Development boom at Eglinton and Bathurst?

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A retail strip of Eglinton Avenue already facing increased density may see more development, as two Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) commuter lots are considered as potential surplus property.

A report from the City of Toronto Government Management Committee states the lots — 1250 and 1350 Eglinton Ave. W., near Bathurst Street — will most likely be handed over to Build Toronto if they are officially declared surplus land. Build Toronto, the city’s property development agency, will then have the opportunity to evaluate them for development potential. Kevin Carrington, TTC spokesperson, said the lots will likely be retained for use until construction of the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit is over.

The strip is already looking at an overhaul, after a handful of retail lots have been bought by developers proposing mixed-use condominium developments including 875 Eglinton Ave. W. — a plaza on the southwest corner. A city-owned parking lot at 935 Eglinton Ave. W. is also slated for condo development.

Patrick Smyth, director of planning and development for the Avenue Road Eglinton Community Association (ARECA), said he doesn’t oppose the development but is concerned about the transition process for the rapidly developing area.

“An avenue study should be done,” he said. “We know that subway entrances will be popping up all along Eglinton Avenue … and it will send shock waves through community associations like mine.” He also said he hopes the community will have input on the design plan, specifically the streetscape. “We’re residents, we’re customers,” he said. “We just want to have a say on areas that impact our quality of life.”

Local councillor Joe Mihevc said there is a lengthy process involved in turning land over to Build Toronto. “We could even be looking at a minimum of five years,” he said. “The TTC needs that space right now.”

Bruce Logan, a Build Toronto director, said no paperwork has been received from the city, yet, and therefore, he can’t comment on the issue.

New Yonge & Eglinton tower could top Minto

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A proposal surfaced last month, which would see a condo higher than the Minto Tower built at the northeast corner of Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue. Developer Bazis International introduced the news at a meeting attended by Coun. Josh Matlow and representatives from the Sherwood Park Residents’ Association.

“We met with them pre-application, so there’s a lot of room to negotiate before the formal process begins,” said Matlow.

Bazis has bought up several properties at the corner anchored by the TD Canada Trust bank. Matlow said the proposed height of the tower is approximately 160 metres — three storeys higher than the controversial 54-storey Minto development (just south of Eglinton Avenue).

According to Matlow, preliminary discussions have been focused more on Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue as a whole, rather than solely on the proposed building. “When we discuss one development, we have to consider how the junction works,” he said. A primary concern is establishing an open public space at the intersection, Matlow said, especially since the public square at the northwest corner will be lost as part of the RioCan redevelopment. It is also important to study how the underground LRT and subway stations will be integrated and what retail space at street level should look like.

Matlow has vowed to include local representatives in all discussions. Terry Mills, from the Sherwood Park Residents’ Association, was one local who attended the initial meeting. “We’re involved in the process from the get-go, rather than being introduced to it after all the drawings are done,” said Mills, who supports Matlow’s approach.

According to Mills, all parties were receptive during the meeting — though finding a happy medium is going to be a long process. Matlow agreed: “We, as a community, have an opportunity to consider what boundaries we need to set.”

Michael Gold, North American president of Bazis, declined comment.

Plans for Hogg’s Hollow corner move forward

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Build Toronto, the city’s arms-length real estate agency, is one step closer to realizing its plans to transform the commuter parking lot on the northwest corner of Yonge Street and Wilson Avenue into a seven-storey office building. North York Community Council recently approved the required official plan and zoning bylaw amendments, which will go on to Toronto City Council for consideration this month.

The revised plans represent a reduction in height of one storey and the addition of one level of parking. Attached to the approvals is a $1.5 million cash contribution, which will go toward specific neighbourhood projects, including the improvement of the passenger pickup and drop-off area on Old York Mills Road.

“They’ve resolved a number of issues,” said local councillor Karen Stintz. Paul Baker, president of the South Armour Heights Residents’ Association, is satisfied that Build Toronto has responded to his group’s concerns about parking and traffic as well as the height of the building.

The neighbouring Ward 25 councillor, Jaye Robinson, voted against approval of the application. While she commended the agency for its outreach efforts, she cited a handful of outstanding issues raised by her residents.

Local resident Mitchell Shnier questions the conclusions of the traffic study. He does not believe the plans have made adequate allowances for on-site commuter parking and pickup and drop-off. “They came up with three options on how pickups and drop-offs could be done, and all three of them are ridiculous and unworkable,” he said.

