The Committee of Adjustment should approve the variance necessary to build the proposed three-story, four-unit dwelling at 456 Armadale Ave.

The subject property sits a block east of a commercial strip along Jane Street, and a 12-minute walk north of Bloor Street. The Junction neighbourhood is also less than 30 minutes away on foot, as is High Park. The subject property is thus a short walk from coffee shops, book stores, grocery stores, parks, restaurants and a number of subway stations along Line 2. The desirability of the neighbourhood has attracted young families (over 20% of neighbourhood residents are under the age of 14) and commuters (over 40% of residents commute to work via public transit). It was these very qualities that drew my family to the neighbourhood.

The problem is that the neighbourhood is not accessible to many Torontonians. The median household income of over $112,000 in Bloor West Village is substantially higher than the Toronto average of $65,000, and the average house price in summer 2020 was over $1.2 million. The housing stock, meanwhile consists of 100% ground-related housing, and there are no apartment buildings in the neighbourhood. Meanwhile, Toronto is in the midst of a housing crisis, which threatens to push people out of the city. It is for this reason that these very types of developments are so needed in our neighbourhoods.

The development proposed by the applicant represents the exact type of gentle density that should be widely encouraged in our neighbourhoods to increase our housing stock. Over 20% of the households in our neighbourhood consist of seniors living alone. Where will they go if they want to downsize to a smaller home nearby? Meanwhile, over 20% of the residents in our neighbourhood consists of children under 14 years of age. Where will they go once they become young adults and want to continue living independently in the neighbourhood?

Developments like the one proposed are essential to the health of our neighbourhoods. They will provide homes for seniors who want to downsize and age in the same neighbourhoods in which they raised their families. They will provide homes for young families looking to buy into this great neighbourhood. And they will ensure our neighbourhoods do not become inaccessible gated communities.