Mike in TO
Senior Member
Residents face new fight against condo developer - Yonge-Eglinton
Kelly Grant, National Post
Published: Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Peter Redman, National Post
Bob Warren, a director of the Eglinton Park Residents' Association, opposes amendments to the city's Official Plan.
Some veterans of North Toronto's 2003 battle against the Minto towers at Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue are preparing for another fight-- this time against a developer proposing a 25-storey condominium for a residential pocket northwest of the intersection.
Top of the Tree Developments Inc. has already alarmed the local councillor and some residents with an application to allow much taller buildings in a two-block area that includes 41 homes, most of which the developer does not own.
The tactic has prompted a new residents' association to ratchet up its opposition with a petition drive tomorrow.
"We think it would be a travesty to have this neighbourhood become high density," said Jordan Applebaum, a 38-year-old investment advisor who lives a block west of the proposed condo site. He is cochairman of the new Eglinton Park Residents' Assocation.
"We want a say and we want the developer to be reasonable," Mr. Applebaum said.
The area in Top of the Tree's sights is bounded by Roselawn Avenue to the north, Duplex Avenue to the west, Helendale Avenue to the south and the rear lot lines of the Yonge Street properties between Helendale and Roselawn.
The enclave is made up chiefly of single-family, semidetached and duplex homes. Toronto's Official Plan designates the area as a "neighbourhood," a stable pocket of low-rise homes with a few walk-up apartments no taller than four storeys.
Last August, Top of the Tree, a subsidiary of the Conservatory Group, applied to change the area's designation to "apartment neighbourhood." If adopted, the change would allow taller, higher-density buildings.
The developer then filed an application in December to rezone one of the blocks in the parcel, Montgomery Avenue, so it could raze 13 homes and erect a 25-storey, 307-unit condo. The developer already owns one of the homes, at 70 Montgomery, and has signed agreements to purchase the other 12 if the project wins approval, said Mark Flowers, a lawyer for the developer.
There is nothing in the Planning Act that prevents developers from applying to rezone a parcel of land out from under its owners.
In this case, Mr. Flowers argues the neighbourhood northwest of Yonge and Eglinton is ripe for intensification.
He said the developer opted to seek an Official Plan amendment for the whole two-block area -- rather than the Montgomery site alone -- in the spirit of comprehensive planning. The Conservatory Group does not have more condo proposals for the area in the pipeline, he said, adding the developer is prepared to work with the community.
"We made it clear that that was the approach we would take: We would look at the blocks comprehensively as opposed to doing what many people criticize developers for doing, which is piecemeal planning," Mr. Flowers said.
Still, Karen Stintz, the councillor for Ward 16 Eglinton-Lawrence, fears the Official Plan change would smooth the way for enough high-rises to destabilize the area.
"She is definitely concerned with the approach that has been taken by the Conservatory Group so far," said Andrew Bodrug, the councillor's executive assistant. "She's not in support of this development, I can tell you that."
The city's planning department is reviewing the application.
In the meantime, Bob Warren, another director of the Eglinton Park Residents' Association, said he hopes the group's petition campaign will help persuade city council to oppose the plan.
The group is collecting signatures from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow in the lobby of an apartment building at 500 Duplex Ave.
Kelly Grant, National Post
Published: Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Peter Redman, National Post
Bob Warren, a director of the Eglinton Park Residents' Association, opposes amendments to the city's Official Plan.
Some veterans of North Toronto's 2003 battle against the Minto towers at Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue are preparing for another fight-- this time against a developer proposing a 25-storey condominium for a residential pocket northwest of the intersection.
Top of the Tree Developments Inc. has already alarmed the local councillor and some residents with an application to allow much taller buildings in a two-block area that includes 41 homes, most of which the developer does not own.
The tactic has prompted a new residents' association to ratchet up its opposition with a petition drive tomorrow.
"We think it would be a travesty to have this neighbourhood become high density," said Jordan Applebaum, a 38-year-old investment advisor who lives a block west of the proposed condo site. He is cochairman of the new Eglinton Park Residents' Assocation.
"We want a say and we want the developer to be reasonable," Mr. Applebaum said.
The area in Top of the Tree's sights is bounded by Roselawn Avenue to the north, Duplex Avenue to the west, Helendale Avenue to the south and the rear lot lines of the Yonge Street properties between Helendale and Roselawn.
The enclave is made up chiefly of single-family, semidetached and duplex homes. Toronto's Official Plan designates the area as a "neighbourhood," a stable pocket of low-rise homes with a few walk-up apartments no taller than four storeys.
Last August, Top of the Tree, a subsidiary of the Conservatory Group, applied to change the area's designation to "apartment neighbourhood." If adopted, the change would allow taller, higher-density buildings.
The developer then filed an application in December to rezone one of the blocks in the parcel, Montgomery Avenue, so it could raze 13 homes and erect a 25-storey, 307-unit condo. The developer already owns one of the homes, at 70 Montgomery, and has signed agreements to purchase the other 12 if the project wins approval, said Mark Flowers, a lawyer for the developer.
There is nothing in the Planning Act that prevents developers from applying to rezone a parcel of land out from under its owners.
In this case, Mr. Flowers argues the neighbourhood northwest of Yonge and Eglinton is ripe for intensification.
He said the developer opted to seek an Official Plan amendment for the whole two-block area -- rather than the Montgomery site alone -- in the spirit of comprehensive planning. The Conservatory Group does not have more condo proposals for the area in the pipeline, he said, adding the developer is prepared to work with the community.
"We made it clear that that was the approach we would take: We would look at the blocks comprehensively as opposed to doing what many people criticize developers for doing, which is piecemeal planning," Mr. Flowers said.
Still, Karen Stintz, the councillor for Ward 16 Eglinton-Lawrence, fears the Official Plan change would smooth the way for enough high-rises to destabilize the area.
"She is definitely concerned with the approach that has been taken by the Conservatory Group so far," said Andrew Bodrug, the councillor's executive assistant. "She's not in support of this development, I can tell you that."
The city's planning department is reviewing the application.
In the meantime, Bob Warren, another director of the Eglinton Park Residents' Association, said he hopes the group's petition campaign will help persuade city council to oppose the plan.
The group is collecting signatures from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow in the lobby of an apartment building at 500 Duplex Ave.