Drew Graham

The applicant appealed the City of Toronto's refusal to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-laws to permit a 36-storey mixed-use building at the corner of Wellesley Street East and Church Street.

The Tribunal evaluated the proposal against the existing and planned context, including the Church Street Village Character Area and the Wellesley Wood Character Area.

While the Tribunal found the shadow impacts acceptable and the tower design mitigating, it ultimately concluded that the proposed height and massing were excessive and incompatible with the low-rise character of Church Street.

The appeals were dismissed and the requested amendments were not approved.

The applicant appealed the City of Toronto's refusal to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-laws to permit a 36-storey mixed-use building at the corner of Wellesley Street East and Church Street.

The site straddles two Character Areas with different planned contexts.

The applicant argued the tower's location and design mitigated impacts and fit the tall building context of Wellesley Street.

The City opposed the development, arguing the height and massing were excessive, did not respect the low-rise character of Church Street, and would cause unacceptable shadow impacts on a nearby park and damage mature trees.

The Tribunal found the shadow impacts acceptable but agreed with the City that the proposed 36-storey height and massing did not fit the existing and planned context of the area, particularly its proximity to the low-rise Church Street Village.

The appeals were dismissed.