It seems the only privately owned land up for development in the Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue area is about to become a condo and townhouse complex, and neighbours are OK with it.

“It’s been a great project for me to finish off on,” said Walker, who will soon be retiring from council. “It’s been a wonderful process.”

The Duplex Avenue and Berwick Avenue site sits one block away from Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue. Walker said the community was involved in developing the 17-storey condominium and three-storey townhouse site from day one when in 2004 the city began a study called the Yonge-Eglinton Centre Focused Review. The review outlined guidelines for future developers, to ensure a proper transition from the nearby residential areas to the high-rise growth areas at the intersection.

Michael Visser, a member of the Oriole Park Association, said the review happened because locals really pushed the city to work collaboratively. Terry Mills, a local planner and activist, said the push was a response to the controversial Minto Midtown development.

When the 20 houses on the Berwick Avenue and Duplex Avenue land were bought by Adrin Cherrytree in 2006, architecture firm Page + Steele Architects developed a plan that complied with the review guidelines. Community meetings were held to get public feedback, and according to city planner Tim Burkholder, plans then went through about three revisions.

During a meeting this June, the final project updates were given, including the proposal of an additional road. However, attendees still voiced concerns about traffic as well as vermin living in the empty houses that a bylaw dictates cannot yet be demolished. “Why do we have to wait?” asked local Joe Miranda. “There are skunks, raccoons, and the houses have been degrading.”

According to Walker, the fact that vermin were the biggest concern is a sign of success. Final site plans went to the city for approval on June 22.