North York councillors have agreed in principle to an application for a development, at 55 Antibes Dr. (north of Bathurst St. and Finch Ave.), that would introduce almost 200 townhouses on parklands, despite concerns from local residents who were told the development could have been much worse. Submitted by Menkes Developments Ltd., the application was for a zoning bylaw amendment to permit 197 condominium townhouse units, which was approved on Jan. 10 at North York Community Council.
“Like the residents, I have concerns about what would be going on this site,” said Coun. James Pasternak. “The community was put on notice that if the idea doesn’t pass either the current developer or a new one could come back with a 25-storey high-rise, and that could be worse.”
The land, previously owned by the Toronto District School Board and zoned for educational purposes, lies adjacent to Antibes Park, and sparked an outcry from residents.
“Those grounds are well used by residents and their children,” said Margot Levitt, president of the Ridgegate Ratepayers Association. Levitt added that increased traffic will make it difficult to get on to Bathurst Street, already a bottleneck, during rush hours and said she is concerned that basement flooding will increase due to an aging sewage pipe infrastructure.
Pasternak agreed, but said that, when it comes to development in the city, it is important to work with developers, as appeals to the Ontario Municipal Board can relinquish community control.
“We have to be very careful, that, when it comes to applications, we don’t end up with something worse than we were fighting,” he said.
“It’s low-rise density in an apartment neighbourhood,” countered Adam Brown, counsel for Menkes. “It’s not even close to implementing the official plan in terms of height, it’s 20 storeys lower than other buildings surrounding us. I would be shocked if it doesn’t go through.”
The application is slated for Toronto City Council on Feb. 6.
