Toronto 1 Sumach | 120m | 35s | Block | gh3

[lomeri]

I don't know what Block's 'ask' is going to be here, or what the Councillor would like for the City...........but this lobbying file is extraordinary for the amount of contacts.....

From just one lobbyist, I count over 60 contacts since last June, that's roughly 1 every 3 working days.

Tbh I would just move it to Lawrence Harris Square. It’s all rocks there anyways and would probably fit.

Graffiti art the concrete at the bottom and it would be an awesome spot, steps from Corktown common.

 

[DSC]

Passed by TEYCC 22 February:

TE11.34 - Accommodating Affordable Housing and Retail Space at 1 Sumach Street​

Consideration Type: ACTIONSchedule Type: DelegatedWard: 13 - Toronto Centre

Origin​

(February 20, 2024) Letter from Councillor Chris Moise

Recommendations​

It is recommended that:

1. Toronto and East York Community Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to report back to Toronto and East York Community Council no later than the June 11, 2024 meeting about a plan for a stratified stop-up and closure of a portion of the Sumach Street related to proposed development at 1, 2-16 Sumach Street (application #21204556STE13OZ), and to engage with the applicant and report back on the following issues:

a. adequate loading for commercial purposes;

b. a parking study to demonstrate whether parking and ridesharing is required for commercial uses and how any such need will be accommodated, as well as visitor and accessible parking; and

c. access for the City to maintain the elevated structures for Adelaide Street East and Richmond Street East from Sumach Street.

2. Toronto and East York Community Council direct the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services in consultation with the General Manager, Transportation Services, to report back to Toronto and East York Community Council no later than the June 11, 2024 meeting detailing the alternate sequential steps and approvals, inclusive of relevant timelines, that would be required to effect a full stop-up and closure of the Sumach Street right-of-way with the intention of relocating the underground utilities under Sumach Street.

Summary​

I am writing to request your support in advancing discussions around the use Sumach Street in Ward 13 to accommodate an ongoing development application for 1, 2-16 Sumach Street (application #21204556STE13OZ). By allowing the developer, Block Developments, to either cantilever over or build on Sumach Street, the site would become feasible for new affordable housing and potentially a much needed retail use in the Corktown neighbourhood.

This portion of Sumach Street, sometimes colloquially referred to as “Old Sumach Street,” is a dead-end street that runs north of Eastern Avenue. The proposed development would include properties on both sides of Sumach Street, and the inclusion of the City’s right-of-way would create a large enough floor plate and potential value to Block Developments to create significant community benefits, specifically affordable housing. The community has also long been a “food desert” without a major grocery store in close proximity to many homes. A larger floor plate accommodated the inclusion of Sumach Street would make a grocery use potentially feasible here.

Despite the positives, City staff have noted some issues with Block Development’s proposal. There is existing infrastructure under this portion of Sumach Street that would necessitate long-term City access, which would require resolving how tall the strata would need to be to allow a cantilever over the road. In addition, this section of Sumach Street does currently allow access to two underpasses to the north of the site, and staff have asked that that be retained. Alternatively, the applicant has been asked to explore the relocation of infrastructure under Sumach Street to allow for the full closure of the road.

There are also issues around access and loading for a potential retail space that need to be resolved. In the event the road remains a City-owned asset, there will necessarily be individuals who will require the ability to pick-up/drop-off at the new building. Staff have also expressed a desire to understand if and how parking could be accommodated. Importantly, they have raised issues with accommodating deliveries to the site to service any retail uses. These are all issues that are proper to resolve before proceeding with this development application.

This request therefore has two parts that seek to move this discussion forward in a timely manner. One set of recommendations is intended to have City staff work directly with the applicant to try and resolve the outstanding concerns related to cantilevering over Sumach Street and accommodating a retail use. Recognizing that work may result in a preferred option to instead close the road, the second part of these recommendations is intended to provide clarity to the City as to how that can proceed. By reporting back on these two options, Toronto and East York Community Council can provide further direction to City staff as to how to proceed.


NOTE: The motion was amended, but it is not yet on City website how.

