MEMO TO: Toronto & East York Community Council FROM: Councillor Joe Mihevc, Ward 21, St. Paul’s West RE: 4 Bracondale Hill Road – Ontario Municipal Board hearing DATE: February 10, 2011 RECOMMENDATIONS: That City Council authorize the City Solicitor and Community Planning to attend and hire independent planning consultants, if necessary, to uphold the Committee of Adjustment refusal regarding the 4 Bracondale Hill Road application at the Ontario Municipal Board hearing when it is scheduled. SUMMARY: The Toronto and East York panel of the Committee of Adjustment (C of A) refused an application for variances at 4 Bracondale Hill Road on January 26, 2011, and the owner of the property is expected to appeal this decision to the Ontario Municipal Board. The C of A's decision notice and City of Toronto Planning staff report are attached. The applicant plans to build two three-unit buildings on a quiet residential street dominated by detached single-family homes. The size and location of this proposed development is out of character with the neighbourhood. This development does not maintain the intent and purpose of the City's Official Plan – which calls for new development to respect and reinforce prevailing neighbourhood building patterns – and does so by completely disregarding generally accepted limits on scale and mass (double the building height, triple the allowable GFA, and a required frontage reduction of 4.5 metres). I believe the C of A made the right decision in rejecting the application. The density and impacts on neighbours are out of line with character of the neighbourhood. The applicant's proposal is simply too large for the site. Sincerely, Councillor Joe Mihevc Ward 21, St. Paul's West .