After months of deliberation, the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) upheld a decision to dedicate a large portion of the David Dunlap Observatory (DDO) site in Richmond Hill to public ownership.
The settlement will see 99 of the 189-acre observatory’s green space transferred to the town. With a 12.1-acre “panhandle” the town purchased for $19.5 million last year, the ruling means the town will soon be assuming more than 56 per cent of the lands.
The decision was the result of mediation between the town, landowner Corsica Developments Inc., the Region of York, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the David Dunlap Observatory Defenders (DDOD), a local residents’ group.
Corsica originally submitted a development plan to build 833 homes on the lands but reduced its number to 530 as per the settlement. The Richmond Hill Naturalists, which did not take part in the mediation, appealed the plan in an attempt to conserve the entire site.
Karlene J. Hussey, vice-chair of the OMB, wrote in her decision that the mediated settlement “represents good planning and overall is in the public interest … by the dedication of over 56 per cent of the property to public ownership, it attains substantial public benefits.”
Hussey examined arguments from both parties in the appeal and struck down evidence by the naturalists, which included expert witnesses.
The observatory is located in Coun. Godwin Chan’s ward. He has worked closely with residents and developers since 2007.
“I think that the OMB decision on the mediated settlement brings closure to the controversy about the future of the DDO lands,” he said.
Although he would have preferred that the entire land parcel be preserved, Chan said the decision represented a significant outcome for the town’s residents.
More recently, Chan spoke with the federal government to consider recognizing the observatory as a historic site of national significance.
Karen Cilevitz, president of the DDOD, was elated by the OMB’s decision. However, she noted there is still much work ahead.
She said that although town residents did unite, some residual tension was generated between “individuals and parties” involved in the controversy.
She said she hoped Richmond Hill can move foward united as it takes the next steps with the landowner.
As part of the settlement, the local residents’ group will be involved in all future matters pertaining to the DDO.
A Town of Richmond Hill Master Environmental Servicing Plan must now be completed for the subject lands, and subdivision and zoning amendments must also be drafted.
The town must also finalize the bylaw related to the mediated settlement and continue to work toward assuming the heritage buildings on the site from Corsica. Public consultations asking for community feedback must also be scheduled.
The Richmond Hill Naturalists were not available for comment by press time.