NOW IT IS:

Motion to Adopt Item as Amended moved by Councillor Chris Moise (Carried)
That the date of June 11, 2024 be deleted and replaced with the date of July 10, 2024 so that it now reads:

1. Toronto and East York Community Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to report back to Toronto and East York Community Council no later than the July 10, 2024 meeting about a plan for a stratified stop-up and closure of a portion of the Sumach Street related to proposed development at 1, 2-16 Sumach Street (application #21204556STE13OZ), and to engage with the applicant and report back on the following issues:

a. adequate loading for commercial purposes;

b. a parking study to demonstrate whether parking and ridesharing is required for commercial uses and how any such need will be accommodated, as well as visitor and accessible parking; and

c. access for the City to maintain the elevated structures for Adelaide Street East and Richmond Street East from Sumach Street.

2. Toronto and East York Community Council direct the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services in consultation with the General Manager, Transportation Services, to report back to Toronto and East York Community Council no later than the July 10, 2024 meeting detailing the alternate sequential steps and approvals, inclusive of relevant timelines, that would be required to effect a full stop-up and closure of the Sumach Street right-of-way with the intention of relocating the underground utilities under Sumach Street.

 

[Northern Light]

Passed by TEYCC 22 February:

TE11.34 - Accommodating Affordable Housing and Retail Space at 1 Sumach Street​

Consideration Type: ACTIONSchedule Type: DelegatedWard: 13 - Toronto Centre

Origin​

(February 20, 2024) Letter from Councillor Chris Moise

Recommendations​

It is recommended that:

1. Toronto and East York Community Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to report back to Toronto and East York Community Council no later than the June 11, 2024 meeting about a plan for a stratified stop-up and closure of a portion of the Sumach Street related to proposed development at 1, 2-16 Sumach Street (application #21204556STE13OZ), and to engage with the applicant and report back on the following issues:

a. adequate loading for commercial purposes;

b. a parking study to demonstrate whether parking and ridesharing is required for commercial uses and how any such need will be accommodated, as well as visitor and accessible parking; and

c. access for the City to maintain the elevated structures for Adelaide Street East and Richmond Street East from Sumach Street.

2. Toronto and East York Community Council direct the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services in consultation with the General Manager, Transportation Services, to report back to Toronto and East York Community Council no later than the June 11, 2024 meeting detailing the alternate sequential steps and approvals, inclusive of relevant timelines, that would be required to effect a full stop-up and closure of the Sumach Street right-of-way with the intention of relocating the underground utilities under Sumach Street.

Summary​

I am writing to request your support in advancing discussions around the use Sumach Street in Ward 13 to accommodate an ongoing development application for 1, 2-16 Sumach Street (application #21204556STE13OZ). By allowing the developer, Block Developments, to either cantilever over or build on Sumach Street, the site would become feasible for new affordable housing and potentially a much needed retail use in the Corktown neighbourhood.

This portion of Sumach Street, sometimes colloquially referred to as “Old Sumach Street,” is a dead-end street that runs north of Eastern Avenue. The proposed development would include properties on both sides of Sumach Street, and the inclusion of the City’s right-of-way would create a large enough floor plate and potential value to Block Developments to create significant community benefits, specifically affordable housing. The community has also long been a “food desert” without a major grocery store in close proximity to many homes. A larger floor plate accommodated the inclusion of Sumach Street would make a grocery use potentially feasible here.

Despite the positives, City staff have noted some issues with Block Development’s proposal. There is existing infrastructure under this portion of Sumach Street that would necessitate long-term City access, which would require resolving how tall the strata would need to be to allow a cantilever over the road. In addition, this section of Sumach Street does currently allow access to two underpasses to the north of the site, and staff have asked that that be retained. Alternatively, the applicant has been asked to explore the relocation of infrastructure under Sumach Street to allow for the full closure of the road.

There are also issues around access and loading for a potential retail space that need to be resolved. In the event the road remains a City-owned asset, there will necessarily be individuals who will require the ability to pick-up/drop-off at the new building. Staff have also expressed a desire to understand if and how parking could be accommodated. Importantly, they have raised issues with accommodating deliveries to the site to service any retail uses. These are all issues that are proper to resolve before proceeding with this development application.

This request therefore has two parts that seek to move this discussion forward in a timely manner. One set of recommendations is intended to have City staff work directly with the applicant to try and resolve the outstanding concerns related to cantilevering over Sumach Street and accommodating a retail use. Recognizing that work may result in a preferred option to instead close the road, the second part of these recommendations is intended to provide clarity to the City as to how that can proceed. By reporting back on these two options, Toronto and East York Community Council can provide further direction to City staff as to how to proceed.


NOTE: The motion was amended, but it is not yet on City website how.

