Build Toronto clarifies comments made in Ford-Linsday Luby yelling match

Lindsay Luby vehemently denied the accusation.

A yelling match ensued between the two councillors at last week’s Etobicoke York Community Council during discussion of National Homes (Eglinton) Inc.’s 68-unit freehold townhouse proposal on the northeast corner of Eglinton Avenue West and Kipling Avenue.

Natalie Pastuszak, Build Toronto spokesperson, told The Guardian city properties transferred to Build Toronto go through an internal review process with the council and city planning to determine if they are no longer required for city purposes.

Then Build Toronto explores and prepares the land for development opportunities, collaborating with consultants and city colleagues.

"In the case of the Eglinton properties, we’ve had several meetings with city planning, the local councillor, transportation staff, Metrolinx, etc.," Pastuszak wrote in an email response.

"As part of our engagement strategy, we work to connect with the councillor very early in the process. The councillor provides us with valuable input, especially from the perspective of the local community members. If there is a development application to be submitted, we also go through the stages of formal consultation with city staff and the local community, as any private developer would."

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• Dec 31, 1969
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• Dec 31, 1969
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At the community council meeting, a number of area residents expressed concerns about the proposed townhouse development’s impact on existing "bypass" traffic, drivers who take their residential streets to avoid busy Eglinton.

During residents’ deputations or comments to community council, councillors may ask questions of residents, but cannot make statements.

Because Ford and Lindsay Luby could not make comments directly about Build Toronto, they each asked residents’ questions about it instead.

"Were you aware Build Toronto contacted Councillor (Lindsay) Luby for her blessing to develop along Eglinton and she gave it?" Ford asked Widdicombe Hill resident Hugh Goodwillie. "Trust me, Build Toronto cannot come to someone’s area without the blessing of the area councillor."

As discussions devolved into yelling, acting community council Chair Frances Nunziata repeatedly admonished both councillors to stop, and asked for order.

"No, I did not. It is not true. Stop lying," Lindsay Luby said to Ford. "There is no such thing as a blessing. They say they are going to build. We all know how you like to twist the truth."

Residents seemed shocked by the councillors’ exchange.

"This is better than Jerry Springer!" said one man.

"They’re like little kids," a woman commented.

Councillors voted to endorse city planners’ recommendation to approve the townhouse plans, which planners said "is compatible with and integrates well with the existing neighbourhood" and represents "appropriate and orderly development" of the vacant 1.37-hectare lands.

But not before half a dozen area residents raised concerns about traffic impact on their neighbouring streets.

Townhouse residents headed east to downtown Toronto would not be able to turn east onto Eglinton from their homes. Instead, residents charged, those drivers will take a circuitous route through their neighbourhood turning onto Widdicombe Hill then Hunting Ridge then onto Wincott Drive to get to a traffic light to turn left at Eglinton.

"Any resident who lives in the area will tell you Strathy and Huntingridge and other streets in the area are used by drivers as a means to avoid Eglinton and to cut through the neighbourhood," said Wincott Drive resident Anthony Barbisan, who said he has complained about speeding on his street for many years.

"Traffic has increased dramatically on our street, as well as accidents and reckless driving," he said, noting one driver landed on his front lawn.

Barbisan urged a comprehensive plan for development on Eglinton rather than piecemeal development applications.

Ford then suggested a public meeting.

"I think we should have a community meeting and have Build Toronto there. They’re the ones developing that whole area," said Ford, noting he lives down the street.

Then Lindsay Luby asked "are you aware?" questions of her own to the same resident Ford queried.

"Are you aware that, much to my chagrin, Build Toronto — that Councillor Ford sits on that board — has been tasked with selling off all the surplus properties? They’re going to go all the way down along Eglinton Avenue as far as Royal York Road. Are you aware of that?" Lindsay Luby asked Goodwillie.

"No. What a sad, sad state for Toronto," Goodwillie replied.

"Are you aware how narrow that stretch is behind the houses on Hampton Grove and they’re still going to be trying to develop that?" Lindsay Luby asked him.

"That’s crazy. That’s a beautiful green space. Eglinton is a wide street. We inherited that when the Richview subway was derailed. We’ve enjoyed that open space..." he said. "It’s a shame. It’s not taking into account the residents in the area."

Then Lindsay Luby asked Goodwillie if he was aware that area on the north side of Eglinton "is not greenspace. It’s transportation corridor. That’s why we have to rezone all these developments."

Build Toronto’s Pastuszak confirmed a number of city-owned lands on Eglinton Avenue West have been transferred to Build Toronto.

"As a whole, this area provides a fantastic opportunity to reintegrate land that has been sitting vacant in the city inventory for years," she wrote.

A developer has proposed townhouses for the most western block on Eglinton, she said. Between Kipling and Islington avenues, Build Toronto is currently working on a mixed-use development with a luxury retirement living home, a retail centre and residential component, Pastuszak added.

The retirement living operator held an open house for residents earlier this year, she said, and will do so again as part of an upcoming application.

Parcels of land west of Islington Avenue are on the market for development said, Pastuszak confirmed.