Recently revealed plans to transform the TTC commuter parking lot located on the northwest corner of Yonge Street and York Mills Road into a 450,000-square foot, eight-storey office building have raised early concerns for some in the community.
The announcement came after Build Toronto, an arm’s-length agency tasked with realizing the value of city-owned land, submitted an application to have the official plan amended and the site rezoned. Coun. Karen Stintz expressed concerns about the proposed size of the building and loss of public parking.
“I’d like to see the plan amended before we bring it back to the public,” she said. Leanne Lewis, past president of the York Mills Valley Association (YMVA), echoed these concerns and said her organization would like to see that the design reflects the “urban-meets-rural” character of the neighbourhood and serves as a model of architectural excellence.
“It’s an important intersection, not just for the neighbourhoods around the intersection, but for the whole city,” she said. “It makes a first impression for people coming off the 401.”
Coun. Stintz said she and councillor Cliff Jenkins will be holding a June 3 meeting to update the community on the status of the plans. Derek Ballantyne, chief operating officer for Build Toronto, said his agency hopes to reach a workable solution through the public consultation process that will follow.
The TTC has entered into talks to lease the building and relocate its head office there, a move that drew sharp criticism from mayoral candidate George Smitherman, among others. Build Toronto also identified a 54-acre site next to Downsview subway station as a priority for development that is set to include a mix of office, retail and residential space.
