Toronto City Councillor
Ward 25 Don Valley West

 What is in Bayview Avenue's Future? by Cliff Jenkins, Councillor Ward 25

What should Bayview Avenue look like in the future? Should it be essentially as it is now – largely a stable residential, arterial street with isolated, small pockets of low-rise institutional and commercial uses? OR should it be a street designated for significant high-rise intensification?

The City’s Official Plan would lead you to believe that Bayview Avenue is NOT targeted for intensification. But, what happens when a property developer acquires a Bayview property and applies to put high-rise condominium buildings on it?

This is currently the situation at 1900 Bayview Avenue – the site of the former Chiropractic College. With the departure of the College, the Kolter Property Company, owner of the site, is proposing to change the site’s designation in the City’s Official Plan from “Institutional” to “Apartment Neighbourhood” in order to build three high-rise condominium buildings. If a re-zoning were granted, it would establish a precedent, one which developers could use to justify similar re-zonings on any number of surplus institutional sites to the north along Bayview Avenue and indeed, throughout the entire City.

Sean Aylward, President of the Bayview-Blythwood Ratepayers Association said: “ If this development is permitted, it will mean that an ‘Apartment Neighbourhood’ can be created anywhere a developer wants to build an apartment building, despite the expressed intent of the City’s Official Plan.”

The application has drawn strong opposition, not only from the most affected residents in Lawrence Park, but also from residents groups and community associations from across Ward 25 and in Leaside. Their message is loud and clear – they are gravely concerned about the vulnerability of their neighbourhoods and have serious doubts about the ability of the new Official Plan to protect their community from the unwanted encroachment of high-rise condominiums and other incompatible development, as exemplified by this application.

Not surprisingly however, the City of Toronto Planning Department found merit in the application and recommended that City Council approve the developer’s application. There are three possible steps in the subsequent decision process – 1. consideration by North York Community Council; 2. consideration by full City Council and 3. consideration of a (possible) appeal by the Ontario Municipal Board.

At my press deadline time, the first of these had taken place. The first meeting brought good news for those who wish to preserve the magnificent Bayview community in close to its current form. The application was soundly defeated – on an 8 to 1 vote at North York Community Council. By early December, after press time, the second should have taken place. I stand strongly in favour of preserving our wonderful Bayview community. Both Bayview Avenue itself and its surrounding stable, residential neighbourhoods are treasures in the City of Toronto. I will continue to advocate for measures, which prevent the negative effects of new development on nearby communities.

For the latest news on this development, and others in Ward 25 – from Yonge Street east to Don Mills Road, from Highway 401 south to about Broadway Avenue, please check my website www.cliffjenkins.com. Or call my office at 416-395-6408.