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Yonge-Steeles corridor study

Online notice of public meeting

NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING
YONGE STREET AREA STUDY
TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2010
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Uplands Golf Club
46 Uplands Avenue, Thornhill

PROJECT OVERVIEW: The Yonge Street Area Study will establish the land use policies and urban design guidelines for future development in the area. Major public investments in infrastructure and public transit are expected to take place in the form of either a Yonge subway extension or establishment of a surface dedicated transit right-of-way along Yonge Street. This study addresses the future opportunity for possible intensification through redevelopment of lands fronting Yonge Street and Steeles Avenue, and associated servicing, parks and transportation requirements.

MEETING PURPOSE: The purpose of this public information meeting is to present the draft development framework for the Yonge Street Area Study. This event will provide an opportunity for the general public and interested parties to provide comments on the proposed plan prior to preparation of a secondary plan for the area.

We encourage members of the public to attend this meeting to provide their insight, and to continue to play an important role in the planning process for the City of Vaughan.
For further information regarding the Study, please contact Paul Robinson, ext. 8410 or Clement Chong, ext. 8214, Policy Planning Department at 905-832-8585.
 
I went to the community meeting. Hundreds showed up. I was impressed at the level of public participation in the event. Although there were the usual NIMBY crew and anti change naysayers, the reaction appeared mainly positive.

Markham held a meeting on the same night for the proposed Langstaff Gateway. Further proof that the two municipalities fail to consult each other on development issues.
See a link to articles on both meetings below.

Yonge to be transformed into region's gateway
Vaughan envisions turning the neglected Yonge Street-Steeles Avenue corridor into a gateway for York Region.
“The general vision is of an urbane, lively and sustainable city,” consultant Tom Emodi told a packed house at the Uplands Ski Club Tuesday night.
Hundreds of residents came to hear the latest on Vaughan’s Yonge Street study.
Planners expect redevelopment to create 5,000 residential units and attract about as many jobs to an area now dominated by strip malls and car dealerships.
For two years, the city and consultants have studied the area stretching from Yonge Street and Hwy. 7 south to Steeles Avenue and west nearly to Bathurst Street.
“It’s a central part of our city, it’s a gateway into the city of Vaughan and we want to make it a great part of our city,” Thornhill Councillor Alan Shefman said.
Under the plan, intensification is concentrated at the Yonge-Steeles corner, gradually tapering off as it approaches residential neighbourhoods.
An illustration showed two, 30-storey towers straddling the north-west corner.
The lands to the north, now housing a vacant Chapters store and sprawling car dealerships, could be replaced by 18-storey buildings.
Yonge/Steeles
be37f4b44fb499a526f0e6bbc398.jpeg
 
So will Toronto step up with a similar plan south of Steeles?

The big problem I think is the land on Steeles i.e. to the west of Yonge in Toronto is already full of low rise homes ... to the north it's simply commerical development that can changed.
So I don't think we'll see a similar plan south of steeles anytime soon if at all.

Toronto should have a plan for Yonge though! ... it's slowly making it's way up but the land North of cummer is untouched for the most part as of now.
 
Here is the Markham Gateway article.
Markham aims to boost population, job density
First, it was billed as Markham’s own Manhattan.
Now, the town wants Langstaff Gateway, it’s crown jewel of future development, to boast unprecedented density — more than double Toronto’s downtown.
Public meetings this week gave councillors and residents a chance to see detailed plans that will convert the area, near Yonge Street and Hwy. 407, into a model community of sustainability and transit use in about 25 years.
“The only way Langstaff will work is if it is transit dependent,” and not just transit oriented, planning commissioner Jim Baird said.
Development will be phased so high-density buildings do not proceed until other targets are met.
The number of trips taken by methods other than cars is expected to be 60 per cent, extremely atypical for the suburbs.
Despite those ambitious targets, concerns have been raised about what the real traffic impacts will be, particularly with only one road in and out and a planned TTC commuter lot across Yonge Street.
A complex matrix of triggers aims to ensure that new phases only move forward when the community is ready.
The first phase will not proceed until after the restoration of Pomona Mills Creek and the establishment of a link with the Richmond Hill Viva station via Cedar Avenue.
The second wouldn’t go forward until the Yonge subway is operational and elementary schools have been built.
Even if the subway were approved today, that would mean development wouldn’t start for another six or seven years.Langstaff Gateway Markham
63f7e1784d4587a2a30e7dc13eeb.jpeg
 
So will Toronto step up with a similar plan south of Steeles?

The big problem I think is the land on Steeles i.e. to the west of Yonge in Toronto is already full of low rise homes ... to the north it's simply commerical development that can changed.
So I don't think we'll see a similar plan south of steeles anytime soon if at all.

Toronto should have a plan for Yonge though! ... it's slowly making it's way up but the land North of cummer is untouched for the most part as of now.

Here is a google street view of the strip you mention of Steeles west of Yonge. Not only are there homes along this strip of steeles but they back to the street.
It's a long row of poorly maintained and mismatched fencing that is the leading edge of the city of Toronto.
It's like the city planners thought that this was going to be the end of the urban rural divide when they built this strip.

Google street view
 
Great pic!

Yea that explains the situation well, so as you can see there's pretty much no room for change south of Steeles ...

Even to the north it's only a thin strip that can be redeveloped.

