Chair: Ron Braun

Present: Jamie Bell, Lina Volpe, Norm McLeod, Paul Dider, Peter Swinton, Hanifa Mamujee, John Quinn, David Moore, Leon Kentridge, Helen Aitkin

Jamie Bell suggested: "Identify issues, materials and methods to help the Swinton [sic? probably "Swansea"] Community at large understand the Stelco Development in terms of build form, aesthetics, and landscape."

The Committee will have time to meet three times before the end of November. After that, and at the time REON plans to make application for rezoning, there will be a public meeting. The challenge for the Committee is to adequately represent the community as a whole, and effectively communicate the development plans under discussion.

• at the Coe Hill-Windermere split
• Ellis corner
• from South Kingsway corner south east toward CN Tower
• Windermere corner less critical

Site Layout
Much discussion of the placement of towers, low-rises and townhouses. Considerations in placement include view, and view corridors, but also shadows, streetscape, safety, aesthetics. Open spaces.

General agreement that more density should be on the East side. Suggested placing the 15 storey tower on the east side of Windermere, with a low-rise on the west. (see David Moore’s digital photos). Considerations for increased density on east include parking and traffic.

Questions about where kids will be able to play safely. Importance of set-backs from road.

Preservation of old Stelco Office
On the positive side, there is a need for additional community meeting space. It is significant historically. It has an interesting interior.

On the negative side, it is badly placed, adjacent to the railroad. There is not much left of the exterior, and in bad shape. Discussions of preserving the façade.

Internal Public Road
Some discussion of running a public road through the site. No logical way to do this. There will be some private drive-through, as well as pedestrian walkways.

Hydro Transformers
There are two. One on the north of the Queensway. One on the South Kingsway. Need to clarify and confirm what is the purpose of each of them. Can there be any change? Now that Stelco is gone, can anything be removed or scaled down?

Traffic
Can TTC drop the streetcar rails down? Can something be done to enhance the Windermere square? Cobblestones? Widen corner? Adapt any structures on the corner to enhance the "square" feeling. Like the idea of a boulevard look. Landscaping important along the street.

Note that the TTC stop is badly placed on the Kingsway Bridge. New/alternative stops need to be identified, given the change in density.

Need to communicate site form/aesthetics traffic issues to the Transportation Committee.

Windermere Portal
Both traffic and aesthetic considerations. Need to widen. Need to integrate any modifications of Windermere at the Stelco development with Windermere north and south of the area. A different City Planner is responsible for the area south of the Gardiner (Jane Nyman). Many issues around the site where the Oloco Station is located, and where the Fred Victor Centre is planned. Much enthusiasm for physically moving the Oloco Station. Estimated cost is 20 – 30,000. This would open up opportunities for much better use of the corner, improved traffic flow, and better access to the lakefront. Peter Swinton agreed to talk to the Planner about the feasibility of doing this.

Environmental Considerations
Environmental aspects during construction: What about noise disruption for 3 – 5 years. Has an acoustic consultant been hired to look at changing noise patterns. Discussions of the reflective effect of buildings on noise flow. Noise from the Gardiner could be diminished, increased or changed by the new buildings.

It would be great if REON could design a site that had high environmental standards in terms of building materials, waste management, storm water management. It is understood that soil remediation will adhere to MOE standards.

Need for Visuals
Can REON suggest buildings, streetscapes, developments that may be examples of what might may be built on the Stelco site. E.g., pictures, addresses.

Next Meeting:
October 30, 2000   7 pm Swansea Town Hall