This popular car wash may someday be a 6 story retirement home and the first of several new developments along this stretch Dundas ST West between Runnymede and Scarlett.
Below is a summary of Toronto Staff report 07 112712 WET 13 OZ
The Etobicoke York Community Council will be reviewing the proposal during the February meeting. To view the entire report please following this link.
http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2009/ey/bgrd/backgroundfile-18540.pdf
Proposal
The application proposes to amend the former City of York By-law No. 1-83 to permit a 6-storey, 8,663 square metre, mixed use building. The proposed development includes 118 residential units with 104 square metres of roof top amenity space, and 770 square metres of retail space on the ground floor. A total of 84 parking spaces will be provided on two levels below grade with 18 spaces being proposed for retail users, and 66 for tenants and visitors.
Zoning
The property is zoned Commercial Employment. Although the zoning category permits a range of industrial, commercial and retail functions it does not permit the proposed residential use.
The existing zoning provides for a height limit of 20 metres and the proposed height for the site is 6 storeys at 16.8 metres.
Built Form
The applicant has revised the proposed form and setbacks of the building to respond to staff and community concerns. The final design provides an additional setback along Dundas Street West, to accommodate enhanced street tree planting. Additional setbacks have been achieved at the street corners, and the building has been set back at the sixth floor level to provide terracing to the south.
To better integrate with the character of the surrounding neighbourhood, the proposed building materials were revised to include red and buff coloured brick cladding. An informal meeting of nearby residents, held by the local councillor, supported the revised appearance.
The proposed building is generally setback 10.0 metres from properties to the south. Outdoor amenity areas are provided at the east and west ends of the building, at the sixth floor level.
Streetscape and Landscaping
The proposed building provides for retail commercial uses at grade. The applicant has indicated theirintention to target future uses to the occupants of the senior’s building. Doors will open onto Dundas Street West, where a 1.60 meter setback will improve thepedestrian environment through the accommodation of street trees and the creation of a 4.45 metre sidewalk.
Posted by Martin L,
4 Comments
Judging from the application, it looks like it's going to be a red brick modern building. The brick will integrate it into the neighbourhood, but it might not be the bland and conservative architecture typical of retirement residences.
Retail by the street will be a plus. It's also a good height for the location. This proposal seems to be doing a lot of things right.
I completely disagree. The design of the building is terrible!!!!! Apparently the architect has been building this type of "institutional subsidized" style since the 1970's, hardly modern– a total lack of good taste. This type of building does not reflect the neighbourhood at all. Something more in line with the new hospital would be a 100% improvement or the nice buiding at bloor and islington. The height will create a massive shadow on the north side of dundas. Not to mention that this building is supposed to be a seniors building– no green space– little amenity space. What a disappointment.
do you know the name of the architect?
The new hospital is a bit of a disappointment. Decent brickwork but cheap mouldings, and not much innovation or ambition at all. Did you see the siding clad mechanical box on the roof? It looks awful looming over the streetscape on Dundas. From the renderings it looks like the parking will be surface, taking about from greenspace, and it'll have a drive up, to the inconvenience of the pedestrian. Simply placing a parking lot in front of houses is a bad idea, and that's most likely what will happen, since the old building is to be demolished.
I have my doubts on the supposed shadows when this is only six storeys. You do raise a good point about the institutional look; some setbacks and more glass would have added more flair. It could be monolithic.
But your claims about the architect, Jerome Markson are misguided. Take a look at his portfolio, he's done lots of great work and won accolades. In fact, he designed one of my favourite midrise projects in the city from the 1980s, Market Square. Some of his buildings have been mediocre, but some terrific.
See this: http://www.jeromemarksonarchitect.com/media.htm , and browse projects.