Chair: Councillor David Miller, Brian Brooks, City of Toronto Planning

Attendance: 21 people

Barry Brooks presented background on City of Toronto’s Official Plan

Highlights:

Stelco designated mixed industrial and residential

Note that in the Swansea Sub-plan the site is designated Industrial

Section 9 specifies:

• Density allowance 2 times site area residential, 1 times commercial. Total 3 times site area
• Street-related services
• Greenspace and parkspace
• Historical preservation if significant
• Height limit now 18 metres, based on City rezoning, which incorporated an appeal by SARA of the suggested limit of 23 metres

The Stelco location is seen to be a highly visible site - gateway to the City of Toronto, and extension of Swansea and of High Park.

Considerations re the site development - parking, traffic, environment, railroad, community services, noise, recognition of community values.

Harry Pellow (REON) showed an aerial photo of the current site along with a drawing of the concept of the development. Harry Pellow and John Davies (REON) presented some of the highlights:

• Traffic flow, enhancement of the two access portals to the Lakeshore
• Need to improve width of portals, make more suitable to pedestrian and bike traffic
• Trees and vegetation will be planted to cover the railway and mask noise
• Windermere portal now hemmed in by the walls of the plant. When the plant is removed the portal access will be broadened, well-lighted and landscaped
• Access to the development will be 3 – 5 portals
• No "wall of buildings"
• Combination of single-family detached, townhouses and apartments. Stacked townhouses at the front – at soft edge. Pedestrian-friendly site
• Commercial operations (e.g. medical, other services) on east
• Higher density on west side, including towers – anticipated 2 – 3 buildings
• Disruption of lake view will be minimized by placing them at south of site, leaving a space between N Queensway dwellings and the towers equivalent to 2 – 2 ½ football fields. This will also minimize shadows. Careful placement of towers will largely preserve vistas and provide view corridors. Note that footprint of the towers is just 12 – 13% of site.
• about 800 units - will include some senior housing
• Ground cover will be both hard and soft
• Parking underground
• Traffic studies will be done – consultant just engaged
• Park on the Ellis corner, with the portal connecting it to the lake. Will take into consideration the nature of Grenadier Pond and the City property to its south. Note that Gartner Lee, the firm that did the Grenadier Pond reclamation, is a consultant to the project
• Ferris Quinn, the firm that worked on the Humber River reclamation, has been engaged as Landscape Architect
• Concept of "neighbourhood development" – not a gated community. Pedestrian access through site, with lots of green and open area. "Soft-edged community"

A resident stated that he had called GO and they stated that GO was designed for longer distance between stops. David Miller stated that he had also talked to GO, and that GO has been considering building a station in the west end. Further contact will be made with GO.

David had to leave, and asked Brian Brooks chair the remainder of the meeting.

Question and Answer Period

Question: How high will the towers be?
Answer: 15 – 25 stories

Question: What about additional public parking in the site?
Answer: None. No visible parking. 1.25 units per residence plus about 10% visitor space.

Question: What uses planned for the space at ground level of the towers?
Answer: Meeting spaces, lobbies, amenities, day care. Possible public access. Also, outdoor recreation areas.

Comment: Concern that the Ellis corner is now a hangout for patrons of the Meow Club and that this could continue if the corner is turned into a park.
Response: The Ellis Park would be designed as a public space, family-friendly, with lighting and would try to discourage unauthorized night-time use.

Question: How many stories for the low-rises?
Answer: Three stories on west side, five on east.

Question: Why not reverse?
Answer: Will consider.

Comment: School is already 130 students over-capacity, with eight portables.
Brooks response: Board of Education could oppose the development on that basis. Important to address this and keep the communication open.

Question: Anticipated completion date?
Answer: Phase I should begin in 2002. Completion in another three to five years.

Next Steps

Jamie Bell suggested meeting in a couple of weeks to look at detailed visuals. Request several different models for consideration. After the next meeting smaller focus groups to consider different specific areas would probably be appropriate. Then, two – four weeks after that a public meeting would be in order.

Next meeting October 11, 7:30 – 9:00 pm.

Notes prepared by TeleCommons Development Group