Sneaky Dee’s fans oppose development proposal that threatens popular venue

Thestar.com
Sept. 9, 2020
Tom Yun

The days of Sneaky Dee’s at its iconic College Street location may be numbered as a new development proposal was submitted to the city on Friday.

A proposal to build a 13-storey mixed-use building with 169 residential units as well as retail or commercial storefronts at ground level was posted on the development projects page of the City of Toronto website. The proposal covers 419, 421, 423, 429 and 431 College Street, which encompasses much of the block on the southeast corner of Bathurst and College.

The posting did not include the name of the prospective developer.

Sneaky Dee’s has been a mainstay at Bathurst and College for the past 30 years. Its upstairs concert venue has played host to numerous local and touring bands, from Arcade Fire to Broken Social Scene. Downstairs, the graffiti-laden dining area has long been a popular spot for late-night nachos and other Tex-Mex favourites.

If Sneaky Dee’s moves, it wouldn’t be the first time. The bar was originally located near Bathurst and Bloor, across the street from Honest Ed’s, before moving to its current location in 1990.

“I’ve watched friends’ bands upstairs and eaten kings crown at brunch for as long as I can remember. We can’t lose institutions like these,” tweeted University-Rosedale councillor Mike Layton, whose ward encompasses the area.

In response to the proposed development, Lex Corbett, a local resident who has lived in the area for around 10 years, started the “Stop the Sneaky Dees Development” Facebook group on Sunday afternoon and put up posters in the neighbourhood opposing the project. Within five hours, her Facebook group amassed over 200 members.

“For me, (Sneaky Dee’s is) a mainstay. It’s a nice place to get a cheap breakfast that’s completely reasonable. It’s a place you always want to check out when you’re in university,” said Corbett.

“I’m not super keen on a gigantic development going in.”

The developers are seeking a rezoning of the properties and will require approval from Toronto city council.

But the properties in question also fall within the boundaries of the proposed Kensington Market Conservation District plan, which will be put before city council this fall. If city council grants heritage designation to the neighbourhood, it could severely limit development plans.

Corbett plans on writing letters to Layton as well as MPP Jessica Bell, MP Chrystia Freeland and Mayor John Tory. She hopes to see the development proposal defeated or an affordable housing commitment from the developer at the very least.

“This is still an affordable mixed-income neighbourhood,” said Corbett.

“Really, my main issue is that a complex like that is going to alter the neighbourhood in a way that’s going to make it unaffordable and it’s going to shove people out, including myself. And I’m not OK with that.”