New plans for a 56-townhouse development on the site of 7803 and 7815 Dufferin St. in Thornhill, submitted by Weston Consulting to Vaughan City Council in June, have some residents hoping it could help keep highrise projects in the area at bay.
With the vivaNext rapidway being built just south of the proposed project, the Dufferin Street and Centre Street area is poised for high-density development.
“Most important to the residents in the area, though, is the fact that, if the townhomes are approved, the risk of more intense development is reduced,” said Josh Martow, president of Beverly Glen Ratepayers Association.
For Alan Shefman, councillor for Ward 5, the project has both pros and cons that need to be considered.
“This development, if it should be allowed to go forward will restrict that sort of expansive development at that corner,” he said
“I’m not saying I’m for or against it, but my preference is that [the developer] holds off until we’ve completed our secondary plan to see how that fits into the overall vision for that intersection area,” said Shefman.
Weston Consulting held an open house in June for residents, local businesses and other stakeholders to offer their input about the project.
Joe Greco, owner of the nearby Concord Food Centre, is encouraged by the proposed plan’s potential impact on the area and particularily his own business.
“VivaNext is building a rapidway down the middle of Centre Street, which will create a situation where … no one going east on Centre Street will be able to turn in to our property, and leaving the store they will only be able to go westbound,” said Greco.
“This townhouse development would provide some additional customers to our store and plaza as they could walk there,” said Greco.
Weston Consulting was unavailable for comment at press time.