Welcome Package

Wychwood Heights BIA Welcome Package

Welcome to Wychwood Heights!

The Wychwood Heights community has developped into a vibrant neighbourhood in the heart of Toronto, offering a harmonious blend of greenscapes and city living. The area mirrors the city’s diversity, and visitors and residents alike will find a range of services that cater to every need while exploring its shops, restaurants and rich history.

Surrounded by the Cedarvale Ravine, Casa Loma, The Toll Keepers Cottage and the recently-restored Wychwood Barns; Wychwood Heights was founded as a haven for arts and culture. Former residents like famous author Ernest Hemmingway and the prolific Marshall McCluhan called it home. This eclectic, family-friendly area has grown into a local destination for markets, festivals and gastronomic delights with over 130 businesses serving the area around Bathurst and St. Clair West, just steps from St. Clair West Subway Station. A significant part of the ongoing revitalization includes new condo and retail developments, bringing many fresh faces to the area, the TTC Right of Way construction. Whether you cab, walk, drive or TTC, it’s all only minutes away.

The Wychwood Heights community is constantly developing to cater to the thousands of visitors and residents of Wychwood. Ask local residents and they will likely share their passion for the area pointing out a local haunt or new favourite. Spend the day exploring the architectural marvels of the arts and crafts era, stroll the nearby greenlands and take a peek at the boutiques and shops, or spend the evening indulging your senses with mouth-watering cuisines and drinks at one of our diverse restaurants or secret hotspots – only steps away from each other.

What is a BIA?

A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is composed of commercial and industrial property owners and their non-residential (business) tenants who unite under a volunteer Board of Management (BIA Board) to carry out improvements and promote economic development within their commercial community.

There are currently 85 BIAs in Toronto. All work as agencies of the City to enhance and promote business areas as safe, vibrant places to conduct business, unique destinations for tourists and focal points for neighbourhood activity. To learn more about Wychwood Heights BIA (WHBIA) please visit our website: wychwoodheight.ca

What does Wychwood Heights BIA do for you?

Supports business owners in;

  • navigating acquisition of permits process,
  • grant applications,
  • marketing efforts,
  • website improvement and development,
  • safety, security and crime prevention measures,
  • working with three levels of government, addressing member’s concerns,
  • free window washing               
  • Graffiti Removal
  • Shop local campaigns
  • Blog for enhanced advertising with video and photos

‘We are the champions for the business community.’

BIA Board Meetings

  • Monthly, determined by availability of Directors and are virtual (Zoom).
  • Usually held 8:30 – 9:30 am.
  • Open to everyone.
  • Those wishing to attend may contact the Chair, Safa Nematy at 416.658.5687 or info@wychwoodheights.ca.
  • Guests will be notified five days prior to the next meeting scheduled.
  • Review meeting protocols at: https://wychwoodheight.ca/minutes-and-agendas/

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Scheduled once a year and the date is posted on our website – wychwoodheight.ca. It is also posted in our weekly newsletter, emailed to all our members. Anyone wishing to subscribe to our newsletter may do so by notifying info@wychwoodheights.ca or visiting the website and subscribing through that medium. Any recipient can unsubscribe at any time.

Safety and Crime Prevention

Report a Crime: Emergency, immediate danger, or medical distress – 911

NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITY OFFICER PROGRAM – DIVISION 13

Neighbourhood Community Officers work in partnership with local residents and community-based organizations to address crime, disorder and community safety issues. They are embedded in our neighbourhood for at least four years to actively      co-develop solutions to mobilize Toronto Police resources in order to reduce crime, fear of crime and anti-social behaviour. Acting as ambassadors for the Toronto Police Service, they work collaboratively with residents as well as community agencies to build sustainable solutions. Further information on this can be found in the Toronto Police Websites below.

