Renovations and expansion are in the works for Toronto Public Library’s Brentwood Branch. The branch is set for a three storie addition adding 3200square-foot.
An application was made to the City Planning comity, for a “Minor Variance Adjustment Permission”. The Toronto Library has submitted a request to be except from most of the by-laws that are intended to keep the building in sink with the lot size.
During the hearing numerous area residents aired their concern. The main concerns are the increase in traffic, lack of parking and the size of the building. The current building already has parking problems and already exceeds the maximum size as per the by-laws. In addition most of them only came aware of the new library plans two weeks prior to the meeting either by letter from the library and or a letter from the Public hearing comity. More time was needed for the residents to go over the plans and provide feedback to the library. The library stated that they had held three community meetings and that all feedback was taken into account, and where not willing to postpone since the plans where close to being finalized and no real changes could be made.
Four Committee of Adjustment members where at the meeting.
The first motion came from Mr. Valenti to deny the Toronto Library its requests.
Mr. Valenti stated that this was an insult to the committee, a waste of tax payer’s money. Any developer coming in with a proposal to occupy most of the land by a building and not proving any parking would be laughed out of the meeting. For a city to use tax payer’s money and bring it this far was a disgrace. Unfortunately there was no one to second his motion.
A second motion was brought by Ms. Whittingham, approving the library’s request.
Ms. Whittingham stated a library this size was a perfect addition to the neighbourhood and that the library had given sufficient notice to all neighbours. This motion was second by Ms. Popescu, and so carried.
The residents are now appealing the decision. Two petitions have been set up.
The Notification :
I was not aware of major addition the Brentwood library had planned, prior to Oct. 2009. I did not receive any comunication from Toronto Public Library prior to this date.
The Brentwood Library proposal :
I do not agree with the proposed plan to increase the size of Brentwood library. I believe this will significantly contribute to already congested traffic on Brentwood. Also, the lack of parking space will lead to increase idling, illegal parking and pollution. The existing lot size is too small to support the proposed plan.
I call upon the city not to approve the redevelopment in its current form.
