Welcome Thank you for attending our second community meeting for Wellesley-Parliament Square! More engagement opportunities will take place throughout the planning process. Please take a moment to fill out a comment form. Let us know your thoughts. The purpose of today s Open House is to: Share what we heard at the first community meeting; Share the concept plans for the site; and Listen to your feedback. We value your input. There are a number of ways to share your ideas with us today: Speak with members of our project team; and Fill out a comment form. Wellesley Parliament Square 1
Who We Are Greatwise Developments has been a family-run real-estate developer and proud home builder in Toronto and Ottawa since 1984. 491 Glencairn Ave, Toronto 325 Bogert Ave, Toronto Greatwise Developments is the development arm of G&S Group of Companies, which provides residential rentals and is one of Canada s leading real estate management and development firms. G&S Group is the parent company to Wellesley Parliament Square. Greatwise Developments has established a strong reputation for quality residential developments and is renowned for our commitment to ethical practices and environmental sustainability. We build lasting relationships and have a strong social responsibility to give back to the communities that we work in. We are excited to work with you to help make Wellesley Parliament Square a place you will be proud to call home. Wellesley Parliament Square 2
Project Team We have gathered an expert team of professionals. Developing a complete master planned community will require the expertise of a number of specialized consultants. We have engaged the following industry experts and are in the process of building an even more comprehensive project team. IBI Group Architect IBI Group is a global team of industry leading architects, engineers, planners, designers, and technology professionals united by a common desire: to create livable, sustainable, technologically advanced urban environments. From high-rises to industrial buildings, schools to state-of-the-art hospitals, transit stations to highways, airports to toll systems, bike lanes to parks, IBI Group designs every aspect of truly integrated cities. NAK Design Group Landscape Architect NAK Design Group is a Toronto based landscape architectural consulting firm specializing in the design and creation of life spaces. For over thirty years NAK Design Group has been providing comprehensive design services and visionary design solutions to private and public sector developments. NAK s holistic approach to design strives for the creation of the total environment, a melding of space, architecture and landscape, fostering a dynamic that is informed by variations in scale, intimacy and character. BA Group Transportation Consultant BA Group provides transportation planning and engineering services to public and private organizations. BA Group provides thoughtful plans for the movement of people and goods in urban environments. Their focus is on sustainable urban land development and the legal, functional, social, and economic implications of various transportation systems. Brook Pooni Associates Public Engagement Consultant Brook Pooni Associates is a real estate and communications firm on the forefront of urban planning-related communications. Brook Pooni Associates are seasoned and trusted experts in public consultation and their services include community outreach, stakeholder engagement, facilitating public open houses and meeting with advisory groups and community leaders. Bousfields Planning Consultant Bousfields Inc. is one of the pre-eminent community planning firms in Ontario with special expertise in urban design, planning policy, community design, development approvals, community consultation and project management Bousfields offers a full range of land use planning and urban design services to the development industry, municipalities and government agencies. Wellesley Parliament Square 3
Planning Framework The site is zoned Residential and designated an Apartment Neighbourood in the Official Plan. O'CONNOR DAVENPORT DAS PO COSBURN OA DV IEW MAP 18 Land Use Plan BR YP DON V ALLE July 2015 DANFORTH AL E VA LL EY Land Use Designations PAPE SE D MORTIMER Y EW KW VI BA PARLIAMENT SHERBOURNE JARVIS CHURCH RO DOVERCOURT BLOOR HARBORD Y ANT MT PL EAS YONGE BAY BEDFORD SPADINA ST GEORGE AVENUE LOOR PARKSIDE BATHURST CHRISTIE OSSINGTON LANSDOWNE DUPONT RY KEELE TE T NNETTE DUFFERIN WELLESLEY Neighbourhoods COLLEGE ND AS CARLTON SH YONGE BAY Cemeteries, Public Utilities) ADELAIDE KING EASTERN FRONT FRONT L SHO AKE Institutional Areas RE Regeneration Areas Employment Areas X GARDINER E Utility Corridors OR QUEENS QUAY E Existing Site Plan LAKE ONTARIO Natural Areas Parks Other Open Space Areas (Including Golf Courses, DUNDAS RICHMOND G ARD IN ER EX LA KE Parks and Open Space Areas QUEEN YORK SPADINA WELLINGTON ITY STRACHAN U N IV E R S KING BROADVIEW LANSDOWNE SHUTER Mixed Use Areas GERRARD GERRARD QUEEN Apartment Neighbourhoods CARLAW RONCESVALLES DU BATHURST DUN Major Streets and Highways Local Streets The site is part of the Downtown & Central Waterfront Area in the City s Official Plan, and is identified as an urban growth centre and a focus for new development in Toronto. The Official Plan seeks to provide for a range and mix of housing types and tenure, while protecting existing rental housing units. LEGEND: Railway Lines TORONTO INNER HARBOUR SITE EXTENTS Hydro Corridors HOW ARD 0 ST. 500 1000 1500m TORONTO OUTER HARBOUR City Planning Division 13 16 19 22 14 17 20 23 15 18 21 In established Apartment Neighbourhoods, improving amenities, accommodating sensitive infill, where it can improve the quality of life and promoting environmental sustainability are key considerations. They are distinguished from low-rise neighbourhoods because a greater scale of development is permitted on underutilized sites. Small-scale retail, service and office uses that serve the needs of area residents are also permitted in Apartment Neighbourhoods. S AVE. ST. JAME PARLIAMENT ST. ONTARIO ST. Key Map Not to Scale WELLESLEY ST. E EXISTING SITEParliament PLAN Wellesley Square 2018.03.01 4
