Issue detail

Loss of sunlight

A taller building would cast longer shadows over homes, yards, and sidewalks used throughout the day.

Morning and afternoon sunlight matters on a residential street. It affects how people use their front rooms, gardens, and shared outdoor space.

The proposed highrise would introduce a much larger shadow footprint than nearby buildings. That would reduce natural light in homes and on sidewalks where neighbours gather, children play, and people walk throughout the year.

Why it matters

Reduced natural light lowers daily comfort for nearby homes.
Shadier sidewalks feel colder, less welcoming, and less safe in shoulder seasons.
A permanent loss of sunlight is difficult to mitigate after construction.

What the developer claims

The following is reproduced from the Urban Design Brief submitted by the developer. Their proposed response to the residential context along Alesther Street is framed as three “measures.”

Urban Design Brief — developer submission

Measure 1 – Stepping Down Towards Alesther
Alesther St. is primarily composed of 2 storey homes, the heights and density of which help inform the west-facing portions of the proposed building's massing. This section features a descending design starting from a 9 storey podium section at the base of the tower, which proceeds to step down to 4 storeys as it nears the western edge of the lot, terminating with a soft landscape buffer between the 4-storey podium and the residential properties along Alesther.
This gradual reduction in height, accentuated by a sequence of setbacks, helps the building transition from the high-rise 30-story tower at the eastern section of the lot to the lower residential context towards the west.

Measure 2 – Podium Alignment on St. Laurent
The 6-storey podium along the eastern side of the podium allows provides a less imposing mass on the surrounding streetscape and is in keeping with the zoning requirements for the area. This anchors the building firmly within the current and anticipated developments along St. Laurent Boulevard.

Measure 3 – Open Ground Floor
At the ground level, the project features retail spaces with a clear height of 4.5 meters, enhancing the openness at street level. This elevated design choice clearly defines the building's base and encourages street interaction, bolstering the active commercial presence along St. Laurent.
This ensures the new building integrates with the community and enhances the existing urban landscape, carefully balancing its prominent stature with the established scale and character of the area.

Shadow study snapshots (Dec 21)