On December 11 Council agenda there is zoning bylaw amendment for the property at southeast corner of Keele/King Road where there is a prominent heritage house. As reviewed in the report the proposal is to create a commercial-retail building integrating the heritage house. The report reviews changes made in the design since the public meeting in January 2023 made in response to feedback received. I continue to be enthusiastic about this development which respects the historic architecture of the house. I continue to be supportive of 5 storeys in the new portion of the project as it set back from the street and will not loom over a pedestrian walking by. And when one tries to imagine what it will look like its needs to be remembered that the northeast corner of Keele/King Road will not continue to be an empty lot and undoubtedly there will be development on it incorporating buildings taller than the traditional King City buildings i.e. 2 storey. The challenge for this project is parking. And as reviewed in the report it is not solved yet although there are several options being investigated. Given the intent to include a holding provision in the bylaw I can see that it is possible to proceed even though there is not a firm detailed plan how to provide the necessary parking; but I do want to understand why we cannot wait until there is more information.
As always you can participate in the Council and make a deputation on this motion in person or virtually. For details on how to do please see Council agenda. Or you can send an email to clerks@king.ca by Monday noon with your comments, questions. And I welcome hearing from you directly or by making a comment on the blog.
A municipal owned parking structure with a fee sounds reasonable to me. Hospitals do not seem to have a problem charging for parking. There is on Doctors Lane several potential sites suitable. Specifically the former seniors centre, the arena and a large barn/storage building. A vertical structure compatible with other proposed buildings could accommodate a lot of vehicles and generate revenue for upkeep.
Hi Sheila, I am not intending to discount the idea of a parking structure but I feel the need to comment that such requires significant capital. I recall Metrolinx explaining why they would not build a multi storey garage at King City GO; one was $40,000 per space and that was 5 years ago.
I hope you get involved with the blockplan which will be done in 2024; it will be looking at the area east of Keele/south King Road to determine what we would like to happen there in terms of development which could include public space and private development.
5 stories is ridiculous and sad. It will dwarf the 2 other old buildings in its shadow, Locale and Hogans inn and rip away the last look of heritage that anchors the intersection.
Most people have come to King City because of the small town vibe, one that has consistently been eroded by a coherent lack of vision by our elected leaders and staff who can’t seem to preserve anything in this town without sending it to a small heritage park.
All at an intersection that has not been able to support the foot and vehicle traffic at is current density.
Soon we will mimic the character of intersections like Jane and Steeles with a small park similar to black creek pioneer village tucked nearby and away for nostalgia
We all need you to do better than this.
Hi Kyle, I agree that the intersection is problematic but there changes are planned as reviewed in the report. Along with what is described in the report the planned parking restrictions on Keele in 2024 and installation of a pedestrian cross walk where the path from Doctors lane interfaces with Keele will make a difference. I hope you get involved with the blockplan which will be done in 2024; it will be looking at the area east of Keele/south King Road to determine what we would like to happen there in terms of development which could include public space and private development.