228 wilson avenue

PROJECT ADDRESS: 228 Wilson Avenue (Wilson and Clyde, next to Temple Sinai)

CURRENT USE: Vacant land – ½ acre

PROPOSED USE: 17 Storey Rental Apartment Building

DEVELOPER: Veradoc/Greenwin Properties

228 Wilson.jpg

Background:

In 2014, a 108-unit condo was approved by the City under by-law 1071 for this site. The by-law approved a 17-story/57-meter building with 108 units and 130 parking spaces (five underground levels). The property was never developed and has been sold twice since that time with Veradoc/Greenwin being the current owner.  In 2017 a revised plan was submitted which requested a 17-storey/57-meter-high building with 131 rental units and 4 levels of below-grade parking providing 110 spaces versus the requirement of 154.  The City deemed that the changes were minor and fit within the by-law approved in 2014. Any changes could be managed through the Committee of Adjustment. The application has been dormant since 2017.

Revised Proposal:

In November 2020, the developer Veradoc, submitted updated plans for the site. The plan includes 131 units at a height of 57 meters, with four levels of underground parking. Total parking provided would be 82 spaces for residents and 12 spaces for visitors, for a total of 94.

Issues for our Community:

  • The primary issue is pedestrian safety in the area. Access to transit eastbound to the York Mills Station is on the south side of Wilson. This will result in pedestrians jaywalking across four lanes of Wilson to the bus stop.

  • Parking is insufficient for the size of the building. Overflow parking will spill into the streets off Clyde Avenue as well as to adjacent businesses.

  • Access to the building will be off Wilson Avenue. This will increase traffic flow considerably on this busy street.

  • The building is a family-oriented building with very little outdoor parkland included on the site or in the immediate vicinity.

Actions by Upper Avenue Community Association:

  • In January 2021, a letter sent to City Planner and Councillor Colle outlining UACA issues regarding this development. A meeting has been requested.

  • City Planning requested the applicant review the gross floor area and provide an updated traffic study.

  • In 2018 we sent a letter to Councillor Carmichael-Greb to oppose re-application for the site (new developer) to increase number of units with less parking.

  • We monitored file through the period of 2015-2018.

  • In 2014 we retained the services of a lawyer to challenge this application due to its height. A by-law was passed approving the building but the developer agreed to have a site working group to allow the community to contribute to the overall design/aesthetics of building. Although the by-law was approved, the building was not built.