Third tower in Pickering development approved
December 28, 2009
By Kristen Calis

PICKERING -- A third tower at a development slowly going up at Bayly Street and Liverpool Road is a go.

Council at its latest meeting approved the tower after hearing from nine residents and from one representative for the developer of the site that's been a sensitive issue for many in the Bay Ridges neighbourhood.

The land used to be home to the Bay Ridges Plaza before SR and R Bay Ridges Ltd. successfully applied to build a mixed-use residential development called San Francisco by the Bay.

The newly-approved, 25-storey tower means an extra 237 units for a total of 734 units on the site, made up of condo towers and townhouses. Pickering's official plan only allows for 140 units per hectare in the area, but this new tower will mean 225. There will also be 410 metres of commercial floor space available on the tower's ground floor.

In a recorded vote, all members of council supported the third tower, except for Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer O'Connell and Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean.

"What are they going to ask for next?" said Bay Ridges resident Marcie Miles.

Residents argued a third tower shouldn't be approved since the first two haven't begun to go up. But Moiz Behar, on behalf of SR and R, said developers are waiting for the last tenant (Millennium City Veterinary Hospital) to relocate, which he anticipates will happen in the spring.

He also responded to environmental concerns of the toll the development will have on the bordering Douglas Ravine.

"We are in the process of restructuring the ravine through a three-year program," Mr. Behar said, adding the storm water will be taken care of on site to keep it from running into the ravine.

Coun. McLean agreed with plans to address concerns of birds striking the buildings, something raised by the Pickering Naturalists, but that was about it.

He found it unfair residents were only told that a 12-storey building could possibly go up if a third tower was to be incorporated when early discussions with the community took place in 2006.

"This is totally different from what the development was originally," he said.

The planning department has said that although San Francisco by the Bay is technically outside of the area in Pickering the Province has designated for high density, it still fits as it borders the area and is close to transit. Residents disagreed since the Province's Places to Grow plan isn't complete.

"I think there's too much density in too small an area in an area that still hasn't been designated as our downtown core," said Judy Gallagher.

She also criticized the lack of parkland in the complex.

Residents also complained about the increase in traffic the third tower will cause at the already-busy intersection.

While he respects the opinions of the community, Mayor Dave Ryan said he believes most residents want an urbanized downtown in the core of Pickering.

"Our job is to reflect the wishes and to meet the demands and the wishes of the majority of the people in Pickering," he said.

Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles had similar thoughts.

"I don't support what I think are bad developments," he said. "I support what I think will add to and enhance the city."

While Ward 1 Regional Councillor Bonnie Littley agreed that the mixed-use development would fit the area, she felt "it should have and it could have been designed so much better."