Revisions to Markham's York Downs plan don't go far enough, say residents

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 26, 2017
By Tim Kelly

The massive York Downs development has a new look, but not new enough for some unhappy residents along 16th Avenue.

At the fourth and final subcommittee meeting about the development Monday night, the developer presented a thoroughly revised plan.

Maria Gatzios, consultant for developer Sixteenth Land Holdings, described a number of revisions to the plan including the provision of more trees, ponds, trails, movement of townhouses into the centre of the development and more.

But what hasn't changed is what really irked several in the audience.

That was a large mixed-used, commercial area right along 16th Avenue that could tower up to six-storeys (20 metres) high and, neighbours across the avenue believe, will overlook their residential properties.

Richard Herrold was outspoken in his anger at what he believes is the developer's intransigence on the 16th Avenue issue.

"Do not deprive the people … of their privacy, of the value of their homes," Herrold said.

"Three storeys isn't enough to reduce it to, it's got to be one storey or nothing or a green space," he said.

Herrold said he believed the building of the development, especially the installation of the mixed-use area along 16th Avenue, would amount to a "transfer of wealth and savings" to the developer from the homeowners across the street on 16th Avenue of several hundred thousand dollars in lost property values.

Put it (the mixed-use area) in the middle of the development, not along 16th Avenue, said Herrold.