Mayor John Tory is being asked to intervene to help set up a community meeting so residents can get answers to their questions about a proposed homeless shelter in New Toronto.

In a letter sent to Mayor John Tory and Councillor Mark Grimes, the Lakeshore Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) complained they have been waiting since July 27 for a public meeting.

“It is now September 11 and no community consultation has been scheduled or occurred,” writes Chris Korwin Kuczysnki, Chair of the Board. “Despite repeated requests to Councillor Grimes’ Office and the City’s Shelter, Support & Housing Administration (SSHA).”

A public meeting into the proposed shelter at 2950 and 2970 Lake Shore Blvd. W., was ordered by City Council almost six weeks ago. Since then there has been much lobbying, including one protest and two websites created for residents to voice their concerns.

The matter returns to City Council for a possible vote on September 30.

The BIA warns that “we must oppose a shelter at this location because the information that we had requested and the opportunity to ask question about the impact to an already overburdened community has not taken place.”

Their letter asks Tory what type of client would frequent the proposed shelter, if single men, families or refugees. It inquired about the timeline for construction and opening and plan to mitigate the impact on surrounding businesses.

“Distancing requirements are also a concern as this proposed shelter location is right next to an existing shelter,” according to the letter.

It states that “besides the lack of communication regarding this initiative, we have heard that the City is proposing to purchase the property at a significant premium over fair market value.”

It says ”confidential sources indicate that the City is paying $13 to $15 million for the building, even though in 2020 the assessed value was $5.3M.

“How can such overspending be justified’ the group wrote. “We are requesting transparency and public consultation be a priority before any decisions are made.”

The City has said funding is available to renovate the shelter, which will be in operation for more than 100 people in about 2022. It will house a number of COVID-19 sufferers.