Peter Clewes

The Claimant sought compensation for the expropriation of its property by Metrolinx for the Ontario Line transit project.

The Tribunal determined the highest and best use of the property was a high-density two-tower mixed-use development.

The Tribunal screened out the impact of the Ontario Line announcement under section 14(4)(b) of the Expropriations Act.

It rejected Metrolinx's argument for a lease encumbrance deduction due to the common control of the tenant and claimant.

The Tribunal accepted the Claimant's appraiser's market value of $187 per square foot, resulting in a gross value of $88,825,000, and applied a $1,000,000 deduction for environmental remediation costs, awarding a net amount of $87,825,000.

The applicant appealed the City's refusal of an Official Plan Amendment and failure to make a decision on a Zoning By-law Amendment to permit a 46-storey mixed-use building.

At the outset, the Tribunal held a motion hearing and determined it lacked jurisdiction under s. 17(50.1) of the Planning Act to consider an expansion of the OPA to include adjacent lands that were not part of the original application or appeal.

On the merits, the Tribunal allowed the appeals in principle, finding that the proposed reclassification to 'Station Area Core' and the 46-storey height were appropriate given the site's proximity to a new LRT station.

The Tribunal also approved the proposed 5.5 m tower setback to the north and 6.0 m base building setback along Bayview Avenue, preferring the applicant's expert evidence over the City's.