2240 Birchmount Road: 10-storey rental tower approved despite neighbour concerns about wind and shadows
Scarborough Community Council approved a 172-unit rental housing project at 2240 Birchmount Road, moving the staff recommendation despite objections from adjacent residents about wind tunnel effects and building shadow on neighbouring homes. The approval overrides concerns that 60-year-old houses were not built to withstand concentrated wind gusts and shadow impacts from a 10-storey building. The area remains without higher-order transit while density increases.
From the floor
“Buildings make winds worse for nearby houses by altering the natural flow of air through three primary forces. Downwashing, funneling, and corner vortices.”Speaker not identified
“These homes were built 60 years ago when no large buildings existed in the neighborhoods. The planners and builders of 60 years ago did not anticipate concentrated high gust of winds impacting the homes.”Speaker not identified
“The shadow study was found to meet the city's objectives in adequately limiting shadow. That was done by setbacks, massing of the building towards Birchmount and away from the neighbouring residential property.”City staff
“The wind study was found to be acceptable, except for pedestrians on a seasonal basis. That would be in and around the site. As you get further removed from the building, the impact would be lessened.”City staff
“As the community grows quite quickly with the very large proposed developments in the vicinity of the Agent Court Mall, there's a concern with the length of time it takes for residents to use public transit. There is no higher order transit than TTC buses in all of Ward 22.”Speaker not identified
“When you're building new development in communities, it's a balancing act that you need to make sure that everyone is comfortable with. I have full reassurance from our staff that they're doing everything properly that we can do to make sure that development is done in a proper way.”A councillor
Also in this item
• Wind concerns raised by neighbours cite damage to 60-year-old homes not built for concentrated wind gusts created by tall buildings; staff wind study found 'acceptable' only for grade-level pedestrian use, not for adjacent residential property impacts
• Area faces rapid density growth (Birchmount and Agent Court proposals) without higher-order transit; only bus service available; Shepard extension under study by Metrolinks with no timeline; RapidTO on Birchmount not in first tranche
The journey
You can still act
On the Toronto City Council agenda for 2026-07-29
Decision
Staff recommendation approved unanimously (all in favour, none opposed). Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment adopted.
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