Wednesday, 15 May 2013

News: Humbertown Redevelopment Facing Local Opposition


Local Residents Rally to Save Humbertown.

First Capital Realty Humbertown Redevelopment Rendering
Driving through the affluent west end Toronto neighbourhood of Humber Valley Village, you can't help but notice lawn sign after lawn sign imploring passersby to "Save Humbertown." The signs are part of an effort by local residents to stop a redevelopment of the area's Humbertown Shopping Centre.

Humbertown, which opened in the 1950s, is a strip plaza located on Royal York Road. It acts as a sort of neighbourhood hub and is anchored by a Loblaws store. It is owned by First Capital Realty (which also owns Hazelton Lanes and the Shops at King Liberty).

Early this year First Capital Realty submitted an application to redevelop the  Humbertown site. The mixed use proposal included commercial space, townhomes, and condo towers of up to 21 storeys. In the face of local opposition, the developer submitted a revised development plan. The new plan reduced the scale but not the density of the proposed development. First Capital's revised plan called for three condo buildings of up to 12 storeys with retail  podiums and townhomes surrounding a central square.

First Capital Realty Humbertown Redevelopment Rendering
Last night at a meeting of the Etobicoke York Community Council the proposal was voted down but will now move to city council. Residents fear the density of the development will set a precedent in a neighbourhood defined mostly by single family homes and small three story apartment buildings. Mayor Rob Ford, who supports the community opposition said, “You can’t be tearing down this stuff. This is not downtown. This is Etobicoke." 
 
First Capital Realty Humbertown Proposed Tenant Plan

In its commercial component the proposed development includes a new underground parking lot, and new retail space for tenants such as Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart, and the L.C.B.O.

Click here to watch a video of the development proposal.

[Renderings via First Capital Realty