To seek standing at LPAT pre-hearing on Monday Nov. 5

 

 

We’ve been busy! In mid October the Build a Better Bloor Dufferin coalition hosted an all-candidates meeting to a packed house. It was invigorating to hear civil debate prior to the city election.

Since then we’ve been working hard to prepare for the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT)where we will seek standing as a “party.” As a resident-led community group we’ve been impressed and inspired by the range of skills and level of support from our neighbour volunteers. We are grateful for recent advice from community experts and planning lawyers about their experiences with the OMB/LPAT. And we’re grateful for the dozens of volunteers who’ve helped out with community outreach, youth involvement, research, and so much more. Our community is diverse but one thing we have in common is how much we care about this neighbourhood and its future!

A “party” at the LPAT

The LPAT is the successor of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). Capital Developments has sought a hearing before the LPAT/OMB because they feel that the City of Toronto has delayed planning approval.

Capital Developments has submitted a proposal to the City of Toronto to tear down three existing schools on the site and build condo towers with more than 2,000 units. The Bloor Dufferin community has demanded that any development there—formerly public lands —should include provision for parks, housing, community spaces, and a new, modern high-school to replace our beloved Bloor Collegiate Institute.

By becoming a full so-called party in the hearings, BBBD will be able to present expert testimony, question development plans, and represent the community’s concerns about the development of the seven-acre site at Bloor and Dufferin.

About Monday’s Meeting

Any resident or business owner can come to the LPAT pre-hearing on November 5 to present your own concerns or to observe the pre-hearing. Tell us your concerns about the proposed development?

Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (Toronto)

16th Floor, 655 Bay Street,

Toronto

10:00 am, 5 November

A whole day has been set aside for a pre-hearing to determine when a full LPAT hearing on the development will be heard. (A full hearing may still be months away and could involve days.) Andrea Adams, a long-time resident, will speak as the representative for BBBD at the pre-hearing. We’ll be seeking more information about the development and the City of Toronto’s planning department position on how the development meets the Official Plan for the area.

What difference can you make?

Whether or not you attend the pre-hearing you can still make a BIG difference by giving your opinion about the proposed development on the City of Toronto planning department website. Click in the box that says submit your comments. We’ve been told that the City planning office reads every comment and will use these comments in the LPAT negotiations. In other words, every voice really does count. Talk to your neighbours and encourage them to speak up! What matters to you in a development at Bloor and Dufferin?

And of course share your views with our newly elected municipal representatives:

Ana Bialio

Councillor City of Toronto

email—councillor_bailao@toronto.ca

Twitter—@anabailaoTO

Stephanie Donaldson

Toronto District School Board trustee:

Twitter: @Steph4schools

Facebook @StephanieDonaldsonTO

Frank D’Amico

Toronto Catholic District School Board trustee:

email—frank.damico@tcdsb.org

Twitter—@TrusteeDAmico

 

For more information.

We’ll keep you posted about next steps.

The Build a Better Bloor Dufferin team.