A reminder for everyone here, what's being discussed above, which is the ability of the developer, 'Block' to go cantilever over 'Old' Sumach street:

I really need to see what they have in mind here.

A conventional cantilever here would create a pretty unwelcoming space, I think, and would certainly remove any residual context for the heritage, were that preserved.

I'm pro-affordable housing, and could be flexible on what's done here, but its a big 'ask'. No wonder there's been so much contact between Block and the City.

For all the work likely to be involved (strata negotiations and/or relocation of infra.), I question the sanity of all involved here, LOL

But hopefully, there's something sufficiently ambitious to justify that.

 

[rdaner]

Space for a grocery store. Interesting! And this could be an opportunity to do something interesting with either cantilevers or columns. Too bad Alsop is no longer with us as he would know what to do! Lol

 

[Northern Light]

Space for a grocery store. Interesting! And this could be an opportunity to do something interesting with either cantilevers or columns. Too bad Alsop is no longer with us as he would know what to do! Lol

IF, the intent were to accommodate a supermarket here, and the City bent over for that; I would want to see a Letter of Intent to lease from a prospective chain.

A couple of condos have built spaces that were intended for grocers then found themselves unable to lease them.

 

[DSC]

Motion amendments now on City www.

Motion to Adopt Item as Amended moved by Councillor Chris Moise (Carried)
That the date of June 11, 2024 be deleted and replaced with the date of July 10, 2024 so that it now reads:

1. Toronto and East York Community Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to report back to Toronto and East York Community Council no later than the July 10, 2024 meeting about a plan for a stratified stop-up and closure of a portion of the Sumach Street related to proposed development at 1, 2-16 Sumach Street (application #21204556STE13OZ), and to engage with the applicant and report back on the following issues:

a. adequate loading for commercial purposes;

b. a parking study to demonstrate whether parking and ridesharing is required for commercial uses and how any such need will be accommodated, as well as visitor and accessible parking; and

c. access for the City to maintain the elevated structures for Adelaide Street East and Richmond Street East from Sumach Street.

2. Toronto and East York Community Council direct the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services in consultation with the General Manager, Transportation Services, to report back to Toronto and East York Community Council no later than the July 10, 2024 meeting detailing the alternate sequential steps and approvals, inclusive of relevant timelines, that would be required to effect a full stop-up and closure of the Sumach Street right-of-way with the intention of relocating the underground utilities under Sumach Street.

 

[ben.thebean1]

A reminder for everyone here, what's being discussed above, which is the ability of the developer, 'Block' to go cantilever over 'Old' Sumach street:

View attachment 542864

I really need to see what they have in mind here.

A conventional cantilever here would create a pretty unwelcoming space, I think, and would certainly remove any residual context for the heritage, were that preserved.

I'm pro-affordable housing, and could be flexible on what's done here, but its a big 'ask'. No wonder there's been so much contact between Block and the City.

For all the work likely to be involved (strata negotiations and/or relocation of infra.), I question the sanity of all involved here, LOL

But hopefully, there's something sufficiently ambitious to justify that.

If you take a look at the title image on the database page, the plaza you're looking at, where the cyclists are going, is Sumach. The rendering is looking from slightly to the left of where your streetview screenshot was taken

 

[Northern Light]

If you take a look at the title image on the database page, the plaza you're looking at, where the cyclists are going, is Sumach. The rendering is looking from slightly to the left of where your streetview screenshot was taken

I know.

Thing is, we're not getting that design.

That's why we need to wait and see what comes back.

 

[1Ć0]

Tristan Downe-Dewdney registered to lobby for this site on behalf of Block - https://www.toronto.ca/city-governm...egistry-online-search/?SM=SM34545&SMId=152121

 

[DSC]

Tristan Downe-Dewdney registered to lobby for this site on behalf of Block - https://www.toronto.ca/city-governm...egistry-online-search/?SM=SM34545&SMId=152121

If I remember right, he used to work in Wong-Tam's office when she was a Councillor .

 

[Northern Light]

Tristan Downe-Dewdney registered to lobby for this site on behalf of Block - https://www.toronto.ca/city-governm...egistry-online-search/?SM=SM34545&SMId=152121

Block has been the owner here for a bit and lobbying for awhile.

1 Sumach | 120m | 35s | Block | gh3

I left a laugh because I see such concerns as made up problems that only progressive/urbanist minded folks worry about. In the real world, it's not really an issue. Yeah, agreed - people who need access to affordable-housing and workforce-housing rental-units usually have much less of an issue...

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