Our Neighbourhood Officers:    416.808.1319

Lindsay Cook – lindsay.cook@torontopolice.on.ca

Rui Simoes – rui.simoes@torontopolice.on.ca

Enis Egeli – enis.egeli@torontopolice.on.ca

Tony Almeida – tony.almeida@torontopolice.on.ca

  • NON-Emergency – 416 808 2222
  • Online: torontopolice.on.ca (theft, fraud, property damage, driving complaint, vehicle theft, graffiti)
  • A crime you want to report Anonymously: 1.800.222.8477
  • For mental health and other social services needs, call 211.

GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS OFFERED TO SMALL BUSINESSES

Financial Support and Resources

Federal Resources:

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/maintaining-your-business.html

  • Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program
  • Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
  • Support for Indigenous Businesses
  • Business Credit Availability Program 
  • Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) 
  • Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) program
  • Canada Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI)
  • COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP-SB)
  • Digital Main Street Grant 4.0 https://digitalmainstreet.ca/digital-transformation-grant-4-0/
  • Free COVID-19 Rapid Screening Kits https://supportbusiness.bot.com/screening-kits/

Covid-19 Information

Official government websites for the most up-to-date information on programs.

PPE Supply Hub – Canadian businesses in need of personal protective equipment, and businesses looking to sell these supplies can go to this hub to connect: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/buying-selling-     personal-protective-equipment-covid-19-overview/buying-selling-personal-protective-equipment-covid-19-buyers.html

Highly affected businesses like restaurants, tourism businesses, and arts businesses, look into the new Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program: https://hascap.ca/   Tools provided (below) by the Government of Canada can help you find aid you may be able to apply for.   To find financial help for your business, click here.

Business Aid Search:   https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/grants.html

Personal Aid Search:   https://srv138.services.gc.ca/daf/q?id=912664da-b532-4eab-9a81-c91b1b04e237&GoCTemplateCulture=en-CA

Consult the Canadian Business Resilience Network:   A partnership between our government and the
Canadian Chamber of Commerce to help your business prepare, persevere and prosper.

City of Toronto Programs and Resources

COVID-19 Mitigation & Recovery Resources for Businesses & Organizations: Overview of financial relief programs, online training and other support resources offered by the City of Toronto.

Business licensing and permit application portalBusinessTO Support Centre: Provides one-on-one virtual support to help businessesDigital Main Street: Provides support for businesses interested in adopting technologies

COVID-19: Guidelines for Businesses & Community OrganizationsMandatory mask-wearing guidelinesPrintable posters Reopen Safely with Rapid Testing Kits: The City of Toronto has partnered with the Toronto Region Board of Trade to provide free COVID-19 rapid screening kits

Preventing COVID-19 in the Workplace: Requirements of employers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace

Rapid Screening Kits for Businesses ShopHERE powered by Google: Get help to set up and launch an online store quickly, easily and at no cost 

Free webinars  
Commercial – Industrial Façade and Property Improvement Program https://www.toronto.ca/business-economy/business-operation-growth/business-improvementareas/bia-financial-incentives/commercial-facade-improvement/

Outdoor Mural and Street Art Program https://www.toronto.ca/business-economy/business-operation-growth/business-improvementareas/bia-financial-incentives/mural-street-art-program/  

For one-on-one help with applications for any of these programs contact the BusinessTO Support Centre.  
Provincial Programs and Resources     https://ontariobusinessgrants.com/Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program COVID-19 wage and hiring support for businessesSupport for Indigenous BusinessesBusiness Credit Availability Program Regional Relief and Recovery Fund

(RRRF) Ontario Small Business Support Grant

Temporary Sign Permits

The City requires that permits be obtained for any Temporary Mobile A-Frame Signs.

Processing time for a temporary sign is 4-6 weeks after all information is provided.

Please provide room on sidewalks and corners for people who need greater accessibility, ie. using a wheelchair, baby carriage, etc. This includes garbage bins. Everyone has the right to use our sidewalks safely.

