26-storey project makes mockery of official plan, charges Walker
A local councillor is outraged at a development proposal for a highrise condo that is twice the legal height permitted for this site.
St. Paul’s Councillor Michael Walker said the proposed 26-storey tower at 18 Brownlow Ave., just northeast of Soudan and Redpath Aves., is just another example of the arrogance and greed of developers.
"This is next to a low density area and it’s too big and too tall," said Walker. "This is driven by profit and greed and is making a mockery of the official plan."
The tower would contain 265 condo units, and with an average of two people per unit, another 500 people could be calling the area home. At present, the maximum height allowed for this site is 38 metres. The proposed tower would be over 80 metres.
"If you are allowed 38 metres in height, why are you asking for 85 metres, which is 110 percent more than permitted," said Walker.
The proposal is still in the preliminary stages, which means the city has not yet made a decision. Walker said the city has to start abiding by the official plan and zoning bylaws.
Frequently, developers ask for more than what is allowed, with the expectation they’ll receive less than what they ask for but more than the official plan and zoning bylaws permit — usually in exchange for community benefits or cash.
Another issue to be resolved, according to a planning report, is parking. Although the proposal calls for a 355-space underground parking garage, Walker said that wouldn’t be enough.
Mitchell Abrahams, the developer’s lawyer, said the parking situation would be more than adequate. In fact, he said the developer would like to see fewer parking spaces because new residents may forgo a car altogether, as the site is only blocks from the Eglinton subway station.
Abrahams said although the new development will bring more people, cars and traffic into the area, the impact will be minimal.
"There is very little traffic on Brownlow and Redpath between Soudan and Eglinton now. These are not major north-south routes. We don’t think this (new development) will bring much traffic," he said.
Walker said until the community, developer and city deal with the planning merits of this building he will not even begin to discuss things like community benefits (such as additional green space or rent abatements). After an agreement has been reached working out concerns about traffic, height, parking and shadow impacts, then Walker said he would look into what the developer will give the community in exchange for approval of a building taller and denser than what is officially allowed.
Walker is holding an information meeting about this development on March 2 at 7 p.m. at the Salvation Army on the southeast corner of Yonge and Eglinton. For more information on this project call Walker’s office at 416-392-7906.
