So what's it going to be. Used needles on the sidewalk? Or front lawns “watered” by drunken, bearded 20-somethings wearing flannel?

Not so many years ago, Parkdale was a neighbourhood known for muggings and junkies shooting up in door fronts. It wasn't an area of town most people wanted to wander in broad daylight, let alone after sundown. But inevitably, high residential and commercial rents in other parts of town pushed people and businesses into the historic, yet crumbling hood. Yes, that phenomenon known as gentrification. Now, long-time residents on the side streets are saying "enough."

Sure, their property values have skyrocketed since boutique hotels and trendy restaurants serving charcuterie began to take over. But for the last two years, they've been complaining to City Hall about the late-night noise, cigarette smoke wafting from patios and, yes ­– the vomit. The city has finally responded with plans to limit, or ...