Site History Wellesley Parliament Square in St. James Town has a long history of urban planning and revitalization. St. James Town started as a semi-suburban area and in 1962, became the site for Toronto s first high-rise apartment towers. Located just northeast of the downtown core with access to transit has made this community an attractive place to live, work, and play. St. James Town was designed as a towers in a park community, a 1960 s concept of modernist high-rise towers surrounded by open space. 1924 Fire Insurance Plan 1983 Aerial Photo Scale: N.T.S 1983 Aerial Photo 1967 PromotionalPROJECT EventNo. DATE: 101964 2017.09.13 1967 Promotional Event PROJECT No. DATE: 101964 2017.09.13 PARLIAMENT SQUARE ON ThePARLIAMENT design SQUARE did not function as intended and disrupted the TORONTO, pedestrian-oriented scale and character of the traditional TORONTO, ON neighbourhood. There was little change or construction after the high-rise neighbourhood was completed in 1970, but recently, there has been an increase in development and urban revitalization. The former design has created contemporary issues that can be addressed through a thoughtful redevelopment plan. Wellesley Parliament Square 5
Challenges and Opportunities The dated design of the buildings and site has not kept up with the needs of the changing residents. There is potential for a thoughtful mixed-use redevelopment plan that can address the needs of the current residents. Current Site Challenges Opportunities Limited vehicular access to the site. New street network that s helps provide residents and visitors access to buildings and amenities. Buildings have little relationship to street level. Enhance safety by adding ground level retail, commercial, and townhomes to bring activity to the street. Lack of connections to the site. New sidewalks and cycling paths to create publicly accessible routes through the community. No opportunities for home ownership. Introduction of home ownership options. Current renters will have first options to buy. Indoor and outdoor amenity spaces have been abandoned or are in various stages of disrepair. Upgrade or replace existing indoor and outdoor facilities, tenant amenity and community spaces. No public parkland and too little greenery on the site. Add a new public park and greenspace. Surface parking and service areas could be replaced with greenery and tree lined streets. No variety of types of housing or built form, all apartment slabs. Add community gathering spaces, offices, retail, and services. New types of homes could include townhomes, a mid-rise building, and one point tower on Wellesley Street. Wellesley Parliament Square 11
What We Heard We gathered feedback from the first community meeting. This is what we heard: A mix of housing types, prioritizing rental housing, family friendly housing, and options for homeownership are needed in the neighbourhood. Retail options such as restaurants, clothing stores, food markets, and independent businesses are missing from the neighbourhood. Pedestrian and cycling connections to the site need to be improved. Parks, lush green spaces, and public gathering spaces are needed and should include spaces for kids and dogs. Streets should be safe, vibrant, active and well-lit. Community amenities such as a fitness centre and community meeting space are needed in the neighbourhood. The current buildings and the surrounding area need repair and improvements including cleanliness, improved security, better sidewalks, and a better garbage removal system. Wellesley Parliament Square 3
The Neighbourhood St. James Town The World Within a Block. Today St. James Town it is a vibrant multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual hub and the diversity of the neighbourhood is its strength. Known as The World Within a Block, St. James Town is one of the most multicultural neighbourhoods in Toronto. Its multiculturalism is celebrated in the unique local businesses and restaurants that highlight the diversity of the neighbourhood. Demographically, the neighbourhood is made up of recent immigrants. Wellesley Parliament Square 7
