Blair Scorgie

The appellant appealed a Committee of Adjustment decision refusing variances to permit the construction of two garden suites on the footprint of an existing garage.

The proposed garden suites would have a gross floor area larger than the existing primary residence on the lot.

The Toronto Local Appeal Body allowed the appeal, accepting uncontested expert planning evidence that the proposal represented good planning, provided gentle intensification on a Major Street, and met the four tests for minor variances under the Planning Act.

The appellant appealed a Committee of Adjustment decision refusing variances for a laneway suite.

Prior to the hearing, the application was amended to reduce the number of variances to one, relating to building length.

The tribunal found the amendment minor and proceeded without further notice.

The tribunal determined the proposed building met the definition of a laneway suite despite a 6-metre setback from the lane.

Applying the four tests for a minor variance, the tribunal preferred the appellant's expert planning evidence over the neighbour's objections, finding the variance maintained the intent of the Official Plan and Zoning By-law, was desirable, and minor in impact.

The appeal was allowed and the variance authorized subject to conditions regarding landscaping.

The applicant appealed the City of Woodstock's refusal of a zoning by-law amendment to permit the redevelopment of a property to facilitate an addition of four dwelling units to an existing three-unit dwelling.

City planning staff had recommended approval, but City Council refused the application citing compatibility and overdevelopment concerns.

The Ontario Land Tribunal allowed the appeal, accepting uncontested expert planning evidence that the proposal is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, conforms to the City's Official Plan, and represents good planning through modest residential intensification.

Several property owners brought motions seeking party status and orders pursuant to subsection 34(31) of the Planning Act to deem Zoning By-law No. 608-2024 in force for their respective properties.

The by-law, along with Official Plan Amendment No. 727, was adopted by the City of Toronto to permit gentle residential intensification along major streets but was appealed city-wide by 2856973 Ontario Inc. Relying on uncontested expert planning evidence, the Tribunal found that scoping the appeals to exclude the moving parties' lands would not create conformity issues and would facilitate timely redevelopment.

The Tribunal granted the motions, deemed the by-law in force for the specified properties, and permitted the moving parties to withdraw from the proceedings.