Were you aware of the Lawrence East - Transit Oriented Community “TOC” planned for Lawrence & McCowan?
In March 2024, the Province of Ontario, City of Toronto and Infrastructure Ontario (IO) announced that the future Lawrence East Subway station at Lawrence & McCowan was being considered for a Transit Oriented Community “TOC” project.
The “Lawrence East TOC” aims to build three massive high-density condo towers between 36 - 25 stories on the former TD/Shoppers Drug Mart site at Lawrence & McCowan (SE Corner, across from Scarborough General Hospital) that would house an estimated +900-1,500 people (equiv. to nearly 50-90% of the surrounding subdivision).
Density must be done fairly and equitably. The current proposal does nothing to significantly enhance the community while proposing significant changes that will have a permanent impact on Bendale and the surrounding Scarborough communities. These include:
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Emergency Services
Seconds count. How long are you prepared to wait for a fire truck, ambulance or police? Even with the existing density our emergency services are stretched thin. Year after year Scarborough Centre has seen response times exceed the minimum NFPA response time averages.
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Underreported Density
Over +950-1500 people transplanted into the intersection? Density must be fair and equitable to the existing and future needs of the community and must be able to handle future growth. The proposed occupancy numbers are grossly underreported and detached from socioeconomic realities.
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Aging Storm Water & Sewer Pipes
Concerned about basement flooding? How about raw sewage back-ups or storm surge conditions? Did you know the TOCs own reporting suggests the existing piping cannot handle a severe storm? Did you know it has nearly collapsed three times (2009, 2011, 2021) over the last decade?
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Inadequate Social Infrastructure
Bendale does not have the basic social infrastructure to support this staggering level of density. Where is the community centre? The TOC does little to nothing to enhance this community and brings no “net new” benefits, it marginally replaces what was there while adding significant and irreversible new challenges.
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Road/Traffic, Intersection Overcapacity and Parking on Side Streets
Fed up with the traffic on Danforth Rd./McCowan? Think again. Did you know recent City of Toronto reporting suggests the intersection at Lawrence and McCowan is already above capacity? Did you know the TOC’s parking plan is inadequate for the number of units suggested? Prepared for condo residents using your street as a parking lot?
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Highland Creek Flood Review (Lawrence & McCowan)
The Highland Creek watershed is a well documented flood risk area. In 2006, the City of Toronto committed to studying basement flooding, sewer risks and mitigation. Nearly 20 year later, the assessments have not even been completed for Bendale despite a drive for accelerated TOC approval. We do not even know the risks.
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Safeguarding Growth at Scarborough General
Future growth and capabilities at Scarborough General are essential to the long-term success of the community. Despite having the second largest land mass and population in Toronto, there are no helicopter pads in Scarborough. The staggering height of the TOC may prevent future helipad certification under Transport Canada Guidelines.
Register with the Broader Bendale Resident’s Association today.
To stay informed of key updates with regards to the project please register below and contact your elected official.