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Sweeny&Co Architects | News | Plans submitted for unique housing plan

Jun 03, 2022
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A 3.5-acre site at the corner of Black Creek Dr. and Lawrence Ave. W. is set to change not only a neighbourhood, but the lives of many people.

Plans call for a consortium that includes Spotlight Development Inc. as well as not-for-profit agencies Habitat for Humanity, WoodGreen Community Services, the BlackNorth Initiative and Trillium Housing, to construct a four-tower complex that will accommodate an estimated 1,470 residential units.

Currently the location of a strip plaza and parking lot, the vision, organizers say, include the following targets: 10 per cent dedicated to housing for Black Canadians, 10 per cent to Indigenous Canadians, 10 per cent to Habitat for Humanity, 10 per cent to Trillium Housing and 15 per cent to Woodgreen.

The remaining 45 per cent of units could end up being part of a hybrid mix once the site plan is approved, which would involve some units being subsidized and others being sold for a profit.

Any profits would then be used to cover the cost of a subsidized unit as well as an assortment of community services.

“Our proposal prioritizes affordable housing in a neighbourhood that has lower than average incomes in the city of Toronto, and where 56 per cent of residents live in rental apartments,” said Sherry Larjani, president of Spotlight. “Through this development, we are prioritizing inclusivity and diversity that can be sustainable for the long term.”

In April, the group submitted plans to the city for the four mixed-use towers that will contain 35,866 sq. ft. for essential retail and 36,959 sq. ft. of outdoor community amenities that will include a non-profit daycare and community gardens.

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In terms of how long it will take for the project to get underway, Larjani said she is hopeful for approval faster than it takes for “fully-for profit” projects to be approved.

She has also formed a new non-profit called Spotlight Affordable Ventures, which “will continue to prioritize affordable housing options and purpose-built rental opportunities in future projects.”

According to the release, part of the project “aims to provide housing for families with low to moderate incomes that fall below $75,000 annually.

“With the goal of providing as much affordable housing as possible for rental and ownership, this vision is a stark difference to what is typically offered in the housing development sector across the city.”

There is, said Larjani, “education that needs to happen” about how best to accommodate what she described as the “missing middle.”

That target group could be a couple who combined might earn upwards of $100,000 but at the moment would not qualify for a mortgage.

“They are working, they are earning the money, but today they are still not going to be able to become homeowners,” said Larjani. “We will help them get there.”
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Northern Light said:
It has been removed from the public-facing side of the AIC. I will see if I can discern why.
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thanks for the info; if you have access on the private side; what is the status of the application? I live close by and want to be at the public meeting for voice my concerns!
 
jasonrego said:
Do you have any update on this project?
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To my understanding, there has been no activity on this file since the initial submission.

Put simply, it's in a holding pattern.
 
www.toronto.com

Proposed 5-tower affordable housing development to replace dated North York plaza

A proposed five-tower development in North York aims to offer 70 per cent of its roughly 1,500 housing units as affordable rental or affordable ownership.
www.toronto.com www.toronto.com

A proposed five-tower development in North York aims to offer 70 per cent of its roughly 1,500 housing units as affordable rental or affordable ownership.

The project, dubbed “The Inclusive,” is located at 1635 Lawrence Ave. W. (at Black Creek Drive), the current site of a dated shopping plaza that includes an ethnic supermarket, restaurants, convenience stores and medical services.

Developer Sherry Larjani, president and founder of Spotlight Development, said that the plan was submitted to the city in April and that she’s “expecting comments” on the application soon.

“We have a lot of young people that are coming out of the universities with a good education that are not able to afford a place. There are a lot of families that are under a lot of pressure putting food on the table, let alone getting a roof over their heads,” she said. “I think we can tackle the problem of poverty by providing proper housing at proper rates, whether it be rental or ownership, so that people can start to afford other things in life.”

Last month, Spotlight Development announced that Deltera Contracting Inc. will be the builder for the project.

“We are proud to collaborate with Spotlight Development on ‘The Inclusive,’ one of Toronto’s most progressive projects that puts affordability at the forefront without sacrificing quality or sustainability,” Mario Cimicata, president of Deltera Contracting, said in a statement. “We have a shared vision of revitalizing the Black Creek and Lawrence neighbourhood with a focus on a mixed-income, complete community model that puts diverse Canadians first.”

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Larjani said she hopes to start construction by the end of 2024 and begin offering occupancy by the end of 2026.

The buildings will be phased in, with the entire project expected to be completed within 10 years.
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AlbertC said:
Project website:

theinclusivecondo.com

The Inclusive

theinclusivecondo.com theinclusivecondo.com
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Items of note from the site:

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Site listed for sale:


Corner Lot. Plan designated - mixed use, including residential. Strip retail plaza with potential for redevelopment into high density residential uses. GFA 1,556,571 (estimated). Heavy traffic. Great Location. Excellent proximity to bus transit with direct connections to Weston G.O. Station and Lawrence West Subway Station. Good access to Highways 400 and 401. Short drive to Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Walking distance to greenspace and recreational amenities, including Olympia Park and Amesbury Area. Subject property is fully serviced. Mixed use area composed of commercial, residential and institutional uses, including single use or mixed use building as well as parks and open spaces. Commercial retail income while waiting redevelopment. **** EXTRAS **** Zoned Commercial Residential Area. Ideal for rental or affordable housing. (38020894)
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