Toronto 1303 Yonge | 154.93m | 47s | Aspen Ridge | BDP Quadrangle



1257-1303 Yonge Street - Community Consultation Meeting

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
(UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

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Host

Chris Pereira

Agenda

The City has received a revised Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment application to allow a mixed-use development consisting of two towers, 43 and 47-storeys in height (142 and 151 metres respectively) with a total of 832 residential units, and 1,283 square metres of non-residential floor space. The proposal also includes a new 366 square metre public park.
 
(June 2022) Meeting went pretty well and also ended early, which I have personally never seen happen during a community consultation before...
I think it'll be smooth sailing for this one.
Imma guessing the "smooth sailing" for the 11-Storey / 102-Unit version will NOT be repeated tonight for the 40+ Storey / 800+ Unit proposal during the Community Consultation.
 
From bullpen and batory (as of Q4 2024) -

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According to this article, City Council approved it (along with others) last month:

https://storeys.com/toronto-housing-development-approvals-june/

"....here’s a look at the six high-rise proposals that got the green light from Council in June.

The first iteration of redevelopment plans for 1255-1311 Yonge Street came in 2022, when a proposal to construct an 11-storey mixed-use building with retail and office spaces was submitted to the City. A revised application was then submitted in October 2024 — this time with the inclusion of 1251 Yonge. This version of the proposal, which comes from an entity known as 1303 Yonge (ARH) Developments Ltd., includes a two-tower development with heights of 43 and 47 storeys, at-grade retail space, and on-site parkland dedication. For its residential part, the plans call for 832 units."

And a bit more detail on the overall look of the buildings on the last page of the planning report:

 
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It was too good to be true that this part of Yonge Street would have a dignified, pedestrian-friendly height. Another heartless, Hong Kong-style building to loom over the neighborhoods, the schools, the parks and otherwise alienate Torontonians.
 
It was too good to be true that this part of Yonge Street would have a dignified, pedestrian-friendly height. Another heartless, Hong Kong-style building to loom over the neighborhoods, the schools, the parks and otherwise alienate Torontonians.
Snoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooze...
 
It was too good to be true that this part of Yonge Street would have a dignified, pedestrian-friendly height. Another heartless, Hong Kong-style building to loom over the neighborhoods, the schools, the parks and otherwise alienate Torontonians.
If it weren’t for the disproportionate protection yellowbelt “neighbourhoods” get, there wouldn’t be sufficient development pressure to generate 2 x 40+
 
It was too good to be true that this part of Yonge Street would have a dignified, pedestrian-friendly height. Another heartless, Hong Kong-style building to loom over the neighborhoods, the schools, the parks and otherwise alienate Torontonians.

It will be more pedestrian friendly than it is today. The redevelopment comes with new retail, a small park, and wide planters with lots of trees along the road. It's a complete dead zone today with zero animation in this stretch with the existing building. Also comes with 800+ new residents who will help the struggling retail in this area.
 
What is pedestrian friendly height? I'm not one for tall projects in suburban settings, but this is just south of Yonge and St. Clair, and a short walk to two subway stations...
 
What is pedestrian friendly height? I'm not one for tall projects in suburban settings, but this is just south of Yonge and St. Clair, and a short walk to two subway stations...

@Tuscani01 above is entirely on point.

But to answer your question, in general, streetwall height being more intimate (4s or less) generally creates a cozier vibe as opposed to a more canyon vibe and measurably induces more pleasure walking.

Overall all height, (assuming any tower is setback) is much less of a visual issue when it comes to pedestrian environment, but tall buildings do create wind issues in particular and potentially shadow issues, which can make walking less pleasant.

That is not to suggest every building needs to be short, or that podiums can never exceed 4s, merely that that tends to have a negative impact which requires mitigation; and failing that, one wants to see offsetting benefit that exceeds any negatives.
 
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