By David RosOver the past decade or so, the Downsview neighbourhood has undergone significant changes and arguably, it will go through its biggest change to date if the Downsview Secondary Plan goes ahead as planned.According to the developers, one of the guiding principles of the plan is to “civilize” Allen Rd., by re-zoning the area to create a mix of high and low density housing, parks and recreational lands, as well as commercial and retail units on previously undeveloped land south of Sheppard Ave. W.“I find the proposal is unreasonable for the area,” said Councillor James Pasternak (Ward 10, York Centre.) “It’s going to disturb stable neighbourhoods, create undue congestion and traffic, and put added pressure on infrastructure.“While I have nothing against reasonable building and building new neighbourhoods and communities, it has to be done with total respect for the current residents that are there.”The proposal seeks to create developments on lands owned by Build Toronto and Canada Lands Company on both the east and west sides of Allen Rd., affecting Wards 9 and 10. According to the plan, an arterial road will be created going south from Sheppard Ave. W., on the east side of Allen Rd., dividing Banting Park from the proposed developments before turning west to connect with Allen Rd. The plan also calls for Transit Rd., on the west side of Allen Rd., to be extended north to connect with Sheppard Ave. W., in addition, a series of small “local roads” will be created on both sides where the residential units will be located.If the Downsview Secondary Plan is to be approved, it will significantly add to the density of the neighbourhood. Currently, the neighbourhoods adjoining the proposed plan largely consist of low density residential dwellings. Adding the proposed mix of high and low density residences would dramatically increase the population of the area, as well as, the amount of traffic along the already congested main arterial roads.As the main routes in and out of the proposed developments are through Allen Rd., or Sheppard Ave. W., which are busy even at the best of times, it would leave the adjoining quiet residential streets as the only alternate routes to avoid traffic. As a result, in addition to increased strain along Allen Rd., and Sheppard Ave. W., residents of currently existing low density neighbourhoods can also expect a likely increase in traffic along their residential streets.Pasternak said that while the Yonge-University-Spadina subway extension to Vaughan will be open in 2016, there needs to be a solid transit plan in place in order to accommodate this kind of development. “The real important thing is that we build the subway from Downsview Station to Yonge and Sheppard,” Pasternak said. “This project is very much a non-starter until that is constructed.”Pasternak said that because of covenant issues, the developments will not go ahead anytime soon, providing the public with an opportunity to make their views known. “While I’m really concerned about the proposal and it has a long way to go, we really need to hear what the public has to say,” he said.According to Pasternak, the Downsview Secondary Plan is currently a precinct plan, which means that it is only a “rough sketch” of what the developers would like to do with the area. He said that what is currently up for approval at North York Community Council is to seek public consultation for the plan.Stay tuned to the Downsview Advocate for more information, and timelines related to the Downsview Secondary Plan.