Last Wednesday night [April 30] I attended a meeting at Dovercourt United Church organized by Councilor Mario Silva to inform the community about the proposed development at Dover Square (730 Dovercourt Road). In attendance were Mario Silva, David MacKillop of City Planning and several other members of the city planning department. My notes are a little sketchy but I'll try to convey the gist of what was discussed. Hopefully my summary will be supplemented and/or clarified by others.

Sterling Silver Development is the owner of the three high rise buildings just south of Bloor and Dovercourt. They have applied to the city for a zoning change to allow the construction of several additional buildings on the existing site. One is a tiered high rise building with one section being approximately 17 floors, the other approx. 12 floors. This building would be situated to the north of 730 Dovercourt. In addition they propose to build street edge townhouses along the north side of Hepbourne between Rusholme and Dovercourt, and along the east side of Rusholme between the two existing buildings. The development comprises a total of 187 additional units, with an estimated occupancy of 4-500 residents.

Two sets of diagrams were on display to depict the proposal.

David MacKillop explained that his department is required to respond to the submission within 90 days writing a report for the Community Council which would detail the planning department's initial observations of the proposal and the attitude of the surrounding community to it. He stressed that this report was not a recommendation for or against the proposal. This is a good thing since the city has done no studies on the project's potential impact to local services (roads, parking, schools, transit).

Councilor Silva indicated that although this report would not make recommendations that the tone of it would have an impact on Community Council, who will meet on May 6 to consider it. Councilor Silva also stressed that he is dead set opposed to this development and encouraged residents to oppose it. The tone of the meeting was of this sentiment.

Some residents expressed concern that if we simply oppose the development entirely that the developer will have no incentive to engage with the community or even the municipal planning process, and will simply appeal whatever decision the city renders to the Ontario Municipal Board. For those unfamiliar with it, the OMB is a provincial body whose decisions override any local planning decisions. It is a notoriously pro developer body which has been stacked with Harris conservative appointees.

These residents felt that it was important for us to stay at the table with the developer, who according to Councilor Silva and others do not have a good record in dealing with local communities. Dover Square tenants who attended the meeting stated that they are currently fighting the buildings owner over large rent increases.

A new high density development will undoubtedly have a significant impact on our community and already heavily burdened local services (anyone try getting on the Dufferin or Ossington buses during rush hour recently?) Some small scale infill housing, i.e.: townhomes, 5-6 story apartments could be a welcome addition to the neighbourhood by increasing the supply of rental stock while blending in with the overall character of the neighbhourhood.

Councilor Silva has indicated that he will be holding another information meeting, possibly with a representative of the developer in attendance in the near future.

I would encourage members of the community to engage with this process by attending upcoming meetings, contacting local politicians and city staff, discussing the issue with your neighbours and on the list serve.

I do believe that a well-run apartment building with lots of parking is both good for the neighbourhood and the city. Building there is exactly what the city is trying to do.. Put residences on the subway lines, get the TTC more solvent. It also releases pressure on developing the lands outside of Toronto and destroying nature even more. Cities should be dense so that we can afford good services. I really believe that.

Sandra,
You've given some good reasons for increasing density downtown. But why build highrises? Low-rises are more human scale, less isolating and alienating, more likely to allow people to meet and participate in activities in the surrounding community. And isn't there a contradiction in your call for "lots of parking" and getting the TTC more solvent? Why have lots of parking along a subway line, anyway?

In the 70s, I think, there was a huge fight in this neighbourhood against a company that wanted to build highrises marching all the way from Dovercourt to Dufferin. Neighbourhood groups had the foresight to defeat them, but not before the company tore down beautiful houses on Dovercourt and Rusholme and built the unlovely buildings there now. I've lived near those buildings for 25 years and rarely meet the people who live in them. I think it's just too many people for a neighbourhood to absorb.

There's a good summary of the neighbourhood's struggle against highrise developers here: "Bloor-Dufferin in Pictures" by Cynthia Patterson, Carol McDougall, George Levin (all former staff of Bloor Gladstone Library, I believe). Published by Toronto Public Library Board, Local History Handbook No. Five, 1986. It has some terrific old pictures of our neighbourhood, plus a good history. I've got one, if anyone wants to borrow it.

The following is text of the minutes from the last community council meeting, re: 730 Dovercourt, as well as the message I received from David MacKillop at City Planning. Should these be posted to the web site in their entirety? I've asked David to clarify the precise status of the application. I'll keep you posted.

730 Dovercourt Road - Preliminary Report; Application to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law No. 438-86;

Sterling Silver Development Corporation (Northgrave Architect Inc.)(Ward 18 - Davenport)

Preliminary Report (April 16, 2003) from the Director, Community Planning, SouthDistrict, regarding an application to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-lawNo. 438-86, as amended, to permit a terraced 12 to 17-storey apartment building and17 townhouse units; seeking Community Council's directions on further processing of the applications and on the community consultation process; advising that there are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report; and recommending that: (1) staff be directed to schedule a community consultation meeting together with the Ward Councillor;(2) notice for the community consultation meeting be given to landowners and residents within 120 metres of the site; and (3) notice for the Public Meeting under the Planning Act be given according to the regulations under the Planning Act.

A Preliminary Report was before Humber York Community Council yesterday and it was received. A copy is available through the City Clerks office (Glenda Jagai 394 2516 or gjaga@toronto.ca) or through the City web page (toronto.ca) and the link to Accessing City Hall - agendas - Humber York Community Council.

Essentially, it authorizes us to have further community meetings and report to Community Council on the application. It also notes the concerns we have with the proposal including such things as height and density, traffic, parking, access and loading, impacts on community services etc.

The applicant has submitted revised plans for our review. Those plans were shown at the meeting you attended (ie 17 and 12 stories + townhouse units). However, those have not been formally submitted for our consideration and circulation to other departments for review.

We are holding a general meeting for all tenants on Monday May 26th at 6:30pm sharp at the Bloor-Gladstone Public Library. The main topic of discussion will be the June 19th hearing on the new 6.9 % rent increase.

However, we will also be talking about our second annual day of rally and protest - Saturday June 14th -- where we also plan on addressing the new building project. We would like that event to be a rallying point for all people in the neighbourhood opposed to the building project. That means getting representatives from neighbourhood groups and beyond to speak at the rally in our courtyard, but also to bring along information, banners, and so on.