St. James Town Revitalization Future planning of this property will be shaped by local revitalization plans, the recent development activity and urban revival of the neighbourhood. Recent Neighbourhood Development There are a number of developments in the local area either under construction or in the planning process. New developments will add new buildings, new community members and a mix of uses including local retail. St. James Town Community Improvement Plan (CIP) The Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for St. James Town was approved by City Council in 2003 for the area bounded by Bloor Street East, Parliament Street, Wellesley Street East, and Sherbourne Street. A new CIP, which will replace and expand the earlier CIP, is being developed. The intent is that the new CIP will encourage open space improvements for the area. The CIP can play an important role in implementing public realm objectives for the area. St. James Town Public Realm and Open Space Plan The St. James Town Public Realm and Open Space Plan s goal is to improve neighbourhood open spaces by creating safer and more usable open spaces and pedestrian connections. = New development activity Tower Renewal Apartment towers built during the 1960 s and 1970 s are the backbone of Toronto s purpose-built rental stock, and provide affordable housing to many Torontonians. Tower Renewal helps to celebrate tower neighbourhoods as diverse, dynamic and resilient communities, and supports initiatives that encourage community engagement and drive change and improvement within local communities. Wellesley Parliament Square 9
Our Aspirations Our vision for the property is for an integrated mixed-use community with parks and greenery, retail and services, and addresses the current needs of our tenants. The future development of this site is an opportunity to connect the site with the surrounding neighbourhood through bicycle, pedestrian and road linkages and for infill that will complement the existing built form. There is potential on the site to introduce a mixed-use neighbourhood with a broad range of community oriented services and retail, increase the supply of housing types and forms including homeownership, high-rise condominium, mid-rise, and townhomes, add functional greenspace and restore community amenities. Wellesley Parliament Square 10
Our Vision Our vision for the site includes a development that can contribute to the current and future community. Vehicle routes Pedestrian and bicycle routes Concept Plan LEGEND: VEHICULAR CONNECTIONS LEGEND: BICYCLE ROUTES LEGEND: EYES ON THE PUBLIC REALM PEDESTRIAN ROUTES PROPOSED PARKS/POPS PROPOSED COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT HOWARD ST. HOWARD ST. HOWARD ST. PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ONTARIO ST. ST. JAMES AVE. ONTARIO ST. ST. JAMES AVE. ONTARIO ST. PARLIAMENT ST. ST. JAMES AVE. POPS PARLIAMENT ST. PARLIAMENT ST. URBAN SQUARE PUBLIC PARK WELLESLEY ST. E WELLESLEY ST. E WELLESLEY ST. E Greatwise Developments aspires to develop a plan that will enhance the quality of life and address the needs PROPOSED VEHICULAR CONNECTIONS PROPOSED PEDESTRIAN & BICYCLE ROUTES 2018.03.01 2018.03.01 POSSIBLE BUILT FORM INFILL 2018.02.23 2018.03.01 of the existing and future residents. Every opportunity can be made to eliminate under-utilized surface parking areas and open spaces. Reorganizing the site may result in significant public realm improvements and can help to create more efficient and attractive site conditions. 1 Improve existing condition of 2 Reduce surface parking and 3 apartment towers and site as part improve on-site vehicular and of redevelopment plan. pedestrian circulation. New and existing buildings work together to frame streets and outdoor amenity spaces. 4 Landscape areas throughout the 5 site are improved to raise the overall quality of the property. Physical and visual connections are introduced to create a safer and more accessible site. Wellesley Parliament Square 11
The Planning Process We are committed to engaging the community throughout the planning process and as the project evolves. There are a number of steps that are anticipated to take place as part of the overall planning process. As the project evolves, there will be many opportunities for the community to provide feedback around the future of the site. The Planning Process Open House #1 Open House #2 (Plan) Submit development application Launch Community Engagement Hub (We are here) Wellesley Parliament Square 2
Community Input How will public engagement inform the plans for this property? Public engagement is a key part of the planning process, which will help our team understand community values, concerns and aspirations for the future of the site. This community input will be considered along with existing property conditions and constraints, developer aspirations and applicable planning policies to inform the development of a master plan for the site. Our goal is to maintain open communication with you throughout the planning process. Please provide us with your email address at the sign-in desk so we can keep you updated. Local & Regional Planning Policy Property Owner Aspirations Inputs Existing Property Conditions & Constraints Community Input Wellesley Parliament Square 13
Staying In Your Home We want you to stay in your community. There will be more rental opportunities, homeownership options, and a mix of housing types in the community, including the introduction of condominium, mid-rise and low-rise townhomes. Whether you want to stay in your unit, or in the neighbourhood; this project will help you stay and raise your family in your community. We will not displace current residents from their home, or change rents, and the existing tenants will have first opportunities for purchasing new units. Wellesley Parliament Square 14
A Mix Of Housing Types Our plan proposes to add new residential units to Wellesley Parliament Square which includes a mix of townhomes, midrises, and a high-rise building, with options for rental and homeownership. Wellesley Parliament Square 4
