TOPCA [OLD] Home Page

A Voice for all who LIVE or WORK in Port Credit from
Seneca Ave to Shawnmarr Rd, south from CNR to the Lake

► Port Credit is an historic port community, and an authentic village, within the urban context of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Our population is 11,500 in a city of over 734,000.

► The Town of Port Credit Association (TOPCA) is the municipally recognized residents' association for the entire Port Credit District, located in Ward 1. We want to enhance our village ambience and keep Port Credit a vibrant place to live, work, shop, dine and play.

► TOPCA's website is maintained as a resource for upcoming events and citizen-oriented information that affects all Port Credit residents and the broader community. TOPCA is an all-volunteer effort and we appreciate your support to help us continue our activities.

Support TOPCA today!

NEWS ALERTS (31)    See also the Quick NEWS Index for archived items.
                                     See also the CALENDAR for Fall events.
                                      Click ▲to return to top of News Alerts.

PLEASE NOTE: The TOPCA website is in transition as part of a redesign. If you have landed on this (older) webpage, please click to view the new TOPCA Home Page
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SHERWAY POWER PLANT CLOSED: As of November 28, construction ceased on the power plant on Loreland Avenue being built by Eastern Power NOTE: For ongoing details of the work stoppage and follow-up actions, pictures and all background info of this long citizen struggle, see the MIRANET webpage about the Sherway power plant.
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► Click for PHOTO ALBUM (107p PDF) of the tour of the G.E. Booth Wastewater Treatment Facility in Lakeview on October 1, 2011.

Click aerial photo (or here) for zoom.
MOTION TO ABOLISH THE OMB: The TOPCA Executive supports Mississauga Council Resolution 0172-2011, passed unanimously on June 22, 2011, requesting that the Ontario government abolish the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) for the reasons given in the Resolution, including lack of public accountability, as stated:
“AND WHEREAS it is manifestly undemocratic for an appointed board such as the OMB to substitute its opinions for the considered judgement of elected councillors on matters affecting municipalities in which the councillors will continue to live and in which the OMB has no ongoing presence”.

The TOPCA Executive notes that the City of Mississauga has a new Official Plan that truly reflects the aspirations of the residents through an extensive public consultation process (including input to the City’s inspirational Strategic Plan), and is developing Local Area Plans (including the Port Credit LAP) in synch with the new OP, which fully complies with provincial Smart Growth mandates. We expect Council to support and defend the new OP (even at the OMB) and to continue to advocate for the City of Mississauga’s right to self-determination on planning matters. We called on all Mississauga candidates in the recent provincial election to declare their position on this issue.

By way of background, the TOPCA Executive considered three topical OMB decisions which graphically illustrate the impact of the OMB in overriding local planning:
► The Loreland Ave. (Sherway area) power plant: Oct. 4, 2007 OMB Decision (enter 'pl060319' in the search box).
► The Haig Blvd. condo townhouse proposal in Lakeview: July 25, 2011 OMB Decision.
► The 15-storey condo proposal for the Satellite Restaurant site on Lakeshore Rd. W. in Clarkson: August 2, 2011 OMB Decision.

Statement on the OMB by Mississauga South MPP Charles Sousa (August 22, 2011) -- Excerpt: "Many residents have shared with me their concerns about the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and some of their recent decisions that affect our local community. Some have even called for the OMB to be abolished and for zoning appeals to become the jurisdiction of the divisional courts. ... The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) is an arms-length, quasi judicial body that has been a component of the planning system in Ontario since 1897. It’s where Ontarians can go to challenge a municipal or provincial planning decision at little or no cost. OMB decisions are not final, however. All decisions can be appealed to divisional court."

Mississauga News article (Sept. 28, 2011): Scrap the OMB, candidates say. Excerpt: "There was a rare moment of cohesion last night during an all-candidates debate in the riding of Mississauga South. All it took was a question about the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) to bring the candidates together during the debate held at Clarkson Secondary School. ... Most of the candidates who attended agreed that the provincial organization that provides mediation on land use and planning issues needs to be abolished or reworked."

We welcome you to comment to TOPCA@topca.net, and to stay tuned as we do further research into this issue.

