By David Olsen- for TRNTO

January 6, 2021

A proposed development featuring a 59-storey tower has been deemed outrageous by a Markham councillor as a neighbourhood readies itself for the possible extension of the Yonge subway line.

Greencapital is seeking to rezone an approximately 1.5-hectare site at 10 Royal Orchard Blvd., just off Yonge Street, to facilitate the construction of four towers between 25 and 59 storeys. The development is to include 1,560 residential units, 1,866 parking spaces and a public park.

Conceptual floor plans submitted with the application propose an integrated future subway entrance in the event that a Royal Orchard stop is included on a future Yonge Street subway. The extension has yet to be approved and its alignment and stations have yet to be finalized.

“I think it’s completely incompatible with the existing neighbourhood,” said Keith Irish, Markham city councillor for Thornhill. Irish added that residents of the area appreciate the fact that a subway extension will bring intensification along Yonge Street.

“There’s likely to be development all the way up. That’s what I tell people, and people are generally very accepting of that. They also accept the fact, with that in mind, that this location is ripe for development as well,” said Irish.

“However, there’s development and then there’s development. This is far too intensive, far too dense for that neighbourhood. Imagine a 59-storey tower at the top of a hill. It’s going to be enormous.”

Read complete story here: https://trnto.com/condo-market-toronto-growth/