Toronto and East York Community Council has expressed its opposition to a proposal that would see the construction of two high-rise towers south of Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue.
Community council passed a motion at its Nov. 19 meeting to direct City of Toronto staff to seek refusal for the Yonge Street and Hillsdale Avenue East application at the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).
“Just to make it clear to anyone who doesn’t understand why we as council have already opposed a high-rise development near Yonge and Eglinton,” said Coun. Josh Matlow, “[it] is because this is south of Soudan [Avenue], it’s outside of the urban growth area, it’s directly adjacent to a single family home, there’s no reasonable transition, and my position reflects not only the community’s, but also that of our planning staff.”
The application for a City of Toronto Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment is proposed to accommodate a commercial and residential redevelopment. The application proposes a 38-storey north tower with a top floor restaurant, a 29-storey south tower and a common six-storey base at 2131 Yonge St. and 32 Hillsdale Ave. E. The Art Shoppe, the retail store presently on the subject site, is proposed to be demolished. A pre-hearing for the application at the OMB is scheduled for March 10.
Cynthia McDougall, solicitor for applicant Freed Developments, requested a deferral and OMB mediation.
“In my view, part of the discussions haven’t happened in the normal course because there is a very large difference of opinion on this site,” she told council before its vote.
“The councillor’s view, as reflected by the community, is that it’s a mid-rise site only, and in my view and the client’s team, a tall building, tall buildings, could be accommodated, so that has, in fact, made the discussions difficult,” she said.
South Eglinton Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (SERRA) expressed concern over the proposal.
“The height and density of the proposed development are inappropriate for the neighbourhood and represent very bad city planning,” said SERRA board member and Hillsdale Avenue East resident Jane Auster in an email to Post City.
As other area developments do not exceed 17 storeys, the proposed towers would cause a “canyon effect,” she said. The community supports area development, she added, “but only if it is appropriate mid-rise development.”
Toronto City Council is slated to consider community council’s recommendation this month.
