Local residents fear that recent developments on Bayview Avenue that were rejected by city staff and Toronto City Council but subsequently approved at the Ontario Municipal Board may have paved the way for townhouses on York Mills Road. According to local Mitchell Shnier, a developer’s agent informed the St. Andrew’s Ratepayers of a planned application to build 11, three-storey townhouses on York Mills Road, three blocks west of Bayview Avenue.
“It’s completely unacceptable to be doing that,” Shnier said. “It’s against the zoning. Nobody driving by, nobody that owns houses nearby would want it to happen.” Beyond the issue of compatibility, Shnier identified aesthetic, privacy and setbacks as key concerns with respect to townhouses. In light of the time and money required to fight these applications individually, his group teamed up with other local residents’ associations and went to city staff and the local councillor to see if anything could be done to deal with them more comprehensively.
Steve Forrester, a senior planner for City of Toronto: North York District, confirmed that the site is currently zoned for detached single-family homes and would need to be rezoned to permit townhouses. But, under the official plan, this area has a neighbourhood designation, which does allow for townhouses. If a rezoning application came forward, Forrester said, it would be measured against a number of policies.
“One of the criteria is that new development should respect and reinforce the existing physical character of the neighbourhood,” he explained.
When applications for townhouses on Bayview Avenue started coming in north of Sheppard Avenue, challenging the city’s policies there, it conducted a study of the area. It’s something the city could consider doing here, Forrester said.
Coun. Jaye Robinson could not comment on the anticipated application, as she was not approached by the developer’s agent.
