SUBMISSION: SUPPORT OPA 405…

SUBMISSION: SUPPORT OPA 405 I strongly support the submission entered by the Republic Residents’ Association (RRA) outlining in detail the importance of endorsing OPA 405. I now appeal personally to show the real and emotional human impact of unchecked development. My husband and I, aged 79 and 77, are residents of 70 Roehampton Avenue. We moved here from Vancouver to be closer to family living nearby, as well as to be close to shopping and transportation amenities. With this in mind, we are fully aware of the need for development as the Eglinton subway brings growth to the area. We see how the Increased retail and commercial growth will certainly add to a more dynamic and creative environment. Although I am in full support of development, consideration should to be given to the needs of the people in this community, Otherwise the development impacts will be negative .As noted in the more detailed, and technical submissions, although the quadrant immediately northeast of Eglinton and Yonge already exceeds the designated high density goal, the high-rises continue to go up relentlessly. Roehampton Ave., as well as Broadway immediately north, has had every application approved by the OMB with very few areas left untouched. All this has been done with little provision for green space or parkland. In fact, some Section 37 funds generated is earmarked for a parkette south of Eglinton Avenue. Also note that Roehampton Ave. (as well as Broadway Ave.) is a long unbroken block from Yonge St. to Redpath St. Eglinton Avenue on the north side is also a long “unbroken” street. Contrast that with the south side of Eglinton where three streets, Holly, Dunfield, and Lillian provide a natural physical break in the streetscape. Not so for those of us facing the north side of Eglinton. We will see an unbroken wall of concrete! The side streets adjacent to Eglinton, although increasingly made up of highrises, are mainly residential areas. Our apartment is home to many young families who cannot afford an entry level house in Toronto, or immigrant families with European or Asian backgrounds, who are familiar with apartment living. There are also many seniors like ourselves, who have downsized from a house to an apartment but want to remain in this area to be closer to family and enjoy being close to amenities and public transportation. As such we are out on the street a lot and very aware and appreciative of our surroundings. There is a green path proposed in the new Midtown in Focus Plan which will go along the north side of Eglinton East. Although this will improve the streetscape of Eglinton Avenue, it will take many years to fruition. We residents north of Eglinton will not benefit greatly as there are few access points and, if anything, the increased set-backs to provide for this green path will serve to bring the impending 55-45 story buildings looming closer to us. So the residents to the north of this concrete wall, including young families with strollers and seniors, will bear the brunt physically, psychologically and emotionally. This is why I implore you to approve OPA 405. There are few areas left where this amendment can be implemented, but once they are let go, we will not get it back!