More than three years after 400 residents attended a public meeting to express their worries about a high-rise development in west Pickering, the developer has returned with new plans that could potentially double the size of the proposal, causing one councillor to have “serious concerns.”
375 Kingston Road Corporation submitted an application in May 2022 for two towers, 25-storey and 31-storey, on the south side of Kingston Road at Rougemount Road. Approximately 400 individuals showed up to raise issues regarding traffic, density, and how it might affect nearby neighborhoods.
The developer withdrew the initial application, completed a land assembly that extends the project east to Evelyn Avenue, and is now presenting a revised plan featuring four towers ranging from 31 to 34 storeys.
“I was expecting something different after they met with 400 people,” said Ward 1 Councillor Maurice Brenner. “With all that height on Rougemount Road, this doesn’t address the concerns of the people at that meeting. Those concerns are significant.”
“This new proposal is higher than the original and has a greater impact on the community.”
The developer plans to construct 31- and 32-storey towers in phase one and then add two more towers measuring 33 and 34 storeys during phase two, with two buildings being erected at Rougemount Square where an organic grocery store, butcher shop, dry cleaner, and restaurants currently exist.
The proposal also includes mixed-use office space and commercial areas on lower floors, allowing current retail tenants first dibs on relocating before demolition begins.
“This new application does not address the concerns raised by the community. With no westbound exit from this development site, all vehicles will use a private road exiting onto Rougemount, creating further traffic congestion at this intersection,” Brenner stated while adding that westbound traffic on Kingston Road can only access the site by turning left onto Rougemount.
A new public meeting is anticipated for late January or early February. Brenner is requesting broader notification so residents from both South Rosebank community and Rougemount Drive North community can also be informed.
“I want everyone in the community to know how this development will impact them.”
The initial application by 375 Kingston Road Corporation proposed a high-density mixed-use development consisting of two residential towers of heights 25 and 31 storeys linked by a four-storey podium containing a total of 580 dwelling units along with 1,532 square metres of ground-level commercial space.
The property just west of Toronto was purchased in 2021 by Decade Capital based in Toronto who referred to it as a “marquee acquisition.”
The $16 million purchase from Pickering Square Inc. was fully financed by this Toronto firm.
The Kingston Road corridor which will soon see BRT rapid bus service mainly consists of low-rise strip malls alongside larger retail plazas and car dealerships making it suitable for redevelopment and growth.
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The proposal also includes mixed-use office space and commercial areas on lower floors, allowing current retail tenants first dibs on relocating before demolition begins.
“This new application does not address the concerns raised by the community. With no westbound exit from this development site, all vehicles will use a private road exiting onto Rougemount, creating further traffic congestion at this intersection,” Brenner stated while adding that westbound traffic on Kingston Road can only access the site by turning left onto Rougemount.
A new public meeting is anticipated for late January or early February. Brenner is requesting broader notification so residents from both South Rosebank community and Rougemount Drive North community can also be informed.
“I want everyone in the community to know how this development will impact them.”
The initial application by 375 Kingston Road Corporation proposed a high-density mixed-use development consisting of two residential towers of heights 25 and 31 storeys linked by a four-storey podium containing a total of 580 dwelling units along with 1,532 square metres of ground-level commercial space.
The property just west of Toronto was purchased in 2021 by Decade Capital based in Toronto who referred to it as a “marquee acquisition.”
The $16 million purchase from Pickering Square Inc. was fully financed by this Toronto firm.
The Kingston Road corridor which will soon see BRT rapid bus service mainly consists of low-rise strip malls alongside larger retail plazas and car dealerships making it suitable for redevelopment and growth.
Last 30 Days: 77,965 Votes
All Time: 1,201,898 Votes
5542 VOTES
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