Article about Scenic 3
Council rejects 98 extra condo units in Eglinton and Don Mills project
Aspen Ridge expected to make appeal to OMB
East York Mirror
ByLisa Queen
Toronto Council has turned down a bid to add 98 units to a future East York condo building.
Council approved Don Valley West Councillor John Parker’s motion that resulted in the units being rejected in the yet-to-be-built third tower in the Aspen Ridge “Scenic on Eglinton†development at 160 Vanderhoof Ave. southwest of Eglinton Avenue and Don Mills Road.
“This development has origins dating back about two decades. It was approved in a settlement at the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board) well before construction activity began on the two towers that have now been built,†Parker said in an email newsletter.
“Under the existing settlement agreement, the developer has approval for the construction of three towers having a total of 965 dwelling units.â€
The first two buildings, which are completed, have 747 units, meaning 218 units could be built in the third phase of the development featuring the third tower, Parker said.
However, the developer asked the committee of adjustment to permit 316 units in the third building, which would have resulted in a total of 1,063 units, and also requested a reduction in the ratio of parking spaces, he said.
“At my request, Aspen Ridge attended a public meeting that I arranged last summer at which its proposal was brought to the attention of the neighbouring residents and business operators. Aspen Ridge explained its intention to fit more units into the existing building dimensions by reducing the average size of each one,†Parker said.
“That is to say, its proposal did not involve enlarging the dimensions of the building itself; it proposed reducing the size of the units within it. The argument that Aspen Ridge emphasized in support of its proposal is that current market conditions favour small condominium units.â€
The issue came before the committee of adjustment on Sept. 25.
“I submitted a somewhat sharply worded letter urging that the proposal be rejected and that the developer be held to the terms of its existing agreement,†Parker said.
“Given that I am none too pleased with the original permission to build three high rise towers in the first place, I do not see it in the interest of our community to accept a proposal for 18 storeys of dwelling units each the size of a Rosedale walk-in closet. I was pleased that in this case the Committee saw things my way. It declined all requested variances.â€
Aspen Ridge has appealed the committee’s decision to the OMB.
Council voted at its meeting last week to defend its position at the future hearing.
Has anyone heard about this?????