University of Toronto Scarborough Campus

On August 31st University of Toronto Scarborough celebrated the official opening of UTSC’s newest building known as the Instructional Centre. Housing programs in computer and mathematical sciences, management and co-operative education, the Instructional Centre is designed to prepare the next generation of students to become innovative, engaged leaders ready to contribute to a global Canadian economy. The facility increases academic space on the campus by 25 per cent. At 165,000 square feet, the $78 million IC is the largest building to be constructed since 1966, when the original Andrews Building was completed, establishing the UTSC campus. It offers more student study rooms, lecture halls and classrooms equipped with state-of-the-art digital technology. The facility also features green roofs and solar panels on the rooftop.

The Instructional Centre is a part of UTSC’s long term, north campus expansion plan that will create a central hub for the university at the crossroads of Military Trail and Ellesmere and will also incorporate the future Pan Am Aquatics facility.

Highland Creek Village Area Study

The Highland Creek Village Area Study’s fourth Working Group meeting took place on October 12th, 2011. Part of the meeting consisted of a presentation on Community Services located within and around the study area. City staff also presented their initial conclusions from the study regarding land use, parking, building heights and area characteristics.

The purpose of this area study is to develop a vision for the Highland Creek Village by examining existing needs and challenges, as well as opportunities for improvements and preserving the heritage character of the village. The working group is made up of Scarborough community planners, area residents and members of the local community association.

At the conclusion of the study, the group will be hosting a large format community consultation meeting to present their suggestions to area residents for further feedback and input.

To learn more about this on-going study please visit the City website at: www.toronto.ca/planning/highlandcreekvillage.htm

6500 – 6550 Lawrence Ave. E

Mattamy (Lawrence) Ltd, is proposing to develop the former industrial properties known as 6500, 6510, 6520, 6530, and 6550 Lawrence Ave. E. for residential purposes. The current proposal consists of 25 single family detached homes and 74 townhouse units. 10 of the detached homes would front on to Maberley Crescent with the remaining 15 detached homes adjacent to Adam Creek Ravine. The frontages of the detached dwellings would be similar to the existing homes on Maberley Crescent, while the frontages for the townhomes would be greater than those on Frank Faubert Drive. The proposal would result in the creation of three new 18.5 metre public roads with access points on Lawrence Ave. There is also a 2,470 square metre (26,586 sq. ft) park proposed for the northeast end of the site, adjacent to the Adams Creek natural area.

Community consultation meetings were held by City staff on June 27, 2007 and on October 16, 2007. The meeting of June 27, 2007 was attended by the applicant, Planning staff, TRCA staff along with myself and approximately 50 members of the public. The second meeting in October consisted of staff from City Planning, the TRCA, myself and approximately 50 members of the public.

The original application put forward was for the creation of 107 housing units. After the public consultation meetings this was revised to the current number 99 units. Another change initiated from public feedback was to replace the townhomes along Adams Creek Ravine with single family dwellings. The applicant has also agreed to pay the Toronto Region Conservation Authority an amount of $45,000.00 for the purposes of planting and buffering the Adams Creek Ravine area and maintaining the natural heritage features.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the WRCA and residents for their input and concerns on this issue.