Rendering of Dundas West mass timber building affordable housing plans

Local BIA wants affordable housing plans revised to prevent loss of parking spots

by Nisean Lorde for Post City Posted: July 12, 2024 Photo: Rendering of Dundas West mass timber building (City of Toronto)

Affordable housing is one of the top issues facing Toronto residents these days (even leading many residents to look for more reasonable options in other cities), but — at least according to one local BIA — adequate parking spaces are also imperative.

As first reported by blogTO, in a letter written to the Toronto East York Community Council on Wednesday, the Ossington BIA expressed concern with the current development plans for 1113-1117 Dundas St West.  The site currently has a Green P surface parking lot and a semi-detached home at its eastern edge, and the project is intended to deliver affordable and market rental housing units constructed out of mass timber and other low-carbon materials for building construction, as part of the Mass Timber Pilot Program by CreateTO, in collaboration with the City’s Environment and Climate Division, the Housing Secretariat, and City Planning.

The Ossington BIA noted that the area is a culinary hub that consists of four Michelin-recommended restaurants, a variety of arts and events, and flagship retail stores. The issue is parking — particularly the decision to not maintain the 37 paid parking spaces that are currently in use at the Green P parking lot at 1117 Dundas St W.

“This innovative development initiative goes a long way toward rectifying affordable housing concerns in our community, however it must be noted that the Ossington Strip is very largely destination driven from visitors from the Greater Toronto Area and internationally,” the letter stated, noting that the street was ranked as the 16th coolest street in the world in 2022 (as per the Time Out Group).

“Many visitors do get here daily by car and will need somewhere to park. Some of our businesses require that there is adequate parking nearby to service their customers like framing and furniture stores. Removing parking will severely impact their ability to do business,” the letter continued.

“It is our strong request that development plans be revised to include maintaining the Green P Parking spaces with a suggestion that they become underground. Other Green P sites are including underground parking spaces as the surface level becomes developed, like at Queen St W and August St.”

Rendering of Dundas West mass timber building (City of Toronto)

However, some on social media are noting that there are major costs associated with below-grade garage.

“Disappointing to see the @ossingtonbia trying to stall a 10 storey, 30% affordable, mass timber building on city owned land because of concerns over 37 parking spaces. Stalling the project and adding a parking garage would massively increase the cost to us all,” one X user wrote.

Another user noted that, “At today[‘s] costs[,] not considering other factors[,] that’s $5.5-7mill minimum just to replace the parking. Aka a lot of affordable housing. If parking is so important[,] the BIA can go secure it for their members.”

In contrast, the More Neighbours Toronto organization (a pro-housing network in Toronto) sent a letter in support of the development.

“We agree with the decision not to replace the existing 37 Green P spaces with below-grade parking. This site has strong transit connections at the intersection of two major streets, and is near to great local shops, community spaces, and parks,” the letter stated.

“Avoiding below-grade parking allows deeper affordability for the units by reducing construction costs, and also enables the benefits of the mass-timber construction. It also supports the City’s TransformTO net-zero 2040 goals.”

According to the city, the development will become home to a 10-storey, mass timber, mixed-use building containing 94 dwelling units (including 28 affordable rentals, and 2 commercial units), approximately 194 square metres of non-residential space at the ground level, and a one-storey ancillary building at the rear of the site.

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