Forest Hill residents win first round in fight over trees

Property owner who wanted to build a two-storey house on Chaplin Cres. that would mean cutting at least 14 mature trees says he’ll appeal to the OMB.

Thestar.com
Sept. 24, 2015
By Betsy Powell

The Toronto and East York committee of adjustment has refused a property owner’s request for variances to build a large home on a ravine lot in Forest Hill.

Some 22 residents, and the city’s forestry department, had objected to the plan because of the loss of trees and canopy coverage.

“We’re elated,” said Lucianna Ciccocioppo, a neighbour who led opposition to the project at 256 Chaplin Cres. “We look forward to seeing the revisions of the plans.”

She told the panel the proposal “should be a case study in how not to engage the community in a building project,” adding that Thursday was the first time she met the owner, builder and architect. “That says a lot.”

Khosrow Choubineh, the owner, said he is planning to appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. He maintains the urban forestry report “exaggerated” the number of trees that would have to be removed.

Neighbourhood opponents said the project would involve clear-cutting 29 mature trees. The city staff report said at least 14 would be cut, nine for the proposed driveway and five for the two-storey home. Six trees would also be “injured.”

“These numbers are based on the applicant’s arborist report,” Norman DeFraeye, supervisor of the city’s urban forestry department, wrote in email. “It is expected that these numbers will change as more detailed plans are prepared by the applicant in response to city concerns. It is our intent to mitigate the losses and injuries.”

Ciccocioppo said that if Choubineh appeals, “we’re certainly going to see what our next options are. We’ve had overwhelming support going door-to-door. We’ll see what the next step is.”

Councillor Josh Matlow, who represents Ward 22 (St. Paul’s), submitted a letter asking the COA to refuse the request for variances.

“Great news! We won at the committee of adjustment today regarding 256 Chaplin Cres. We’ll see where this goes now,” he tweeted Thursday.