Toronto’s Gladstone Hotel wanted to add a café on the sidewalk under the CafeTO program, but city council said no. Now, the hotel is trying again and hoping for a different decision.
The renowned city hotel, situated at Gladstone Avenue and Queen Street, submitted an application on April 5 to use part of the sidewalk for a café. The space would accommodate approximately 95 people, a Toronto and East York Community Council report states.
Although meeting the physical criteria for a sidewalk café permit, the hotel was required to display a public notice of the application at the establishment for a minimum of 21 days, as per legal requirements.
Additionally, all residents within a 60-metre radius of the proposed café location on a local road were to be notified in writing.
One X user commented on the news, identifying as an “elderly offspring” of parents whose first apartment was just up the street. “Guess where there used to be tiny tables and three-legged stools for neighbours to sit in sunshine to eat their lunch?”
“Gladstone House sees itself as part of the neighbourhood. It is fundamental to our mission to respect and enhance the neighbourhood. We are pleased to have lots of support for our proposed patio, including from the local BIA,” Matt Cohen, a Gladstone House representative, told Now Toronto on Tuesday.
“We intend to operate responsibly and with sensitivity to our neighbours. We intend to respect all by-laws, keep noise under control, and close the patio at 11pm as required,” he added.
Despite the procedural efforts, council received multiple objections from people in the neighbourhood during the public posting period, leading to a refusal letter sent to the hotel owners on April 29.
On May 3, the hotel owners applied to appeal the decision, and a final decision will be made on June 11.
“We are encouraged by the fact that the City took steps to enhance the sidewalk on Gladstone Avenue, indicating an intention to have a permanent patio space on the new pavers. This brings great energy to the intersection and is consistent with the City’s plans for it,” Cohen said.
People in the city are sharing their thoughts on social media. Some say the sidewalk seems like it is meant for a café.
“Based on the city’s preference for sidewalks, this was very clearly designed to accommodate a patio. The pedestrian clearway is concrete, programmable/ patio space uses interlocking pavers. Very standard for new city sidewalks,” one X user remarked.
Others are frustrated, saying if you live in a busy city, you should expect noise and people around you.
An X user commented, “If you don’t want to live near people, don’t move to a major intersection in the biggest city in the country. If you moved into a condo at queen & dufferin … you now live at queen and dufferin! It’s not like this is some small residential street. PRETEND IT’S A CITY FFS”