Bruce Logan, Build Toronto’s director of communications and public affairs, said he thinks the agency has made some good progress.

“We certainly respect people’s continued concerns, but I think we have made a lot of changes in order to support that,” he said.

Build Toronto is actively searching for a lead tenant now that the Toronto Transit Commission has backed away.

North Richvale plans head to appeal board

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An Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) pre-hearing for a controversial application to build a high-density residential development on Yongehurst Road and Weldrick Road West is set to occur this month. Intracorp Projects Acquisitions Ltd. appealed plans for five apartment buildings, ranging in height from nine to 15 storeys, after the Town of Richmond Hill failed to respond within 180 days. Town of Richmond Hill Council Committee of the Whole recently voted to reject the application and to have staff defend its position at the appeal board. This was to go to Town of Richmond Hill Council for final consideration late last month.

The Town of Richmond Hill’s final staff report recommended that the plans be rejected for a variety of reasons, including the inappropriate transition in height and density from Yonge Street and the incompatibility with the adjacent low-density residential neighbourhood.

Local councillor Nick Papa believes that the proposal has some merits but identified some areas that need work, including the buffer and density.

Frank Zeppieri of the Yongehurst Weldrick West Residents Association has collected more than 600 signed petition letters, asking the town to reject the application and to encourage single-family back lot development through the extension of Sorrento Drive. His group is calling on the town to fight the application at the OMB and to not negotiate with the developer.

“It makes no sense to destroy and destabilize this area when there are many other sites inside the intensification corridor of the new official plan to develop,” he said.

Papa, however, sees residents as being split on the issue, based on what he’s heard from them. Some have expressed that they’re ready to downsize or move.

“They’re tired of hanging onto a big 400-foot lot,” he said. “Whatever comes in front of their eyes, and they see it’s doable, they’d like to do it.”

Actor Mark Wahlberg joins T.O.’s condo craze

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Actor Mark Wahlberg recently purchased a unit in a luxury condo at 36 Hazelton Avenue in Yorkville. A spokeswoman for Alterra Group, one of the developers behind the project, said Wahlberg toured more than one sales model for the building — including a lavish $12 million penthouse with a rooftop terrace — before settling on a smaller unit.

Wahlberg — who has filmed a handful of movies in Toronto — is a semi-frequent visitor to Hogtown where he is reportedly good friends with former Maple Leafs player Tie Domi. In 2007 Wahlberg told Peter Howell, a movie critic for The Toronto Star, that a last-minute decision to attend a Toronto International Film Festival party saved him from being a passenger on one of the jets that later crashed during 9/11.

Father Andrew Leung, a pastor at St. Basil’s Church, just south of the condominium, said Wahlberg has attended services there in the past while filming in Toronto, often accompanied by Domi and an “entourage.” “He’s a nice guy,” Leung said of Wahlberg. “He does come here once in a while. He’s very faithful; he’s a good parishioner.”

Wahlberg’s most recent film was The Fighter, which was nominated for seven Academy Awards.

A local church’s plan to transform itself has residents upset

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Revisions have recently been made to a development proposal meant to help a Mount Pleasant Road and Lawrence Avenue church resolve money problems. However, some neighbours still feel the plan for Bedford Park United Church — which will transform the near-bankrupt congregation into a five-storey seniors’ home and community hub — is too much.

“It’s become an exercise in trimming a corner here, modifying a balcony there,” said Cim Nunn, who participated in working group discussions and who lives two doors down from the Ranleigh Avenue church.

The original plan, proposed in 2005, came about after a decline in membership made it more difficult for Bedford United to pay maintenance costs. By replacing the church with a 57-unit seniors’ home, the residence would bring in enough overhead to allow the church to continue operating.

The seniors’ home would also have several public spaces, as well as being home to the new church. “The building is old and crumbling, and we’re a much smaller group now,” said Barbara White, the church’s reverend. “The redevelopment is a way to continue providing the much-needed services to the community.”

According to White, there is currently a 500-signature petition in support of the redevelopment. The church has also received 25 letters of support.

However, Nunn isn’t the only neighbour with concerns. Nearly 150 people attended a community meeting last February, most torn between either supporting or opposing the church’s plans. Because the revised plan still exceeds the city’s limit on height, the proposal calls for an official plan amendment. As for density, the revised proposal has lessened the size of the seniors’ home from 66,000 square feet to 60,000 square feet. However, according to Nunn, the building still violates what the city allows.

