Put a stop to 3 Towers in Vaughan Weston and 7

[wheelz]

Frank Palladini is proposing 3 condo's at Hwy 7 and Weston right where Al Palladini's car dealership is located. The tallest tower being 32 stories with two others at 28 and 24 storeys. It's over 1000 units. This will cause even more traffic headaches. We can't let this happen.

There is a meeting on June 3rd at the Civic Center.

Details:
June 3, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Civic Centre Council Chambers
2141 Major Mackenzie Drive, Vaughan, Ontario L6A 1T1

It's on Major Mack just East of Keele St.

Here are the scans of the letter I received:
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1192/page1avi2.th.gif (http://img339.imageshack.us/my.php?image=page1avi2.gif)
http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/9799/page1bks8.th.gif (http://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=page1bks8.gif)
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/811/page2aib5.th.gif (http://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=page2aib5.gif)
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/9932/page2bon2.th.gif (http://img171.imageshack.us/my.php?image=page2bon2.gif)

Please show up.

[UrbanPoet]

Whats wrong with this type of development?
The improved population density might actually help promote local business and employment in the area!

[ullyeus]

I'm always fascinated by things like this, if I was adamantly against something you can make sure that I would back it up with lots of information and insight into why I thought it was a bad idea. Making sure to note the positive and negatives and explain why those negatives outweigh the positives.

yet time and time again I see people on blogs or forums calling people to protest with nearly no explanation given.

bizarre.

[Madchester]

With the TTC building a station at Jane and 7 for the Spadina extension, I'd prefer to have people in the area to actually use the subway.

[SirAlain]

I hope this project wont trash Woodbridge ... I used to live there and there are really nice neighborhoods.

[random1]

I agree that the traffic at Weston and 7 can get kind of nuts...I think of the Sheppard/Yonge area where the community council wanted all potential condo buyers to be warned about traffic gridlock. To be honest unless buses ran every 15 minutes (or less) to the subway at Jane and 7, and all of those condo buyers want to use public transportation, it is going to be a PAIN to drive through that area. Not to mention the accidents..."In Woodbridge a pedestrian is a speed bump" is something my friend said the other day when we were walking to Colossus (the movie theater at Weston and 7).

The article that talks about the problems at Yonge/Sheppard is here (http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_22465.aspx).

[gilboman]

I agree that the traffic at Weston and 7 can get kind of nuts...I think of the Sheppard/Yonge area where the community council wanted all potential condo buyers to be warned about traffic gridlock. To be honest unless buses ran every 15 minutes (or less) to the subway at Jane and 7, and all of those condo buyers want to use public transportation, it is going to be a PAIN to drive through that area. Not to mention the accidents..."In Woodbridge a pedestrian is a speed bump" is something my friend said the other day when we were walking to Colossus (the movie theater at Weston and 7).

The article that talks about the problems at Yonge/Sheppard is here (http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_22465.aspx).

yonge/sheppard has a whole lot more traffic than weston/7 not to mention residental high density units.

[hoopsandyoyo]

I hope this project actually goes through with great success

[Tijuana]

I'm always fascinated by things like this, if I was adamantly against something you can make sure that I would back it up with lots of information and insight into why I thought it was a bad idea. Making sure to note the positive and negatives and explain why those negatives outweigh the positives.

yet time and time again I see people on blogs or forums calling people to protest with nearly no explanation given.

bizarre.

traffic, the most simple and best argument for not building condos on every square foot we can find. Its all about money, why build roads when you can builds condo and get soo much more money? Economically yes, building condos wherever they fit is good, but practically and ethically, it is not.

[random1]

yonge/sheppard has a whole lot more traffic than weston/7 not to mention residental high density units.

I agree that Yonge/Sheppard has more traffic but I'd like to direct you to an article (http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_1795.aspx) that names Weston and 7 as the worst intersection in York Region, with the most collisions recorded in a 6 month period. The article estimates half a million vehicles go through that intersection everyday. I am looking for more solid statistics on that though.

