Packaging bylaw

What should I know about parking on the street?

Whether it be from the people worried about their neighbours parking on the street, or those who receive tickets themselves, one of the issues we hear most often about concerns parking on the street. We've compiled some of the important information here so you can be prepared; whether it be to keep your streets clear or to avoid fines in the future.

Can I park on the street?
In the City of Toronto, unless otherwise signed, you are allowed to park on the street for up to three hours at a time. If you exceed that limit, whether it be at your house or not, you risk being fined. This includes overnight parking.

What do I do if neighbours are parking on my street for more than three hours?
As a resident, you can call Parking Enforcement at 416-808-6600. Give them all the information you can (where the car is parked, when and how long it's been parked, and if possible, the make, model, and license plate of the car.), and they will send out an officer to investigate.

If it is a recurring problem, call our office at 416-392-1374. We will contact Parking Enforcement on your behalf, and set up an extended parking detail.

What do I do if I've been issued a ticket?
You have two options, pay the fine, or dispute the ticket. You can make the payment online, in person, by mail, or by telephone. If you choose to dispute the ticket, you must bring the ticket to one of four Parking Tag Operations offices, and schedule an appearance in court. More information on both of these can be found in the links below.

I've been parking on the street for years, why did I only get a ticket now?
Parking on the street for over three hours has always been illegal. Because of the complaint-driven nature of enforcement, street parking may not always be ticketed right away.

Can I apply for a parking permit to let me park on the street?
Parking permits allow the holder to park in specified areas on-sreet at designated hours. Unfortunately, parking permits are not issued for the Scarborough area at the current moment. The permit program is only in effect for the cities of Toronto, East York, York, and limited parts of Etobicoke; generally in areas where driveways are not common. Plans for expansion are under consideration.

Why have I received a notice of violation when I was parked on my own driveway?
If you are parking on a widened portion of your driveway, this is a Property Standards violation. A good rule of thumb is that you should not be parking more vehicles side-by-side than will fit in your garage. You may also receive a Parking Enforcement for parking over the sidewalk or on the boulevard portion of your driveway, both of which are City property. We will be exploring both these issues in more depth a future article.

Useful links:
Parking offences that do not require signs
What to do if you've received a parking ticket
Online parking ticket payment system
Permit Parking in Toronto
Toronto Police Services: Parking Enforcement

What can I do with trees on my property?

At the office, we often receive questions concerning trees on and near your property. Here are some of the most common questions we are asked.

Can I plant a tree at my home?
There is no restriction on planting trees on private property, though residents are advised that once planted, removal of trees may be subject to permits as noted below.

You may not plant trees on city property (ie. the boulevard section, the section of grass closest to the road). You may, however, request that the City plant a tree on your boulevard. An application form with photographs of the 36 tree varieties available can be found here on the City site (link), or you may call 416-338-TREE (8733) to request a tree.

Can I prune/cut down a tree on on private property?
You are allowed to prune a tree as long as it does not cause the tree's death. If you'd like to destroy a tree which measure more than 95cm (38 inches) in circumference at the height of 1.4m (3 feet), you must apply for a permit from the City of Toronto (link). Exceptions may be made if the tree is in danger of causing damage, is terminally diseased, or is already dead. Trees smaller than described above may be removed without a permit. See the city's page on privately owned trees for more information (link).

The tree on my boulevard is damaged, what can I do?
If the tree a tree on city-owned property is damaged or diseased, or you're worried about a tree limb falling off of it, don't hesitate to call our office at 416-392-1374. We will help set up an inspection by the Toronto Urban Forestry Division, and action will be scheduled based on priority. You can also contact Urban Forestry directly at 416-338-TREE (8733).

Why hasn't the tree on my boulevard been pruned yet?
The regular pruning schedule for city-owned trees goes on a cycle of approximately two years, and in this time, trees can grow quite a bit. If the tree is obstructing the view of traffic or the glow of streetlights, you can request a pruning from Urban Forestry or through our office. Note that the tree will be inspected first before it is trimmed, and each of these processes may take up to eight to twelve weeks.

Useful links:
City of Toronto: Urban Forestry Services
Let Us Plant A Tree (boulevard tree info/request form)
Application to injure or destroy trees on private property
Full list of tree by-laws (Chapter 813)

Bicycle Safety (reprinted from newsletter volume 2, issue 1)

Bicycle collisions remain one of the leading causes of danger in our ward, and one of the most preventable. The city of Toronto has an extensive list of laws pertaining to bicycles, and by following them you will not only avoid hefty fines, but you could save lives too. We've taken the time to outline some of these laws previously in our newsletter, which we've reprinted here. A full list of laws and fines can be found here.
(From Volume 2, Issue 1 of our newsletter, which you can find online here, other newsletters can be found in our newsletter archive)

Bicycle safety – or rather, pedestrian safety around bicycles – is a serious concern. I receive numerous calls from people, particularly seniors, who feel very uncomfortable walking in the Ward because of bicycle traffic on our sidewalks.

A bicycle is considered a vehicle under the Provincial Highway Traffic Act. The City also has a by-law that forbids cycling on the sidewalk if your wheels are larger than 24 inches in diameter. A number of noteworthy violations and set fines listed in the Act are:

• Careless driving $ 265
• Disobey stop sign – fail to stop $ 90
• Failure to yield to pedestrian $ 90
• No bell (horn) $ 90

The plain truth is: enforcement is difficult. Cyclists should know that they are liable and can be sued when collisions happen and they are at fault. I would ask everyone who rides a bicycle in our community to respect pedestrians and their right to use the sidewalk in comfort. When riding on local streets, cyclists should ride on the road. When riding along our arterial roads, cyclists riding on the sidewalk should go slowly, use their bell or horn to warn pedestrians and remember to share the sidewalk. At intersections, cyclists should always walk across the road.

As with any accident, if a pedestrian is hit by a bicycle, they should call the Police immediately and report the incident.