Facts about Eglinton Connects
City Planning has received comments, questions, and phone calls from residents and concerned citizens about Eglinton Connects. The nature of some of these calls is concerning, as several of them reference misleading or incorrect information. For more than 2 years, the Planning Study Team has worked to involve you in the process and keep you informed about goings-on and how you can get involved. Today, we are writing you to make sure you have the right information.
Below are some of the common questions City Planning has received in the last two days regarding Eglinton Connects. As always, more information is available at toronto.ca/eglinton.
What components of the Eglinton Connects Planning Study are before Council July 8-9?
Official Plan Amendments and Site and Area Specific Policies are before Council today or tomorrow. These amendments set the tone for further study in the Focus Areas, set out where laneways will be required over the long term through new development, and propose changes to land use designations. The full Staff report is available here. This information was previously sent to you via an e-update from the Study Team on June 16, 2014.
The streetscape plan (the plan for how the street will look, how it will function, the width of sidewalks, street trees, bike lanes, etc) was passed unanimously by Council on May 6, 2014.
Through Eglinton Connects, will all of Eglinton Avenue have only 1 travel lane in each direction?
No. The corridor is 19km long and for 11km the LRT will be underground. For this portion (roughly from Black Creek Drive to Brentcliffe Road), an Environmental Assessment was conducted as part of Eglinton Connects, and it was approved at Council on May 6, 2014. This Environmental Assessment generally tailored the street to the local conditions, but most of the future roadway will be four lanes, with turn lanes at selected intersections. However, a 3 lane cross section was approved for about 1.5km of the corridor, roughly between Avenue Road and Mount Pleasant. This means one lane in each direction for continuous traffic flow, plus centre lane for turning movements as well as permanent parking in indented bays. For more information on this, download the Staff Report, or visit the ‘Questions’ section of the website (Materials > Questions > Transportation Study FAQs).
Are houses going to be expropriated to create laneways?
No. New laneways or laneway widenings will occur only through redevelopment and will be placed within the 7.5m. setback distance between a future building fronting Eglinton and their rear property line. The intention of laneways is to create a great street on Eglinton by providing a place for loading and servicing to take place at the back of the building, rather than the front.
Are laneways intended to act as arterials for Eglinton or otherwise accommodate through traffic?
No. Laneways will be designed for local servicing and access only.
Are houses to be demolished to encourage new development?
No. However, on 2 properties (6 Sanderstead Avenue, and 9 Croham Road), an Official Plan Amendment is being put forth as a ‘test’ or ‘demonstration’ that would allow for a developer to purchase the home (if the owner is willing to sell), and use the home for a laneway, landscaping, or parking. This would allow the property fronting on Eglinton Avenue to be built taller closer to Eglinton, and transition down in scale to the neighbourhood in behind.
Thank you once again for your involvement and participation in the Study. Stay tuned for more updates regarding zoning, which should be coming shortly.