Regent Park Revitalization: June 10th Community Consultation with the City on Plan Amendments

Last Monday, June 10^th, Regent Park gathered to discuss the revitalization plans. The City of Toronto Department of Planning and Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) held a consultation with the community on the recent development plan amendments proposed by TCHC. The turnout for the consultation was impressive, with the entire Ada Slaight Hall auditorium in the Daniels Spectrum building nearly filled to capacity. 

The topic of the consultation was the following changes to the development plan for Regent Park proposed by TCHC:*

• Increase from 5,400 to 7,500 social and market housing units at the completion of all phases
• Increase the projected population from 12,500 to approximately 17,000 at the completion of all phases
• Removal of two small parkettes replaced by a new larger park/sports field  and adjustment to permitted land use designations, blocks and streets proposed  to reflect reconfigurations of park spaces
• Addition of commercial parking garage as a permitted use
• Demolition of heritage listed 14 Blevins building and proposal for a 60m tower on this block
• Increase of building heights in some locations including but not limited to:
• Two additional 88m towers on Dundas St E (Phase 3)
• One new 120m tower on Parliament Street (Phase 4)
• Sites on north side of central park and site on River Street – currently permitted at  22m & 30m, proposed increase to 50m 

* (From the City website: visit http://www.toronto.ca/planning/regentpark.htm)

Not expressed in this list of amendments is the population proportional change that would occur with the construction of additional market housing units. The proposed plan amendments shift the population proportion from an approximate 60-40% split to a proposed 75-25% split -- owners to renters. (Though TCHC maintains a consistent 50-50% split as, for example, a house of TCHC residents with two adults and three children would be counted as equal to five single-dwelling market housing units). Though residents in attendance vocalised their concerns about the proposed changes, the focus of apprehension was on the height of the proposed towers rather than the proportional shift in population mix.

Specific unease was expressed over the proposed height of a tower to be built on the corner of Gerrard and Parliament (120 metres). Residents had a number of concerns about its height, including blocking sunlight in surrounding buildings, contrasting with the historical architecture of the area, increasing density/traffic in an already congested corner, and once again secluding Regent Park as an insular and inward-facing island. According to the City representatives, John Gladki and Angela Stea, anxiety around the buildings height had been vocalized prior to the consultation. Throughout the consultation, the audience was reassured that the community’s displeasure would be noted and addressed in the next planning stages.

The new proposed tower heights

Others noted concerns around amenities being able to support the population influx, and what this increase would mean for access to programming. In response, it was noted that the increased green space in the plan amendments should hopefully provide more programming opportunities. It was also noted that strained access to City facilities is a challenge all across Toronto, and that this drawback is difficult to avoid.

Besides the new athletic field, the most welcome plan amendment proposed was clearly the demolition of the tower at 14 Blevins Place. Residents came out to voice their support for its deconstruction, offering poignant examples of the challenges faced daily for those residing in the dilapidated heritage building.

TCHC Chief Development Officer, Greg Spearn, represented TCHC at the consultation, and spoke about the rationale behind amendments to the development plan. Spearn cited deficits, specifically miscalculations on the district energy system, and desire for early completion of the development as reasons for the increase in market unit builds. For some this did not justify the changes proposed, but for all it seemed clear that compromise will have to be made by all parties in order for Revitalization to continue.

For more information on these proposed changes and the process for approval, please visit www.toronto.ca/planning/regentpark.htm.