Toronto City Council recently rejected a proposal for a 17-storey condo and rental building near High Park. The proposal, put forward by Clifton Blake, aimed to introduce a 17-storey, mixed-use high-rise with 144 residential units.
Despite Clifton Blake’s intention to address housing needs, the plan faced opposition from community members and organizations, notably the High Park Tenants’ Association (HPTA). They highlighted discrepancies between the proposal and guidelines outlined in the Bloor West Village Avenue Study, which limits building heights to eight storeys in certain areas. During a virtual community consultation, concerns were raised about the proposed building’s impact on the neighborhood’s character, traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and the ecology of High Park, which is considered one of Toronto’s most environmentally significant areas.
While Clifton Blake argued that the proposed development could contribute significantly to addressing Toronto’s housing shortage, city staff and councillors upheld the necessity of following planning policies. However, there is potential for a resubmission if Clifton Blake adjusts its proposal to align with the city’s official plan policies.
