Sometimes, opposition to a big building doesn't work that well.
Just
ask the residents of Ward 13, in the general vicinity of 1844 Bloor West, who don't want a new eight- and 14-storey U-shaped condo built on Bloor. The original opposition focused on the decision to put the 14-storey tower right up against Bloor Street. But then the developer,
Daniels, and the architect,
Donald Schmitt of
Diamond Schmitt, agreed to turn it around so the tallest part of the building is now recessed, with the two eight-storey prongs meeting Bloor. More recent opposition has focused on the glass—either for its reflective properties creating a glare, or its presumed energy inefficiency. Some critics have also suggested the proposed number of parking spots is too small.
The proposal was originally made in 2010, and according to
Councillor Sarah Doucette, the current design fits the city's requirements, having already received approval from staff.
After a public meeting last Tuesday evening, with about 80 residents in attendance, it was clear there was still a vocal, if potentially small, opposition to the project, which would be the first large condo building directly facing the park.
"I referred it back to staff and the committees," Doucette says. "I've agreed to have another community consultation, but 80 people yelling isn't going to do anything. We need a smaller consultation group to see what the developer will allow us to do. I'm not sure the developer will allow us to do anything now, frankly."
Doucette says she's sympathetic with the concerns of those residents of 22 Oakmount, the 17-storey building owned by
WJ Properties, the same company that owns the site that Daniels is proposing to develop. They would be directly behind 1844 Bloor West and their views of the park would be obscured. In Doucette's view, they also form the majority if not the entirety of current opposition. But Doucette is not particularly sanguine about them retaining any say in the matter whatsoever.
"Because this has been deferred, Daniels has every right to go to the OMB," she says, referring to the Ontario Municipal Board, "and at that point, it's completely out of my hands and it's completely out of the city's hands what happens to that site."
Writer: Bert Archer
Source: Sarah Doucette
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