Developer Diamond Corp. has outlined how discussions with an ad hoc group of 12 Leaside residents changed the proposed “Big Daddy” scheme on the site known as 939 Eglinton Ave E. This explanation took place at a public meeting Thursday night in the William Lea Room of Leaside Arena sponsored by Councillor Jon Burnside (Ward 26) The 939 project is a two-block mammoth which would rise on land occupied by the Dawsco Plaza at the southwest corner of Eglinton and Brentcliffe Road. The original scheme saw a 1,500 unit “City” with four towers of 19, 24, 31 and 34 storeys plus a six-storey office building. That has been scaled back to a development of fewer than a 1,000 housing units, 43 of which will be townhomes. Two towers would start at midrise heights on Eglinton and step back at a 45-degree angle.
TOWERS 14, 20 AND 31 FLOORS
They would begin at seven and nine storeys and rise to 14 and 20 storeys. A third tower on the southwest corner of the parcel will also be angled at 45 degrees away from Eglinton but this time to a height of 31 storeys. The proposal has a new public roadway down the west side of the property, separating the development from the Mercedes dealership to the west. There will also be a wide pedestrian mall between the two towers on Eglinton extending back to the third tower. There is an emphasis of retail development, trees and sidewalks. The treed public pavement on the south side of Eglinton is specified to be 40-feet deep from curb to wall. A large park will occupy the southeast corner of Brentcliffe and Vanderhoof Ave.
DOWNSIZED BUT STILL HUGE
These changes were conceived in discussion with the volunteer residents known as the working group. Participation in this group was solicited by Mr. Burnside who spoke proudly of efforts to make it representative. Discussion with the Diamond planners ranged across many aspects of the development including building finishes suitable to Leaside. In end however, there were questions from the large audience revealing concerns similar to those about the original plan. The development had been downsized but it was still huge. Burnside spoke candidly about the City planning concerns which he did not necessarily share, and the limited authority of the municipality when it is brought before the Ontario Municipal Board. He said it was very much a case of making the best deal possible.
