Dermot Sweeny

The applicant appealed the City's refusal of a minor variance application and failure to make a decision on a site plan control application for a hotel development.

The minor variance application sought to increase the height of a proposed building from 15 to 19 storeys, along with related technical variances.

An adjacent resident was granted party status and opposed the variances, citing concerns over height, scale, and shadow impacts.

The Tribunal accepted the uncontroverted expert evidence of the applicant that the variances were minor, represented good urban design, and met the four tests under the Planning Act.

The Tribunal allowed the minor variance appeal in part, authorizing the variances subject to conditions, and adjourned the site plan control appeal sine die.

The applicant appealed the City of Toronto's failure to make a decision on a zoning by-law amendment application to permit a 14-storey mixed-use building.

The Tribunal heard uncontested expert evidence that the proposed development is appropriate, fits harmoniously with the existing context, and meets the intent of the applicable policy framework.

The Tribunal allowed the appeal in part and approved the zoning by-law amendment, finding it represents good land use planning and is in the public interest.