32 Storey Shops on Steeles plan may be OMB bound

Developers intent on transforming a Thornhill shopping centre into a controversial high-rise community recently filed an appeal with the Ontario Municipal Board.

“The decision was not made lightly at all,” said Maria Gatzios, planning consultant for Bayview Summit, of the filing. “We really felt that the opportunity on this site was being lost.”

The revised plan, first submitted by Bayview Summit Development Ltd. in October 2007, seeks to transform the 18-acre Shops on Steeles and 404 site into a mixed use development with retail, restaurant and office uses, as well as 1,787 residential units. The majority of the residential units would be within five buildings ranging in height from 18 to 32 storeys near Highway 404 on the eastern portion of the site. 

Despite changes from the original proposal, including fewer residential units and towers, some area residents are not satisfied with the changes or how residents’ input had been received.

“They never responded to any of our objections,” said Fred Webber, president of the German Mills Ratepayers Association, who described the plan as totally incompatible with the neighbourhood.

“We were just treated as a necessary evil. We were not listened to one bit by the developer.”

Concerned about issues, including traffic and density, Webber and group had sought for a six-storey height limit and one times coverage limit to be imposed on any development on the site.

“That’s just not a reasonable position to be at for this site,” Gatzios said regarding the limits.

Coun. Erin Shapero agreed with Webber.

“In terms of infrastructure, this area was never designed for this type of residential density, and neither the sewer, water and transportation is in place for something of this size and scale,” Shapero said. “It’s totally out of the question.”

Despite the distance separating the two sides, Webber said that he was hopeful a compromise could still be reached.

Neither side wants to end up at a hearing, Gatzios agreed.

Webber said that his group had not yet made any hard decisions regarding their participation level should the matter ultimately go before the OMB.

Hearing dates at the OMB have not yet been scheduled.

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