There’s nothing new about the over-development, intense construction and congestion in our Yonge-Eglinton neighbourhood. As many of you know, the rejection by Ontario Minister Steve Clark of the Midtown in Focus plan, as adopted by the City of Toronto, dealt a blow to our hopes for more manageable development in our community. However, we are continuing to challenge developers who consider defying the principles of Midtown in Focus, as approved by the City, and insist that they respect the extraordinary community efforts that produced that plan.
The RRA recently met with the developers of 55-65 Broadway to review their site plan and determine an effective construction management strategy. The meeting was coordinated by the office of Josh Matlow and included city planners. You are likely aware that this development involves two towers of 39 stories each, one a rental building and the other a condo tower. Notices have been given to residents to move out by March 31, 2020. Demolition will likely begin mid-summer, early fall 2020 and construction will about three years. Although the heights and density of the buildings is a foregone conclusion, the RRA is working hard to ensure that construction disruption is minimized and that the areas surrounding the finished development provide green space and meet landscaping requirements.
We also met with the developers of 89-101 Roehampton and 39-41 Roehampton, along with city staff and staff from Josh Matlow’s office to discuss construction management and enforcement of parking, stopping and general signage issues. Although we have good communication lines with these builders, the lack of enforcement of these issues means we must report on the many infractions. If anyone is interested in helping us out in monitoring these, please let us know at: RepublicResidents@gmail.com
Another development that we have been involved with is the St. Monica’s Church plan to build a new church with a 44-storey tower behind it at 40-44 Broadway Ave. We met with the developers and expressed our objections to the height and density of their proposal. We anticipate continuing to meet with them as well as with the city planners working on this project along with staff from Jaye Robinson’s office (since the north side of Broadway is in her ward).
