Queen-Berkeley tower gets council’s thumbs down

Dennis Hanagan—

Toronto community council agreed with city planners at its October meeting that a 25-storey tower proposed for the southwest corner of Queen E. and Berkeley St. is a bad idea.

Council refused to approve a request to amend the Official Plan and the zoning bylaw and told the city solicitor to attend the Ontario Municipal Board to defend the city’s position if the refusal is appealed.

The applicant is Goldberg Group and the owner James Gault Holdings Inc.

A city planning report said a tall building is not appropriate for the site. “The proposal does not conform to the overall objectives of the Official Plan and the King-Parliament Secondary Plan, and does not fit within the existing and planned context of the area,” the report said.

The proposal wants 206 dwelling units, 98 parking spaces on 6 underground levels, retail space and 231 bicycle spaces. The Berkeley Church building would be retained.

The St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association said in a July letter to planning staff that the building is too tall for the area.