Shops Close To Home Shops are where local businesses thrive, neighbours run into each other and where day-to-day life happens. Adding new retail spaces and renovating existing retail could provide a broader range of retail and services to the local community. Services that you need day-to-day will be right next door in your community. Wellesley Parliament Square 16
Shops Close To Home Our plan includes street fronted retail in a variety of sizes that will encourage a vibrant street-life and provide a broad range of retail types and services to the local community. Wellesley Parliament Square 5
Connections There is an opportunity to improve cycling, pedestrian and car access into the site. Connectivity can enhance safety, bringing more activity and life to the streets. A new public street, sidewalks and cycling paths can connect Wellesley Parliament Square with the greater neighbourhood and city. Improved connectivity on the site can enhance safety, bringing more activity and life to the streets. Ashton Pal Wellesley Parliament Square 18
Connections Our plan includes new public streets, sidewalks and cycling paths that can connect Wellesley Parliament Square with the greater neighbourhood and city. Rose Avenue can extend to connect St. James Ave and Wellesley Street East and new streets connecting St. James Ave. to Parliament Street can help to create better movement through the site. Drop off connections to buildings can also be improved to make accessing the buildings easier. Pedestrian and cycling routes along new streets can also improve connections through the site, integrating Wellesley Parliament Square to the surrounding community. New walking paths can also be added to create more pedestrian connections between buildings. Vehicle routes Pedestrian and bicycle routes Concept Plan LEGEND: VEHICULAR CONNECTIONS LEGEND: BICYCLE ROUTES LEGEND: EYES ON THE PUBLIC REALM SITE EXTENTS PEDESTRIAN ROUTES PROPOSED PARKS/POPS SITE EXTENTS PROPOSED COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT HOWARD ST. HOWARD ST. HOWARD ST. PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT SITE EXTENTS ONTARIO ST. ST. JAMES AVE. ONTARIO ST. ST. JAMES AVE. ONTARIO ST. ST. JAMES AVE. POPS PARLIAMENT ST. PARLIAMENT ST. MID-RISE ROSE AVE. ROSE AVE. TOWNHOUSES TOWNHOUSES TOWNHOUSES URBAN SQUARE TOWN- HOUSES PARLIAMENT ST. ROSE AVE. TOWER PUBLIC PARK WELLESLEY ST. E WELLESLEY ST. E WELLESLEY ST. E Wellesley Parliament Square 6
Public Realm Parks, open and programmable community spaces can enhance the quality of life for residents. These spaces allow people to bond and increase a sense of well being in the neighbourhood. Wellesley Parliament Square 20
Public Realm Our plan can improve the public realm through active programmable public spaces, lush landscaping, and improved lighting and seating. Our plan includes open spaces, made up of an urban square, privately owned public spaces, a childen s play area and a public park. South view from St. James Ave to Privaltely Owned Public Space West view from Rose Ave to Urban Square North view to Rose Ave from Wellesley St. E Wellesley Parliament Square 7
Safety By Design Neighbourhoods can become safer and more friendly places by changing the design of the streets and community spaces. Design that promotes public activity on the streets, reduces the number of isolated areas and creates spaces and parks that are well used both during the day and at night can increase informal surveillance and enhance overall safety. Places that meet the needs of the residents, are well maintained with appropriate lighting and connects people with places help to create a positive and comfortable experience. Our plan aims to improve safety and security in the neighbourhood by promoting activity at the street-level through vibrant retail, ground floor residences and public realm improvements such as lighting, seating and better pedestrian connections. Wellesley Parliament Square 8
Community Amenities Greatwise Developments understands the redevelopment of this site presents an opportunity to restore and bring much needed community amenities to Wellesley Parliament Square. Our plan includes bringing a fitness centre and community facility to the Wellesley Parliament Square community. Wellesley Parliament Square 9
Current Buildings We want to improve the existing buildings to better address needs of tenants. Improvements to the existing buildings would involve identifying and renovating, and repurposing spaces within the buildings that can be used by current and future residents and local groups for gathering and community spaces. Our plans for future improvements include: Installing thermal windows in the units Renovating and re-purposing common areas within buildings to be used by current and future tenants A comprehensive program will be developed to upgrade or replace indoor and outdoor facilities Recent repairs and upgrades include: Brand new elevators Refurbished laundry rooms Improved security around buildings Upgraded walls and flooring in common areas and lobbies Ongoing maintenance includes: Providing repairs to units upon written request Daily upkeep to greenery and landscaping Salting and plowing snow during winter months Wellesley Parliament Square 10
Thank You & Keep In Touch! We want you to continue to be engaged in the future of your community. We appreciate your attendance at our Open House, and look forward to hearing more from you. Wellesley Parliament Square 29