Downtown Church Wants Say On Planned Condo Project
Posted March 3, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A proposed new condo project is causing concern amongst members of a downtown church.
Representatives for St. Basil’s Church, located at St. Joseph and Bay Sts., fear the plan to build two high-rise condominium towers to the north will not only dwarf the church but will take away the 150-space private parking lot used by parishioners. They’re making a last-minute appeal to Toronto City Council Monday to defer the project’s application.
In defending those who attend programs and services at the 151-year-old Roman Catholic church, associate pastor Mark Gazin said he wasn’t against development of the land but feels the space could be better used. St. Basil’s is part of St. Michael’s College, and the college, not the church, apparently owns the property in question.
Gazin, in a published report, said he wanted council to send the proposal back to planning committee for 60 days to consider providing the church’s 4,300 members with space to park in any new plan they come up with. He’ll present a 1,200 name petition to council requesting the deferment.
The city councillor who represents the controversial area, Kyle Rae, insists the church was represented in discussions by the college president. City planning staff apparently attended a public meeting at the church in December to gather opinions on the project.
As for parking, the college is reportedly set to make 80 spaces available to the church at Alumni Hall, on the south side of St. Joseph, for church services on Sunday.
The proposed developer, Rattling Chain Investments Inc., has reduced its plans from three towers to two, and has agreed to create a park in the area.
