Renovations and expansion are in the works for Toronto Public Library’s Brentwood Branch. The plan is to add an additional 3,200 sq. ft. flooring with the addition of a third floor and elimination of all parking spaces.
An application was made to the City Planning committee with “Minor Variance Adjustment Permission”. The Toronto Library requested exception from a number of zoning by-laws that are intended to keep the building sizes reasonable in relation to the lot.
During the hearing numerous area residents aired their concerns, which included an increase in road traffic, lack of parking, pollution and privacy of local residents. The current building already has a parking shortage and does not comply with the zoning by-laws.
Most residents in the neighborhood only became aware of the new library plans two weeks prior to the meeting with the adjustment committee.
We provided feedback but TPL was not willing to address our key issues with the new building. TPL representatives stated they three public meetings and feedback from the public was already taken into account with the proposed architecture and there was no room for any further changes due to budgetary reasons.
The first motion came from Mr. Valenti opposing the adjustments requested by Toronto Public Library.
Mr. Valenti stated this was an insult to tax payers. Any commercial developer with a similar proposal would have never contemplated presenting a plan with such adjustments. For a city to use tax payer’s money and bring it this far was insult to tax payers. Unfortunately no one on the committee second that motion.
The motion in support of the library came from Ms. Whittingham.
Ms. Whittingham stated a library this size was a perfect addition to the neighborhood and that the library had given sufficient notice to all neighbors. She personally believed it was a great project ! This motion was second by Ms. Popescu, and hence carried.