► Media and updates in the MIRANET article. ▲
STUDY ABOUT THE LAKE ONTARIO SHORELINE: The Credit Valley Conservation Authority (CVC) is now conducting a community study in the Lakeshore area of Mississauga. Click for the Lake Ontario Integrated Shoreline Study (LOISS) webpage a.k.a. 'Living by the Lake'. There will be a public meeting in early 2012. ▲
PROPOSED LAKESHORE-BENSON BLOCK DEVELOPMENT: Tiffany Development initially proposed a mixed-use block redevelopment on (13) assembled properties on the block just west of Credit Landing plaza, between Lakeshore Road West and High Street, west to Benson Avenue. Developer-sponsored Community Meetings were held during Summer 2011 to receive input from residents. UPDATE: (3) additional properties have been acquired and the site plans modified accordingly, per revisions from Tiffany received October 20 and November 4, 2011.
See images further below.
Aerial view of the site shown below (only including the 13 initial properties):

NOTE: While the developer's (4) community meetings were not part of any official public process, City Planning Staff attended in order to monitor the proceedings and provide technical clarifications in answer to residents' questions.

► Original Meeting Flyer (Summer 2011 meetings)
► Revised Meeting Flyer
► Aerial and Streetscape Views (16p PDF)
► ORIGINAL Concept Sketches (4p PDF)
► Renderings presented: June 22, 2011 (11p PDF)
► Community Meeting AGENDA: July 4, 2011
► Aerial Shadow Studies presented (on July 4, 2011) for the following days:
    March 21 (16p); June 21 (16p); Sept. 21 (16p); Dec. 21 (16p)
► Renderings presented: July 4, 2011 (29p PDF) - includes new elevations
► Renderings presented: July 18, 2011 (3p PDF) - includes new massings
► Renderings presented: August 15, 2011 (6p PDF) - includes further revised
    massings
► Renderings provided: October 20, 2011 (6p PDF) - includes new massings
    based on acquisition of (3) additional lots on the block, per images below:
► Renderings provided: November 4, 2011 (6p PDF) -
includes metrics and revisions including: additional 3m Lakeshore Road set-back; 10,000 sq ft commercial second floor space; Benson Avenue access (only); and some density reconfiguration.

Aerial site plan of the block, just west of Credit Landing plaza. Metrics are supplied.

Aerial context showing scale with neighbourhood to the north. Metrics are supplied.

Concept sketch of Lakeshore Road retail frontage (looking north to Loblaws)

Concept sketch of High Street residential frontage (looking south)

View A of High Street frontage from Harrison Avenue (looking south)

View B of High Street frontage from Harrison Avenue (looking south)

