The Broadway Area Residents Association has released an email from City Councillor Jaye Robinson addressing concerns raised during the October community consultation meeting regarding the 1802 Bayview Avenue development application (Bayview Car Wash).
In her message, Councillor Robinson expresses gratitude for the active participation and thoughtful comments from the community. She strongly opposes the proposed 46-storey tower, citing its unprecedented height, which exceeds local limits and raises concerns about shadows, infrastructure strain, lack of affordable housing, and insufficient parking spaces.
Residents are encouraged to share their concerns directly with City Planning staff. For more information on how to get involved in the OLT process, please contact BARA at broadwayareara@gmail.com.
From: Councillor Jaye Robinson Councillor_Robinson@toronto.ca
Date: October 20, 2023 at 4:31:33 PM EDT
To: Councillor Jaye Robinson Councillor_Robinson@toronto.ca
Subject: 1802 Bayview Avenue – Community Consultation MeetingDear Friends and Neighbours,
Thank you to everyone who participated in City Planning’s community consultation for the 1802 Bayview Avenue development application. I was very impressed by the strong turnout and thoughtful and detailed comments. Once again, I would like to thank BARA – the Broadway Area Residents’ Association – for their leadership and advocacy. For more information on this proposal, please visit the Application Information Centre.
As you will know from my remarks at the meeting, I am strongly opposed to the development application for 1802 Bayview Avenue. The proposed height of 46-storeys is unprecedented for the area and far exceeds the permitted height limits in the Yonge-Eglinton Secondary Plan.
My job as your City Councillor is to represent you and make sure that residents’ voices are heard in the City’s planning process. I heard your excellent comments and I share your concerns including, but not limited to the:
- Height: At 46-storeys, the proposed tower is more than 10 storeys taller than the upper limit of the height range for the area and far exceeds what is appropriate for the lot. I know that many immediate neighbours are concerned about the shadow impacts of a tower this size.
- Infrastructure capacity: This application is the ninth active development proposal in the area and the seventh tall building. I share your concerns with local infrastructure capacity, including schools, parks, community services, daycares, and the impact this development will have on local traffic congestion.
- Lack of affordable housing: In response to your questions about affordability, the applicant shared that their proposal includes zero affordable units.
- Parking: I agree that 38 resident parking spaces is completely unacceptable for 419 units and I share your concern that the tower’s residents will park on adjacent streets.
As you know, the applicant has circumvented the City’s development review process by submitting an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). I am disappointed that the applicant appealed to the OLT at the earliest opportunity, before any community consultation had taken place. The applicant’s apparent indifference to the interests of this community is particularly concerning given the overwhelming size and potential impacts of their proposal.
The OLT – formerly known as the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) – is a quasi-judicial Provincial body that makes the final decision on planning appeals in Toronto. I have been a vocal opponent of the OLT and its influence over the City’s planning process throughout my time on City Council. Unfortunately, the majority of new developments constructed in Ward 15 have been appealed to and approved by this unelected, unaccountable body. You can access more information on the OLT process, here.
If you haven’t already, I would encourage you to share your concerns directly with City Planning staff. Angela Zhao, the planner with carriage of this file can be reached at Angela.Zhao@toronto.ca, and I would suggest copying the Director of Community Planning for North York, David Sit, at David.Sit@toronto.ca. Please also copy my office on any correspondence related to this application.
If you are interested in getting involved in the OLT process, I would strongly encourage you to contact BARA at broadwayareara@gmail.com.
Thank you again for your continued engagement on this application.
Warm regards,
JayeJaye Robinson
City Councillor | Ward 15 – Don Valley West
Toronto City Hall | 100 Queen Street, A12 | Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
416-395-6408 | councillor_robinson@toronto.ca | www.jayerobinson.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/ councillorjayerobinson | Twitter: @JayeRobinson
