Humbertown Plans Rejected by Local Councillors

Last week, about 300 people packed themselves into The Church on The Queensway to let their voices be heard regarding the future of The Humbertown Centre, a development that has been in the system for more than two years. This was the final opportunity for local residents to discuss the new plans.

After residents spent six hours aggressively attacking the proposal on issues such as the lack of traffic options, the intense density levels, and the lack of “architectural excellence,” the councillors voted unanimously against supporting the project.

“The objections that we have to the proposed Humbertown site are not simply negative responses to the developer’s natural wishes to optimize their development, nor is it a response from a small group of people fighting any kind of development – the NIMBY factor. It’s been the fuel that has constantly rekindled our belief that any redevelopment on the site is appropriate for the community,” said Lachlan MacLachlan, director of the Humber Valley Residents’ Association.

First Capital (partnered with Tridel) proposed a new multi-tower project for the Humbertown Centre, redeveloping the old buildings into a mixed-use development, featuring 604 new residential suites. The towers would range from 12 to 21 storeys, and add new commercial and retail space to the site. The plans were altered by First Capital three times in attempt to find common ground with the local residents, but it looks like the locals aren’t satisfied.

"We believe in the site, it achieves all the objectives of the provincial policy statement, Places to Grow Act, and the City of Toronto's official plan," commented Cyndi Rottenberg-Walker of Urban Strategies. "No buildings on the site will be taller than those that already exist to the north and south of the Humbertown Mall site.”

The rejection does not necessarily mean that it’s the end for the project. The developers may bring the project before the Ontario Municipal Board, which allows for both residents and developers to appeal based on legal and planning factors. Given that Toronto Planning had approved the new plans, and the sense that First Capital is happy with the plans, the OMB may weigh in their favour.

“We’re very confident with our proposal, we’re very comfortable with it - we’re quite proud of it actually,” said Jodi Shpigel, Vice President of First Capital, “We think it fits right in with the community.”

As mentioned previously, Council will vote on the project on June 11th.