Though 2016’s provincial Promoting Affordable Housing Act has yet to pass and bring with it a new age of inclusionary zoning in Toronto, it appears that a handful of new proposals are taking the affordable housing shortage to heart. Yesterday, we reported on a new community proposed for Scarborough that would contain an affordable housing component, and today we return to look at another proposal—this one in Toronto's Runnymede neighbourhood immediately west of The Junction—that would contain up to 115 condominium suites, with 10% of the GFA devoted to affordable housing units.

Southeast view, 3385 Dundas West, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

The proposal aims to rezone a 2,757.5 square-metre site situated on the south side of Dundas Street West, bounded by Durie Street to the west and Beresford Avenue to the east. Currently occupied by a one-storey self-car wash facility, developer Terra Firma Homes has partnered with non-profit Habitat for Humanity to develop the site with a mid-rise project designed by TACT Architecture and landscaping by Corban and Goode.

3385 Dundas West subject site, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

Rising to a height of 28.52 metres including the mechanical penthouse level, 3385 Dundas Street West would exceed the heights of the surrounding low-rise commercial and industrial properties that currently populate this stretch of the thoroughfare. The structure's Dundas West frontage would be set back 1.5 metres from the property line, creating a wide pedestrian sidewalk along the north elevation.

Dundas frontage, 3385 Dundas West, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

Above, levels 2-6 would be set back only 1 metre from the property line, followed by a three-metre stepback above level 6 and an eight-metre stepback above level 7. Primarily 7 storeys in height, a small volume at the corner of Beresford and Dundas would rise 8 floors, and would contain three residential suites, indoor amenities, and access to the building's outdoor amenity space. 

West aerial view, 3385 Dundas West, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

3385 Dundas West's proposed 123 residential units would be made up of of 38 one-bedroom units, 81 two-bedroom units, and 4 three-bedroom units, including the eight “Habitat Units”, which would be secured through Habitat for Humanity and the City of Toronto's joint affordable housing ownership initiative. At street level, the proposal would help to improve the lacklustre pedestrian environment on this stretch of Dundas with the addition of 1,113 square metres of retail space.

East facade, 3385 Dundas West, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

Residents of the development would have access to a total of 509 square metres of amenity space, meeting a rate of 4.14 square metres per unit. A 337 square-metre outdoor amenity area would be provided on the roof of the building's 7th level, accessed via a partial 8th storey connecting with a 172-square-metre indoor amenity space occupying three rooms. In addition, two 45-square-metre amenity rooms would be housed on the ground floor, one next to each of the two residential lobbies.

Northeast aerial view, 3385 Dundas West, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

The development would be served by a three-level underground parking garage containing a total of 124 parking spaces, divided between 106 resident and 18 visitor spaces. 134 bicycle parking spaces are also proposed, including 112 residential, 12 residential visitor, 3 retail occupant, and 7 retail visitor spaces.