An approved 20-storey condominium building to be built just behind the RioCan Yonge Eglinton Centre will go before the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) this summer. Locals said they fear the building sets a frightening precedent and that it will bring a loss of quality of life for the affordable-housing residents next door.
“It impacts the availability of light and the view for our seniors,” said Ann King, board of directors chairperson for the Stanley Knowles Housing Co-operative. Stanley Knowles is joined by the Avenue Road Eglinton Community Association (ARECA) in appealing the development, which is slated for the corner of Orchard View Boulevard and Duplex Avenue. ARECA members fear that, because the development will be built at the edge of a residential neighbourhood, it will pave the way for other large-scale developments to encroach on residential areas. “Allowing such a tall building on this site is completely out of the city’s policy,” said Patrick Smyth of ARECA. “There are limitations.” Traditionally, buildings between high-density commercial areas and residential neighbourhoods act as transition pieces, meaning they are smaller than their skyscraper neighbours and impose less on the nearby two-storey homes.
Coun. Karen Stintz admitted that the development approval process had been a difficult one. She also said that just before the proposal was approved by council the plan was changed to make the building taller but slimmer. “The amendments made largely reflected concerns raised specifically by Stanley Knowles,” said Stintz.
According to Adam Brown, lawyer for owner Orchard View Holdings, the developer will continue with approved plans. Brown also said he believes they will have a strong case before the OMB. “This client is honourable,” he said. “We’re not backing away.”
The date for the OMB hearing is Aug. 4.