[random1]

I hope this project actually goes through with great success

I can see it improving the economy and increasing population density to justify building the subway station at Jane and 7. I actually take the bus to get around so it'd be beneficial for me too because the bus service hypothetically will improve. I just think its not the best location for it.

[Ojam]

Nimby.

[UrbanPoet]

I always thought that perhaps... It'd be better to make many low rise towers across the city with a combination of businesses, and residential housing.
Kind of like the downtown model of urbanization...
Example. danforth/bloor. Very VIBRANT neighbourhoods. Commercial businesses run rampant along the main streets with dense residential housing off into the back streets north/south of these main streets.

[IronMan4Life]

The Bridge is probably the best place outside of the 416 in the GTA (better overall than Richmond Hill) Would hate to see it get all trafficked up

[gilboman]

I agree that Yonge/Sheppard has more traffic but I'd like to direct you to an article (http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_1795.aspx) that names Weston and 7 as the worst intersection in York Region, with the most collisions recorded in a 6 month period. The article estimates half a million vehicles go through that intersection everyday. I am looking for more solid statistics on that though.

but the collison is the result of driver carelessness not traffic. so the volume of traffic is not to blame.

[gilboman]

traffic, the most simple and best argument for not building condos on every square foot we can find. Its all about money, why build roads when you can builds condo and get soo much more money? Economically yes, building condos wherever they fit is good, but practically and ethically, it is not.

actually its the opposite. York Region has a target of 40% of all new development to be high density, high density is much much more practical than low density developments. and what does ethics have to do with it? are they using 3rd world child labor to build it?

[mlc2000]

It can't be any worse than Mississauga.
Traffic at Hiway 1o/Burnhamthorpe will be unbearable when they finish all the condos there.
Sooooo glad I moved away. Hazel has allowed unbridled development.

http://www.nazaarsrealty.com/images/ProductPages/Image/060329_condotower1_300.jpg

[rilhouse]

due to the spadina subway extension, development in this area seems like a good idea to me.

[random1]

I was looking at the weekly flyers (like a true RFDer ^_^) when I came upon this article (http://www.vaughantoday.ca/story.php?id=717) in the newspaper. I think it may indicate how the community feels about a project like this. This was for another intersection along highway 7, but this time at Kipling. Please note that although the proposal was denied, there will still be more proposals. I think the community is seeking a reasonable amount of development that includes their participation. It's possible the community will clamor for such high density development at Highway 7 and Weston. I simply hope that any concerns will be voiced to the council and duly noted. Here are some quotes:

"Vaughan’s municipal politicians expressed disapproval and disdain for a proposed 17-storey condominium on Kipling Ave. and Hwy. 7 at an emotional public meeting Tuesday night."

“I think we need to send a resounding ‘no’ to the applicant,” Mayor Linda Jackson said as thunderous applause rippled throughout the cramped council chambers. “I will not support a 17-storey building.”

Jackson warned residents that this wouldn’t be the end of the structure. A new application will come forward, intensification is inevitable, and the community must be realistic, prepared and involved in the process, she said.

“I’m certainly going to challenge the applicant to resubmit something that is certainly far more reasonable.”

Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco agreed.

“There are places where high density should be and there are places it shouldn’t be,” Racco said. “And this is an example of where it shouldn’t be.”

Traffic is already a problem at that juncture of Hwy. 7 and a structure of such magnitude would only make it worse, Regional Councillor Mario Ferri said. The cumulative effect of that many residential areas must be evaluated before proceeding in any way, he added."

"Residents complained the reduction of parking spaces and influx of people would render Kipling a parking lot, jam neighbouring schools already at capacity, and endanger the safety of community, especially children."

[Tijuana]

actually its the opposite. York Region has a target of 40% of all new development to be high density, high density is much much more practical than low density developments. and what does ethics have to do with it? are they using 3rd world child labor to build it?

Ethics would state that when building a city you build it to provide comfort to its citizens. Is it comfortable to wait in rush hour for an hour? Just to move a few kilometers can take several minutes. Building condo's are all about money. If the government was smart, they would force these companies to build further north, biuld bigger cities liek barrie, orrilia, ajax, huntsville, muskoka, etc. Build these cities instead of cramming everyone into the smallest space possible.

