A $17 MILLION dollar offer to fund a community centre in exchange for approval of a controversial development at the Shops at Don Mills was rejected on Oct. 1 by city council.
Reactions — from both residents and councillors — were mixed. “We were not only disappointed,we were shocked,”said Terry West, of Don Mills Residents Inc. West, whose group supported the offer, said that the money could have been used toward an integrated multi-use centre to replace the aging Civitan Arena.
“We find it extremely hard to understand why council could turn down an offer for $17 million at a time when the city has no money,” West said.
Simone Gabbay of Don Mills Friends said the rejection was a relief.
In addition to worries of increased traffic and density, Gabbay and her group were concerned that the conversion of 75 The Donway West — currently housing many area health care providers — would have a negative impact on area residents.
“Obviously [council] recognized the wisdom contained within the pages of the planning report,” Gabbay said. Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong, who voted against the offer, said the decision was difficult.
“It came down to a community centre and approving an application that represented exceedingly bad planning,” he said. Kim Beckman, a partner at law firm Davies Howe Partners, who represent Cadillac Fairview, said the outcome was “very disappointing.”
Beckman added that with council’s rejection the $17 million offer is now off the table as the matter goes to the OMB. Hearings are scheduled to begin on April 6, 2010.
The Cadillac Fairview proposal called for a mixed-use development of six buildings with heights up to 26 storeys and 1,300 units.
