Many of you may have received a flyer in the mail claiming to be a FINAL NOTICE regarding the City of Toronto's Mandatory Downspout Disconnection By-law. This flyer is an advertisement from a private company and has not been sent out by the City. The by-law, however, is real and will be coming into effect for most of the ward on December 3rd, 2013. Many residents have called us about this program, so we've compiled some of the most common questions and answers:
What is the Mandatory Downspout Disconnection program?
As part of a series of flood protection measures, City Council approved a by-law making it mandatory for property owners to disconnect their downspouts from the stormwater system.
Why do we have to disconnect our downspouts?
Several years ago there were a series of floods throughout Toronto. Our ward was one of the areas which were hit the hardest. These floods were partially due to the stormwater systems not being able to handle the capacity. When the stormwater systems are over capacity it causes water to back up not only on the streets, but in people's basements as well.
The City has taken many measures to ensure that this does not happen again, including repairing and widening the stormwater pipes throughout the city and the ward.
Currently all rain that falls on houses is sent directly into stormwater system, and as more houses are erected in the city, more water which would have been absorbed into the ground is going into the stormwater system instead. This is not sustainable, and thus the City is asking residents to disconnect their downspouts from the system.
When do need to have my downspout disconnected?
The downspout disconnection by-law is being rolled out in three phases. Phase 1 included the downtown core and came into effect late 2011. Our ward lies mostly in Phase 2 and partially in Phase 3.
If you live in Ward 39 and your house is west of Kennedy Road, you are in Phase 2 and you will need to disconnect your downspout by December 3rd, 2013. If you live in Ward 39 and your house is east of Kennedy Road, you are in Phase 3 and you will need to disconnect your downspout by December 3rd, 2015.
If you live outside of Ward 39, please consult the City's website for more information.
What happens if I don't disconnect my downspout?
Downspout disconnection is mandatory, and if you do not complete the disconnection you may be in contravention of the by-law. While the City will not have a crew proactively inspecting downspouts, contraventions will be handled on a complaint basis and you may be subject to fines if your house is found not to be in compliance.
What kind of work do I need to do? How can I get this done?
The work is simple and can be done with a few simple tools and hardware available at your local hardware store. The City's website has a guide on how to do it yourself.
Otherwise, many private contractors will be able to help you with making the disconnection and rerouting the downspout.
Can you recommend a contractor?
Our office is unable to suggest or recommend private contractors. Please check the Yellow Pages or online for more information.
What if my downspout is too close to the house/driveway/neighbour/walkway?
There are many options available for disconnection of the downspout. Our office has seen constituents who have connected their downspouts to rain barrels, irrigation systems, employed weeping tile, or even created underground trenches to route their downspouts under their walkway tiles. Each house is unique, and there are many solutions that are available, some of which are discussed on the city's website (near the bottom)
However, there are many situations where a logical option for disconnection is not feasible. In those cases, please download a copy of the downspout disconnection exemption form from the City's website and describe why your house requires an exemption.
I'm a senior / a person with a disability, is there any assistance the City can provide?
The City has a financial assistance program for seniors and people with disabilities. Work done by a contractor to disconnect downspouts may be reimbursed for up to $500. For more information on this program and to download an application form, please see the City's website.
I was signed up with the City's Voluntary Downspout Disconnection program and work was done by the City, do I need to do anything else?
If you were on the City's Voluntary Downspout Disconnection Program, please download a copy of the exemption form and fill out the check box on the front page that says your property has already been assessed under the program.
I've signed up for the Voluntary Downspout Disconnection Program, but the work was never done. Is there anything that can be done?
The Voluntary Downspout Disconnection Project was cancelled by City Council in 2011, and unfortunately there are no provisions for those who were on the waiting list. You will be required to proceed with Mandatory Downspout Disconnection as per normal.
I'm not able to print out the forms
Please give our office a call at 416-392-1374 and we will make sure that you receive a printed copy of the relevant forms.
I have another question which is not addressed here
Please take a look at the City's website on the downspout disconnection program. There is a large variety of information and resources to help you out. The City's website also has a Frequently Asked Questions section which goes into a lot more detail.
If you still have any further questions, feel free to give our office a call at 416-392-1374 and we'll be happy to assist you.
Showing posts with label questions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label questions. Show all posts
Friday, June 21, 2013
Thursday, September 2, 2010
What should I know about walking my dog off-leash? **UPDATED**
Can I walk my dog without a leash?
The city has designated off-leash parks which have special signage and designation, which can be seen here. Off-leash dog walking is prohibited in all other parks unless otherwise signed.
Where are the off-leash parks?
A list of off-leash dog parks can be found on the City's website, here.
Are there any off-leash parks in Scarborough?
At the moment there are no off-leash sites in Scarborough, however two sites have been proposed; Botany Hill Park at 277 Orton Park Road, and Wanita Park at 5 Meadowvale Road. Both sites are still in the evaluation process, and may or may not be converted into an off-leash area in the future. Blantyre Park at 180 Fallingbrook Road has already been denied application.
At the current moment, the off-leash park closest to our ward is Sunnybrook Park near Eglinton Avenue and Leslie Street.
What can we do to get an off-leash park in our neighbourhood?
