Ask that Night Clubs NOT be Passed at Council this week!

Thank you for writing your emails and letters to Councillor Morley.  We have had a conversation with her staff and have been advised that there was a lot of negative response from Ward 3 Constituents in regard to the Night Clubs portion of the Night Economy Policy – particularly for Lake Shore W.

We made it clear it was the night club part of this item that is the problem NOT policy that expands cultural opportunities for Long Branch.

Our main concern is City Staff proposing that City Council approve the entire policy, including introducing something new like Night Clubs, without any prior consultation with the impacted Neighbourhoods.

Many of you have received a response from the Councillor’s office stating:

Night Clubs will only be permitted in non-residential buildings. If a building contains a single residential unit, a nightclub cannot operate there;

• We note there are processes for eviction. Additionally, on Lake Shore, there are buildings with residential units existing right next door to buildings that qualify for nightclub conversion. This policy does not address respecting tenants in these buildings.
• The Growth Plan for Long Branch (SASP 21 and 23) plan for mixed commercial on Lake Shore with Commercial on the first floor and residential above. This policy works against that Official Plan policy. Does this make Long Branch exempt?

If located within 6.1 meters of a residential zoned area, they will be restricted in size.

• There are many existing buildings that are 0m from a residential zone. This policy only restricts size not the permission of a night club.

To prevent bunching, a maximum of 1 nightclub in any one building; a strip mall cannot contain multiple venues licenced as nightclubs;

• There are only 3 strip malls in Long Branch, but the rest of Lake Shore property ownership is fragmented with separate buildings butting right next to each other. So as written, this policy does not prevent bunching of night clubs along Lake Shore.

A licensing requirement that requires the submission of and compliance with a “Level 2 Noise Control Plan” which will involve review by sound engineers and City Staff.

• We confirmed a level 2 Noise Control Plan intends to limit sound to 65 dBA .
• However, Toronto Public Health issued a report a few years ago that stated that there is evidence that noise at this level could be detrimental to health.  (see below)
• World Health Organization established safe sound limits of 55dBA outdoors for daytime and 40 dBA at night time.
• Ontario Ministry of the Environment has also set safe limits of 55 dBA daytime and 50 dBA nighttime.
• The purpose of these limits are to limit excessive noise that can cause hearing loss, negative cardiovascular effects, cognitive impacts, sleep disturbances and mental health defects.
• 65 dBA is clearly above what is recommended for residential areas at night.

We urge you to continue to request that Night Clubs be delayed in Long Branch until Community concerns are fully addressed through policy amendments and consultation.

To date, we have not received an update from the Councillor’s office on her decision on how to get Council support for this amendment.

We encourage you to write her again to express your concerns and ask for a deferral at Council this week.

You can pay on-line at www.lbna.ca through our secure payment portal.

The Mission of the Long Branch Neighbourhood Association (LBNA) is to Protect, Celebrate and Enhance the neighbourhood of the Village of Long Branch; Protect the physical character of Long Branch; Celebrate the neighbourhood and its heritage through events and community gatherings and; Enhance the public realm and the quality of life of the neighbourhood and broader community.