Shaping Growth on Johnston Avenue: Community Voices on a New Proposal

On June 15, 2026, City Planning hosted a Community Consultation Meeting on a development application at 11 to 21 Johnston Avenue, located east of Yonge Street and south of Sheppard Avenue. Thank you to everyone who attended and shared thoughtful feedback.

The applicant is proposing a 48-storey purpose-built rental building with 524 residential units, including:

• 334 one-bedroom units, 

• 136 two-bedroom units, and 

• 54 three-bedroom units.

The proposal also includes retail at grade, indoor and outdoor amenity spaces, bicycle parking, 44 residential parking spaces, and 7 visitor parking spaces. The development would replace three existing detached homes on the site.

Key Community Concerns Raised

Residents raised strong concerns about height and density, noting that the proposal exceeds the 45-storey height contemplated in the North York Centre Secondary Plan review and matches or surpasses nearby approvals such as the site at 4696 Yonge Street. 

Concerns from residents included:

• existing congestion on Johnston Avenue and nearby streets

• high concentration of one-bedroom units

• additional traffic from the new development

• whether the traffic study reflects future growth

• The impact of only 7 visitor parking spaces

• How ride sharing, deliveries, and pick up and drop off activity will be managed without adding congestion

Residents also raised questions about the laneway access system, including how it would function for a building of this scale and how future changes, such as the planned Beecroft Road extension, could affect access.

Infrastructure, Construction, and Community Impacts

Community members expressed concerns about school capacity, local infrastructure, and construction impacts. There was strong support for a comprehensive Construction Management Plan, developed in early stages with nearby residents to reduce disruption.

I also emphasized the importance of early coordination to ensure neighbourhood impacts are properly managed.

Community Benefits and Public Realm

The discussion also focused on community benefits. I continue to stress the importance of securing visible, local benefits that directly serve the neighbourhood, including:

• opportunities for parkland dedication

• contributions to park improvements

• enhanced public realm features

• meaningful and significant public art

These elements can help strengthen community identity and quality of life.

Next Steps

City Planning staff confirmed that the application is still in the early stages of review. The proposal will continue to be evaluated against planning policies, urban design guidelines, transportation and servicing requirements, technical studies, and community feedback before being brought forward to North York Community Council.

What I am advocating for with the developer:

• Increased visitor parking availability, which I am not allowed to require due to provincial policy

• Pick-up/Drop-Off spaces that do not impact local traffic

• Identifying a community benefit 

• Efforts by the developer to secure an off-site parkland dedication

• A step down from buildings approved on Yonge Street (less height)

Stay Connected

Residents are encouraged to continue sharing comments and questions with City Planning at Shareefah.Rene@toronto.ca and to copy Councillor Cheng’s office at Councillor_Cheng@toronto.ca so my office can continue following up on community concerns.