According to local councillor Jaye Robinson, the revised plan does show the church attempting to work with the public. She said an inner atrium was removed to make the building smaller. The plan was also revised so that the ramp and loading dock would be enclosed within the building, mitigating noise issues. In addition, setbacks were introduced to reduce any shadows cast on neighbours by the building.

The church is in the final stages of refining plans and will resubmit the proposal to the city’s planning department this month.

Davisville school will profit from its parking lot

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Davisville Junior Public School now has a Green P parking lot, as part of a pilot project launched this month between the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and Toronto Parking Authority. “It’ll be like any other city lot where you put money in and get a little ticket, which you put on your windshield or dash,” said Shelley Laskin, school trustee.

The pilot project is unfolding at seven schools across the city in areas where there is a greater demand for parking, said Sheila Penney, the strategic building and renewal director for the TDSB. Parking fees will be charged during after-school hours and on weekends.

Rob McCready, a local resident, said he thinks the program is great as it raises revenue for the school. “I haven’t heard a single complaint about it,” he said. In fact, he said it is nice to see the parking lot used. For years, during after-school hours, the parking lot entrance was chained.

Another pilot project benefit is it will help resolve current parking issues. “In some communities the neighbours tend to use the parking lot as their own, and it makes it problematic for staff,” said Laskin. “Not only is this project a way to make some revenue, but it’s also a way to manage parking.”

According to a TDSB report, the school will receive 10 per cent of the proceeds. The board — which currently has a $3-billion backlog — will receive 15 per cent. The project’s success will be evaluated next January.

New owner plans to repair damage to heritage home

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With change of ownership pending, locals are hopeful that the historically significant home at 7 Austin Terr. will be saved from demolition. The residence once belonged to John Maclean, founder of Maclean’s magazine.

In 2009, the Georgian Revival home was bought by John Todd, who intended to tear down the residence. A battle began between Todd and the locals, who wanted to preserve the cherished home in the Casa Loma neighbourhood.

Todd, president of 1626829 Ontario Ltd., initially applied to have the building demolished to make way for rental units, but the city rejected the idea. Todd later appealed the decision. Now, according to Mary MacDonald, manager with the City of Toronto Heritage Preservation Services, a new owner “has appeared on the horizon.”

Matt Garnet, of Renaissance Fine Homes, confirmed the company currently stands as the “contractual owner” of the property, but Todd is still listed as the title owner. Garnet said the company could gain full ownership of the property subject to the new restoration plans being approved by the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).

“It’s a heritage property, and we’ve always wanted to do heritage restoration,” said Garnet. He said they plan to convert the building, which is currently unoccupied, into single-family units, with an emphasis on preserving heritage features.

“It’s a bag of mixed emotions,” he said, of working with the high-profile location. “You’re excited, you’re nervous, but mostly we’re excited. We want to do this.”

He said they have met with the local ratepayers’ association and other community members in the past to discuss the issue. “We respect the neighbourhood; we respect residents; it’s a joint effort.”

MacDonald said the Renaissance Fine Homes scheme is “supportable from a variety of perspectives,” including heritage and conservation regulations.

Coun. Joe Mihevc echoed her statement. “The long and short of it is they’ve committed to high standards of repairing some of the damage,” he said.

An OMB meeting was scheduled for June 27.

Robertson signing off after 50-year career

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Lloyd Robertson recently revealed that Sept. 1 will be his final newscast as CTV’s chief anchor. Robertson began at CTV back in 1976 and went on to become chief anchor and senior editor in 1983. His accomplished career in journalism has endured more than 50 years, earning him a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. He was also voted TV Guide’s most trusted news anchor 11 years in a row. The well-respected journalist thanked all the players that have supported the news system, from advertising agencies to production houses.

“It gives us the confidence to do the kind of news we know we have to do — independent, in an atmosphere of no fear, no favour — and to deliver the stories for audiences that really matter to Canadians,” he said.

Robertson’s successor, Lisa LaFlamme, will take over on Sept. 5. LaFlamme, who is excited to tackle the new role, expressed her gratitude for his guidance.

“He has truly helped me to prepare to deliver the kind of commitment to Canadians for which he will forever be known,” she said. “It is this man that has taught me so much, not just about news judgment, but about longevity in this business and, most importantly, about leadership.”

Rare peregrine falcons get local love shack

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Two peregrine falcons perched across from the Harlequin Enterprises building in Bayview have added a new addition to the family: a female baby.

