Residents oppose ‘behemoth’ 3-tower development in Mississauga

Streetsville residents came out to oppose a huge development proposed for the community.

The proposal to build three apartment buildings at heights of 12, 18 and 22 storeys, with the 18- and 22-storey towers connected by an eight-storey podium at the northeast corner of Thomas Street and Joymar Drive in Streetsville came to the Planning and Development Committee on May 26.

The multi-phase development could bring 1,043 apartment units to the community.

Streetsville Councillor Brad Butt held a community meeting on the proposal in February, and the May 26 meeting was the next step in the development process.

The property is at 64 and 66 Thomas St., 95 Joymar Dr., and 65 Tannery St. and is currently home to a low-rise building containing several auto repair businesses and a small fitness gym.

It is outside the boundaries of the Streetsville Heritage Conservation District.

The developer, Dezen Realty Company Limited, is requesting a change from the Residential Medium Density designation to Residential High Density and to permit a building height and floor space index that exceeds the maximum three-storey height allowed for this property.

The towers would contain a total of 30 studio units, 681 one-bedroom units, 280 two-bedroom units, and 52 three-bedroom units. Affordable housing units were not included in the proposal, staff said.

There are 966 parking spaces planned but 1,148 are required for a development this size.

A one-storey commercial building occupies 64 and 66 Thomas St., 95 Joymar Dr. and 65 Tannery St. Photo: Google Maps

Residents raised concerns about increased traffic, parking, shadow, increased crime and a loss of village character.

The hospital and streets are already too busy in Streetsville, one resident said.

“Streetsville is overcrowded now,” said the resident.

Resident Tom Jordan said he and his neighbours are mostly concerned about the size of the development.

“Three towers is way too big—even the eight-storey main level is a behemoth compared to everything else in that area,” said Jordan.

On the flip side, Streetsville resident James Burden said he supported the development.

The development is close to the Streetsville GO Station and more people are needed near stations to add more train service.

“This is an area of the city we should densify,” Burden said.

He thought more people would be good for the community and economic development.

“I love Streetsville and I want more people to be a part of that,” he said.

However, Butt said many people have told him that they are opposed to the development and he shares those concerns.

“This is not an appropriate development for Streetsville,” said Butt.

He added that there has been an “unprecedented” number of development applications for Streetsville recently. Butt said there is a need for more housing but there are ways to make proposals a fit for the community.

Planning staff asked that the application come back after 120 days to address several issues. Concerns include the height and size, the poor interface between the buildings, driveways and the outdoor amenity space, and the lack of ground-floor retail space.

For more information see the Planning and Development Committee meeting here.