‘Sham’ meeting leaves Thornhill councillor Shefman fuming

yorkregion.com
Feb. 24, 2016
By Simone Joseph

Thornhill Councilor Alan Shefman and the president of the Spring Farm Ratepayer Association are frustrated with RioCan, the company developing Springfarm Market (Sobey’s plaza) in Thornhill.

RioCan is not listening to what the public wants, Shefman said Monday.

“I’m really angry. I’m trying to contain myself.”

RioCan invited the ratepayer association to participate in a Feb. 3 charrette - a collaborative planning session.

But according to Shefman and Pam Taraday-Levy, president of the Spring Farm Ratepayer Association, who were both at the charrette, Riocan paid little heed to the public’s suggestions.

Shefman pointed out RioCan handed in its development application in to the city on the same day as the charrette, even though the charrette was meant to inform the company of the public’s input, so it could be incorporated into the application.

“The charrette was a sham,” Shefman said. “I’ve been to charrettes...It’s a thoughtful, well-organized process.”

But this charrette was not properly administered or facilitated, Shefman said.

As for filing the application on the same day as the charrette?

“They (RioCan) were saying to the people how much stock they put into the process,” Shefman said. “I’m unhappy with that type of behavior. It shows disrespect. They agreed to have the charrette with the community.”

Shefman was at a November open house when Riocan presented an initial plan for development of the plaza. The turnout was the most he’s seen in Thornhill in 10 years, he said, adding hundreds of people were upset with what RioCan is doing.

Neither Riocan nor the City of Vaughan would comment, or provide a copy of the application to The Liberal.

Melissa Cristofoli, director of planning and development for Riocan would only say, “We do not want to make any comment”.

RioCan has said it wants to create an upgraded, walkable shopping community and a “quality” rental condo building. Residents have been told the redevelopment would not remove Sobey’s, a popular supermarket. Riocan has said the project will bring improvements to sidewalks and trees.

The initial vision, outlined at the open house, included an 18-storey condo with retail and a stacked townhouse block.

“The City of Vaughan is in the process of reviewing the application and required supporting studies and will make the information available once all of the required supporting studies are received and the application is officially deemed complete”, said Carmela Antolino, who works for the City of Vaughan.

At the November open house, residents voiced concern about the proposed height of the condo - 18 storeys. RioCan is now seeking 20 storeys, Shefman said.

“They (RioCan) acted too arrogantly,” Shefman added. Why were they proposing to have the development here, he asked, pointing out that the area is comprised mainly of single family homes.

The redevelopment proposal eliminates vehicle access from Hilda Street by the Shoppers Drug Mart, the ratepayer summary said.

In an e-mail, the association said:“That is not acceptable and will cause more congestion. RioCan was asked to consider finding a way to keep a Hilda Avenue exit for above-ground parking and eliminate this potential traffic bottleneck”.

 The ratepayer association wants to host a town hall to address what has been happening since the first public meeting run by RioCan.