But residents gathered at L'Amoreaux Collegiate Institute on Tuesday didn't give Del Grande much room to maneuver, saying through a show of hands they don't want any condominiums at the mall.
Malibu Investments Inc. has a rough plan for five condominium buildings at Bridlewood, ranging from 10 to 38 storeys tall and mounted on commercial bases of three and seven storeys in height.
The crowd was told it can accept what Malibu will offer - some trees, streetscaping, the revival of a community centrepiece at Warden and Finch avenues - plus goodies such as a library expansion or a community centre.
Or residents can ask the city to fight and may lose on appeal at the Ontario Municipal Board, along with any goodies.
Though Malibu must apply to change Bridlewood's zoning, Toronto's new Official Plan is on the developer's side and the city and province generally consider such "intensification" good planning because it helps curb suburban sprawl.
Del Grande, who said he supports a commercial expansion of Bridlewood and pegs Malibu's current concept at 1,600 condo units or more, suggested he expects the developer to compromise, calling that part of "the game."
After only about 10 residents in the room raised hands to signal they'd approve of any residential units at the mall, Del Grande reminded the crowd Malibu "might get something" at the OMB.
"Would people accept having a couple of buildings at both ends that would be about 12 storeys?" he asked, the majority of hands responding no.
Earlier, Sol Wassermuhl, an architect for Malibu, said many malls of the Bridlewood era are "not doing terribly well. They need a shot in the arm," he added, adding Bridlewood is one of many in Greater Toronto looking at adding condos to supply a built-in, upscale customer base.
The new buildings would fit into the underused "sea of asphalt" around Bridlewood, which has lost ability to compete with larger malls, Wassermuhl said.
Residents said the plan will mean a drastic change for the area. They asked how the surrounding roads could accommodate the added traffic or how seniors could cross them safely.
One man said a 38-storey building "would be a magnet for terrorism" or perhaps a crystal meth lab which "could fill a hallway with explosive gasses."
When a woman said the area needs a community centre to serve children and teens, there were gasps of "no" as well as shouts of "yes."
Aldo Misuraca said he'd welcome a community centre but not the condos.
"Shot in the arm? That's a kick in the head," said Misuraca, later adding he blames a recent nearby development for flooding that damaged his house.
Malibu said the company would explain any proposal again once an application is made.
Standing after the meeting by a model with the proposed buildings represented in styrofoam, Wassermuhl said the mall won't expand unless it gets more customers, something Malibu's plan can guarantee.
"The mall will get bigger, it'll get better. You'll have better retail shops and better streets," he told one man, adding area property values will go up because the condos would cost so much to build.