Community groups have reached agreement with SmartCentres on the company’s planned development for lands north of Wicksteed Ave. The settlement was hammered out earlier this week in advance of North York Community Council’s decision to approve the shopping-commercial development. The large odd-shaped shopping and commercial project dubbed the Salamander by some had been opposed by the Leaside Property Owners’ Association and Leaside Unite. The understanding to cease opposition was based on SmartCentres recognition of the community concern about traffic, landscaping, lighting and the support of local retail businesses with shops on main streets in the area. A sum of $110,000 will be given to the community groups as administrators to assist with such things as a traffic study of the area. The projected Business Improvement Area for South Bayview will be given $25,000 of this amount to assist in pushing that goal to fruition. Another $25,000 will be dedicated to identifying heritage sites in the Leaside area.
