New Leaside LRT stop on southeast corner of Bayview and Eglinton 📷 Metrolinx
Leaside station is being designed and constructed with additional structural elements to accommodate a future residential or office building 📷 Metrolinx
There’s renewed evidence this week that Metrolinx intends to sell off lands on the southeast corner of Eglinton Ave and Bayview Ave for the construction of a high-rise building along Bayview. This concern was flagged as early as 2015. The project would presumably rise over the new “Leaside” LRT station and on the quadruplex properties to the south. The Leaside Residents Association released information Tuesday that eviction notices have been sent to the residents of 1783-1785 Bayview, the northernmost of the ten quadruplexes on Bayview between Eglinton and Parkhurst (“Talbot Quads”). Metrolinx owns this property. It notes:
- The LRA is concerned for several reasons:- Forced dislocation of tenants in a pandemic, though we understand that moving and housing assistance will be provided, with a June departure date (i.e. not in the winter);
- The property to the south (1779-1781 Bayview) is owned by a developer (Condor), and we understand that Metrolinx is selling the building to it;
- The property to the north – Leaside Station – is built to enable future development above it, namely “additional structural supports … and a layout that allows the entrance to remain operational during any potential high-rise construction”.
- Municipally, the property is zoned for 4 storeys. However, the province is frequently using Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs), which circumvent local planning decisions.