They are not benefiting the community, they are only benefiting themselves.

[Ojam]

Ethics would state that when building a city you build it to provide comfort to its citizens. Is it comfortable to wait in rush hour for an hour? Just to move a few kilometers can take several minutes. Building condo's are all about money. If the government was smart, they would force these companies to build further north, biuld bigger cities liek barrie, orrilia, ajax, huntsville, muskoka, etc. Build these cities instead of cramming everyone into the smallest space possible.

They are not benefiting the community, they are only benefiting themselves.

You may want to look up urban sprawl.

[Stock R]

The article estimates half a million vehicles go through that intersection everyday. I am looking for more solid statistics on that though.

I find that REALLY hard to believe.

500,000 cars/day =
~20833 cars/hour =
~347 cars/minute

I'd like to see 347 cars go through an intersection every minute 24/7.

[molala]

Reality....there's no way you could stop them regardless of how many meetings you attend...not only it creates employment and businesses...it also increase the municiple government's income by receiving property tax from these condo owners...also increase of resident's property tax as the property value will go up in the town...

i think it's a good idea....once the population is more dense...it urge the government to open up a local hospital asap....i read an article recently that over 70% of Vanghan reseidents have to travel to hospitals in Toronto for any medical emergency...which is no good

[random1]

I find that REALLY hard to believe.

500,000 cars/day =
~20833 cars/hour =
~347 cars/minute

I'd like to see 347 cars go through an intersection every minute 24/7.

You're right, I guess I shouldn't trust Cp24 for their statistics. I really can't seem to find statistics for Highway 7 though, since it is a regional road and the only statistics available on MTO are for actual highways.

Reality....there's no way you could stop them regardless of how many meetings you attend...not only it creates employment and businesses...it also increase the municiple government's income by receiving property tax from these condo owners...also increase of resident's property tax as the property value will go up in the town...

i think it's a good idea....once the population is more dense...it urge the government to open up a local hospital asap....i read an article recently that over 70% of Vanghan reseidents have to travel to hospitals in Toronto for any medical emergency...which is no good

A recent meeting held last Tuesday about a condo proposal at the nearby intersection (highway 7/kipling) was full of community members who did not want the proposal to go through...so Mayor Linda Jackson denied approval of the proposal. I understand increasing urban density is a good way to promote the development of things like hospitals and public transportation...but there is a right way to do it, and that's with community input.

[gilboman]

You're right, I guess I shouldn't trust Cp24 for their statistics. I really can't seem to find statistics for Highway 7 though, since it is a regional road and the only statistics available on MTO are for actual highways.



A recent meeting held last Tuesday about a condo proposal at the nearby intersection (highway 7/kipling) was full of community members who did not want the proposal to go through...so Mayor Linda Jackson denied approval of the proposal. I understand increasing urban density is a good way to promote the development of things like hospitals and public transportation...but there is a right way to do it, and that's with community input.

mayor jackson can't do anything..it'll go to the OMB and the city will lose.

[dell]

An almost identical development is being planned near the Etobicoke City Hall. The proposal is to demolish the Valhalla Inn off of the 427/East Mall between Burnhamthorpe and Bloor. People are complaining that the estimates of around 1500 to 2000 additional cars in the neighbourhood would cause havoc in this area.

[Tijuana]

An almost identical development is being planned near the Etobicoke City Hall. The proposal is to demolish the Valhalla Inn off of the 427/East Mall between Burnhamthorpe and Bloor. People are complaining that the estimates of around 1500 to 2000 additional cars in the neighbourhood would would cause havoc in this area.

As it will because bloor is only 2 lanes, 50km/h maximum, no left turn only lanes, if you get off the 427 before the burnhamthorpe exit, near Micheal power high school, good luck trying to drive your way around during rush hour.

[wheelz]

Let me get something straight, I'm not against condo's. I'm just against the size of this project. It will be a nightmare in that area. Hasn't Palladini made enough money??

[random1]

Let me get something straight, I'm not against condo's. I'm just against the size of this project. It will be a nightmare in that area.

