I was amazed when I received a note in the mailbox from the Willowdale Central Ratepayer’s Association about the next annual general meeting.
The note read “The biggest issue this year was composition of houses on Maplehurst Ave. west of Kenneth Ave., the first street north of Sheppard Avenue. Nine townhouses were to occupy 3 lots. This request was promptly turned down by Council and the referral to the Ontario Municipal Board commenced. By the arguments presented by the developer, not only the immediate street but also any street bordering on commercial street and avenues should be subject to multiple housing development. The city’s lawyers didn’t agree. After some time, the hearing was held last August, the decision arrived in December. We all won.! The city was able to protect the stable residential borders. What joy and bliss for our executive member who lived across the street. The city’s official plan was upheld.”
It seems the interest of executive member living opposite the proposed townhouse complex went before any other concerns. Willwodale central Ratepayers’ Association are bounded by Mckee Ave., Sheppard, Willowdale and Doris Ave is a low-density community of single family dwellings, the neighborhood is in transition, with the replacement of the houses built 50+ years ago with monstrous single family dwellings “monster houses”. For the city they pay more to service a low-density are than a high density ones. We need to intensify the residential areas of willowdale central, building townhouses would be a good step forward in the right direction. Intensifications important to grow our neighborhoods so we can live where we work, walk to essential services and take the subway and via rail for longer trips.
The city planners should have the support from the Ratepayers Association to create higher-density, walkable communities that incorporate sustainable design and extensive greenspace. The city’s official plan and local vision must be respected by Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), no in this case in Willowdale, the local ratepayer association was lobbing against.
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