“`json
{
“title”: “Ravine Condo Controversy: OLT Approves North York Towers Over City Objections”,
“content”: “
A controversial decision by the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) has ignited debate about development within Toronto’s protected ravine system. The OLT recently approved a four-tower condo project at 155 St. Dennis Dr. in North York, overturning a previous rejection by Toronto City Council. The project, spearheaded by Don Valley Reconnects, aims to transform the Flemingdon Park Golf Club into a mixed-use development featuring residential towers and a significant expansion of public green space.
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The proposal envisions four high-rise towers, ranging from 42 to 56 storeys, housing approximately 2,170 units. Notably, only about 5% of the property will be dedicated to the condo development, with the remaining 16 hectares earmarked for public open space. Developers Cityzen, Tercot Communities, and Greybrook Realty Partners are behind this project, however, requests for comment from Don Valley Reconnects went unanswered.
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The City of Toronto and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) initially opposed the project, citing concerns about erosion risks and the project’s location “partway down a ravine wall.” The City’s Official Plan emphasizes protecting the natural heritage and green space system from development impacts. Despite these concerns, the OLT concluded that the city and TRCA failed to provide sufficient evidence of safety hazards. The OLT also highlighted the project’s potential to address housing needs, including affordable units, and its proximity to the future Flemingdon Park transit station on the Ontario Line.
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This decision has sparked concerns about the precedent it could set for future development in protected areas. Park advocate Floyd Ruskin stated, “This is another example of the provincial government stripping away municipal powers,” and warned of the “dangerous precedent” for ravine development. The City Council has voted to appeal the OLT decision to Divisional Court, indicating the ongoing battle over this development. The TRCA also expressed disagreement with the OLT’s findings, stating that their expert evidence regarding hazardous lands was rejected.
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Despite the controversy, some local residents support the project due to the promise of increased public green space. Austin Spademan, a board member of the ABC Residents Association, sees the transformation of a private golf course into accessible parkland as a significant benefit. The project also includes a 325-square-metre cultural space operated by the Six Nations of the Grand River, offering educational opportunities about the area’s Indigenous history. This space will be funded by a $1 million compensation fee should the project stall.
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The future of the Flemingdon Park project remains uncertain as legal challenges proceed. This case highlights the ongoing tension between the need for housing in the GTA and the preservation of valuable natural spaces. As Toronto’s condo market navigates challenges, this decision will be closely watched for its potential impact on future development projects within the city’s ravine system.
“,
“excerpt”: “The Ontario Land Tribunal approved a controversial four-tower condo project in North York’s ravine system, sparking debate over development in protected areas and setting a potentially dangerous precedent.”,
“wordpress_categories”: [“Policy & Regulations”, “Housing Trends”, “Neighborhood Spotlight”],
“wordpress_tags”: [“Toronto”, “GTA”, “condo development”, “ravine”, “OLT”, “North York”, “Ontario Land Tribunal”]
}
“`