I agree. I really just want community input to be taken into consideration to help make this into something all parties can agree with.

[CSR]

I always thought that perhaps... It'd be better to make many low rise towers across the city with a combination of businesses, and residential housing.
Kind of like the downtown model of urbanization...
Example. danforth/bloor. Very VIBRANT neighbourhoods. Commercial businesses run rampant along the main streets with dense residential housing off into the back streets north/south of these main streets.

You are giving me nightmares from Urban Geography.. you talk like my prof.

[Venom]

where is the civic center and what time. Im there!

[wheelz]

June 3, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Civic Centre Council Chambers
2141 Major Mackenzie Drive, Vaughan, Ontario L6A 1T1

It's on Major Mack just East of Keele St.

[Venom]

where are you getting this information from. Do you have a link ?

[wheelz]

where are you getting this information from. Do you have a link ?

It came in the mail. I guess because we live really close to the area.

[Venom]

if you can scan that i'll create a huge event

[UrbanPoet]

You are giving me nightmares from Urban Geography.. you talk like my prof.

urbanpoet also likes urbanplanning :cool:

[wheelz]

if you can scan that i'll create a huge event

I'll try scanning it later.

[gilboman]

urbanpoet also likes urbanplanning :cool:

urban planning at school and urban planning in practice is very different. They never talked about sanitary servicing and sewer allocation in school, yet that is what all the development revolves around in York Region.

[wheelz]

Here are the scans of the letter I received:
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1192/page1avi2.th.gif (http://img339.imageshack.us/my.php?image=page1avi2.gif)
http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/9799/page1bks8.th.gif (http://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=page1bks8.gif)
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/811/page2aib5.th.gif (http://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=page2aib5.gif)
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/9932/page2bon2.th.gif (http://img171.imageshack.us/my.php?image=page2bon2.gif)

Funny how the City of Vaughan website makes no mention of this meeting:
http://www.city.vaughan.on.ca/vaughan/public_meetings/index.cfm

And this letter was only sent to a small area of houses near Bestbuy. I'm not sure the area in which they must send these letters to. It's kind of sneaky because all the land around the site is commercial so the owners in the commercial areas will gladly accept these condos.

This all stinks if you ask me.

[gilboman]

And this letter was only sent to a small area of houses near Bestbuy. I'm not sure the area in which they must send these letters to. It's kind of sneaky because all the land around the site is commercial so the owners in the commercial areas will gladly accept these condos.

This all stinks if you ask me.

they only have to send it to owners within 100m of the proposed application. How is it sneaky? if you aren't near the vicinity of the proposed application, what you have to say is really irrelevent.

[wheelz]

I'm really not sure how these things work. It does say that it's a "Public Meeting" and it doesn't specify anywhere that it's only for certain residence.

[gilboman]

I'm really not sure how these things work. It does say that it's a "Public Meeting" and it doesn't specify anywhere that it's only for certain residence.

it's a public meeting in that anybody can attend (general public), but that doesnt mean they will/have to circulate it to everybody. Because it makes really no sense to circulate it to people in Block 33W or wherever in the municipality when it doesnt really even concern them. It's only people within 100meters of affected proposal and commenting agencies that get circulated these things.

[Tijuana]

it's a public meeting in that anybody can attend (general public), but that doesnt mean they will/have to circulate it to everybody. Because it makes really no sense to circulate it to people in Block 33W or wherever in the municipality when it doesnt really even concern them. It's only people within 100meters of affected proposal and commenting agencies that get circulated these things.

Increased traffic can affect people more than 100m away, it can reach up to 2-5 km

[hot_potato]

Intensification is good if the infrastructure is already in place to support such development. In this case, without a subway line for people to avoid surface transportation, it probably will only compound the traffic problems in the area.

BTW, isn't any Palladini supposed to be a pal of mine? :lol:

[gilboman]

Increased traffic can affect people more than 100m away, it can reach up to 2-5 km

well..its the immediate area, because if you aren't in the immediate area, you arent even a stakeholder. and arguing bout traffic few km away you wont have a leg to stand on at the OMB.

because if you live 2-5km away, you can take alternate routes whereas if you were within 100m you have no choice.

