The original location for Adamson Barbecue in Leaside has never had a business licence and is not permitted under zoning rules. My exclusive story: thestar.com/news/gta/2020/…
I spoke with Skelly by email for this story. He says he submitted an application in 2016 but city says they needed more info. He says it’s an old bylaw that doesn’t allow restaurants that is in the way and getting a licence “is my preferred solution but has not been possible.”
But the city says even if he applied under the new harmonized bylaw, the restaurant still wouldn’t be a permitted use. An eatery is allowed, but has to have interior area <500 square metres. Skelly applied for 523m2
Skelly says this isn’t about being anti-establishment. So what about the Etobicoke location?
Here’s the thing — Skelly actually *saved* money by not having a licence even though the max fines are as high as $50,000 and laws allow business to be closed for two years. That and more explained here: thestar.com/news/gta/2020/…
City officials were asked about my story at the 2PM briefing. City spokesperson Brad Ross said they have charged the owner/business but "it is the courts though that impose penalties"
"It's disappointing that he's flouting the law like this," said enforcement boss Carleton Grant
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The head of the city’s real estate agency offered apartments with below-market rents exclusively to his own employees earlier this year — and sought a unit for his niece — in violation of city policies on affordable housing. My exclusive story: thestar.com/news/gta/2020/…
“In the midst of a housing crisis made worse by a global pandemic, that a city official responsible for creating affordable housing would treat those homes as favours for his family and bonuses for his employees is despicable,” @JoshMatlow.
A huge congrats to @DesmondCole for winning Toronto Book Awards with his incredible book. Cole used speech to share disappointment with decisions library has made that harmed trans, queer folks and to push city to do better to help those experiencing homelessness
Cole said money from award - presented by city and TPL - will go to a fund in Toronto for Black trans women & girls and the Encampment Support Network
I’m on my way to Adamson BBQ in Etobicoke where owner Adam Skelly — making false claims about the severity of this pandemic — has vowed to open for inside dining at 11AM. The head of by-law enforcement for the city tells me they are aware of the Instagram post and plan to attend
This will be a test for city by-law with lockdown measures in place as of Monday. Those rules were imposed by the province and supported by local officials. It’s up to MLS, TPH and TPS to enforce those rules.
The comments on that post are a mix of support/vows to line up and critics recommending the very delicious Cherry St. and Beach Hill alternatives/asking to cancel pre-orders
I’m not going to tag her here because I don’t trust you Twitter, but one of my colleagues who I love deeply got some disgusting racist slog in her inbox and it’s not the first time. These trolls putting down the few JOC who are killing it out here, please sit down and shut up
It’s not enough for us to call this out. I’m going to follow up with my newsroom managers about creating more opportunities and support for JOC in our company and find out what financial or other support CJOC needs cjoc.net
I just donated to the Media Girlfriends scholarship and you can too. They’re so close to their goal: gofundme.com/f/mediagirlfri…
I know there's a lot going on, but here's something really worth taking a second to think about (It's about this: thestar.com/news/gta/2020/…)
The province, Ford & cabinet, are responsible for the well-being of Ontario's residents. They ultimately call the shots. Dr. Eileen de Villa and other local medical officers of health can do a lot. But as de Villa mentioned today, only the province can lead a coordinated approach
That's what they did when they introduced their re-opening framework. Trouble is, the thresholds, public health experts agree, were far too lax. Thanks to @jyangstar & @katecallen and only because of their excellent reporting we know Ford ignored advice given on those thresholds
De Villa says additional measures are required in Toronto, following on Tory's statement this morning. She says this would be more efficient if applied similarly across the region thestar.com/news/city_hall…
Coun. @joe_cressy, who chairs the city's board of health, is moving that province make public the advice received by cabinet from public health officials