Dear Fellow Leaside Residents:

There is currently a proposal for development at 146-150 Laird Drive that will have a significant impact on our community.  The development (as seen in photo) is massive and will stretch from McRae Drive to Markham Avenue along the west side of Laird.  Current zoning by-laws allow for a maximum building height of 12.2 metres.  The new proposal would see a building measuring 31.81 metres high.  This amounts to a height of almost three times that allowable by law.  (To give you an idea of scale, the large brick heritage building on Laird is included in the lower right area of the proposal.)  It would include 284 residential units and 183 underground parking spaces.

For those with residences backing directly onto the development area, the impact will be substantial.  Because of its colossal size, the building will block a great deal of the natural light enjoyed by these homes.  In addition, eight stories of residential units will have direct views into the yards of these homes, making privacy a serious issue.

The impact on the community as a whole should not be overlooked.  With current development along Laird Drive, traffic congestion has become a serious problem.  Gridlock at Laird/McRae stretches for several blocks in every direction on a daily basis....without exception.  The WalMart development along Wicksteed will only add to this problem.  Without a major traffic artery in or out of the area, traffic is spilling onto residential streets.  Cars can be seen speeding dangerously through the streets of Leaside at all times of the day, trying to avoid the congestion along Laird.  This poses a serious threat to public safety in the area and should be a prime concern for any type of city development.

Development can be seen as a good thing. However, such development should only move forward under the careful scrutiny of city by-laws and should sustain the integrity of the community.  The proposed development at 146-150 Laird is poorly planned and will have a large impact on our neighbourhood as a whole.

We ask that you please write your opinions on this petition.(This can be done in the "Why is this important to you?" section.)  Every comment will be forwarded directly to Guy Matthew, City of Toronto Planner, and Jon Burnside, Councillor for Ward 26.  We also ask that you forward the information and links to this petition to anyone with an interest in preserving our community.  If you wish to leave your email address, you will be updated with any plans for community meetings.  Full details of the development proposal document can also be sent on request via email.

Thank you for getting involved.

"You often come across situations and think...'someone should do something about this'.  Then you realize...I am someone."