Controversial Woodbridge Avenue condo development going ahead

The Ontario Municipal Board approved a mediated settlement agreement that will see a six-storey, 85-unit building erected on the site of two historic homes.

Yorkregion.com
May 31, 2017
By Adam Martin-Robbins

A controversial condominium development in the Woodbridge village core that residents argued would overshadow two of the community’s “most important” historic homes is going ahead.

But it’s been scaled back through a mediated settlement, according to the head of a local ratepayers group.

“Basically, it came down to six storeys, much better protection of the heritage homes and the building will complement the area nicely once it’s completed,” Maria Verna, president of the Village of Woodbridge Ratepayers Association, said in an interview.

“We’re happy with the settlement. It’s better than what was originally proposed. It’s unfortunate it took so long to get to this point, but we are happy with the results we have considering what was brought forward initially, well over two years ago,” she added.

When Cityzen Development Group and Fernbrook Homes first pitched the project, they were looking to build an 8-storey building with 143 apartments, three two-storey townhouses and ground floor commercial uses on the lands known as 177, 185 and 197 Woodbridge Ave.

Two of those properties are home to Dr. Peter McLean House (built in 1893) and Thomas Frazier Wallace House (built in 1875), which the developer proposed to restore and retain.

After meeting with the community, the original proposal was modified to feature a seven-storey, 119-unit building.

But, last September, city council rejected the developers’ plan amid concerns from area residents including the levelling of the hilly site, the removal of several large trees and relocation of the heritage homes to the edge of the property.

The developer appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board.

A settlement hearing took place April 28 and the OMB accepted the proposal for the six-storey, 85-unit building, according to a city staff report.

A spokesperson for the developers was not available for comment Tuesday, May 30.

“From street level you’ll see the two (historic) homes,” Verna said. “From the corner, there will be a three-storey podium then it’s setback to the building, which goes up to four storeys, then there’s a slight setback to bring it up to six storeys.”