2290 Lawn Ave. Update

Revised proposal submitted to Ontario Municipal Board at September 30th Hearing

The property developer revised its development proposal for this site. Instead of the four-unit development that was originally proposed, they submitted a proposal for a three-unit development at the Ontario Municipal Board hearing that took place on September 30th, 2010. This development proposal consists of one single family and two semi-detached homes.

This new proposal includes increased distance between the two structures and larger setbacks from the property lines. The two trees facing Lawn Ave. are to remain in place. The City planning department has also asked for additional changes, including a smaller garage and narrower driveway for the single family home, which would make the home more consistent with the streetscape and character of the neighbourhood.

The City planning department is concerned that the development is in accordance with Infill Guidelines. These guidelines require that infill developments integrate with the characteristics of the surrounding neighbourhood, smaller homes, greenspace, lots of trees, and an eclectic mic of styles.

This revised proposal is much more palatable than the original four-unit development that was submitted. We are thankful to the residents who voiced their opinion to the Committee of Adjustment, to those on the community association who helped out and particularly to the immediate neighbours of 2290 Lawn Ave., who rose to the challenge and pursued the legal channels necessary to prepare for the Ontario Municipal Board hearing. This took a considerable amount of time, effort and expense.

The Ontario Municipal Board shared the City's concerns and has required the developer to obtain a City-approved landscaping plan before one of the variances will be granted. It is up to the property developer whether or not he will choose to obtain this landscaping plan and pursue the project.

The revised development proposal has been submitted to the immediate neighbours and the community association. If you wish to see the proposal drawings, please contact Bob MacKenzie at robert.mackenzie@rogers.com or 613-726-3310.

Final Decision

The final Ontario Municipal Board decision can be downloaded here (PDF 183 KB).

Help is Needed - Please Donate

It is in the best interests of the neighbourhood as a whole for this development not to go ahead as originally planned.

The process for challenging the property developer's appeal to the Ontario Municipal board required the services of a lawyer, a land use expert and an expert witness. The final cost for this expertise is $4,600, which is the burden of the immediate neighbours to pay. The original cost would have been closer to $10,000 if a compromise hadn't been reached prior to the hearing.

If you wish to help out with this legal challenge, please consider donating towards the cost of the expertise needed at the Ontario Municipal Board hearing. Donations can be given to Bob MacKenzie, one of the immediate neighbours and the resident coordinating the legal challenge. So far, $225 in donations have been given.

The invoices have been provided to the Woodpark Community Association and are available if anyone wishes to see them.

Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated. If you wish to make a contribution, or if you have any questions, please contact Bob MacKenzie at robert.mackenzie@rogers.com or 613-726-3310.