Outrage over shoehorned condo bid

Anthony Marcusa –
An oddly-shaped sliver of undeveloped land formed by the creation of encroaching high rises looks to be the site of yet another condo—but with privacy at a minimum due to the tight squeeze, area residents at a March 4 public meeting expressed strong opposition to the new building.
The remainder parcel at 367 King St. W. near Blue Jays Way is the site of a proposed 15-storey mixed-use building. The proposal spans a width of just 12.19 meters, wedged between the 34-storey M5V condominium to the immediate west and a five-story commercial use building to the immediate east. A 40-storey building has been approved along the eastern frontage but has yet to be constructed.
The site plan has already undergone significant revisions and reductions and even in its current incarnation (60 one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units) violates several zoning by-laws due to a lack of parking spaces and amenities. The proposal also doubles the permitted maximum heigh of 30 metres.
In addition, the building would be only three metres from its closest neighbor, which has elicited strong objections from residents of the M5V building. And while balconies and windows will be mere feet away on the west side, a proposed nine-storey wall will greet those to the east.
One man who represented employees who work at 365 King St. offered collective objections including concerns about the fate of a nearby restaurant’s rooftop patio.
Other residents argued that the area is already congested, citing the overflow of the King streetcar as an example.
City planners countered that studies have shown that some area buildings are unable to fill all their parking spaces, but residents and small business owners in attendance trumpeted the importance of parking as necessary to attract patrons and cater to visitors.
Councillor Adam Vaughan sympathized with the complaints, maintaining that anyone is allowed to offer a building proposal, and residents are encouraged to attend meetings and make their voices heard.
The developer hopes the proposal will be approved based on recent local precedents: for example, the TUX building (approved and to be erected on the corner of King St. W. and Blue Jays Way) earned an amendment to the setback required in respect to the M5V building. Since that was approved, the developer argues, this current application should be approved as the site has already been encroached upon.