A new 250-vehicle TTC bus garage near McNicoll Ave. and Kennedy Rd. in Scarborough will move forward despite objections from a large nearby church and seniors facilities, city council decided Thursday.

The 19-acre site for the $181 million garage was acquired by the TTC in the Milliken Employment Centre in 2005 although other non-industrial facilities have sprung up in the immediate area.

The project is to be completed by 2019.

Among the objectors was the 2,300-congregant Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church and the Mon Sheong Foundation long-term-care facility for 260 seniors.

“We’re disappointed,” said Victor Wong, a Mon Sheong board member. “We believe they should be looking at alternative sites because there are viable sites in the area where a garage could better fit in with other industry neighbours rather than in the middle of a sensitive-use residential area.”

Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly’s motion for further public consultation looking at other sites was rejected in a 26-14 vote. Council voted to submit the project to the province for assessment.

The TTC says it has agreed to address residents' concerns, including moving the above-ground fuel tanks, the bus repair bays and the vehicle entrance

Councillor Maria Augimeri, the TTC chair, said there had been 10 consultations sessions, and Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong said more consultation wouldn’t be productive.

“People have had an opportunity to come and have their say and are unhappy and just want another kick at the can,” Minnan-Wong said. “I don’t know what will be gained by having more except letting people be angrier and angrier for longer.”

Minnan-Wong said the garage, to be completed by 2019, is needed by the TTC and no matter what location was picked, someone would end up being unhappy.

“Nobody wants a bus garage in their community,” he said. “Even if it’s in an industrial area . . . you still don’t want it but you can’t get beyond the fact that we’ve got to have it and it has to go someplace.”

Councillor Mary Margaret McMahon said residents of her Beaches-East York ward co-exist with the TTC’s Danforth barns, the Russell yard and the new Leslie barns under construction that will house most of the city’s streetcar fleet.

“We’re happy to host TTC facilities and vehicles because we need to get our city moving,” she said. “So I would just say, ‘Suck it up, Ward 39. For the greater good of the city, we all need to shoulder the load.’”

The councillor for the area, Mike Del Grande (Ward 39, Scarborough Agincourt), said politicians had set up conditions for conflict by permitting residential uses near the industrial zone.

“When you start to encroach on employment areas, you’re going to get into a lot of problems.”

Del Grande said he concluded the best that could be done in this case is reduce the impact on the community, particularly traffic congestion at McNicoll and Kennedy and Kennedy and Steeles Ave.

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Del Grande, who isn’t running for re-election to council, said candidates for his job will make it an issue in the Oct. 27 election.

“I know a number will say, ‘I’m going to fight for you and we’re not going to do this and yada yada yada.’ I always look at what is the best thing for the majority, for most people, what is the best good for most of the people. I’m happy with whatever decision you make.”