Further to the meeting held on Wednesday, January 13, on the proposed development at 621 King Street, the following is a partial summary - tries to cover the main points:
Plans for a hotel as part of the complex changed in the prior week, and the proposal was in the process of being re-worked based on Condominium units only. The rendering presented at the meeting had not yet been updated, as the change was very recent.
Concerns were expressed on several issues:
1. The impact of prior development construction activities of other buildings in the area - primarily 550 Wellington West
2. Impact of the demolition activities for the Travelodge
3. Potential impact of the proposed development at 621 King
1. Impact of Prior Development Activities:
A lot of frustration was expressed regarding disruption of construction activities over the past couple of years on the community. Some of the concerns were directed at Adam Vaughn's office and at the city regarding enforcement of work practices - early morning disruptions, dust and debris, contractor staff behaviour type issues. Some of the individuals raising concerns appeared to not understand roles, scope, responsibilities and process of the various parties, which may have contributed to some of the frustrations. Not to say that the impacts were not real, or could have been handled or mitigated more effectively. The area has seen a huge amount of construction over the past few years.
The complaints regarding the prior developments were general in nature, and based on what was said at the meeting, hard to put into perspective (how much comes with the territory, given the downtown nature of the developments, versus what would be beyond what should reasonably be expected) without having more detail - except to say that some of the comments were made quite strongly - obviously deeply felt issues.
2. Impact of the Travelodge Demolition
A number of complaints about the work practices, damage, and safety risks resulting from the work being done by the demolition contractor - did not sound good. Came across as a fast and sloppy job by a low bid company. Examples cited were early starts, including a 5 AM start of work on a Saturday morning, debris falling onto adjoining properties, high levels of dust and dirt in the area, and general disregard by the contractor's staff of people in the community.
3. Proposed 621 Redevelopment
Saucier + Perrotte are the architects - two buildings planned, a larger building on King Street, and a smaller one on Stewart. The proposal includes a large proportion of smaller units, including bachelor suites, with some larger units. Proposed height for the King Street building was 39.5 metres. Major concerns raised included loss of sunlight and view for residents on the north sides of 20 and 32 Stewart Street buildings, distance between balconies on the south side of the planned King Street building and the north side of 32 Stewart Street building, furthering of a canyon effect on Stewart Street (exacerbating the impact of 550 Wellington), limitations of the laneway that would service the new buildings, etc.
The design renderings by S + P for the proposed buildings were quite impressive - definitely not the usual vertical glass box approach.
Adam Vaughn was not present at the meeting - family birthday.
AHK