Proposal for prime site spurs controversyJan. 16, 2009 Proposal for prime site spurs controversy Source: Vanessa Lu, City Hall Bureau Chief, Globe & Mail, January 8, 2009 As Toronto looks at selling some of its real estate portfolio, one of the hottest pieces sits at the heart of the city – Yonge and Eglinton. At the southwest corner is the old abandoned TTC bus terminal, which could easily be turned into an office and residential tower. But local councillors don't want to see a repeat of the bitter 2002 battle over the two Minto condominiums nearby. Councillor Michael Walker, who represents the area, is vowing to kick up a big fight if there is any attempt to build soaring towers. "We anticipate you could have 40 storeys, about 120 metres, but nothing more," he said. "We're not going to put up with another Minto." The Minto towers are on the east side of Yonge St., rising to 39 and 54 storeys. The project, which involved bulldozing an old provincial government building, led to debates over how high was too high, and, in part, led to the defeat of former councillor Anne Johnston, who had backed the project. The planning and growth committee today is considering a planning proposal for the Yonge-Eglinton area that encompasses the bus terminal. It also outlines proposals for more landscaped public space and a better streetscape – which could include a wider Yonge St. The area is touted for its easy access to transit, plus its mix of offices and residential homes that includes both highrise apartments and houses. Councillor Karen Stintz, who defeated Johnston, said she supports a mixed-use building on the site, with potential commercial, office and residential uses, and hopes this document will spur action. "Now that the parameters have been set, hopefully it will make development approvals easier," she said. However, the city concedes it may be difficult to lure office development to the area, given the current economic situation and competition from across the GTA. To sweeten the deal, the city may consider offering tax breaks for an office tower with more than 15,000 square metres. Under the program, the city would continue to charge property taxes at the current rate, but forgo a portion of the increased taxes triggered by development for a period of time. "Although Yonge-Eglinton has excellent locational attributes and is recognized as an office location, it remains a challenge to build new office buildings in Toronto," the document says. Toronto has created a new entity called Build Toronto, whose mandate includes developing unused land owned by the city or agencies such as the TTC into sites that offer jobs and enhance economic growth. Miller has often mentioned the abandoned bus terminal as an example of prime development land that has never been properly exploited. Such talk worries Walker. "I don't care about the ambitions of any politician or politicians. I don't want them to sell us down the drain," he said, adding he will insist on development height restrictions if city-owned property is sold.
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