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From the Post:
Firm tries to counter 'bad guy' image over condo bid
North Toronto residents fear scale of project too big
Katie Rook, National Post
Published: Tuesday, October 03, 2006
A new front in the city's development wars has opened in north Toronto where residents are battling a proposed seven-storey condo development they say will disfigure their residential neighbourhood.
The Ontario Municipal Board is to decide the fate of RioCan's application to build a 101-unit condo with street-level stores on Avenue Road north of Lawrence Avenue.
"At the end of the day, the residents wanted the opportunity to say: 'Look, this is how we wanted our street to grow and develop, because we know it's going to develop.' The residents feel they didn't have the opportunity because this development is being rammed through," said Eglinton Lawrence Councillor Karen Stintz.
Last week, city council voted overwhelmingly against the application even though city planners supported it. Mayor David Miller cast one of five votes in favour of the development.
Residents are concerned the proposed project, sandwiched between St. Germain and Fairlawn avenues, is without an eastbound entrance from Avenue Road, forcing traffic on to nearby residential roads already laden with vehicles.
Residents are also worried the development will set a precedent for the construction of other large developments.
"Our concern is that this development will became a baseline, no developer will say they want less," said Robert Amaron, a spokesman for one of four residents groups opposing the application.
RioCan said it has held at least five meetings with residents' groups, and scaled back the plan because of their concerns, including a reduction of three metres on the top floors of the building's north side because of concerns about shadows on area houses.
"It's not like we're bad guys trying to pull a fast one," said Fred Waks, a RioCan spokesman.
Mr. Waks said many residents support the plan -- RioCan receives about five calls a week from locals inquiring about buying a condo as they downsize.
The developer first applied to build in November, 2004. In May, 2006, when the city did not deal with application amendments within its own timeframe, it appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board.
Mr. Amaron said the residents' groups are not opposed to all development, but say this project is too big for the neighbourhood.
"It is fair to say the range of opposition runs the gamut. There are people who don't want any development at all and that would certainly be a minority. Having been door-to-door, the broad consensus is [development] is premature and is a little bit excessive for the neighbourhood."
On Saturday residents held a rally that Ms. Stintz and mayoral candidate Jane Pitfield attended.
"We'd be happy to have the issue put to a vote in the area," said Mr. Amaron.
"If we were in fact a vocal minority, we wouldn't have the support of politicians who depend on the majority to get re-elected."
City lawyers will next week oppose the application when an OMB hearing begins. Residents have hired their own lawyer, who will also attend the hearing.
Ms. Stintz noted the Official Plan requires that communities are consulted about the impact of proposed developments, which she says has not fully been done in this project.
"This is an important test case for how the Official Plan is going to be implemented in the city," she said.
krook@nationalpost.com
© National Post 2006
_________________________________________________
Hmm, Karen and Jane - Minto is too big; a 7s condo with ground floor retail is too big. What is it that both of you want, a Mattel Barbie Playhouse?
AoD
Firm tries to counter 'bad guy' image over condo bid
North Toronto residents fear scale of project too big
Katie Rook, National Post
Published: Tuesday, October 03, 2006
A new front in the city's development wars has opened in north Toronto where residents are battling a proposed seven-storey condo development they say will disfigure their residential neighbourhood.
The Ontario Municipal Board is to decide the fate of RioCan's application to build a 101-unit condo with street-level stores on Avenue Road north of Lawrence Avenue.
"At the end of the day, the residents wanted the opportunity to say: 'Look, this is how we wanted our street to grow and develop, because we know it's going to develop.' The residents feel they didn't have the opportunity because this development is being rammed through," said Eglinton Lawrence Councillor Karen Stintz.
Last week, city council voted overwhelmingly against the application even though city planners supported it. Mayor David Miller cast one of five votes in favour of the development.
Residents are concerned the proposed project, sandwiched between St. Germain and Fairlawn avenues, is without an eastbound entrance from Avenue Road, forcing traffic on to nearby residential roads already laden with vehicles.
Residents are also worried the development will set a precedent for the construction of other large developments.
"Our concern is that this development will became a baseline, no developer will say they want less," said Robert Amaron, a spokesman for one of four residents groups opposing the application.
RioCan said it has held at least five meetings with residents' groups, and scaled back the plan because of their concerns, including a reduction of three metres on the top floors of the building's north side because of concerns about shadows on area houses.
"It's not like we're bad guys trying to pull a fast one," said Fred Waks, a RioCan spokesman.
Mr. Waks said many residents support the plan -- RioCan receives about five calls a week from locals inquiring about buying a condo as they downsize.
The developer first applied to build in November, 2004. In May, 2006, when the city did not deal with application amendments within its own timeframe, it appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board.
Mr. Amaron said the residents' groups are not opposed to all development, but say this project is too big for the neighbourhood.
"It is fair to say the range of opposition runs the gamut. There are people who don't want any development at all and that would certainly be a minority. Having been door-to-door, the broad consensus is [development] is premature and is a little bit excessive for the neighbourhood."
On Saturday residents held a rally that Ms. Stintz and mayoral candidate Jane Pitfield attended.
"We'd be happy to have the issue put to a vote in the area," said Mr. Amaron.
"If we were in fact a vocal minority, we wouldn't have the support of politicians who depend on the majority to get re-elected."
City lawyers will next week oppose the application when an OMB hearing begins. Residents have hired their own lawyer, who will also attend the hearing.
Ms. Stintz noted the Official Plan requires that communities are consulted about the impact of proposed developments, which she says has not fully been done in this project.
"This is an important test case for how the Official Plan is going to be implemented in the city," she said.
krook@nationalpost.com
© National Post 2006
_________________________________________________
Hmm, Karen and Jane - Minto is too big; a 7s condo with ground floor retail is too big. What is it that both of you want, a Mattel Barbie Playhouse?
AoD