RioCan submitted a revised development application on July 31, 2018 and local residents were shocked to discover that instead of decreasing the density in the course of reviews, as normally expected in a project of this type, it has been significantly increased. The plans also fail to create a new civic plaza for Leaside as requested by residents.
Documents submitted by the developer can be viewed and downloaded from the City of Toronto website.
Why should you be concerned?
- 7 towers – three mid-rise (6, 8 and 10 storeys) line Eglinton Avenue and Laird Drive, and four high-rise (18, 21, 36 and 38 storeys) in the centre and east of the site; four high rise towers instead of three
- Increased density, reduced amount of public parkland, no public plaza
- Total of 1655 units (projected population increase of over 3,000), up from 1435 units – a 15.3% increase
- Issues of traffic, lack of space in local schools, shadowing of neighbourhood remain inadequately addressed
What can we do about it?
- The RioCan at Laird application is supposed to be in line with the City’s Laird in Focus Plan. Laird in Focus is in Proposals stage and there will be another round of public consultation this fall. BE THERE.
- The RioCan Laird application will be coming to City Council for approval in the spring. TELL THE COUNCILLOR TO OPPOSE THIS.
- The RioCan Laird application is already at the Ontario Municipal Board. HELP THE LPOA TO PAY FOR COSTS OF AN APPEAL.
