UPDATED: Thornhill Islamic development proposal out of whack with neighbourhood, resident says

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 19, 2014
By Adam Martin-Robbins

The city's decision to strike a special community working group aimed at addressing concerns about a contentious Muslim condominium complex in Thornhill Woods is a good idea, Maurice Gabay says.

But the longtime resident isn’t certain the myriad issues being raised about the project can be worked out.

“I think anytime there is a development being proposed from any area, it’s good to have input from the current residents,” said Mr. Gabay, who has lived in Thornhill Woods for about eight years. “Do I think it will resolve the issue? That, I’m not sure. It depends on how much flexibility there is on the part of the proposal. What’s being proposed is so out of whack with our current development.”

Elena Serebryany agrees.

“I think talking, especially between the two sides, is always helpful,” said Ms Serebryany, interim vice-chairperson of Preserve Thornhill Woods Association, which organized opposition to the proposed development. “We cannot estimate the end result, but we are going into these negotiations in good faith.”

The unusual move by Vaughan council to set up a community working group comes two weeks after hundreds of people descended on city hall for a public hearing.

They came to air concerns about, or voice support for, a proposal by Islamic Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat (ISIJ) of Toronto to erect two 17-storey residential towers, 61 townhouses, plus office and retail space on its 11-hectare property at 9000 Bathurst St., south of Rutherford Road.

The new Islamic community would be built around the Jaffari Community Centre.

The proposal has stoked both religious tensions and concerns about adding more people and cars to an already congested area.

ISIH representatives refused, at this time, to comment on the city’s decision to establish a community working group.

Although the exact details still have to be worked out, it is anticipated that members of the working group will include Concord/North Thornhill Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco, at least one regional councillor, city planning staff, ISIJ representatives, community members and local business owners.

“I want to have a group that is going to be really working together collaboratively, that is going to be good for everyone, something that is acceptable to everyone,” said Ms Yeung Racco, who requested council establish a special working group.

Council also left open the possibility of hiring a facilitator to help the working group sort through various issues.

The working group is slated to report back with its recommendations in about five months.