Very interesting!
I want to know more about the flyers that were being handed out - any chance of a scan?
Was it you giving them out Sharkey?
INDEX
P1 index
P2 buyer beware
P3 notice re parking
P4 notice re parking, stove shower, garbage, fire exit & storage
P5& 6 final e-mail to Councilor Perks & Birdlike’s comments
P7 postings from Urban Toronto members
P8 9 10 listings on Craig’s & Kijiji offering a unit for rent with availability of “permit parking”
P11 a buyer’s posting re “rescinded offer” & contact #’s
BUYERS BEWARE. THESE LOFTS ARE ZONED FOR COMMERCIAL USE & NOT RESIDENTIAL USE
THE FEATHER FACTORY LOFTS
TO THE NEIGHBOUR HOOD: IF YOU DO NOT APPROVE OF THIS ILLEGAL CONVERSION, CALL YOUR COUNCILLOR.
2154 DUNDAS STREET WEST @ RITCHIE
COMMERCIAL/STUDIO/
OFFICE RENTALS CONVERSION TO RESIDENTIAL LOFTS
NO REZONING APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED TO ALLOW THIS CONVERSION
IF THEY ARE IN FACT MARKETED AND SOLD AS RESIDENTIAL LOFTS, THE OWNERS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO OVERNIGHT PARKING WHICH COULD POSSIBLY BRING 40 TO 60 MORE CARS PARKED IN OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
2154 DUNDAS STREET WEST @ RITCHIE
COMMERCIAL/STUDIO/
OFFICE RENTALS ILLEGAL CONVERSION TO RESIDENTIAL LOFTS
NO REZONING APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED TO ALLOW THIS CONVERSION
THEY ARE IN FACT MARKETED AND SOLD AS RESIDENTIAL LOFTS, WITH NO PARKING, NO STOVE & NO SHOWER, NO GARBAGE RECYCLING, NO STORAGE LOCKER
WITH BARS ON THE WINDOWS, HOW DO THE RESIDENTS ESCAPE IN CASE OF A FIRE?
9/11/2008
Councilor Gord Perks – Toronto City Hall
Re The Feather Factory Lofts
Dear Councilor Perks,
The Feather Factory Lofts had their Grand Opening this past weekend. 60% of the units were tentatively sold on Saturday & by 3.00 PM on Sunday, when I attended as an interested buyer, there were only about one dozen units left. I spent a lot of time there asking questions and listening to the buyers and sales staff interact.
As I suspected, I never heard any interested party ask why there was no stove, no showers and what the situation was with parking (buyers don’t look at these “small” details). I asked the questions and the answers were as follows:
Parking: “No parking in the building, but street “permit parking” is available.”
Your staff did assure me that no “street parking permits” would be available as theses units are supposed to be commercial studio/office space & not to be used as residences under the current zoning. See NB at end
No stove: “The developer is giving a $1,000.00 credit for “The Brick” to allow purchasers to select the appliance of their choice. If they don’t want a stove they can spend it at the Brick as they please.”
Your staff did assure me that no stove would be installed in the building due to current zoning regulations.
No exhaust for stove: “The exhaust is run through the microwave oven situated over the stove.”
No shower: “The lofts are zoned for studios/office and as such would not require a shower. For those requiring a shower, it will be installed by the developer.” Later I heard a sales associate tell a couple that the developer will also install a clothes washer/dryer for those requesting it.
Your staff informed me that one of the criteria indicating that these were not residential lofts, was that there was no shower or bathtub.
Garbage: There is a garbage chute on each floor. I still have no clue how it will be separated for food waste, recyclables and regular garbage. Considering the City’s major commitment forcing all residents of the City to take a “pro active” position on recycling and garbage disposal, it seems somewhat ludicrous that a project (be it commercial or residential) is given approval with no recycling and sorting facilities.
Fire Exits: How is it possible that the windows in all basement units have bars on them? What is the escape route for these residents should a fire erupt. What of the other floors? Where is the fire escape?
Councilor,
You indicated in your phone call left on my voice mail Thursday of the past week, that “you were on top of the situation”, taking it “very very seriously” to ensure all City by -laws, rules and regulations will be followed up on by City staff to ensure that this building will be a commercial studio/office loft project as it is zoned to be, not a residential illegal conversion.
At this point, since all “allegations” brought to your attention many weeks ago now have all proven to not be allegations, but fact, what is your position, & how will you resolve this situation? I would think that considering what I was told by your staff at City Hall and that if all their stated facts are correct, that one would ensure that all the purchasers who have signed a tentative offer to purchase be immediately advised that they have bought a studio/office loft & that they will not be allowed to occupy them as residences.