SIDEWALK CAFÉ PATIOS

Sidewalk cafés, or boulevard cafés, are outdoor eating areas located on a street where food or drink is served to the public by a licensed eating or drinking establishment. There are no associated fees with these encroachments, however they must conform to the following conditions:

  • Only permitted where the minimum pedestrian clearway can be provided
  • Maximum dimension of 0.8 m from the building wall x 5.5 m wide
  • No fencing is permitted
  • Must be removed from the sidewalk at the end of each business day
  • A-frame signs on the sidewalk are not allowed if the width of the establishment is less than six metres

It is also important to know after 11 pm a resident has the right to call 311 for a noise complaint that might result in your establishment being visited by bylaw officers and a fine from the city that could escalate to further repercussions, including being taken to court. As well you may have a visit from our community officers. Any disputes between neighbouring businesses should be handled in a mature manner by both parties. Please try to develop a friendly, cooperative relationship with your neighbours.

Communicate; If you have a concern or issue, just calmly speak to the business or resident – empathize with where they are coming from and collaborate on a solution that works for both parties.

Share Resources; Did you find an awesome business grant? Let the shop beside know about it, share your knowledge with others. Help them if they need help with applications.

Support One Another; Buy from your neighbourhood, it’s been tough for small local shops so buy what you can in a 15 min walking radius.

Ask for Help; Have an issue and do not know what to do? Call/email your local BIA, Residents Association or community officers – just reach out.

Call 311; Please call 311 for immediate support if you see garbage overflow, potholes, consistent noise issues and other problems in the public realm.

TORONTO NOISE BYLAWS

Amplified sound (for example, music from bars or concerts) is measured by Bylaw Enforcement Officers using sound meters. Measurement will be taken by trained staff from where the noise emanates and compared against the standards set in the bylaw. Ambient (background noise) will be taken into consideration when conducting measurements. Amplified sound is not permitted by busker permit holders or on sidewalk cafés (unless the permit holder has obtained a street event permit). Under the provincial Reopening Ontario Act 2020, bars, restaurants and retailers are currently restricted from playing music at a decibel level that exceeds the level at which normal conversation is possible. If you have any issues with noise, please call the Bylaw Office at 311.

Construction

The Government of Ontario passed Ontario Regulation 130/20 under the City of Toronto Act, 2006 that limits the City’s ability to prohibit and regulate certain construction noise. Under provincial regulations, noise made under construction projects and services associated with the healthcare sector; including new facilities, expansions, renovations and conversion of spaces that could be repurposed for health care space, is permitted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Noise made in connection with any other construction activity is permitted between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Loading and Unloading

Loading and unloading noise is not permitted from 11 pm. to 7 am. On Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays, it’s 11 pm until 9 am. This includes noise from loading, unloading, delivering, packing, unpacking and otherwise handling any containers, products or materials. Some loading and unloading, such as solid waste collection in dense areas of the city, is completed overnight for public safety reasons. Residents are encouraged to exercise a degree of tolerance, before submitting a service request.

EXCESS GARBAGE, RECYCLING & ORGANICS

Excess garbage beyond what fits in your bin with the lid closed, must be bagged, tagged and set out beside your Garbage Bin for collection. Garbage Tags are available for purchase online and at Toronto Shoppers Drug Mart and Canadian Tire locations. Use a regular garbage bag for excess garbage and ensure that the Garbage Tag is attached to the bag and is clearly visible (attach it like you would a luggage tag). Note: Garbage bag weight should not exceed 20 kg (44 lbs).

Oversized items are different. The City will pick up oversized items (appliances, furniture, carpets, etc.) on your garbage collection day. The City will pick up additional garbage, recycling and organic waste provided you follow a few simple steps. If you have more specific garbage related issues, please call 311.

Excess Recycling

Excess recycling should be placed in a clear bag and set beside the Blue Bin. Ensure bags can fit back into the recycling bin and are placed 0.5 metres apart. Recycling that is placed in black bags or bags that are not clear will be considered garbage. Extra cardboard should be cut into small pieces, flattened and bundled with string. Ensure pieces can fit back into the recycling bin. If you frequently have overflow recycling, please up-size your Recycling Bin.

Excess Organics

Excess organics are less of an issue with the new Green Bin as it can hold almost 100 litres of material (the previous bin capacity was 46 litres). If you have organics beyond what fits in your bin, you may request an additional bin.