The Etobicoke York Community Council held its 30th meeting to address development applications, traffic safety measures, and tree preservation requests. The most contentious issue was a proposed 27-story residential tower at 2351-2355 Keele Street, which failed to receive committee recommendation due to concerns about excessive height, traffic congestion, and inadequate community infrastructure. The council approved several pedestrian crossing protections and speed humps while grappling with tensions between provincial intensification mandates and neighborhood-scale planning.

Topics Discussed

PROPOSED 27-STORY TOWER AT KEELE AND LAWRENCE FACES OPPOSITION: A development application for 2351-2355 Keele Street sparked significant controversy, with the committee voting against recommending approval. The proposal exceeds city planning guidelines calling for 20-25 stories, and community members raised concerns about severe traffic congestion at the Keele-Lawrence intersection. Councillor Nunziata reported that "close to 200 people attended a community meeting" opposing the development. The matter will proceed to the Ontario Land Tribunal with city opposition. A traffic study is expected next month, with one councillor noting "it takes sometimes it takes a half hour just to get through the intersection."

DEVELOPMENT INTENSIFICATION DEBATE HIGHLIGHTS PLANNING TENSIONS: Council members questioned whether the city has abandoned neighborhood-focused planning in favor of maximum density. Councillor Peruta challenged staff about the shift from mid-rise guidelines (10-14 stories) to allowing buildings "more than double that height" in the Jane-Finch area. He asked: "We used to do planning, what happened?" Staff explained the change was driven by the Finch LRT arrival, provincial intensification goals, and housing shortage pressures. Peruta warned against developments that "intensify on their site to the gazoo" without adequate infrastructure, noting elevator wait times could add "10-20 minutes to residents' commute times."

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS APPROVED ACROSS MULTIPLE LOCATIONS: The council approved pedestrian crossing protections at East Mall and West Dean Park Drive (EY 30.12) and Highway 27 and Rexdale Boulevard (EY 30.13). Despite not meeting technical thresholds, a crossing at Grand Avenue and Alma Street was approved 3-1 after Councillor Mley cited significant neighborhood changes since the 2022 assessment, including Grand Avenue Park expansion and proximity to Mimico GO station. The council also approved six speed humps for Ringley Avenue after residents documented dangerous speeding and sidewalk-driving incidents.

TREE PRESERVATION REQUESTS REVEAL CONFLICTS BETWEEN DEVELOPMENT AND CANOPY: Multiple tree removal applications highlighted tensions between property rights and urban forestry goals. A 42 cm blue spruce at 174 Church Street will be removed for fourplex development despite being healthy, with the developer citing excavation requirements within 0.1 meters of the trunk. At 2775 Jane Street, a development proposal fell two trees short of replacement requirements, prompting urban forestry to request a revised landscape plan. Deputy Mayor Morley emphasized that "healthy and distinctive trees" are "very difficult to replace."

FENCE DISPUTES EXPOSE PROPERTY LINE AND ENFORCEMENT INCONSISTENCIES: At 699 Royal York Road, neighbors disputed fence heights exceeding the 2-meter bylaw limit, with one resident stating the property owner said "I'll do it anyway. You'll see" when informed of objections. At 87 Delmare Avenue, first-time homeowners faced a removal order for a fence they built after receiving initial approval from a municipal officer, only to later discover it encroached on city property—a violation created by the previous owner. Councillor Nunziata indicated city staff now supports a solution for the Delmare Avenue case.

Motions

Passed: - EY 30.2 (611-623A Keele Street development) - Approved unanimously - EY 30.10 (Business Improvement Area Boards) - Approved with staff recommendations - EY 30.11 (Grand Avenue and Alma Street pedestrian crossing) - Approved 3-1 despite staff recommendation against - EY 30.12 (East Mall and West Dean Park Drive pedestrian crossing) - Approved with staff recommendations - EY 30.13 (Highway 27 and Rexdale Boulevard pedestrian crossing) - Approved with staff recommendations - EY 30.14 (Eagle Road speed humps) - Approved - EY 30.15 (Ringley Avenue speed humps) - Approved unanimously - EY 30.16 (54 Atomic Avenue driveway and North Queen Street turn prohibition) - Approved with correction - EY 30.17 (Accessible parking expansion) - Approved with amendment adding Ward 5 location - EY 30.18 (60 Central Park Roadway fire route designation) - Approved - EY 30.4 (174 Church Street tree removal) - Approved with alternate recommendation - EY 30.7 (24 Tataridge Road pool fence exemption) - Approved - Bills 278-279, 325, and confirmatory bills - Passed

Rejected: - EY 30.1 (2775 Jane Street development) - Failed to pass committee, moving to council without recommendation (vote: 1 in favor, 3 opposed)

Deferred: - EY 30.5 (31 Queen Anne Road tree removal) - Deferred for site visit - EY 30.6 (280 Driftwood Avenue fence exemption) - Deferred to April 29, 2026

Attendees

• Councillor Stephen Holyday (Chair)
• Councillor Frances Nunziata
• Deputy Mayor Jon Burnside
• Councillor Mark Grimes
• Councillor Michael Ford
• Councillor Vincent Crisanti