Midtown condo plans jeopardize health clinic
Yonge Street development proposal puts medical building at risk of demolition
The possible demolition of a medical building near Yonge and St. Clair streets to make way for a condo, at a time when family doctors are sorely needed in the province, is drawing outrage from the community.
The Balmoral Medical Arts Facility at 1366 Yonge St. is home to over a dozen family physicians as well as specialists, dentists, X-rays and ultrasounds, and even a foot clinic.
But a new development proposal from developer Bazis plans a 41storey building with nearly 500 residential units and retail on the ground floor for the site, according to the city application.
Dr. Caroline Newman, one of the physicians currently practising there, said the plan would “rip apart the medical community” they’ve formed for their patients.
“I haven’t spoken to a single person that wants this building demolished, they’re angry and they’re anxious and they feel like they don’t have a platform,” Newman said. She added it will be hard to find another affordable office location near the subway and some doctors may take early retirements as a result.
“This is really big, it’s very far reaching, and the consequences would be completely devastating and irreversible.”
The developer Bazis did not respond to multiple requests by email and phone for comment about the community concerns. The proposal was submitted in September 2022 and will go to community council and then city council for full approval. But council’s decision can always be appealed at the Ontario Land Tribunal.
City spokesperson Ashika Theyyil said in an email that the file is still under review by staff.
In the meantime, local councillor Josh Matlow said he hopes to work with the developer to find a solution to include the medical offices in the new building and find them temporary spots in the neighbourhood during construction.
“This issue is beyond whether one agrees with how many storeys this is or how many units this has,” he said. “This is a matter of a community that relies on these medical offices for health and basic quality of life.”
The plan comes as the province is in the midst of a family doctor shortage, exacerbated by the pandemic. According to the Ontario Medical Association, at least one million Ontarians do not have regular access to primary care.
A petition to save the building has garnered almost 5,000 signatures.
James Stephenson, president of Avoca Vale Residents’ Association, said many people in the neighbourhood are older and don’t drive. Some have mobility issues. Being able to walk to the one stop shop medical building is key for them.
“It would be such a dramatic change to the district, and specifically affecting a large number of older people,” said the 88-year-old.
At “the extreme” some residents might move out of the area, he said. “I think it’s that critical.”
Newman said this is not about NIMBYism or fighting density. There should be provisions for independent stores and restaurants when new condos like this one are built she said, otherwise the area risks becoming an “urban bedroom community.”
The pandemic has led to more empty commercial space downtown, with the vacancy rate now at 13.6 per cent. But at the same time, small businesses continue to struggle.
A 2022 report from the Better Way Alliance called for a form of rent control to protect them from being priced out.
“Medical services,” Newman said, “must be incorporated in these condo buildings, because nobody has a chance, nobody has a chance to set up again because the rents go so high.”