We, the undersigned residents and community members, are formally expressing our concerns regarding the proposed development at 50 Stephanie Street and its potential effects on the surrounding neighbourhood, including Grange Park and adjacent residential areas.

 Statement of Concern

We acknowledge the need for thoughtful urban growth and development in Toronto. However, we are concerned that the current proposal at 50 Stephanie Street does not adequately address key issues that negatively impact livability, infrastructure capacity, trees, Grange Park and the Dog Off Leash Area (OLA), and community well-being.

Specifically, we believe that the proposed development:

1. Is excessive in scale, height and density and does not adhere to current zoning
2. Creates negative impact on residential livability and well-being
3. Will produce significant pressure on existing public green space in an area that is park deficient
4.  Requires the removal of a significant number of mature, healthy trees on the development site and the street allowance on Beverley, and will damage the roots of border trees in Grange Park
5. Creates excessive shadowing on the Grange Park Dog Off-Leash Area (OLA)
6. Increases rainwater run-off to adjacent locations through removal of site trees and lawn
7. Offers unusable parkland dedication with respect to size and location (337m strip of land between the dog park and proposed development) 
8. Increases traffic congestion and reduced pedestrian safety
9. Strains local services and community amenities
10. Will have a prolonged construction disrupting residents and park users
11. Offers no benefit to the neighbourhood
12. Does not consider construction on the south side of the current building on Stephanie.

 Community Request

We respectfully request that the City of Toronto:

1. Refuse approval of the proposal in its current form
2. Consider expropriation of the green space adjacent to Grange Park as contemplated in the SE Spadina proposals report
3. Determine the impact of the removal existing green space upon building residents and evaluate the amount of green space that is required to support the additional density
4. Require meaningful re-design to protect the Grange Park Dog OLA, including appropriate setback distances (i.e. 20 metres) consistent with City standards
5. Consider alternative location such as construction on Stephanie Street
6. Refuse to approve the removal of city owned trees on the street allowance on Beverley Street
7. Undertake a comprehensive review of the proposal’s built form impacts on adjacent public spaces and residential units
8. Re-evaluate massing, setbacks, density, shading, and water run-off to ensure compatibility with surrounding context
9. Reassess the parkland dedication to ensure it provides functional, usable public space rather than the offer of nominal or residual land
10. Ensure robust and transparent community consultation moving forward

We submit this objection in good faith, recognizing the need for thoughtful urban development. However, in its current form, the proposal at 50 Stephanie Street presents significant adverse impacts that warrant substantial revision or reconsideration to align with the public interest and long-term neighbourhood sustainability.

This petition represents a collective community response to ensure responsible, transparent, and sustainable development in our neighbourhood.

Organized by the Grange Community Association and Grange Park Dog Owner’s Association
www.grangecommunity.ca 

@grangeparkdogs