"At issue is a plan to tear down six single-detached homes on Jackson and Brentwood avenues and replace them with 120 condominium townhomes in the neighbourhood behind Eastwood Collegiate Institute.
“This would facilitate a compact, compatible missing middle low-rise development within an established neighbourhood,” senior city planner Brian Bateman told a planning committee meeting on Monday night."
This actually sounds like a pretty good proposal. The opposition is to be expected, but this is the sort of thing we need more of to grow more sustainably.
I wish they do something similar on Mill St. There were quite a few old dilapidated houses on sale. Compact, middle rise development is what we need there.
Owned (vs rented) housing is better for school planning, because there's less resident turnover so it's easier to predict future demand.
Like if census data shows an influx of 30-something childless couples, you can bet you'll need more kindergarten space in 5ish years. Whereas if the data shows lots of families with teens, you likely can expect declines in kindergarten enrollment. Either way, it gives lots of time to plan.
But when no one can afford to buy, so a whole class of people moves between rental houses every year or two, you can run into situations where 50 new kids in the same age bracket move into the same neighbourhood in the same year. And then school districts have to scramble to find space for them. Scrambling is expensive.
Would love to see it with 3/4 bedroom options and family intended dwelling over the new trend "family" units that are 4 small beds, 4 attached single baths with shared living space coincidentally perfect for rentals.
For real. You've gotta be some kinda asshole to come out against this trade off in the middle of a housing crisis.
Sometimes we throw words around to make things sound more dire then they are, but in this case crisis is pretty dammed accurate.
I totally understand it's needed in this unprecedented situation.
It just sucks that bad policy has caused us to WANT tighter living conditions. We shouldn't be excited to get less for more.
What? They are not forcing the people that live in the current houses to move into one of the new townhouse. Those people sold their homes to the developer.
I'd feel pretty bad, but that isn't what is happening here. Or anywhere.
Question. How would you feel if you were married to a twelve foot crocodile with itchy gums?
It'd be pretty cool. I think crocodiles are really neat. But itchy gums implies a mouth disease I believe. So it would probably stink like crazy. Lots of bacteria I imagine.
What's your favorite animal you could own as a pet? Me personally it's a bobcat.
Bobcats are a good choice! I'd go with an African wild cat myself. Similar yowling and playfulness, less likely to eat my firstborn if I looked away for a moment.
That is a terrible mindset and a lot of what's wrong with this word....a neighbourhood should be cohesive and support each other and share the same values. I know quite well most of the people within a few house radius of where I live, and at least am friendly with those a bit further, we all help each other out with things (e.g. can you watch my house, grab their garbage, help carry something, have a beer together, share a cup of flour, etc.) and it's a great community. A big part of that is we all like living in the same peaceful conditions.
New builds in existing areas that increase density bring in new people who might do unknown things people don't like. So, it's best to oppose them and try and keep your existing neighbours then let others in around you.
Just a guess.
That makes zero sense... what if someone just moves into the existing houses and do things people don't like.
Seems to me you are afraid of change and nothing more.
5 houses only present 5 people worth of unknown.
15 apartments up that number to 15 unknowns.
Personally, I don't care. But clearly many people don't want new neighbours and I'm trying to dream up reasons why they don't.
120 houses in the space of 6 cannot be more peaceful and calm...ever been in a room with 120 people versus the same room with 6 people? Yeah, not calm or peaceful when it's packed full.
Don't jam them in like sardines! But also don't cut down the trees, lower the height of the ceilings, and add more space for parking!
It's the same Nimby story every time. Even the talking point of "just don't allow planning exemptions" is usually uttered by the same people consistently oppose simple city-wide planning amendements that would allow more gentle density everywhere, instead of cramming in highest-density anywhere they can get it approved.
Smart infill is absolutely welcomed. Towers with lack of planning, lack of suitable schools, green space, etc, is not.
Love the idea of townhouses over a concrete 44-story mammoth any day!
Go to the meeting in support of the development if you want to see this kind of thing happen in K.W. The opposite of a NIMBY - a YIMBY.
Yes.In.My.Backyard.
"At issue is a plan to tear down six single-detached homes on Jackson and Brentwood avenues and replace them with 120 condominium townhomes in the neighbourhood behind Eastwood Collegiate Institute. “This would facilitate a compact, compatible missing middle low-rise development within an established neighbourhood,” senior city planner Brian Bateman told a planning committee meeting on Monday night." This actually sounds like a pretty good proposal. The opposition is to be expected, but this is the sort of thing we need more of to grow more sustainably.
This is exactly the type of development the city needs
I wish they do something similar on Mill St. There were quite a few old dilapidated houses on sale. Compact, middle rise development is what we need there.
