South Beach Condo gets Approval

Councillors have unanimously approved without debate a proposed high-rise condominium on the Etobicoke lakefront in Humber Bay Shores complete with a public park.

Etobicoke York Community Council's decision Tuesday, June 9 in support of the Official Plan and zoning amendments permits construction of a 34-storey residential tower connected to a commercial building by a two-storey podium fronting on Lake Shore Boulevard West east of Park Lawn Road.

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority will develop the lakeside rear of the site fronting Marine Parade Drive into a public park.

At present, the property is the site of a two-storey motel and office.

The 107-metre glass building is designed to have an undulating facade, a wave-like effect created by balcony positioning. The tower would include 289 condo units, 51 per cent one-bedroom, 49 per cent two-bedroom.

"The green space where people can sit or play will be a nice complement to the trail-based area there now," said Cindy Rottenberg-Walker, partner with applicant Urban Design Strategies Inc. "It's an urban building created around a very pedestrian area with a European courtyard that protects future views to the lake."

Community benefits secured in a Section 37 agreement include $600,000 for the proposed immediate parkland improvements, as well as $500,000 for public and parkland improvements in the local area.

Area Etobicoke-Lakeshore Councillor Mark Grimes said he "couldn't be more pleased" with the building.

York West Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti concurred. "I think it's wonderful."

It would seem residents agree. Residents who attended a community consultation meeting last December expressed overall acceptance of the proposal, a May 22 city staff report indicated.

South Beach Condos and Lofts aims to bring the Miami, Fla. feel to the Etobicoke lakefront.

In recent years, a number of short condos have popped up on Marine Parade Drive.

A 1992 Ontario Municipal Board guideline resulted in building footprints that consumed the majority of property, with little setbacks from Marine Parade Drive.

Today, city guidelines require 35 metres between condo towers in the Humber Bay Shores area, said Michael McCart, a senior planner with the city who is also the planner on the file.

"The separation distance between buildings was minimal and the towers were shorter and fatter and created the effect of a wall between Marine Parade Drive and the lake. It didn't allow for sightlines to the lake," McCart said of condos built to the 1992 guidelines.

Residents advocated for opening up lake views.

"At a charette, it was unanimous that people wanted to open up the views to the lake, allow retail, regeneration, buildings with a smaller plate (footprint) and thinner buildings," McCart said.

Resident Malcolm Gonzales charged existing condos has resulted in traffic congestion and inadequate parking in the area.

Grimes called the twin issues "growing pains" and said an express bus recently rolled out on Marine Parade Drive is meeting with success and four future condo builds on the strip will include more public parking.

South Beach proposes to build five levels of underground parking, which will include some public parking spaces.

Source Article Tamara Shephard

David Pylyp Great to see Mark Grimes and the community involved in proposed construction. South Beach has been selling for some time but there are suites still available. Contact me for details.