Residents and councillor concerned about 22 townhomes proposed on Lawrence

A development proposal for three residential lots in Lawrence Park has residents and councillor concerned

A developer’s plan to bring 22 townhouses to a stretch of Lawrence Avenue East, near Yonge Street, has Lawrence Park residents gearing up for a fight.

A rezoning and official plan amendment application was recently submitted to Toronto City Council regarding three single-family homes at 84 Weybourne Cres. and 49 and 51 Lawrence Ave. E., to accommodate two blocks of four-storey townhouses by Gairloch Developments. It will also include underground parking.

Residents and Ward 25 councillor Jaye Robinson worry that, if approved, it will set a precedent in the area.

The official plan calls for low scale residential developments that “respect and reinforce” the existing  physical character of the area — which is largely made up of single-family dwellings and duplexes. 

“It’s the built form that’s concerning people the most and the sheer volume that’s being proposed. It’s such a massive stretch from what is currently in that neighbourhood,” said Robinson. “We’re all hopeful that it doesn’t go through,” she added.

But developer Bill Gairdner said the site, at 22,500 square feet, is large enough to support this amount of density without having a negative impact on the neighbourhood.

Although current zoning does allow for townhomes, Janet Griffin, director of development with the Lawrence Park Ratepayers’ Association (LPRA), believes the development is actually more similar to a midrise condominium.

“To call it anything other than that is utterly disingenuous on the part of the developer,” she said.

Gairdner said the technical term is a “rowplex,” a hybrid that he believes will provide “some much needed variety to the housing supply in the neighbourhood.”

“Not everyone can afford $2 to $3 million homes,” he said. 

A community consultation is expected to take place in the fall, and Gairdner said he intends to work with residents on a settlement that complements the location that all parties can live with.

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