Toronto 1370 Neilson | 32.16m | 6s | Dymon | Global Architects

[artyboy123]

Development comprising of a 6-storey self-storage facility.

DevApp link: http://app.toronto.ca/AIC/index.do?folderRsn=Iy51xHWS8siQ5c2dDX403g==

Taken from the development application:
" The proposed self-storage use will offer self-storage services in a state-of-the-art facility which includes climate control; full 24-hour access; advanced security monitoring; fully enclosed loading and unloading areas; and free truck and driver services. Furthermore, a Dymon retail use is proposed at-grade which provides self-storage solutions for personal belongings. The Dymon retail offers full solutions for organizational needs of businesses which include document storage and management services, on-site shredding service, and in-house full service moving experience. Lastly the Dymon retail use will offer on-site organization and storage products, as well as large assortment of moving supplies such as eco-friendly plastic bin rental services."

Some pictures below:

The current use of 1370 Neilson Rd as of right:

 

[Northern Light]

Setting aside our collect joy at construction of another self-storage facility; and our awe at the inspiring architecture...............

This proposal caught my attention for its intrusion into the adjacent forest area.

The bulk of that forest is City owned; and named McLevin Woods.

The portion within the red lines noted above belongs to the proponent here, and a chunk of the natural area will be removed.

However, after reading the Arborists report, the Tree Protection Plan, and the Natural Heritage Impact study, this doesn't come out as particularly bad news.

The majority of the plant loss will be Manitoba Maple, a non-native invasive; and Trembling Aspen and Staghorn Sumach, which while native and nice, are common plants that will reproduce from their remnant colonies on site.

What's good here is that a Ravine Stewardship Plan has been produced, and a portion of this forest should see all of its non-native invasives removed; and a number of new native plantings introduced.

Should that occur, the forest might be fractionally smaller than before, but likely in better health.

From the tree preservation plan:

Planting List ( all native)

Yellow Trout Lily would be lovely to see, it's a spring ephemeral flower (here and gone before the leaves are fully out)

Tends to require higher quality and somewhat moist soils.

They look like this:

Taken from: https://www.tennesseenaturescapes.com/all-plants-a-z/trout-lily-erythronium-americanum

This picture gives a sense of scale (the flowers are fairly small and close to the ground)

Taken from: https://www.hikingnb.ca/images/US-WS-MD-Gold/index.html#/view/ID486942

 

[Northern Light]

Well........in Malvern................this project has attracted NIMBYs....

A company wants to build the ‘Ritz Carlton’ of storage facilities in Scarborough’s Malvern community. Residents are fighting back

Residents are skeptical as to whether Ottawa-based storage company Dymon will benefit the community in any way.

www.thestar.com

From said article:

But if the Dymon proposal is approved, "it would be a tragedy,”“ Podolska said. “I would lose my trust in our government because a lot of things are happening during the pandemic and it should not be decided during this time.”

My my.......

 

[UtakataNoAnnex]

It really should be a no brainer that the proprietors of this project would be arranged to be good stewards for the majority remaining of this forest upon the agreement of building here.

...meanwhile, that sea of surface parking lots surrounding this site needs to be topped, pruned and tailed, IMO.