“The zoning bylaw amendment for the site was approved by City Council in July 2024,” stated Councillor Bradford’s office in an email response to Beach Metro Community News.
However, due to the site’s location, council’s approval came with conditions as the developer was ordered to submit a revised Functional Servicing and Stormwater Management Report.
It is currently unclear when the updated report will be presented to Toronto Council.
“(Residents) want just an update on when the tearing down of the current houses will be, and a timeline of the project – start to finish – just so we can prepare,” said Beres. “Just respect for the community as a whole and its visitors. It looks like an abandoned wasteland and people just throw junk there now. It’s horrible.”
It wasn’t until the guardrails were knocked off during an Aug. 20 traffic accident at that corner where Lakeshore Boulevard East turns into Woodbine Avenue – a stretch notorious for accidents–that the City of Toronto felt it necessary to do a minor clean up around the site, she said.
Beres, who does not support the development due to congestion issues as well as the frequency of vehicle crashes at that location, says that on Wednesday, Sept. 4, the city sent workers to clear the guard rails and cones which were littered around the area.
Recently, the site owners also cut the overgrown bushes which were spilling onto the sidewalk after being ordered to do so by the city.
“A couple of neighbours, including myself, used to cut the trees back so it didn’t look so horrible,” said Beres.
With Ontario’s housing market in a tumultuous state – Toronto being ground zero – issues with abandoned-looking projects will continue to arise across the city.
