Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

1. What is the Beachfront Lakefront Neighbourhood Association Inc.?
2. How will the property be developed?
3. How many residential units and parking spaces will be included in the apartment building?
4. What is the size of the condominium units?
5. Can the developer go ahead without amendments to the city’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law?
   
6. When will the City of Toronto decide on the proposed development?
   
7. Why is the BLNA concerned about the proposed development?
8. Does the proposal fit the Official Plan policies for redevelopment in the city’s neighbourhoods?
   
9. Will this development set a precedent for similar apartment buildings along the lakefront in the Beach?
   
10. What are some of the other issues that the BLNA is concerned about with this proposed development?
    
11. Can’t the developer be required to plant new trees on the site?
    
12. What effect will there be on the lake’s shoreline and erosion of the beachfront?
13. What can I do to help?
14. Can I get in touch with the BLNA directly?

Q1: What is the Beachfront Lakefront Neighbourhood Association Inc.?
A: The Beach Lakefront Neighbourhood Association Inc. (BLNA) is incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in response to a proposed condominium development at the beachfront between Neville Park Blvd. and Munro Park Avenue.

Q2: How will the property be developed?
A: Four properties are involved in the developer’s proposal, which will result in a 5-storey luxury apartment building and a 4-storey townhouse. These properties include 2 and 4 Neville Park Blvd. and 438 and 440 Lakefront Lane.  Three existing single detached homes will be demolished and replaced by a 5-storey condominium building fronting onto the beach and a 4-storey townhouse on Neville Park Blvd.

Q3: How many residential units and parking spaces will be included in the apartment building?
A: The 5-storey apartment building consists of 16 units ranging from 2,433 sq. ft. to 5,468 sq. ft.  The townhouse will be 4,860 sq. ft.  Twenty-seven parking spaces will be provided in an underground parking garage off Neville Park Boulevard.  Twenty-three spaces are for residents and four parking spaces for visitors.  In addition, 2 banks of elevators will be provided in the building.  There will be pedestrian access to the building from both Munro Park Ave. in the west and Neville Park Blvd. in the east.

Q4: What is the size of the condominium units?
A:  The apartment condominium units will be two and three bedrooms, each with a private terrace facing south to Lake Ontario. See Architectural Plans for detailed plans and drawings.

Q5: Can the developer go ahead without amendments to the city’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law?
A: No, the applicant will require an amendment to section 4.1 policy 1 in the City of Toronto Official Plan. The development also requires an amendment to the City of Toronto Zoning By-law to allow for the added height and density, building setbacks, and building depth.

Q6: When will the City of Toronto decide on the proposed development ?
A: Councillor Sandra Bussin, Beaches-East York, Ward 32 anticipates that the preliminary report from the Planning Department will come to Toronto East York Community Council this fall.

Q7: Why is the BLNA concerned about the proposed development?
A: Neither proposed building is in keeping with the present character and density of the single-family homes along this unique part of the Beach, nor it is in keeping with the homes in the adjacent neighbourhood.  Also, it is not in keeping with the look and feel of the lakefront in this location.

Q8: Does the proposal fit the Official Plan policies for redevelopment in the city’s neighbourhoods?
A: No. The type of development proposed by the applicant is intended to occur along Queen Street or Kingston Road at the north end of the Beach and not in stable id="table1", low-density residential neighbourhoods.

Q9: Will this development set a precedent for similar apartment buildings along the lakefront in the Beach?
A: Yes.  If the current proposal is allowed to proceed as planned, other large-scale projects could be more easily permitted in other waterfront areas of the Beach.  It also opens up the rest of the neighbourhoods south and north of Queen Street to greater intensity projects, such as intensive street-townhousing.

Q10: What are some of the other issues that the BLNA is concerned about with this proposed development?
A: The BLNA believes that the proposed condominium buildings would permanently change the peaceful, low-density character of the immediate neighbourhood as well as the lakefront area in the entire Beach; block sight-lines and views of the lake for residents and for the many people who use the beach for various recreational uses; destroy at least five older growth trees to make way for the development; and jeopardize the existing trees on the development site due to its underground parking structure.

Q11:  Can’t the developer be required to plant new trees on the site?
A:  Yes, but not 100 or so year-old trees with their marvellous canopies.  This will take a lifetime and more to achieve.

Q12: What effect will there be on the lake’s shoreline and erosion of the beachfront?
A: There is a concern that the existing drainage systems and the rules regarding erosion, setbacks will not be respected; trees as well as wildlife habitats will be destroyed by the development.

Q13: What can I do to help?
A: See our Get Involved page; attend the BLNA’s community meeting at the Beaches Recreation Centre on Tuesday, September 25, 7 p.m.; call Councillor Sandra Bussin’s office at 416-392-1376; become a BLNA volunteer; join the BLNA mailing list; tell your friends and neighbours about what’s happening NOW!

Q14: Can I get in touch with the BLNA directly?
A:  You may contact the following executive members of the BLNA: