Swansea Community Meeting
Stelco Development – Site Form & Aesthetics, Environmental & Landscape
Committee
Chair: Barry Brooks
Present: Jamie Bell, Lina Volpe, Paul Dider, Hanifa Mamujee, Bernard Dunn, John Quinn,
John Davies, David Moore, Helen Aitkin
Site Design Presentation (John Davies):
- Two Towers on West Block
This option would require towers to be taller to maintain density. Views would be
better, but in terms of Real Estate, the risk would be greater.
- Two Towers on West Block – One Lower Tower on East at Windermere
By positioning a 15 storey tower on the east block at Windermere, only two towers would
be on the west block. Townhouses would be built on the east block. The positive
implications of this design would be better views; more open space; more room for parkland
on the Ellis corner; townhouses would be more compatible with the housing immediately
north of Queensway. This design would give a different character to the development.
Under consideration for the townhouses is a "casita" style. This would
involve one step-down unit, with two narrower units on the upper floor. There would be an
identical set of units on the back. Elevator access to parking would be through a corridor
separating the front and back units. The townhouses would be two-thirds the height of the
existing building.
Joy Station
John Davies said that REON is prepared to help with moving the Joy Station. Barry Brooks
said he would get an estimate on the cost. One resident asked about REON’s opinion of
the Fred Victor Centre, which is planned to be six storeys. John responded that it has
been approved at City Council, and there is not much that REON can do about it. He said he
would speak to Jane Naiman (Planner for south of Gardiner) and also Peter Zimmerman at
"LetsBuild" (City of Toronto).
Water Factor
One resident asked whether there should be any concern about groundwater, especially under
the high-rises. She wanted to be sure there would be no impact on the buildings north of
the site. John said water would not be a factor. The site would be back-filled. Barry
asked how deep the bedrock is under the site. John said fifteen metres average.
Design Features
There was a discussion of some design features under consideration, and input from the
residents on their design likes and dislikes. Under consideration is a terrace effect on
the upper six storeys of the towers. Materials will not be steel and glass (like
Palace Pier). Townhouses will have a traditional look, in keeping with the neighbourhood.
The towers will be more conservative. John pointed out the example of the detailing on the
Novatel Hotel, which he thought had "character". One resident said she liked
that design, and that it looks very European. She stated that a well designed development
would be really "nice for the area". Another resident said he thought the
overall look was important. With the reconfiguration of the towers, the park area on Ellis
can now be larger.
A question came up about the plans for the old Stelco office building. There was a
general sense that the building had some historic significance. It is in bad condition,
its location is not good, and leaving it in place would make it impossible to make some of
the desired changes such as improved waterfront access. John said he would talk more with
the historical society, and that REON was more interested in keeping parts of the
building. The wood planks from the ceiling could possibly be used as landscape elements in
the park.
Barry asked about the overhead walkway. It would be removed.
The Hydro transformer on the Kingsway side cannot be removed, nor can the sub-station
on the north of the Queensway. However, there are plans to screen the Kingsway
transformer. John pointed out an example of a screened transformer on the corner of
Wellington and John. Also, the transformer right on the Stelco site will be removed and
replaced by a smaller transformer on a pole on an interim basis. The final transformers
for the development will be in an underground vault.
John pointed out that an acoustic engineer is being hired. There will also be vibration
studies, shadow studies, as well as view-line studies. A resident noted that people living
as far away as Riverside Drive will consider the towers "in the way", and
suggested that REON have an answer for them as well. John said that REON is now preparing
aerial photos. Barry asked that REON show the view corridors in the plans to be submitted.
A resident requested that at the next meeting he would like to see sectionals and
street-scape designs.
Next Steps
The Traffic Consultant is scheduled to complete his report the 15th of
November. John will request that it be completed by Nov. 13, so that it can be circulated
and addressed at a joint Traffic and Site Plan Working Group meeting on Nov. 15. There
will be a meeting of the larger community group on Nov. 22. The intent is to submit an
application two weeks after the Nov 22 meeting.
After the application is filed, Barry will circulate it to various City departments to
get input. John pointed out that it will take until the end of March, approximately, to
review, critique and amend the plan, and that there would be continued communication with
the community throughout this process.
Next Meeting - Joint Transportation and Site Design – November 15, 7
pm Town Hall |