Residents at 3636 Bathurst St., within the Lawrence Heights revitalization area, were dismayed to learn that they may soon have 427 new neighbours, should a proposal to redevelop the site be approved.
The preliminary proposal, submitted by Pinedale Properties Limited, seeks zoning bylaw amendments to permit a new 19-storey apartment building, as well as nine- and seven-storey buildings at the existing 19-storey apartment building. As well, the applicant proposes retail space on the ground floor of the nine-storey addition and a two-storey amenity centre to connect the two 19-storey towers. The development would increase the number of units from 225 to 652.
Both residents and the local councillor believe that the proposal is not suited to the neighbourhood.
“I think it’s too much,” said Coun. Josh Colle. “It’s very much a low-rise [area], and it’s a mix of schools and synagogues and seniors’ homes. We need to make sure that whatever is proposed fits in with the fabric of the neighbourhood.”
David Nitkin, of the Four Quadrants Neighbourhood Alliance, said four of their members live in the existing building and are concerned a new one will block their view of a park and increase traffic on already-congested Bathurst Street.
“Residents in that complex have been done very poorly [by management]” Nitkin said. “The management is atrocious, there is no upkeep, there are cockroaches and a lack of maintenance. What you have is piecemeal development at the whim of developers. You have a huge reintensification taking place, and the community is not consulted.”
However, the applicant’s lawyer, Adam Brown, said his client went through a preliminary meeting with the community and city staff. “We listened to comments and came in with the [current] application,” Brown said. “My client has an excellent reputation with their tenants.… It’s an application we think is a great infill for the area,” he added.
Coun. Colle said the next step is a public meeting with the community.