A developer’s appeal to build a condo on the vacant land formerly occupied by a church of Christian Science, near Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue West, has been dismissed at the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).
In April 2014, Parkset Development submitted their proposal to build a seven-storey condo with 114 units at 41 Chatsworth Dr. The local residents’ association Develop Areas Respectfully in Toronto (DART), Toronto City Planning, and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) all opposed the proposal. Locals and city staff argued the condo’s height deviated from the city’s official plan, which allows a maximum of four storeys on the site, and the condo’s proximity to the Duplex Parkette was another major concern.
In 2015, Arsalan Mohajer, of Parkset Development, told Post City that the official plan is too “old fashioned” and places unfair restrictions on the development.
On April 14, Jan De Pencier Seaborn, vice-chair of the OMB, ruled against the condo proposal stating, “[It] would represent over-intensification within a physically stable neighbourhood.”
Peter Brennan and Sharon Lott, DART directors, were “delighted” at the outcome of the case.
“I hope the decision sends a message to the developers that they are expected to follow the rules,” said Brennan.
This was not the only time locals disagreed with the developer. The battle also dates back to February 2014, when a demolition company started cutting several trees at the Chatsworth site early in the morning. Resident Charles Oliver along with former city councillor Karen Stintz faced off with Arsalan Mohajer over whether a permit had been obtained for the tree cutting. It was later proved Parkset did not have the necessary permit.
City of Toronto planner Cathie Ferguson said the city has not received another application from the developer, as the board’s ruling is still brand new.
“It will be up to the landowner if there’s a new application. The land could be sold, I don’t know. [The City of Toronto] is obliged to consider future applications,” she said.
Parkset had hired Northgrave Architects to oversee plans for the site in 2014. Northgrave staff said any future plans would have to start from scratch.
Parkset Development did not return requests for comment.