[Tristan910]

By the time the condos are completed, traffic won't be an issue. There will be fewer cars on the road due to high gas prices. Probably around $2/L.

[manixc]

Shouldn't this be good for Toronto? Instead of urban sprawl, you are building upward.

I don't see traffic as a big issue. It might be inconvenience for a short term but the flow will adjust eventually.

[Madchester]

Seeing the plans, I look forward to the condos in the area. Vaughan is going ahead to develop the 1500 acres in that area into a new suburban downtown aka the Vaughan Corporate Centre. I prefer these new mini hubs so that suburbanites don't have to travel cross-town for work.

When you live near a major highway or transportation hub, you have to accept the inevitable development that follows it.

[Ziggy007]

That intersection is already packed with the mega shpping centers located on 3 of the 4 corners, and Collosus on the next.

Perhaps not the best urban planning.

[gilboman]

That intersection is already packed with the mega shpping centers located on 3 of the 4 corners, and Collosus on the next.

Perhaps not the best urban planning.

this is exactly what high density is all about. its a lot better design than low density sprawl.

[wheelz]

this is exactly what high density is all about. its a lot better design than low density sprawl.

Who's it better for? How can this benefit the community?

[gilboman]

Who's it better for? How can this benefit the community?

its better for the city, its better for its citizens, its better for transit, its better for traffic, its just how a city should be developed. the low density urban sprawl garbage is going to finally be the execption rather than the norm. eventhough vaughan is way behind markham in urban design. vaughan is pretty bad in sprwal and lack of cohesive vision. but its plan for the hwy 7 corridor and all the high density is a good start.

[wheelz]

its better for the city, its better for its citizens, its better for transit, its better for traffic, its just how a city should be developed. the low density urban sprawl garbage is going to finally be the execption rather than the norm. eventhough vaughan is way behind markham in urban design. vaughan is pretty bad in sprwal and lack of cohesive vision. but its plan for the hwy 7 corridor and all the high density is a good start.

I guess your not familiar with the area. How is this better for citizens, transit and traffic?

[untaka]

This is awesome I love living in small cramp corners surrounded by loads of traffic! Suburbs != Downtown, since I work in this area I can see this as a horrible idea. If you want cramp corners surrounded by people and traffic live downtown.

[wheelz]

This is awesome I love living in small cramp corners surrounded by loads of traffic! Suburbs != Downtown, since I work in this area I can see this as a horrible idea. If you want cramp corners surrounded by people and traffic live downtown.

Thank you

[rilhouse]

as i've said, i think this is a good idea. hopefully if these buildings are constructed most people will use the spadina subway (when it's extended) so traffic in the area wouldn't be impacted. this of course is wishful thinking but with the high price of gas, who knows?

i also believe that the community should decide if they want this, but that rarely happens thanks to the OMB.

[wheelz]

as i've said, i think this is a good idea. hopefully if these buildings are constructed most people will use the spadina subway (when it's extended) so traffic in the area wouldn't be impacted. this of course is wishful thinking but with the high price of gas, who knows?

i also believe that the community should decide if they want this, but that rarely happens thanks to the OMB.

I doubt we will ever see a subway line in our lifetime.

[goob3r]

This is awesome I love living in small cramp corners surrounded by loads of traffic! Suburbs != Downtown, since I work in this area I can see this as a horrible idea. If you want cramp corners surrounded by people and traffic live downtown.

Heaven forbid that the added traffic would inconvenience you, the commuter coming in from Scarborough. Imagine if all the people who worked in the area, lived in the area. Traffic wouldn't be so bad because people could walk to work, carpool, bike, and generally cut down traffic around the GTA. :!: What a concept.

[gilboman]

I guess your not familiar with the area. How is this better for citizens, transit and traffic?

i am very familiar with the area. the hwy 7 corridor is going to be all high density development in all of york region to support transit, without the required high density, it'll be hard to support public rapid transit. to achieve the region's goal of 40% high density development, the regional road 7 area will all be high density from markham in the east all the way to vaughan.

so it is better for citizens because the high density is required to support transit and get people out of their cars along the employment and future residential corridor. you need a certain density before public transit works. building roads and urban sprawl is what caused the traffic mess in the first place, adding more sprwal and low density development just makes things worse.