The process for creation of an off-leash site is resident-driven. To establish an off-leash park, the area must have a local dog-owner association, and the association must then submit an Off-Leash Area Application Form.
**NEW** Ursula Hummel, a certified dog trainer and resident of our ward, is starting up just such an association. If you would like to help out, you can get in touch with her here.
What do I do if I see people walking their dogs without a leash in our ward?
Please give our office a call at 416-392-1374, or email us; we will forward your complaint to Toronto Animal Services. Be sure to include your name, address, and phone number so we can contact you, as well as the time and location of the incident.
Useful Links
Parks, Forestry, and Recreation
Toronto Animal Services
People, Dogs, and Parks
Off-Leash Dog FAQs
List of current off-leash areas
Off-Leash Area Application Form
List of proposed off-leash areas
List of denied applications for off-leash areas
The city has designated off-leash parks which have special signage and designation, which can be seen here. Off-leash dog walking is prohibited in all other parks unless otherwise signed.
Where are the off-leash parks?
A list of off-leash dog parks can be found on the City's website, here.
Are there any off-leash parks in Scarborough?
At the moment there are no off-leash sites in Scarborough, however two sites have been proposed; Botany Hill Park at 277 Orton Park Road, and Wanita Park at 5 Meadowvale Road. Both sites are still in the evaluation process, and may or may not be converted into an off-leash area in the future. Blantyre Park at 180 Fallingbrook Road has already been denied application.
At the current moment, the off-leash park closest to our ward is Sunnybrook Park near Eglinton Avenue and Leslie Street.
What can we do to get an off-leash park in our neighbourhood?
The process for creation of an off-leash site is resident-driven. To establish an off-leash park, the area must have a local dog-owner association, and the association must then submit an Off-Leash Area Application Form.
**NEW** Ursula Hummel, a certified dog trainer and resident of our ward, is starting up just such an association. If you would like to help out, you can get in touch with her here.
What do I do if I see people walking their dogs without a leash in our ward?
Please give our office a call at 416-392-1374, or email us; we will forward your complaint to Toronto Animal Services. Be sure to include your name, address, and phone number so we can contact you, as well as the time and location of the incident.
Useful Links
Parks, Forestry, and Recreation
Toronto Animal Services
People, Dogs, and Parks
Off-Leash Dog FAQs
List of current off-leash areas
Off-Leash Area Application Form
List of proposed off-leash areas
List of denied applications for off-leash areas
Thursday, June 17, 2010
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
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
Thursday, October 15, 2009
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)
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)
Monday, September 21, 2009
How do I replace a damaged Blue/Green/Garbage Bin?
Some residents may have missed their chance to exchange their city waste collection bins at Community Environment Day this weekend, but there's no need to worry about; there are still a variety of options to replace a broken Green, Blue or Garbage Bin.
The easiest way is to give a telephone call to the City service line at 311. There you can speak with an operator, who will help you set up a Blue/Garbage Bin exchange appointment. Bin appointments generally fall on the same day as your scheduled pick up. Just leave your broken bin out on specified date, and City Staff will come to exchange it for you with a new one free of charge.
If you have a damaged Green Bin or simply can't wait for an appointment date, you may also bring your broken bin to one of several pick-up locations throughout Toronto. These sites are listed on the back of your Collection Calendar, which you should be receiving in the mail in the coming weeks. The closest one to Ward 39 is the Scarborough Transfer Station, at 1 Transfer Place (off of Nugget Avenue just west of Markham Road). Note that bin exchange is not available at the Victoria Park Transfer Station.
Finally, if you would like an additional Green Bin, you can request one at the above locations (fees may apply). Up-sized or additional Blue Bins may also be ordered free of charge through the 311 line. Up-sizing of Garbage Bins is also available, but yearly fees may apply.
If you are experiencing any difficulties with the above and live in Ward 39, feel free to give our office a call at 416-392-1374, and we can help with arranging for a new bin. If you live outside of Ward 39, please call 311 and they will be able to provide you with more information.
Useful links:
Where to get your collection containers
The easiest way is to give a telephone call to the City service line at 311. There you can speak with an operator, who will help you set up a Blue/Garbage Bin exchange appointment. Bin appointments generally fall on the same day as your scheduled pick up. Just leave your broken bin out on specified date, and City Staff will come to exchange it for you with a new one free of charge.
If you have a damaged Green Bin or simply can't wait for an appointment date, you may also bring your broken bin to one of several pick-up locations throughout Toronto. These sites are listed on the back of your Collection Calendar, which you should be receiving in the mail in the coming weeks. The closest one to Ward 39 is the Scarborough Transfer Station, at 1 Transfer Place (off of Nugget Avenue just west of Markham Road). Note that bin exchange is not available at the Victoria Park Transfer Station.
Finally, if you would like an additional Green Bin, you can request one at the above locations (fees may apply). Up-sized or additional Blue Bins may also be ordered free of charge through the 311 line. Up-sizing of Garbage Bins is also available, but yearly fees may apply.
If you are experiencing any difficulties with the above and live in Ward 39, feel free to give our office a call at 416-392-1374, and we can help with arranging for a new bin. If you live outside of Ward 39, please call 311 and they will be able to provide you with more information.
Useful links:
Where to get your collection containers
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)