NOTE: A Neighbourhood Steering Committee (NSC) has been formed by approx. 20 residents from various streets in the adjoining neighbourhoods to identify and examine the issues and develop a response which will be presented to the community for review. This locally-driven process is seeking to achieve community consensus in response to the developer's proposals. The Town of Port Credit Association (TOPCA) is facilitating this process by providing a website platform and e-mail support.
► See the Inventory of Concerns: July 13, 2011 (2p PDF) compiled by the Neighbourhood Steering Committee as the first step in this process.
► E-mail: TOPCA@topca.net should you wish to participate in any way or simply be on the neighbourhood e-mailing list for updates. ▲
PORT CREDIT LIBRARY SIGN: Concern has been expressed by local residents about the large sign now installed by the Library, which dominates the main street and would seem to direct access to several major venues via the narrow "right-in" access to the Library parking lot. A visual Citizen Presentation (click to view the 34p PDF) was made to the City's Heritage Advisory Committee (HAC) on May 24, 2011 on behalf of TOPCA, the Credit Reserve Association (CRA) and the Port Credit Village Project (PCVP), with research support provided by the Mississauga South Historical Society (MSHS). HAC has now recommended that Ward 1 Councillor Jim Tovey follow-up on the issues raised regarding non-compliance with the Sign By-law and the Heritage impacts. Click for background, photos and updates. ▲
PORT CREDIT POST OFFICE: On January 31, 2011 HAC deferred designating the Post Office pending receipt of the developer's Heritage Impact Study (HIS), which is expected to be brought forward at a future HAC meeting, possibly in April (see Calendar). NOTE: TOPCA is compiling a citizen-sponsored Heritage Impact Study to be presented at the same HAC meeting. At issue is how many walls of the original 1931 structure should be preserved (i.e. partial facade vs the integral structure). Click to view the citizen slide presentation (including PHOTOS) made at the HAC meeting on January 31, 2011 on behalf of 7 community groups who are advocating for retention of the entire 1931 structure and the 2 significant trees. The City prepared a 27p Corporate Report for the HAC, recommending designation. Mississauga News article (Feb. 1, 2011): Heritage decision delayed. Click for background and UPDATES regarding the redevelopment of this landmark heritage site. ▲
MUNICIPAL ADDRESS BY-LAW CHANGE: Click for the City's news release about all recent changes to the By-law. Mississauga News article (Feb. 25, 2011): Post street address, says City. Click for the amended By-Law: Municipal Address ( building numbering ) which includes PART VIII – ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTY. The spirit of the By-law changes is to make residential and commercial addresses identifiable and locatable by Emergency Services. By-product: easier for everyone to find places! ▲
PC175 VIDEO: Commissioned by the Port Credit 175th Anniversary Committee, Gabriella Bank of Sanborg Productions has prepared a commemorative video which reviews the entire PC175 year (2010). Now immortalized on YouTube are over thirty (30!) celebratory events which took place thanks to all the local team leaders (including TOPCA) who organized them. Hundreds of volunteers enabled thousands of participants. From Skating to Cycling to Walking, from Music to Public Art, from Fishing to Photography, from Parades to Heritage, from Gardens to Theatre, it's all there, set to the top songs in the PC175 Theme Song Contest (CD available for $5). The video is divided into: Part 1 (11:52); Part 2 (7:48); Part 3 (7:15). This video compilation was first aired at the PC175 Volunteer Appreciation event on January 17, 2011, as a way of bringing everyone's contribution together. ▲
