Heritage Neighbourhood • Vibrant and Strong Community

Tag: #environmentalawareness

Native Shrub Update

Bravo to Casa Loma neighbourhood in 2024 for its welcoming response to the Toronto Region and Conservation Authority (TRCA) RAVINE NATIVE SHRUB PROGRAM this summer.

The ordering deadline was August 24th and according to the numbers from TRCA, 11 homes close to Nordheimer Ravine responded! The program was originally initiated about three years ago when CLRA member Barbara Chernin spoke to TRCA Community Outreach and Education Supervisor Colin Love about implementing a native shrub program in the Casa Loma area for residents with homes bordering Nordheimer Ravine.

Funded by the City of Toronto’s urban forestry grants and incentives program, it is now celebrating its second year in our neighbourhood. Delivery of shrubs to residents is expected the 3rd week in October with the idea, pending favourable weather,  to put shovel to ground and start planting as soon as possible. Planting native shrubs not only improves the quality of our air, soil and water, it also brings food and shelter to our birds and insects so a major accomplishment for all the neighbourhoods involved in the program!  

Special thanks must be given for the tireless support of TRCA staff in order of their appearance-  Colin Love, Stephanie Parish and Sarah Wenzl.

Update on 1467 Bathurst St. (land at St. Clair & Bathurst)

You probably have noticed the pyramid pile of earth on the old Petro Canada site at St. Clair & Bathurst. This is contaminated soil removed from the section of the property on which a condo sales office is to open this summer. The sales office will be for a 3 tower condo project to replace the original 3 tower rental project for the site.

The Environmental Group had the opportunity last week to speak to Canderel’s Director of Development and Investment Dana Roebuck regarding the 1467 Bathurst Street site.

We discussed many of the concerns the Environmental Group has regarding the remediation of the property and ongoing remediation.  Presently, thanks to City Council Motions passed with the help of Councillor Matlow in July, the City has granted the developers a building permit for a sales office only which she says will go up this summer.  Pending a completed risk assessment, they will get a Record of Site Condition (RSC) to develop the property with the intention of building 3 towers of condos.

It is my opinion that the development of a 3 tower, each of 30+ stories, condo tower project with its resulting traffic congestion, use of heavy machinery equipment, overshadowing and wind tunnel effects will environmentally impact Nordheimer Ravine already in poor condition.

What is concerning now is that large mound of contaminated soil on the 1467 Bathurst Street site which cannot be moved due to a provincial trucking strike.  This means that it will sit there until the strike is over.  There are two options available—One is to truck the contaminated soil away privately so that the soil does not remain close to the street and St. Mike’s School.  Heavy rains will also affect its spread.  The other option is to stop excavation until there is a reasonable expectation that the soil will be hauled away to an appropriate landfill in a timely manner.  If you also have concerns, please contact me     I have contacted the Ministry of Environment in the hope that they will deal with this swiftly.