Rejects Towers, Approves Inclusive Housing - Scarborough Community Council - April 30, 2026

Scarborough Community Council held its 31st meeting to consider development applications, infrastructure projects, and community initiatives. Council refused a 24-storey proposal at 3718–3730 Kingston Rd. and refused an 11-storey, 625-bed student housing proposal at 3313 Ellair Rd., both of which had staff recommendations to approve. Council approved Official Plan and zoning amendments for an inclusive housing partnership between Tridel and Community Living Toronto at 1710–1712 Ellesmere Rd., and received a presentation on a new Youth Innovation Hub focused on AI and technology entrepreneurship at Scarborough Civic Centre. Council also dealt with private tree matters, approving one exemption for a large black walnut tree at 226 Scarboro Ave. and refusing a separate application at 2 Fairfax Cres.

Topics Discussed

Student Housing Development Refused at 3313 Ellair Road

Council refused a zoning amendment for an 11-storey, 625-bed student housing building near UTSC. The applicant said, “This is not a University of Toronto Scarborough project,” while also stating the proposal was “geared towards student rental.”

During debate, councillors raised questions about whether the building would function as student housing in practice, and about transportation access to campus. One speaker warned that “We don't have rapid transit connection yet to UTSC and already students are struggling to get there,” pointing to the difficulty students already face crossing nearby intersections.

Councillor Thompson supported refusal while cautioning residents about the likely outcome at the Ontario Land Tribunal: “I think it's pretty clear though that going forward to the OLT the community will actually lose. I want to make that clear… the community will lose.”

24-Storey Kingston Road Development Refused

Council unanimously refused the application at 3718–3730 Kingston Rd. Speakers focused on shadow impacts and the jump in height after earlier consultations. One resident said, “The proposed tower would be devastating for us. Access to the sun would be blocked for many hours in the day,” adding that fruit trees and gardens would be affected.

Deputy Mayor Paul Ainslie framed the refusal around the process and the scale change after community meetings: “Having a developer do the opposite of what I'm used to doing… to increase the height of a building by 10 stories after the first two community meetings… this it doesn't fit in with the character of my neighborhood.”

The applicant’s representative attributed the change in direction to process issues, saying the shift from earlier concepts was “simply an oversight to the process.”

Inclusive Housing Development Approved at Ellesmere Road

Council approved Official Plan and zoning amendments for a multi-tower development at 1710–1712 Ellesmere Rd. (the former Lawson site) in partnership with Community Living Toronto, including a new Community Living facility and a mix of rental and condominium units.

A parent delegating to council emphasized the need for stable housing supports: “How are people with intellectual disability supposed to survive in shelter? People deserve their own space, their own home, a place where they feel safe and supportive.”

Councillor Thompson tied the project to broader social needs: “There are so many people that are affected by so many different conditions and it's really really super important that we as a society care about the plight of people…”

Youth Innovation Hub (AI and Tech Entrepreneurship)

Council received a presentation on a Youth Innovation Hub initiative at Scarborough Civic Centre aimed at residents aged 18–30, focused on AI and technology entrepreneurship and pathways to employment.

The presentation included feedback from young people about navigating career programs. One participant said, “It feels confusing. I just don't know what is legit.” A young professional’s experience was summarized as: “COVID totally derailed their career for like two years. Nothing exists anymore and which feels like starting over from scratch.”

Councillor Candel highlighted local talent: “the amount of tech talent coming out of Scarbro is remarkable.”

Provincial Limitations on Local Development Control

Staff described how provincial changes have narrowed municipal authority over development approvals. A staff member said the province has “removed the city's ability to govern development shape, form, and appearance,” including through zoning orders and modifications affecting city planning tools.

In discussion of appeal risk and council decision-making, staff also noted the legal record at the tribunal can include staff recommendations: “the public record… would certainly include a positive recommendation from city staff,” even if council refuses.

Private Tree Applications: Scarboro Avenue Approved, Fairfax Crescent Refused

Council approved a private tree removal exemption at 226 Scarboro Ave. involving a large black walnut. The homeowners described safety and aging-in-place concerns. Mrs. Wright described falling walnuts: “It's like sometimes it's like showers of golf balls coming down… you have to kind of duck back in.” Mr. Wright said, “We don't want to reduce the likelihood of limb failure. We want to stop it. And the only way to stop this likelihood is to remove the tree.”

A city staff member described the tree’s size and longevity: “Black walnuts have a large long life expectancy… staff and myself measured it being about… 73 centimeters in DBH.”

Council refused a separate tree removal application at 2 Fairfax Cres. (SC 31.9).

Motions

Passed: - SC 31.6: Refused development proposal at 614 Danforth Road (staff refusal recommendation) - SC 31.7: Approved changes to Kennedy Road BIA board of management - SC 31.4: Approved draft plan of subdivision at 3000–3020 Kennedy Road for 171 units - SC 31.13: Approved Birchmount Road Bridge reconstruction with temporary road closure - SC 31.15: Approved speed humps on Scarborough Golf Club Road (Kingston Road to Hill Crescent) - SC 31.16: Approved speed humps on Ingleton Boulevard - SC 31.17: Approved all-way stop control at Nash Road and Tiffield Road - SC 31.18: Received presentation on Youth Innovation Hub Initiative - SC 31.3: Approved inclusive housing development at 1710–1712 Ellesmere Road (Tridel/Community Living Toronto partnership) - SC 31.8: Approved tree removal exemption at 226 Scarboro Avenue - SC 31.9: Refused tree removal application at 2 Fairfax Crescent

Refused: - SC 31.2: Refused 24-storey development at 3718–3730 Kingston Road - SC 31.1: Refused student housing development at 3313 Ellair Road (11-storey, 625-bed proposal)

Deferred: - SC 31.10: Street naming at 253 Markham Road and 1220–30 Dunel Street (for further community consultation) - SC 31.11: Construction staging area at 77 Victoria Park Avenue (deferred to May 28) - SC 31.5: 3130 Danforth Avenue zoning amendment (moved forward without recommendations to address affordable housing, parkland, and shadow concerns)

Held for Speakers: - SC 31.14: Scarborough Village Street Plan - Private tree removal applications (multiple locations) - Metro Links subway extension traffic modifications

Attendees

• Deputy Mayor Paul Ainslie (Chair)
• Councillor Shan
• Councillor Thompson
• Councillor Candel
• Councillor Myers
• Councillor Manis