Ontario Land Tribunal
Tribunal ontarien de l’aménagement du territoire
ISSUE DATE: June 06, 2025 CASE NO.: OLT-23-000697
PROCEEDING COMMENCED UNDER subsection 34(11) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P. 13, as amended
Applicant/Appellant:
SLH Lakeshore Inc.
Subject:
Zoning By-law Amendment Application – failure to make a decision
Description:
To permit a mixed-use development of two residential towers of 59 and 54 storeys containing 1602 dwelling units
Reference Number:
22 204512 STE 14 OZ
Municipality:
City of Toronto
Property Address:
685 Lake Shore Boulevard East
OLT Case No.:
OLT-23-000697
OLT Lead Case No.:
OLT-23-000697
OLT Case Name:
SLH Lakeshore Inc. v. Toronto (City)
PROCEEDING COMMENCED UNDER subsection 41(12) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P. 13, as amended
Applicant/Appellant:
SLH Lakeshore Inc.
Subject:
Site Plan Control Application – failure to approve
Description:
To permit a mixed-use development of two residential towers of 59 and 54 storeys containing 1602 dwelling units
Reference Number:
22 204511 STE 14 SA
Municipality:
City of Toronto
Property Address:
685 Lake Shore Boulevard East
OLT Case No.:
OLT-23-000698
OLT Lead Case No.:
OLT-23-000697
OLT Case Name:
SLH Lakeshore Inc. v. Toronto (City)
PROCEEDING COMMENCED UNDER subsection 22(7) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P. 13, as amended
Applicant/Appellant:
SLH Lakeshore Inc.
Subject:
Request to amend the Official Plan – failure to adopt the requested amendment
Description:
To permit a mixed-use development of two residential towers of 59 and 54 storeys containing 1602 dwelling units
Reference Number:
24 221697 STE 14
Municipality:
City of Toronto
Property Address:
685 Lake Shore Boulevard East
OLT Case No.:
OLT-25-000124
OLT Lead Case No.:
OLT-23-000697
OLT Case Name:
SLH Lakeshore Inc. v. Toronto (City)
BEFORE:
KURTIS SMITH ) Monday, the 2nd day MEMBER ) ) of June 2025
THIS MATTER having come before the Tribunal by way of an uncontested written hearing on June 2, 2025, and upon reviewing and having considered the uncontested opinion evidence proffered by Michael Bissett, a Registered Professional Planner and member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, in his comprehensive affidavit sworn May 28, 2025;
AND THE TRIBUNAL understands that the aforementioned sworn evidence of Mr. Bissett reflects revisions to the applications before the Tribunal that were reached through cooperative efforts of the Parties;
AND THE TRIBUNAL having accepted the opinion evidence of Mr. Bissett as presented in his affidavit, finds that the official plan amendment and zoning by-law amendment, as revised, has regard to those applicable matters of provincial interest as set out in section 2 of the Planning Act, is consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024, conforms to the City of Toronto Official Plan, and otherwise reflects principles of good land use planning. Further, the proposed development and draft zoning by-law amendments represents good planning and design and are in the public interest;
AND THE TRIBUNAL having been advised of the pre-conditions to the issuance of a Final Order in this matter requested by the City of Toronto and consented to by SLH Lakeshore Inc, which have not yet been met;
NOW THEREFORE
THE TRIBUNAL ORDERS THAT:
The Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment application appeals are allowed in part, on an interim basis, contingent upon confirmation, satisfaction or receipt of those pre-requisite matters identified in paragraph 2 and the Official Plan Amendment as set out in Attachment 1, and the development proposal for the Site, as contemplated in the architectural plans prepared by BDP Quadrangle dated November 29, 2024, support the (draft) Zoning By- law Amendment attached herein as Attachment 2 to this Interim Order, are hereby approved in principle.
The Tribunal will withhold the issuance of its Final Order contingent upon confirmation of the City Solicitor, of the following pre-requisite matters:
a. the Official Plan Amendment is in a final form satisfactory to the Executive Director, Development Review and the Owner and joint Ministerial Approval pursuant to the Lower Don Special Policy Area and Lower Don Protocol has been obtained;
b. the Zoning By-law Amendment is in a final form satisfactory to the Executive Director, Development Review and the Owner, which shall include Holding conditions as set out in the Settlement Offer;
c. City Council has considered a final report on the Precinct Plan for the McCleary District, provided that such report is issued no later than six (6) months following the issuance of an Interim Order of the Tribunal;
d. the Owner has entered into and registered on title an agreement with the City to secure the provision of Affordable Rental Housing, to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor;
e. the Owner has provided a revised Pedestrian Level Wind Study including a Wind Tunnel Study, with recommendations implemented as part of the Zoning By-law Amendment and the City has advised that any building envelope changes to address the findings of the studies have been made, to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Development Review; and
f. the Owner and PortsToronto have informed the City Solicitor that a restrictive covenant securing the heights of both the buildings on the property and any structures (temporary or permanent) above the top of the buildings on the property to the satisfaction of PortsToronto has been registered on title to the Property;
The Member will remain seized for the purposes of reviewing and approving the final draft of the Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-Law Amendment and the issuance of the Final Order.
If the Parties do not submit the final drafts of the Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, and provide confirmation that all other contingent pre-requisites to the issuance of the Final Order set out in paragraph 2 above have been satisfied, and do not request the issuance of the Final Order, by Monday, October 6, 2025, the Applicant and the City shall provide a written status report to the Tribunal by that date, as to the timing of the expected confirmation and submission of the final form of the draft Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment and issuance of the Final Order by the Tribunal.
The Tribunal may, as necessary, arrange the further attendance of the Parties by Telephone Conference Call to determine the additional timelines and deadline for the submission of the final form of the instruments, the satisfaction of the contingent prerequisites and the issuance of the Final Order.
The appeal of the Site Plan Control application, being Tribunal Case No. OLT-23-000698 is adjourned sine die. The Member will not remain seized.
“Matthew D.J. Bryan”
MATTHEW D.J. BRYAN
REGISTRAR
Ontario Land Tribunal
Website: olt.gov.on.ca Telephone: 416-212-6349 Toll Free: 1-866-448-2248
The Conservation Review Board, the Environmental Review Tribunal, the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal and the Mining and Lands Tribunal are amalgamated and continued as the Ontario Land Tribunal (“Tribunal”). Any reference to the preceding tribunals or the former Ontario Municipal Board is deemed to be a reference to the Tribunal.
ATTACHMENT 1
ATTACHMENT 2