Bayview Glen residents are objecting to plans for a two-storey place of worship at 378 Steeles Ave. E., west of Laureleaf Road. To replace the single detached dwelling currently on the site, the applicant requires a zoning bylaw amendment as well as site plan approval. Complicating the matter is the concern that Tai Chi classes, with the goal of health and fitness, will be the main use, rather than a place of worship.
At the last public meeting, town planning staff responded to this, noting that the facilities would be used for religious purposes, as per the applicant’s Canada Revenue Agency designation. Residents, however, are not convinced. The Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism is the stated applicant. But the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Canada, which the preliminary staff report states will provide the Tai Chi component at the facility, is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency as a charitable organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of health. The society’s website identifies the groups as sister organizations.
Toinette Bezant, spokesperson for the Bayview Glen Residents Association, would like to see the application resubmitted to name both groups and to clarify their roles and activities. She feels that the primary use would be that of fitness-based Tai Chi classes, based on what she has observed of a Dickson Hill Road location. Town of Markham Bylaw Enforcement was expected to look into the activity at this facility.
Adam Brown, a solicitor for the Fung Loy Kok Institute, stressed that Tai Chi is integral to the Taoist religion, which is aimed at cultivating the mind and body.
“People seem to want to create a distinction where there is none,” he said. Classes will not be available to the public, only Taoists, he explained.
“I’m somewhat shocked by some of the comments,” Brown said. “Staff had confirmed a long time ago the extent of the use.”
In the event that the application is approved, the preliminary town staff report recommends including specific clauses in the zoning bylaw amendment to restrict uses to that of a place of worship, and appropriate accessory uses.
However, residents recall earlier infractions at the site, including building without a permit, that prompted legal action by the Town.
The Fung Loy Kok Institute originally applied to renovate the existing dwelling. Based on the feedback from residents, it went back and worked with staff to come up with the latest plans. Beyond the issue of use, Bezant feels the proposal is incompatible with the neighbourhood.
“It’s not suitable to convert a single residential property into a place of worship,” she said. Local councillor Valerie Burke echoed her view, saying that the plans would represent overdevelopment in the area.
“It’s cantilevered on stilts to accommodate the parking,” she explained.
In the town of Markham, religious institutions are held to the highest level of parking standards. The Fung Loy Kok Institute does not anticipate more than 15 to 20 people attending the building at any one time. Its plans provide for 30 parking spaces.
“We have more parking than I’ve seen on any religious facility I’ve dealt with in the province of Ontario,” Brown said. With respect to size, he noted that the site is located on Steeles Avenue. Nevertheless, given their experiences with other local religious institutions, residents are worried about the potential for overflow parking on residential streets.
A statutory public meeting is scheduled to occur on May 10. At this point, the application may be approved or sent back to staff for review.
Eventually, Brown believes the proposal will go through. “I’m confident council will do the right thing and approve it,” he said. “I’ve dealt with a number of religious institutions.… It’s as modest a proposal as I’ve seen.”