Avenue Rd. study to be presented

Residents can catch a glimpse of the final draft of a study that determines future development growth along Avenue Rd. from Wilson Ave. to Lawrence Ave. West.

The meeting, scheduled for Sept. 24 at Lawrence Park Collegiate, will be a chance for more feedback from residents before the document is presented to North York community council.

The study, which puts zoning restrictions on height, density and general planning issues on the strip was commissioned by Eglinton-Lawrence councillor Karen Stintz after a six-storey development at 1717 Avenue Rd. drew outcry from the surrounding community.

“There was a realization that the existing development regulatory system was out of date for Avenue Rd.,” said Paul Bain, a city planner.

Also put forward for adoption are new design guidelines, including restrictions for setbacks, stepbacks and streetscape improvements.

City planners, representatives from three residents’ organizations, individual citizens and property owners made up the 25-member Local Advisory Committee, which met several times in 2007 and 2008 to provide input on the plan.

During those consultations a height restriction of five storeys for developments, with increased allowable heights to seven-storeys on nine identified larger sites was agreed upon.

Recommended for the mainly commercial strip were opportunities for more green space, including better access to the Douglas Greenbelt and the potential for a park near Dunblaine Ave.

“To me, that’s just as important, it’s probably more important, given that major developments don’t happen with great frequency but the lack of green space is felt everyday,” Bain said.

The study will be presented on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. at Lawrence Park Collegiate, 125 Chatsworth Dr.