Panel OKs daycare in historic Cabbagetown building
Some argue centre would alter character of heritage neighbourhood
A developer can proceed with plans to found a daycare for 80 children in a historic building in Cabbagetown, a Toronto Local Appeal Body panel has ruled.
While the daycare had some neighbourhood support, numerous local residents, including former Toronto mayor Barbara Hall, had opposed it on the grounds that the daycare would be too large and would create too much traffic, altering the character of the downtown heritage neighbourhood.
Stanley Makuch, the panel chair of the local TLAB, disagreed.
“This proposal provides an opportunity for a reuse that benefits and supports heritage conservation,” Makuch wrote in his decision, released Thursday.
Makuch said that under the proposal, the historic building would be maintained and the city’s own Official Plan specifically states that the quality of downtown is improved by preserving and strengthening the range and quality of community services and local institutions for residents.
He dismissed concerns that creating an outdoor playground for children would negatively affect the area.
“Children playing as opposed to plants growing is not necessarily a significantly adverse result,” Makuch wrote.
He described the variances, which included landscaping and parking variances, as minor and ruled they should be granted on an interim basis.
The historically designated building is a Victorian era semidetached, at 459 and 461 Sackville St., at the corner of Amelia Street. A city committee of adjustment had previously refused to permit variances that would have allowed a daycare to open in the space.
It was appealed to the TLAB, which is made up of locally appointed members who makes decisions about local planning matters affecting Toronto neighbourhoods.
The man behind the daycare project, Robert Ulicki, the sole owner of Clareste Wealth Management Inc., appealed, and on Thursday, claimed victory. He said he decided to work on getting a daycare into the building after a neighbourhood woman said one was needed in the area.
Residents were concerned about the noise and traffic in the morning and afternoon when children were being dropped off and picked up. They were also concerned the additional traffic would make it more difficult for them to find parking in their neighbourhood, and that with a capacity of 80 children, the daycare would bring too much intensification to the area.
Ulicki said he persisted despite community opposition because he has two grown daughters who care about issues affecting women, including child care for mothers in the workplace.
“It resonated with my daughters, so I was stubborn enough to pursue it,” said Ulicki.
A spokesperson for the Cabbagetown Residents Association said the board would have to review the TLAB decision order before providing comment. Hall could not be reached for comment.
Ulicki said it is now up to whoever decides to run the daycare to seek the remaining approvals, including a licence from the province. He intends to act as a silent partner or landlord.
“I will source a daycare partner. I myself do not have interest in managing a daycare. That’s not a skill set I want to learn at this age in my life,” said Ulicki, who is in his 50s.
Makuch approved the variances on an interim basis, and gave Ulicki a year to get approvals for street parking, a site plan and provincial licensing for the daycare — which comes with its own set of requirements.
Makuch noted in his decision that a great deal of evidence was presented at the hearing, including evidence from three traffic engineers, two planners, a mathematician and the evidence of approximately 60 residents, both parties and participants.