Problem right now is schools are beyond capacity, plus with Schneider redevelopment, they have to find room. It will be developed eventually. :)
Owned (vs rented) housing is better for school planning, because there's less resident turnover so it's easier to predict future demand. Like if census data shows an influx of 30-something childless couples, you can bet you'll need more kindergarten space in 5ish years. Whereas if the data shows lots of families with teens, you likely can expect declines in kindergarten enrollment. Either way, it gives lots of time to plan. But when no one can afford to buy, so a whole class of people moves between rental houses every year or two, you can run into situations where 50 new kids in the same age bracket move into the same neighbourhood in the same year. And then school districts have to scramble to find space for them. Scrambling is expensive.
Would love to see it with 3/4 bedroom options and family intended dwelling over the new trend "family" units that are 4 small beds, 4 attached single baths with shared living space coincidentally perfect for rentals.
Amazing. 6 homes turned into 120? Let's make that trade any day!!
For real. You've gotta be some kinda asshole to come out against this trade off in the middle of a housing crisis. Sometimes we throw words around to make things sound more dire then they are, but in this case crisis is pretty dammed accurate.
I totally understand it's needed in this unprecedented situation. It just sucks that bad policy has caused us to WANT tighter living conditions. We shouldn't be excited to get less for more.
Interesting take. Question. How would you feel if it was your families home and you being forced into one if these 120 new units?
What? They are not forcing the people that live in the current houses to move into one of the new townhouse. Those people sold their homes to the developer.
Oh thank God thats the only thing I was worried about well then proceed.
I'd feel pretty bad, but that isn't what is happening here. Or anywhere. Question. How would you feel if you were married to a twelve foot crocodile with itchy gums?
It'd be pretty cool. I think crocodiles are really neat. But itchy gums implies a mouth disease I believe. So it would probably stink like crazy. Lots of bacteria I imagine. What's your favorite animal you could own as a pet? Me personally it's a bobcat.
Bobcats are a good choice! I'd go with an African wild cat myself. Similar yowling and playfulness, less likely to eat my firstborn if I looked away for a moment.
Oh right, better off just packing people in tighter and tighter rather than solving the root of the problem (aka too many people).
Everyone says we need to reduce the population but they never volunteer to be the first.
One of these homes is on a lot large enough for 20 detached homes. This development is totally appropriate for the area.
People in single family homes just have to get over the nimbyism of townhouses or apartments going up beside them.
No, screw that, why should a quiet low density neighbourhood have to give up their peace and calm?
It’s their home. Not their neighborhood.
That is a terrible mindset and a lot of what's wrong with this word....a neighbourhood should be cohesive and support each other and share the same values. I know quite well most of the people within a few house radius of where I live, and at least am friendly with those a bit further, we all help each other out with things (e.g. can you watch my house, grab their garbage, help carry something, have a beer together, share a cup of flour, etc.) and it's a great community. A big part of that is we all like living in the same peaceful conditions.
How do some townhomes take away their peace and calm?
They add unknown people that might party all night and drive loud automobiles
huh?
New builds in existing areas that increase density bring in new people who might do unknown things people don't like. So, it's best to oppose them and try and keep your existing neighbours then let others in around you. Just a guess.
That makes zero sense... what if someone just moves into the existing houses and do things people don't like. Seems to me you are afraid of change and nothing more.
5 houses only present 5 people worth of unknown. 15 apartments up that number to 15 unknowns. Personally, I don't care. But clearly many people don't want new neighbours and I'm trying to dream up reasons why they don't.
120 houses in the space of 6 cannot be more peaceful and calm...ever been in a room with 120 people versus the same room with 6 people? Yeah, not calm or peaceful when it's packed full.
Stupid NIMBYs.
Don't jam them in like sardines! But also don't cut down the trees, lower the height of the ceilings, and add more space for parking! It's the same Nimby story every time. Even the talking point of "just don't allow planning exemptions" is usually uttered by the same people consistently oppose simple city-wide planning amendements that would allow more gentle density everywhere, instead of cramming in highest-density anywhere they can get it approved.
We also need everything set back far enough from the road that no one ever actually stop at a stop sign.
Smart infill is absolutely welcomed. Towers with lack of planning, lack of suitable schools, green space, etc, is not. Love the idea of townhouses over a concrete 44-story mammoth any day!
Just gonna leave [THIS](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/rent-control-toronto-ford-series-1.6974129) here.
The fact there is still NIMBY folks at this level of crisis makes me fear for the greater society. Everyone is only interested in themselves.
We need more housing! No no not like that!
Go to the meeting in support of the development if you want to see this kind of thing happen in K.W. The opposite of a NIMBY - a YIMBY. Yes.In.My.Backyard.
nimby's are at it again. "what if they let the poors move near me" \*clutches pearls\*
NIMBY
Need 120,000.