Ward 32

Photo credit masachiba

This week's big news is the OMB's denial of SmartCentre's plans for a big box development in Leslieville. The story has been covered in The Star, Torontoist and Spacing.

Why are cyclists celebrating this win? The development would have abutted one of the few dedicated bike paths Torontonians have built. We all expect our bike paths to have intersections, but this would have added three very busy parking lot entrances on this stretch of path. In addition, it would have been another car-oriented development in a place with potential to be a transit-oriented, pedestrian friendly and cycling friendly employment centre.

The full decision is on the OMB site (pdf). If you find yourself making a case at the OMB, it's probably a good read.

If you have any insight into the success in this case, please share in the comments.

Toronto is considering converting a popular bike path that runs along the North side of Lakeshore Boulevard East into parkland. This point isn't to change the bike path, but to change the city's influence in the area. It's all part of a strategy to oppose the Walmart being planned for this part of the city.

Push to convert cycle path to parkland draws protest

That would force SmartCentres Inc. - whose project has been opposed by local city councillors as a "big-box" shopping centre - to seek council permission to run driveways through the cycle path and onto Lake Shore, between Leslie Street and Carlaw Avenue.

How would this impact the bike path? The city officially ignores parkland paths when it comes to snow removal. On the other hand, this could protect the path from being crossed by a Walmart driveway, something that's good for no one. Well, almost no one.