The two parent falcons, Quest and Kendall, were originally spotted last April nesting adjacent to the Harlequin Enterprises headquarter near York Mills Road and Don Mills Road.

They were first spotted by Harlequin CEO Donna Hayes. “I was sitting in my office just before dusk when I saw a bird fly around the corner. I thought that’s just not any bird,” Hayes recalled. “So I got my binoculars out.”

She saw Quest perched on a ledge. Convinced the bird was a peregrine, Hayes called the Canadian Peregrine Foundation (CPF) and traced Quest’s origins to Rochester, New York — the bird was born there in 2008. Soon after, Harlequin spotted Kendall. The foundation traced his beginnings to a ledge on King Street in Toronto where he was born in 2009.

Marion Nash, director of CPF, said there are only 16 nest sites in southern Ontario. Once peregrine falcons mate, they tend to mate for life and will return annually to the same location. Nash said there are records showing peregrine falcons nesting at the same place for up to 15 years.

Hayes said Harlequin is excited to have the falcons become part of the family. Several employees have given donations to the CPF.

Hayes also said she has been inundated by messages from her authors and readers. Many are avid birdwatchers. “It’s been really fun to see the reaction.”

Regarding Quest and Kendall’s baby — born approximately one month ago — she aptly has been named Harlequin. The Ministry of Natural Resources banded the baby on June 21, meaning she can now be tracked throughout her lifetime.

Religious college buys St. Joseph’s site for expansion

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Tyndale University College and Seminary has purchased the home belonging to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto on Bayview Avenue for $40 million, putting an end to concerns from local residents that portions of the lot will be sold to residential developers. “The previous time the sisters decided to look at their property, they [considered] selling pieces of it off, which would create new subdivisions,” said Ward 24 councillor David Shiner.

St. Joseph, which is just south of Steeles Avenue, has long been a neighbourhood staple. The lot is 23 hectares and includes a chapel, a Catholic high school and wide open space. But, recently the sisters decided to move into a smaller property on O’Connor Drive in East York. “The facility we’re in now is too big for us,” said congregational leader Sister Thérèse Meunier.

St. Joseph began as an educational institution when the sisters came to the city — a legacy Tyndale is more than happy to continue. “There’s a great synergy between the two institutions and we really do appreciate them,” said Tyndale’s president and vice-chancellor, Gary Nelson.

With the student body increasing 20 per cent this past year, Tyndale needed to move into a bigger space. At 380,000 square feet, the size of the campus will be more than doubled and is expected to be completed in 2013.

The expansion was made possible by the university’s Uncommon Ground initiative, which raised $44 million for its capital campaign project.

As for the new site, the grounds will stay relatively the same. Although there won’t be any major construction as of yet, the money raised will go toward renovations, such as making the space more accessible, having the building operate year round and enhancing academic programs.

In addition, the university would like to make the grounds more public. “We envision a chance for people to use the campus. As we would say in our language, ‘It’s a God thing,’ ” Nelson said.

Anger over North York dog park continues to grow

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The future of an off-leash area in Ledbury Park continues to divide the community after the City of Toronto made a final decision to remove the dog park altogether. Most recently, locals held a rally, and dog owner John Conway made an official appeal. “This is a place where dog owners meet,” said Conway, regarding the park northwest of Avenue Road and Lawrence Avenue. “We are the most intensive users, no two ways about it.”

The decision to remove the off-leash enclosure was made last month by city parks general manager Brenda Patterson. It came about after locals refused to agree on relocating the off-leash area to the park’s centre.

According to local Jennifer Gould, the centre is often used by children, and a large contingent of neighbours would have been upset had the dog park been moved. “This is where our children play; it’s where we have our toboggan hill,” said Gould.

According to Coun. Karen Stintz, problems with the dog park surfaced in 2009. That was when members of the Toronto District School Board approached her, informing her that part of the dog park was on school land. They needed it returned within 10 years to accommodate renovation plans. The city held a meeting where it was suggested that the park be moved. As momentum grew, more locals came forward to object.

According to Carol Cormier, a city parks manager, it got to the point where a decision just had to be made. “This had gone on since 2009. We have had three public meetings, and at the end, we had no solutions. We just had to make a decision.”

To compensate for the loss of the park, the off-leash area at nearby Woburn Park will be upgraded. Additionally, a dog park will open at Yonge Street and York Mills Road, at G. Ross Lord Park and at Earl Bales Park.