Town of Markham staff have recommended the approval of an application to build a cantilevered two-storey place of worship at Steeles Avenue and Laureleaf Road, but local councillors are confident it will not be approved.
Concerns that the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism’s primary use of the facility would be for commercial Tai Chi health and wellness classes previously sparked a bylaw investigation at the applicant’s Dickson Hill Road location that has yet to conclude. The staff report, slated to go to Town of Markham Council late last month, recommended approval with the condition that Tai Chi classes, for which a fee is allowed to be charged, be limited to an accessory use. However, local councillors remain opposed to the plans.
According to Coun. Howard Shore, residents have asserted that the applicant’s revenue is derived primarily from Tai Chi classes. “If council deems this to be a commercial operation, then it is not zoned accordingly, and should be denied. I believe this will be denied,” he said.
Adam Brown, counsel for the institute, was approached by Mayor Frank Scarpitti and Coun. Valerie Burke in a meeting where the idea of another location was suggested. Brown confirmed that should the application be turned down, his client would exercise their right to appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board.
According to Burke, the proposed place of worship is not consistent with the neighbourhood. “They’re trying to squeeze the building in there; it’s cantilevered to accommodate parking. I feel that isn’t compatible,” she said. “It’s a square peg in a round hole.”
Additional concerns of traffic congestion and building design from Bayview Glen residents have also been raised.
“It’s just not consistent with the official plan to protect the unique character of the neighbourhood,” said Toinette Bezant of the Bayview Glen Residents Association. “They are proposing a stilt form, which we have never seen anywhere, let alone in Markham.”
