A developer is replacing single family homes along Pharmacy and Kennedy with six storey apartment buildings
Residents in Scarborough Centre have circulated petitions against two proposed housing developments that will transform properties that currently house a single family home on them and construct mid-rise apartment buildings with dozens of units.
“This proposal includes only one visitor parking space and zero resident parking spaces,” says a petition against the development of 978 Pharmacy Avenue. While the lot currently has one house on it, the new plan is to construct a six-storey 25 unit residential building on it.
“This will inevitably force residents and visitors to park on our already busy local residential streets, creating severe parking deficits and immediate traffic and pedestrian safety hazards,” the document continues.
The petition is signed by 57 area residents. Another petition that’s been signed by over 100 residents raises concerns and opposition to a similar project at 898 Kennedy Road. Both of these projects are by the same developer — Tristone Partners.
Councillor Michael Thompson previously discussed the petitions at City Hall, to draw attention to resident concerns.
Under the current housing rules, replacing a single family home with a small apartment building is currently allowed if the building is close to a current or future transit station. That’s the case with these buildings. Newly revised City of Toronto rules also allow such multi-unit buildings to be constructed without a minimum number of parking spaces required.
A similar project also by Tristone Partners recently went to the Committee of Adjustment and received approval to further reduce the requirements.
A proposed building at 910 Pharmacy Road that would include 30 residential units sought an exemption from the requirement to include a single visitor parking space, while having no resident parking.
The project’s submission to the Committee said “the visitor parking shortfall is operationally feasible given the Site’s location on a transit-served Major Street.” They cite the plans for 24 bicycle parking spaces on the property and the nearby 67 Pharmacy bus route as justifications for removing a visitor spot.
The other variance they were seeking was to have the setback rules changed. Normally a new building would need to be setback from the lot line on Pharmacy Avenue by 7.5 metres, but they successfully had it brought down to 3 metres.
Councillor Thompson wrote to the committee requesting they reject these changes.
“The most serious concern remains the complete absence of on-site parking,” Coun. Thompson wrote. “While I acknowledge that the Major Streets zoning framework does not require resident parking, the lack of a policy requirement does not eliminate the very real and practical need for it. A 30-unit residential building will inevitably generate parking demand from residents, visitors, and service vehicles. With no on-site provision, this demand will be displaced onto surrounding local streets that are already constrained and were not designed to accommodate such pressure.”
While these projects are going ahead as-is for now, that hasn’t stopped residents from voicing their concerns.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Toronto is a growing city. How should we be handling new buildings in Scarborough? The rules now allow a lot of construction without local consultation and approval. Does this make sense given the housing crisis? Let us know at info@mpulse.ca and we may print your comments.
