By
Carrie Brunet
NEXXT Development Corp. Seeking Input for Local Community Into
Development
The old abandoned commercial site off Keele Street, known as the
Canadian Tire Site, will be the home of 700 new residential units
residents were told at a meeting Wednesday night.
NEXXT
Development Corp. presented to the Dundas West Residents Association
their plans for the site, which they recently purchased
from Canadian Tire.
Although there are no architect’s drawings or official site
plans for the land, the developer met with residents early in
the process for consultation. “It’s a tight community,” said project co-coordinator
Kevin Rachman. “It’s important in the Junction to
have this consultation.”
Patricia McSherry, member of the resident’s association,
said she’s relieved that the vacant site is being developed
and is cautiously optimistic that the developer will consider
the residents’ concerns.
“They’re smart to start consulting now,” McSherry said. “They
could have a huge battle on their hands.”
According to Pino DiMascio of Urban Strategies, the consulting
group retained by NEXXT, there are no plans to keep the site
commercial. An overall plan for the land would consist of some
at grade commercial spaces and one or more condominium towers.
Furthermore, as part of NEXXT’s purchase agreement, Canadian
Tire will continue to operate their gas station on the site. Residents
raised concerns about the potential height of the development,
street parking, traffic, and the density of the plan.
In order to accommodate 700 residential units, the developer
would have to seek approval from the city to increase the zoning
from
three times to four and a half times density. Currently the land
is zones to accommodate 500 units. However, the DiMascio said
the plan is open to community input and is still in its preliminary
stages.
Councillor Chris Korwin-Kuczynski said he’s glad that the
developer is taking these preliminary steps.
“I’ve made it clear to them that it’s not going to
be a one shot deal,” Korwin-Kuczynski sail. “I want
to see something happen on this land, but it has to fit in the
neighbourhood.”
Residents with concerns are invited to contact Rachman at 416-537-5144
ext. 24 or by e-mail at Kevin.rachman@nexxtcorp.com.