HURONTARIO LRT: The Cities of Mississauga and Brampton initiated the Hurontario / Main Street Study in 2008 to develop a Corridor Master Plan that integrates rapid transit, land use and urban design in the Corridor extending from Port Credit to downtown Brampton. A Notice of Completion was published on January 19, 2011. The Master Plan has now been prepared. Light Rail Transit (LRT) is the preferred option. NOTE: The section on the 'Port Credit Character Area' is at pp113-119 in Chapter 8 of the Master Plan. Click for background. ▲
'BRIARWOOD' SITE: The recent Municipal Election has created a delay in follow-up regarding Phase 3 (the CIBC building), subsequent to TOPCA's presentation at the Planning and Development Committee (Official Public Meeting) on September 20, 2010 requesting that the new branch building meet the existing requirements for mainstreet commercial development as well as complement the heritage building to be retained on the site. TOPCA plans to meet with CIBC executives and the new Ward 1 Councillor Jim Tovey. Meanwhile, Phase 2 (the 2-storey medical building) is underway with TOPCA's support including future consideration of parking requirements across the entire 3-phase site including Phase 1 (Shoppers Drug Mart).
► OFFICIAL PUBLIC MEETING: Monday, January 31 @ 7:00 p.m. in the COUNCIL CHAMBER. Click for Notice. For a review of all the issues, see the City's Corporate Report (Addendum: pp29-31). Click for background. ▲
ANN & HIGH STREETS DEVELOPMENT: FRAM Building Group is proposing to develop a 22 storey condo tower on the portion of the block immediately behind (north of) the Skinner & Middlebrook Funeral Home located at 128 Lakeshore Road East (satellite map). The proposed condo building would occupy the area of the present attached residence at #6 Ann Street, the adjacent parking lot at #8 Ann Street and the house at #10 Ann Street (at High Street). Click for visuals of the proposed building provided by FRAM.
► Click for background including TOPCA correspondence, Workshop details, site PHOTO ALBUM and Planning Staff comments. ▲
CREDIT RIVER HERITAGE DESIGNATION: The well-attended April 2nd event: 'Giving Our River Its Credit' demonstrated strong support for continuing the process towards heritage river designation for the Credit River. All the comments and supporting materials appear on a brand new website. Credit Valley Conservation needs to build support from a wide range of stakeholders and participants within the Credit River community. CVC is in the early stages of forming a community based advisory team to help guide the Canadian Heritage River nomination process. ▲
CREDIT RIVER PARKS STRATEGY: An initial community meeting was held on November 23, 2010 to discuss the future of parkland and natural areas along the Credit River. Background research is still in progress and no decisions regarding the Credit River Parks Strategy have been made. A further community meeting is planned (TBA). Click for background. ▲
'PIONEER GAS' SITE: The Committee of Adjustment granted the requested variances by Pioneer Petroleums re: 150 Lakeshore Road East on November 25, 2010. Senior City staff invited reps of TOPCA and other residents' groups to a meeting held on November 24, 2010 to explain the City's stand on this application. Local groups will continue to press for site plan improvements in keeping with the mainstreet village character. Click for background including PHOTOS and site plan images. ▲
INSPIRATION LAKEVIEW: Click for the City's new Waterfront website. The City asked all citizens to come together to develop the Visionary Concept Plan for the Lakeview area waterfront through the inspirational workshops (including 3-D modeling) held on December 2-4, 2010. Residents shared ideas about the kind of waterfront they envision for the entire City per the themes of 'Blue', 'Green', 'Urban' and 'Culture'. The draft Plan will be presented at Planning and Development Committee (all of Council) on Mon. April 18.
► Click for MIRANET article which includes PHOTO ALBUM of the former power plant demolition, tour of the OPG lands and the recent workshops.
NOTE: Visioning for the Port Credit sections of the waterfront -- the federal Marina lands and former refinery (brownfield) lands now owned by Imperial Oil -- will come next (starting 2011). The City has 22km of waterfront in total. ▲
TOPCA BIKE PLANTER PROJECT:

► TOPCA is offering glossy 12x18 inch colour prints (on heavy stock) of our 'homespun' Summer 2010 bike installations. Click for details and more PHOTOS of TOPCA's painted bike planter project. ▲

On Earth Day 2011, volunteers planted pansies in the TOPCA painted bike planters
located around Port Credit. Paint touch-ups to follow.... Click for more info.

NEW PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL OPEN: The new pedestrian/cycling tunnel under the CNR tracks was opened December 2010. According to Joanne Foote, Parks Programming, the tunnel mural was painted by artist Daniel Seagrave (Wikipedia). From a practical Parks Watch standpoint the mural should act as a deterrent to graffiti and provide a welcoming environment for trail users. The mural was painted from actual photos of the old Port Credit / Clarkson stations and rail lines.
Mississauga News (Dec. 23, 2010): Mural completes tunnel (includes photo). ▲
VOLUNTEER AT 'THE COMPASS': Several local church congregations support the work of The Compass, whose mission is to help members of our community who may be experiencing economic, social or emotional challenges. The Compass runs a food bank as part of their ministry/service. The Compass urgently needs committed people to work in the following areas: hospitality, shopping with clients in the food bank, cleaning, sorting and repackaging food, stocking shelves and much more. Orientation/training is provided and shifts (2-3 hours) are flexible. The Compass is located at 310 Lakeshore Road West (map) in Port Credit. Website: www.thecompass.ca. Call (905) 274-9309 to volunteer. See CALENDAR re: DANCING FOR THE COMPASS fund-raiser on January 29, 2011. ▲
POWER PLANT UN-DECISION! After a long Airshed Community struggle, Ontario Energy Minister Brad Duguid announced on October 7, 2010 that the Oakville Power Plant project will not be proceeding, and that no new natural gas power plant will be built anywhere in the GTA. The Government will go with a TRANSMISSION SOLUTION. While no details were announced about where the transmission will come from, check out the MIRANET YouTube video Why NOT Nanticoke? For background and PHOTOS see the MIRANET article. ▲
HATCHERY PROPOSAL FOR PUMPING STATION: There is a local initiative for adaptive reuse of the heritage pumping station buildings at J.C. Saddington Park, under the auspices of the newly formed Port Credit Salmon and Trout Association (website). The buildings are now being evaluated as to potential design and remediation considerations in support of a formal proposal to the City. The necessary pumps and pipes are already in place! Click for background and UPDATES. ▲
RIDGETOWN: The Port Credit Directions Report (PDF pp8,73) referenced the importance of the Ridgetown to the harbour and community as a cultural heritage feature. The community will be able to address this issue once the tertiary study for the Port Credit Harbour Marina lands begins following the Inspiration Lakeview study. ► Mississauga News (August 9, 2010): City initiates Lakeview study.
Wikipedia: "The RIDGETOWN (launched June 24, 1905 as WILLIAM E. COREY, a Lake Bulk freighter) has been a signature structure of Port Credit since June 21, 1974, when she was loaded with stone and, with her cabins and stack still in place, sunk as a breakwater for the Port Credit Harbour. She remains on guard there today." ▲
QEW CREDIT RIVER BRIDGE: The QEW Credit River Bridge Rehabilitation Holding Strategy Study and QEW Credit River Bridge Class Environmental Assessment Study are in preparation for this very significant infrastructure project for Mississauga, with the potential to also improve pedestrian and cycling connectivity and create a more liveable city. Many interested stakeholder groups and individuals are participating. Next Community Event: Fall 2011. Website: www.qewcreditriverea.ca. ▲
COYOTES: There are coyotes in the Port Credit area, and warning signs are posted in the waterfront parks. Are coyotes a threat? What is the City doing about them? How can pets be protected? Mississauga Animal Services and representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources provided information at a public meeting about urban-dwelling coyotes on Feb. 23, 2010 at the Central Library. Click for FLYER. Click for the City's article: The Urban Coyote.
Mississauga News article (Feb. 23, 2010): Get the dish on coyotes.
Mississauga News article (Feb. 24, 2010): Please, don't feed the coyotes. ▲
PORT CREDIT GO STATION: A public consultation (TBA) will take place regarding plans to build a multi-level parking structure at the GO Station, which would free up surface space for possible mixed use development. Potential sites include the south or north parking lots, the former bowling green site, or some combination. Click to view the Minutes of the Port Credit Local Advisory Panel meeting on October 20, 2009, where GO Transit made a Presentation about these plans. Post Card from Port Credit: October 2009 shows a Walkabout of the parking lot sites (slides #18-21). ▲
LIONS PARK, HALL AND POOL: A $7M redevelopment of Lions Park and Pool started in Spring 2010. Lions Hall was demolished. Click for background. NOTE: The entire facility, including the Outdoor Pool, will reopen for the 2011 season. ▲
LAKESHORE/STAVEBANK INTERSECTION (LSI): The City's intention is to 'realign' this intersection. Click for background and UPDATES including the City's 2009 online presentation of the four (4) options for this intersection, comparative accident statistics and VIVA Port Credit's citizen input. ▲
'NO FRILLS' DEVELOPMENT: The Planning Dept. advised on February 15, 2011 that additional information requested from the developer is currently being reviewed by City staff, with some requested materials still outstanding: "We are still working through some of the issues with the applicant (e.g. the proposed streetscape along Lakeshore Rd.) and they still have not addressed all our issues or submitted all information requested. We will not schedule a Supplementary Report until this happens." The developer is trying to secure a grocery store tenant (as strongly requested by the community) in the new mainstreet retail component of the mixed-use (residential / office / retail) site. Click for background including the developer's visual presentation and VIVA Port Credit's citizen response. ▲
PC ADVISORY PANEL: The Planning Dept. has created the Port Credit Local Advisory Panel, which includes reps from all the local stakeholder groups (including TOPCA). The Panel meets monthly to advise Planning Dept. policy staff on the creation of the new District Policies. Click for background. ▲
PUBLIC ART INTIATIVE:
TOPCA is sponsoring a chalk-drawing project on October 1-2 @ 10am - 8pm in celebration of Mississauga's Culture Days, and to draw attention to and show support for bringing more public art into the Port Credit realm. In the spirit of the project, TOPCA has already rendered its wordmark in chalk colours!

► Claudio Ghirardo: Chalk drawings on the pavement (click for project description) along Lakeshore Rd. E. from Stavebank Rd. to Hiawatha Pkwy. Click image for full-size art card.

A Voice for all who LIVE or WORK in Port Credit from Seneca Ave to Shawnmarr Rd, south from CNR to the Lake

A Voice for all who LIVE or WORK in Port Credit from
Seneca Ave to Shawnmarr Rd, south from CNR to the Lake