Umbrella Beach group forms to look out for residents

A new umbrella group is giving a voice to all Beach residents when it comes to dealing with local land-use and planning issues.

"If people don't stand up and do something now they may find a neighbourhood in 10 to 20 years from now they don't recognize and they don't want," said Jan Hykamp, longtime Beach resident who sits on the board of the newly formed Greater Beach Neighbourhood Association (GBNA).

"The Greater Beach Neighbourhood Association is a group that speaks directly to the interests and concerns of Beach residents."

He said the main goal of the new group, which represents about 8,500 people living in an area roughly bounded by Lake Ontario, east of Victoria Park, the railway corridor and Coxwell Avenue, is to be proactive instead of reactive when important local development issues arise and, in turn, save time, energy and money by pooling resources and sharing information, especially when it comes to dealing with battles at the Ontario Municipal Board.

So far, the GBNA includes members from seven local residents groups: Friends of Queen, Beach Waterfront Community Association, Friends of Glen Davis Ravine, Beach Triangle Residents Association, Kew Beach Neighbourhood Association, Toronto Beach East Residents Association and Norwood Park Residents Association.

Organizers of the new umbrella group have also been in touch with a number of other local residents associations about joining the GBNA.

Beach residents currently not represented by a ratepayers group are also more than welcome to join as individuals, said Hykamp, a retired IT professional who for 35 years has lived on Hambly Avenue, which doesn't fall within the boundaries of any of the existing residents groups.

"It's very important that we combine our voices," he said.

"Some members, like Friends of Glen Davis Ravine, have expertise in ravine bylaws. We can tap into their knowledge for the future. Friends of Queen have lots of expertise in planning and policy details," he said, adding the new umbrella group would also be a one-stop shop for those seeking to promote events and fundraisers.

For several months, a group of about 10 area residents has been holding weekly forum-style meetings to form the new group, which evolved as a result of discussion about the creation of a larger organization called the Federation of East Toronto Neighbourhood Associations (FETNA). Discussions are still underway to create FETNA, which has similar incarnations in North Toronto and Etobicoke.

The GBNA has a Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/events/upcoming#!/groups/177629975677469/), an email address at GBNA@bell.net and a website, www.gbna-toronto.com

Anyone interested in becoming a member should drop them a line.

"If you live in the neighbourhood and you're concerned about the impact of development, you should get in touch with us," Hykamp said.

The GBNA is also in the process of incorporating.

A community education event is in the works for the spring.