West End Condo Future Still Unclear

The outcome of a public consultation on January 10^th regarding the construction of a 14-storey condo across from High Park (1844 Bloor St. W.) is unclear. The City says it’s willing hold a second round of consultations to hear the concerns of neighbouring residents who will be affected by the new building. However, the consultation might come too late for residents to alter the plans. The developers of this new West End condo project altered their renderings in response to vocal public dissatisfaction with the largely glass condo which would have seen the 14-story part of the building butting right up against Bloor St. The Developers turned the design around so that the tallest portion of the building will now be in back, and the city approved the plans. (The latest renderings of 1844 Bloor St. W. can be found here).

But the question remains: how did the City come to approve the plans in the first place, as the 14-storey unit far exceeds the 8-story maximum set out in City of Toronto's Official Plan? More importantly, how will this imminent development affect the High Park neighbourhood? The last of the decidedly run-down properties to be cleared for the project are to be torn down shortly. Will this new luxury boutique condo development turn High Park into Central Park Toronto? 

1844 Bloor Street West Development.

On January 10th the committee of adjustment will hear an application to approve 378 condo units in the site running from Oakmount to Pacific and across Bloor. The site has sat idle for years and been not only an eye sore, but has attracted arson activity and regular vandalism. Residents have been rallying against the development as it exceeds the City of Toronto's Official Plan's eight storey limit.  The Developer is seeking a total of 14 storeys.  The meeting will take place at 399 The West Mall (Etobicoke Civic Centre) inside the Council Chambers at 7pm where a vote will follow.  The decision can have wide ranging implications for the entire area, and especially High Park.  It will be interesting to see what position the Committee of Adjustment takes.  If an official plan says 8 storeys, than how do you secure a 75% increase from that , and ask for 14 storeys.  Variances are a part of any application, but it seems to me that the Developers here are asking for 14 in an effort to secure less, but still manage something beyond 8.