The only hope on the 416 end of things is that they greatly intensify Yonge and Steeles south.
Centerpoint mall's huge parking lot is a great starting point.
 
All the city needs to do is re-zone Steeles as high density, mixed-use and gradually development will take place organically.
 
In Europe or Asia, I think you'd see some kind of people mover shuttle to the subway for a development like the Langstaff Gateway. Alternatively, they could bend the subway to the east a little earlier. It's planned to shift a block or so east of Yonge at Richmond Hill Centre.

edit: In fact, looking at the plans, it would make perfect sense to move the station at Langstaff further east to the area around the Richmond Hill GO line. Screw the park and ride. They could even put some park and ride in the hydro corridor east of the GO line. It would be less accessible from Yonge but more accessible from the east in Markham.
 
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In May, Markham held a public meeting regarding the rezoning of the Yonge Steeles Corridor. Vaughan is is the final stages of approving the plan for thier corner with a public meeting being held this Monday, June 14th. Public Meeting Info.

It looks like the area is primed and ready to add thousands of residential units and jobs to the area. Oddly enough, there has been little or no discussion recently as to the stalled extension to the Yonge Subway or and subsequent transit improvements designed to service this rapidly expanding location. Toronto has been silent on any plans for redevelopment this area and one has to wonder how much cooperation there is between the three municipalities which share this corner. I think this area is poised to be a true urban node but there is a need for immediate action on the transportation issue if this is to work out best for the residents of this area, new and old.

4694635634_90a24628f1_b.jpg

Vaughan's Section looking East, Steeles is on the right, Yonge runs diagonal across the top.
4694641048_ce0f65a544_b.jpg

Markham's Corner looking north on Yonge, crossing diagonal through the photo, Steeles is in the lower right.
 
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Toronto is still sitting in the starting gate in terms of planning the Yonge Street zone between North York Centre and York Region while Vaughan and Markham are off to the races...they claim they've begun an Avenues study, but that is obviously wildly insufficient given that Yonge from Drewry/Cummer to Steeles would be completely surrounded by redevelopments that extend beyond the Avenue (i.e. beyond properties with Yonge Street addresses - at least a block or two and usually including a tweaked road grid) and would be served by a subway extension (an assumption driving the York Region plans up to Hwy 7). Ideally, Beecroft and Doris need to be extended to or past Steeles before the subway extension ever begins construction.
 
Doris extension is finshed at the north end. It isn't really possible to extend it north of Bishop due to hydro corridor and buildings directly north of it. My main been with this plan is that building the subway line up Yonge wont solve the transportation problem. Markham/Vaughan have a disconnected and broken grid just north of Steeles. This will force 100% of all traffic onto the 2 already congested arterial roads. Yes with better public transport more will take transit, but it will never be the same modal split as one could get south of the 401. Thus, added road capacity is a must. That means a ring road on each side of Yonge, plus a parralel road north of Steeles that can act as a reliever. Creswood/Doncaster could work if they are made continuous from Bayview to Bathurst. Beecroft could certainly be extended up to at least Steeles, if not further north. The only problem there is you'd have to buy up lots of homes in the process.
 
I received this notice of public meeting regarding the redevelopment of the key location for the GTA.

Committee of the Whole, Report No. 42
Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at 1:00 p.m.
Council Chamber

Item 18
YONGE STEELES CORRIDOR SECONDARY PLAN REPORT ON REQUEST FOR MODIFICATIONS AND STATUS UPDATE TO ADOPTED SECONDARY PLAN FILE: 25.5.12.4 WARD 5


The Secondary Plan was adopted by Vaughan council in 2010 and while there have been no building applications to date, there have been numerous applications for density increases at Yonge and Steeles. While they do not expect to come to any final conclusions due to a transportation study in the works due to be delivered mid 2014 they intend to dscus further adjustments to the plan. Planners are recommending increasing maximum heights for the area from 30 to 35 stories. They also wish to discuss recent OMB approvals for additional facilities at the Auto dealerships in direct opposition to the cities approved development plan. At present the plan is for 9660 residential units and 4500 jobs for the area.

Toronto recommending 40 stories for this corner and has their own public meeting October 17th to discuss their plans for the North Yonge corridor which include this intersection. Information on preferred densities and built form available in the links.

Markham having completed their studies for the area and already developing one of the largest developments (World on Yonge) in the GTA and havng just approved a second condo project for just south of World on Yonge is well ahead in moving forward on this area. Here is a link to their report. Markham

All three cities make one same assumption in their separate studies that the subway will one day be extended through this corridor. Based on the rapid sale of the World on Yonge project and the numerous applications for the area there is a great demand from developers and citizens for redevelopment of this street corner. Markham envisions a more modest 4900 residential units and 3600 jobs.

What is evident is that all three municipalities see this Corridor as a prime redevelopment area and Gateway Hub for the region in keeping with Ontario's Places to Grow. Let's hope that together the three cities can make this corner something urban and efficient for residents and the labour force who will occupy the area.
 
It may take 20 years, but the subway will make it to Highway 7 eventually. Adding more jobs and residents to this area will only make a subway extension more inevitable. Even before the subway extension, hopefully fare integration between VIVA and TTC will happen and make transit a cheaper option in this area.

Why does this thread also include something about Jane and Highway 7? Seems kind of random!
 

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