City planners pan 40-storey Television City project
But developer gears up for speedy OMB appeal
City planners are recommending against a 40-storey “Television City” condo project downtown that would vie for the title of tallest tower in the lower city.
But that’s no problem, said developer Brad Lamb.
He always expected to appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board — and he plans to do so as early as Thursday, before council even weighs in.
“We’ll continue to work toward the goal of bringing a development to the site,” said Lamb Wednesday, arguing discussions with neighbours and the city can continue for months after an appeal.
“And if we can’t, then we’ll see everybody at the OMB.”
The well-known Toronto condo developer pitched the $360-million, two-tower project last summer for the former CHCH TV site on Jackson Street West.
About 618 residential units and commercial frontage would be split between two towers, one with 30 storeys and another with 40.
A project website went live last fall offering prospective units priced at between $220,000 and almost $1 million.
Lamb said Wednesday he has presold enough units to warrant construction on the first tower.
A new city report, now online ahead of next Tuesday’s planning meeting, recommends denial of requested zoning amendments for the project because of shadow issues, building massing that risks “overpowering” pedestrians at street level and incompatibility with the neighbourhood, including nearby low-rise homes.
City planners make clear they aren’t necessarily opposed to tall buildings on the site, but suggest “this should be achieved through a form and density of development that more appropriately considers the
existing character and pattern of development in the area.”
For example, the report suggests terracing and setbacks to make the project less imposing at ground level.
The current zoning for the site permits medium density residential like low or mid-rise apartments, although the proposed new downtown secondary plan — which is not yet approved — envisions the area as part of a large swath of the core covered by a maximum 30-storey designation.
Regardless, the 40-storey, 125metre proposed tower would overtop the escarpment — a planning no-no — and rival the 43storey Landmark Place (at about 130 metres) for tallest building in the lower city when combined with land elevation on the hilly Jackson Street site.
The project has also faced criticism from neighbourhood residents and the city’s design review panel, with members of the latter raising issues about the height and precedent it would set.
In a submission to the city, the Durand Neighbourhood Association praised the project’s plans for new green space and bicycle parking. But otherwise it panned the design, height and massing of the two towers as “out of context” for the neighbourhood and a “shock to the senses.”
Lamb has said in the past he wants the high-profile project to be the tallest building in the lower city. But he added his consortium has already “brought the height down” from a maximum 45 storeys in deference to neighbourhood concerns.
The outspoken developer said he intends to appeal to the OMB over the project as early as Thursday — despite the fact council has not considered the staff recommendation yet.
Lamb stressed he wants to
continue discussions with planners and resident groups and hopes to find enough common ground to avoid going to a fullblown hearing that would likely be more than a year away.
But he suggested the towering project was always destined to be appealed — if not by himself, than surrounding residents.
“Height is always an issue,” he said.
The would-be tower builder also said he prefers to argue his case before the existing provincial oversight board, rather than the pending replacement tribunal recently introduced by the province.
The introduction of the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal this spring is expected to shift more responsibility for land use planning decisions back on municipal councils.
But any planning applications submitted before last December are already guaranteed appeal rights under the old OMB system.