Toronto The Millwood | 157.6m | 45s | Times Group | Core Architects

Some commentary from me on the changes:

3) The grocery store is an interesting idea; though with Farm Boy just up the street, and a rebuilt Sobeys set to in just to the south I'd be interested to see who bites. I don't know, even with all the tenants
if this area's demos support the inclusion of a discounter. That would be an obvious choice and I could a Freshco here for that reason, given that Sobeys will be supplying the two other stores nearby.
I do know Longos has kicked around adding a mid-town store, so that seems plausible too.

I can say, sales volumes at Yonge/Eg area stores do indicate room for another full-sized market nearby, even before more units come on stream.

Careful, this is Times Group,... they have a history of dangling Grocery stores as new local amenities so there would be less opposition - only to cancel the grocery store later.
- Times Group originally promised their 5800 Yonge redevelopment would have "A grocery chain has already been lined up for the commercial space, which is expected to be about 100,000 square feet. The plan for that building is for three stories of commercial/retail, five floors of office with seniors housing on top of that.",... but later the grocery store and mall disappeared,... only a couple of small retail space remains - likely for another Bubble Tea shop and another nail saloon!

BTW, Freshco, Sobey, and Longos are all under the same Empire Group of supermarkets - thus, why would a new FreshCo or Longos locate so close to an existing Sobeys?
 
Careful, this is Times Group,... they have a history of dangling Grocery stores as new local amenities so there would be less opposition - only to cancel the grocery store later.
- Times Group originally promised their 5800 Yonge redevelopment would have "A grocery chain has already been lined up for the commercial space, which is expected to be about 100,000 square feet. The plan for that building is for three stories of commercial/retail, five floors of office with seniors housing on top of that.",... but later the grocery store and mall disappeared,... only a couple of small retail space remains - likely for another Bubble Tea shop and another nail saloon!

BTW, Freshco, Sobey, and Longos are all under the same Empire Group of supermarkets - thus, why would a new FreshCo or Longos locate so close to an existing Sobeys?

The closeness of supermarkets in the same group is something I've discussed before, it's actually quite common where the market will sustain it.

It helps improve the efficiency of logistics (trucking routes) from the warehouse if 2-3 stores operate in close proximity.

You see it done quite commonly in denser areas.

It can also help prevent too many competitors by having you grab all the space first!

This is often true even where the stores have identical banners, but is also common where a chain places one mid-market and one discounter close to each other.
 
...our volunteers' letter to Council is now posted to TMMIS...


You got me to look at the communications for this item. Good, concise letter btw.

But what caught my attention was the other communication posted, which was from SERRA (South Eglinton Ratepayers and Residents Assoc.).

They've come out in favour of this and specifically option 2 w/the grocery store.

That would seem to make this one a likely pass at Council (we shall see).

SERRA's Letter: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/cc/comm/communicationfile-145155.pdf

Housing NowTO: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/cc/comm/communicationfile-145226.pdf
 
For the Record, the "Midtown In Focus" Councillors (Colle, Matlow, Robinson) ALL voted against taking the OLT settlement offer yesterday...

LINK - http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2022.CC39.14

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Commentary from Matlow on the properties right at the NE corner of Yonge & Davisville.

Not sure if the article/Matlow mixed up the developers though since it's Times Group who are involved for the Millwood condo, while Davpart have the NW corner across the street. Or if the statement is correct and they're hoping Davpart will acquire it anyways.


Local councillor Josh Matlow said the Davisville building is arguably one of the most historic buildings in the area.

“The building itself is just an incredible part of our neighbourhood story,” he said.

While 1909 Yonge St. isn’t a part of the plans for The Millwood condo, which is proposed to feature two 45-storey towers connected by a 10-storey podium, Matlow hopes that developer Davpart will acquire the building and transform it into a community centre.

He said he is optimistic that will happen and there will be news to announce soon.

The development is currently being negotiated at the Ontario Land Tribunal to see if a settlement can be reached rather than go to a full hearing.

Meanwhile, the building next door at 1913 Yonge St. is also recommended to be preserved and if so, would be incorporated into the development.

It is a two-storey brick building that represents the architecture from the interwar period, according to Heritage Planning.

Matlow said that incorporating the building would not delay construction and he has not heard of any concern from Davpart.

The two Davisville buildings were previously listed on the city’s Heritage Register but not designated, which provides further preservation protections.

Matlow said it is important to preserve Toronto’s architectural history to show respect to the neighbourhood’s character and not simply demolish buildings and put up a plaque instead.

“You can still have growth while preserving what’s important to you,” he said. “These buildings tell stories.”

Davpart did not respond to a request for comment.
 


Alterations to a Designated Heritage Property at 1913 Yonge Street and Authority to Enter into a Heritage Easement Agreement

This item will be considered by Toronto Preservation Board on July 11, 2022.


Summary
This report recommends that City Council approve the proposed alterations for the designated heritage property at 1913 Yonge Street and grant authority to enter into a Heritage Easement Agreement for this property. This is in connection with an Official Plan Amendment and a Zoning By-law Amendment application for properties at 1913-1951 Yonge Street, 17-21 Millwood Road and 22 Davisville Avenue that was appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal ("OLT"). A settlement offer for this application was accepted by City Council in February 2022. One of the conditions of this approval was that, prior to the OLT order being issued, the applicant submit and receive approval from City Council under Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act for the proposed alterations to the heritage building at 1913 Yonge Street and the applicant enter into a Heritage Easement Agreement with the City for this heritage property.

Dating to circa 1927, the property at 1913 Yonge Street is a representative example of a main street commercial row building from the interwar period. It retains its original scale, form, and massing as a two-storey brick building with a flat roof, along with original architectural details above its storefront. It is part of a row of main street buildings at the intersection of Yonge Street and Davisville Avenue that was once the heart of the historic village of Davisville.

This report recommends that City Council approve the proposed alterations for the heritage property at 1913 Yonge Street, in connection with the settlement proposal for 1913-1951 Yonge Street, 17-21 Millwood Road and 22 Davisville Avenue to allow the construction of two residential towers with an 8 storey base building.​
 
This one is the subject of both an Application to "Lift the H" and SPA (for the acronym and abbreviation challenged, 'The Holding By-Law, and Site Plan Approval, respectively).

In conjunction with the above, revised Arch. Plans have been submitted. The heights are unchanged, and a grocery store continues to be included in the proposal.

But unit numbers and parking have been revised.

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+ 12 units

Residential Parking - 107 spaces; Good!
Commercial Parking - 3 spaces

Revised Parking Ratio (residential parking only) 0.3

Elevators: 9 total across 815 units for a ratio of 1.1 elevators per 100 units.

Note in the Cover Letter:

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Revised Renders:

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New rendering added. The rendering was taken from the arch plan via SPA. The storey changed from 30 and 45 storeys to 38 and 45 storeys. The height changed from 153.70m & 107.50m to 157.60m & 136.30m. The total unit count was reduced from 821 units to 815 units. The total car parking reduced from 442 car parking to 335 car parking.
 
Shouldn't this area be able to support much lower parking? Also, warm coloured brick please.
85 of the spaces are for the grocery store / visitors, so a residential parking ratio here of 0.3. Not crazy low, but not particularly high either.

Grocery Stores are one of the few uses even in highly urban settings which actually still command a decent parking ratio.. people don't like lugging their groceries. My experience with downtown Grocery stores is that even budget groceries right downtown (think the No Frills at front and Sherbourne) still need 40-50 parking spaces typically. I imagine the driving rate is even higher up here with people coming in from the surrounding neighbourhoods.
 

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