[untaka]

Heaven forbid that the added traffic would inconvenience you, the commuter coming in from Scarborough. Imagine if all the people who worked in the area, lived in the area. Traffic wouldn't be so bad because people could walk to work, carpool, bike, and generally cut down traffic around the GTA. :!: What a concept.

I love it when people post such ridiculous unrealistic ideas. SURE IN THEORY it sounds good, but lets not overestimate ourselves here. We both know this won't happen so why suggest it?

Wouldn't it be a perfect world where you found the perfect job that you could walk to everyday in Canada's perfect weather all year around!

Your the type of person that enjoys paying $400,000 for a 700 square foot apartment because its trendy and you enjoy not having a good country.

For me there is lots of land here in Ontario, I don't understand why we don't set it up correctly, maybe I just enjoy having land of my own rather then living in a closet.

[gilboman]

For me there is lots of land here in Ontario, I don't understand why we don't set it up correctly, maybe I just enjoy having land of my own rather then living in a closet.

no, you just enjoy urban sprawl and have no appreciation of how much it actually costs to have low density housing. You also enjoy being oblivious to good urban planning and have no familarity of what each person wanting and getting their little front/back yard, attached garage etc means in the long term.

the problem was we thought there was lots of land in ontario and we just used it up and ended up with sprawl and clogged roads, only know do we realize, just because there's land doesnt mean it makes sense to build low density on it.

[Madchester]

For me there is lots of land here in Ontario, I don't understand why we don't set it up correctly, maybe I just enjoy having land of my own rather then living in a closet.

The provincial government has permanently protected a greenbelt surrounding the GTA and Golden Horseshoe. Suburban development has already reached the fringes of the Greenbelt and it's forced developers to work on high-density projects to limit sprawl.

http://www.ourgreenbelt.ca/sites/ourgreenbelt.ca/files/images/about_map.jpg

Putting it simply, you won't see any (further) development in that green area on the map.

[untaka]

no, you just enjoy urban sprawl and have no appreciation of how much it actually costs to have low density housing. You also enjoy being oblivious to good urban planning and have no familarity of what each person wanting and getting their little front/back yard, attached garage etc means in the long term.

the problem was we thought there was lots of land in ontario and we just used it up and ended up with sprawl and clogged roads, only know do we realize, just because there's land doesnt mean it makes sense to build low density on it.

Maybe I could be wrong. But I'm an Anti-Downtown type of person I like the quite subs.

[wheelz]

Maybe I could be wrong. But I'm an Anti-Downtown type of person I like the quite subs.

Same here.

[gilboman]

Same here.

they why are you living in the CITY of vaughan:confused:

go move to east gwillimbury or georgina.

[wheelz]

they why are you living in the CITY of vaughan:confused:

go move to east gwillimbury or georgina.

Because I don't like long commutes. I live in Vaughan because it's quiet enough and in the middle of everything. Every major city is within 20 minutes of here.

[go leafs]

like someone else said, this whole area is going to be high density (http://www.city.vaughan.on.ca/newscentre/projects/vcc.html). the subway will come here as well as other major transit infrastructure. here's one of the potential plans that Metrolinx is looking at. (one of the conceptual plans... I think the draft plan comes out in June)

edit: I made another thread (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=594101) about the transportation plan


http://metrolinx.limehouse.com/events/2465/images/web/218565_0_1.jpg

[wheelz]

Please show up tomorrow night if you can. Thanks.

[goob3r]

Because I don't like long commutes. I live in Vaughan because it's quiet enough and in the middle of everything. Every major city is within 20 minutes of here.

What is with this "not in my backyard" mentality. You live in Vaughan cause it's central enough to be close to all these places, hence other people want to move in due to the same reason. Intensification is needed to support that. If you want to be in the middle of everything you have to get used to it.

[Venom]

how did it go, was there a big turn out?