Because of your past assurances that this development would not become a residential loft, I have abstained from bringing this to the attention of my neighbors and residents of our area, but rest assured that this will be done in the immediate future should I not be satisfied that this illegal conversion will not be permitted.
NB: Here's a summary of Edwin Brdlik’s (Exclusive Agent for Feather Factory) ((Toronto Lofts Realty Corp)) comments to questions about the parking situation:
"Some disgruntled former tenant is trying to start trouble. He's a bad apple & a nut. We had "permit parking" a week ago & now the developer is having talks with the City to straighten this out. The City is just going through the motions. This area has the largest amount of parking available in the City so there's no reason we shouldn't get allowances as there is ample parking available. In the meantime, you can park at Loblaws”.
2154 Dundas Street West Edit Building
Posted to riley @ Urban Toronto
It's at the corner of Dundas & Roncesvalles. They are marketing them as lofts starting Labour Day weekend.
Funny thing though the City says they are not residential lofts as the building is zoned commercial.
That is why, the tenants could do nothing, when they were evicted "en masse", as the apartments they rented only had commercial leases and were not protected by the Landlord & Tenant act.
Now the City says they are going to be sold as commercial lofts with No parking, No showers & No stoves.
I suspect they will be sold as commercial loft/offices only to be subsequently converted to live-in loft- office- residence.
Something smells!!!!
Toronto craigslist > city of Toronto > apts/housing for rent
Brand New 1 bdrm LOFT at Feather Factory Lofts! (Bloor/Dundas W)
Reply to:
hous-832468840@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-09-12, 11:33AM EDT
Feather Factory Lofts - Brand New Loft Building - Be the first to move in!
Second Floor
Beautiful Century Old Building
Boutique building with just 44 lofts
original factory wood ceilings - 14ft!
original exposed wood beams
exposed brick walls
huge double glazed windows
stainless steel counter tops
new appliances
washer/dryer included
bicycle storage
Available Nov 1st, 2008 - Viewings start Oct. 16th
Don't judge sq feet - feels like a lot more because its a high ceiling loft!
1300/month all inclusive - one year lease.
Permit street parking available.
In Roncesvalles Village, minute walk to Dundas W station.
Near Loblaws, Beer Store, High Park, Bloor West Village, Starbucks! It's basically the best area of the city!
Call me if you're interested - only serious calls please
William
416-999-1829
email me at
william_ashman@telus.blackberry.net
the address is 2154 dundas st. w
• Location: Bloor/Dundas W
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 832468840
Kijiji Toronto > housing > apartments for rent > 1 bedroom
1 bdrm BRAND NEW LOFT! All incl. Feather Factory Lofts - Nov. 1
Price: $1,300.00
Ad ID: 74327089
Visits: 112
Street address: 2154 Dundas St. W, Toronto, Ontario View map
Location: Toronto
Date Listed: 14-Sep-08
Feather Factory Lofts - Brand New Loft Building - Be the first to move in!
Second Floor
Beautiful Century Old Building
Boutique building with just 44 lofts
original factory wood ceilings - 14ft!
original exposed wood beams
exposed brick walls
huge double glazed windows
stainless steel counter tops
new appliances
washer/dryer included
bicycle storage
Available Nov 1st, 2008 - Viewings start Oct. 16th
Don't judge sq feet - feels like a lot more because its a high ceiling loft!
1300/month all inclusive - one year lease.
Permit street parking available.
In Roncesvalles Village, minute walk to Dundas W station.
Near Loblaws, Beer Store, High Park, Bloor West Village, Starbucks! It's basically the best area of the city!
Call me if you're interested - only serious calls please
William
416-999-1829
email me at
william_ashman@telus.blackberry.net
the address is 2154 dundas st. w
Images
View larger image
Join Date: 30 Dec 2007
Posts: 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by dylwalters
Hi,
I've just rescinded my offer on a Unit at Feather Factory. If you are planning to live there, I suggest you do the same. The City of Toronto and the office of Councilor Gord Perks have both confirmed that it is registered as commercial space, only this past May. On top of being illegal, they have not paid the development fees, had an approved site plan or environmental assessment. There is likely to be substantial cost incurred after the fact. Notice that the word 'residential' appears nowhere in the condo documents.
I thank the gentle that handed out the fliers on Saturday, despite opposition from the Sales Team and the police.
Please feel free to email me,
dylwalters@hotmail.com, if you want to verify that I'm not lying.
or call the City of Toronto zoning application officer, Barbara at 416-397-4077 to verify, Barbara.
This does not reflect well on Toronto Lofts Inc. or Plazacorp.
All the best,
Dylan
Very interesting!
This is all about parking in the neighborhood. I cannot see how Ritchie, Herman, Golden etc. can accommodate 48 more cars. Councilor Perks can be reached at 416-392-0202 or
councillor_perks@toronto.ca
