I'm certainly not going to defend the status quo here.
But I think I was correct in using the word ambitious, not only in the context of what's recently been completed here, but in terms of the ask by nearby applications.
In terms of my personal take, I frankly want to see the proposal and what its offering, in terms of aesthetics, retail/pedestrian experience and neighbourhood benefit.
I'd also love to see the Context Plan, seeing as, if this were to get greenlit at 40s, I presume the expectation would that every site between this building and Lawrence West Station, on both sides of the road would get at least that much as well.
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I will say, this section of Lawrence West is one the worst for gridlock in the City.
I'm rarely down that way, as an East Yorker, but it does happen from time to time, the area really can't take any more cars without some serious re-think of how roads in the area are managed.
The leading cause of the gridlock, in my experience is 'The Allen'; specifically, that the entry to NB Allen Road is a left-hand turn off of Lawrence, that queues along the bridge
over the highway, and competes with buses, and with traffic coming off the SB Allen, and then a short block later faces the light at Marlee.
My preferred solution here would be removing The Allen; but that's a big spend and one that certainly can't be on any one developer.
Alternatively, a much different access arrangement is required, and it's unlikely the solution would be cheap {likely a new right-turn from EB Lawrence and par-clo style ramp); the only other solution I can envision
being a new access off Ranee.
I'm not pro-car and don't wish to spend more money encouraging use of 'The Allen' but more gridlock is just as foolish.
So we either to get rid of it, or make it work.