ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN: What we’ve done so far
NYX Capitol Corporation first made their 3180 Yonge Street application in November 2020. In March 2021. The application went before the North York Community Council, where planning staff first noted concerns that the application didn’t comply with by laws on for height, density, set-backs, space for amenities, parking and other issues.
The Bedford Park Residents Organization sprang into action. We met directly with the developer and opened a dialogue with the City planner overseeing the file (Cathie Ferguson). We have also been in regular communication with Councillor Mike Colle and his staff, as well as Councillor Jaye Robinson, whose district will also be impacted. Joining with neighbouring resident organizations adjacent to the development, we sent a group letter to decision-makers.
In May, we participated in a Community Consultation Meeting with 450 residents with highly negative feedback and significant concerns.
BPRO then quickly mobilized the neighbourhood and membership to participate in a very successful email and letter-writing campaign. As a result, the City and Councillor Colle’s office also received nearly 250 letters of concern.
THE LATEST UPDATE: Developer Appeals to LPAT
The developer did submit revised plans to the city on May 31, purportedly in response to concerns raised by the City and local residents. However, the changes were very minor (for example, the gross floor area was reduced by 2.5%) and the City’s comments make it clear that the Planning office is not supportive of the proposal.
NYX Capitol Corporation has now made a direct appeal to the provincial Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), effectively abandoned the City planning approval process before it’s even complete. LPAT has the option to override Toronto’s municipal by-laws and approve this development with minimal or no further modifications. NYX Capitol Corporation, the City and resident organizations are currently awaiting a case management conference date from the LPAT board.
NEXT STEPS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW
We know our residents are very engaged on this issue and deeply concerned, and we will be keeping residents updated on the latest developments from the LPAT board. BPRO will continue to communicate with influencers, and we have opened a dialogue with MPP Robin Martin.
As a grass-roots organization entirely funded by community donations, we are not in a financial position to spend tens of thousands of dollars to hire a team of lawyers and planners to advocate on our behalf before LPAT. Fortunately, BPRO has access to professionals who are able to provide pro bono advice. We will offer whatever support we can to the City of Toronto if and when a tribunal date is set.
Over the summer and into fall 2021, our Board will be discussing additional activities and community advocacy/engagement options. To receive updates, please make sure you are on our mailing list. Click HERE to join BPRO.
ADD YOUR VOICE
If you feel moved to send an email or letter NOW, below you will find some text that you can use as a starting point when drafting your letter along with the contact information for key decision-makers and influencers on this development.
Please be sure to take a moment to personalize the sample text with your specific concerns.
SAMPLE TEXT TO USE AS A STARTING POINT FOR YOUR EMAIL OR LETTER:
- Community safety is at risk
- The developer is proposing that all traffic to the 109 condos traverse what are arguably some of the busiest roads and sidewalks in Bedford Park. Increasing traffic on the narrow laneway beside Blessed Sacrament Catholic School will be dangerous to their young students. Add to this the congestion created by numerous school busses, car traffic dropping off passengers at the TTC entrance, and the constant flow of pedestrians on this especially busy section of Bedford Park, and this will become an accident waiting to happen.
- Excessive footprint and density
- Essentially the proposed development is too big for the land upon which it sits. It doesn’t meet the required minimum distance from other properties, and the lack of sidewalk space along Yonge doesn’t take into account priorities such as a high-quality walking environment, room to safely distance, or the possibilities of future street-level amenities.
- The current proposal would be 70% taller than the current allowable maximum
- Not only is this a violation of zoning regulations, but a 12-storey building is completely out of scale with the surrounding commercial buildings and community character of Yonge-Lawrence Village. We want to ensure that the developer is considerate of current zoning standards, and does not violate density guidelines and homeowners’ shadow rights.
- Provision for amenities that enhance the neighbourhood
- We would like to see the developer mandated to have features that are both forward-thinking and, at the same time, honour the historic nature of the community. These include: wider sidewalks and provision for restaurant patio space; an increased number of smaller, street-level retail spaces to attract a wider diversity of independent businesses in keeping with our Village streetscape; and consideration for addition of a green space or parkette.
CONTACT DETAILS
Send your email or letter to all of the following influencers.
- To validate your letter, be sure to include your name and address.
- Please c.c. BPRO for our records at info@bprotoronto.ca.
Mike Colle
City Councillor for Ward 8
2952 Dufferin Street
Toronto, ON M6B 3S9
Email: councillor_colle8@toronto.ca
Jaye Robinson
City Councillor for Ward 15
Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West, Suite A12
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
Email: councillor_robinson@toronto.ca
Al Rezoski
Manager, Community Planning, North York
North York Civic Centre, Ground Floor
5100 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M2N 5V7
Email: al.rezoski@toronto.ca
Cathie Ferguson
Planner, Community Planning, North York
North York Civic Centre, Ground Floor
5100 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M2N 5V7
Email: cathie.ferguson@toronto.ca
Carlie Turpin
Secretariat Contact
North York Civic Centre, Ground Floor
5100 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M2N 5V7
Email : nycc@toronto.ca
Robin Martin, MPP (Eglinton-Lawrence)
Constituency Office
2882 Dufferin Street
Toronto, ON M6B 3S6
Email: robin.martin@pc.ola.org