Protestors opposed to a massive Long Branch condo development show their concerns. Staff photos.
It is being called the largest demoviction in Toronto if approved.
About 300 Long Branch residents staged a noisy protest in opposition to a massive condo development at 220, 230 and 240 Lake Promenade and 21 and 31 Park Boulevard.
Protestors warn about 550 mostly-elderly tenants will be forced to reocate away from their family and friends if a proposal is approved to demolish five seven-storey apartment buildings to build five buildings that includes two towers up to 40 storeys tall steps from the lake.
The complex would have 2,021 residential units, comprising 577 rental and 1,444 condominium units. A new public street, two new public parks, and a privately-owned publicly accessible space
are also proposed.
The Long Branch community has launched a Fight the Height campaign and fundraiser to fight the proposed developments.
Patti Pokochak, of the Lake Promenade Tenants’ Association, said the demovicition will be one of the largest to be carried out in Toronto if it goes through.
“This proposed development will go on for 15 years and will affect everybody,” she told a receptive crowd. “There will be thousands of trucks rolling through our streets for years to come.”
Protestors claim the project if approved will bring environmental concerns, including destruction of some of the area’s cherished tree canopy. There is also a lack of TTC access and infrastructure to handle the growth.
Mediation between the parties will take place on June 12 and 13 and a hearing before the Ontario Land Tribunal will continue in September.
Protest organizers say it would be the largest demoviction in Toronto if approved.
Christine Mercado, of the Long Branch Neighbourhood Association, said the protest was held to help bring awareness of the ongoing project to area residents and the wider community.
She said the action is part of a Fight the Height campaign underway to keep developers from building mega-towers in Long Branch.
“Both sides are very far apart,” Mercado said. “They (developers) have not compromised on their position.”
A speaker named Rebecca said she and at least 3,000 others in Toronto are currently fighting the demoviction process.
The proposed mega project will be steps from the lake and disrupt the quiet residential community for about 15 years, protestors said.
“You are not alone,” Rebecca told the crowd. “This is a City-wide problem and it shows there are no long term security for renters.”
Long-time resident Roberto DiCosta said his building is one of the five planned for demolition.
“I’m expected to live here while they demolish the others around me for up to 15 years of construction,” DiCosta complained. “My new baby will spend his entire childhood surrounded by construction noise and breathing dangerous pollutants.”
Protest organizers said many of the senior tenants are stressed out about relocation, which can mean higher rents or being forced to live away from their friends and community.
“I moved into this building when I was seven years old,” said a senior named Elaine. “And now in my senior years, I’m suddenly expected to move. I don’t have the energy to do this.”