Condo squabble shadows Queen’s Park

Sunrise over the as-yet-unsullied skyline of the Ontario Legislative Building at Queen’s Park. Photo by Eric Morse.

Trinity-Spadina MPP Rosario Marchese has launched a crusade against the construction of high-rise towers in an arc that would obstruct the skyline behind the Ontario Legislature as seen from University Ave. to the south of Queen’s Park.

In approving the construction of a twin-tower condo on the Four Seasons hotel property at 21 Avenue Rd. at Bloor St., an Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) decision in late May has given the green light for high-rise towers to go up behind the legislature, says Marchese.

Other opponents of the ruling—including urban affairs expert and commentator Christopher Hume—assert that the towers would mar the legislature’s distinctive silhouette and open the door for a further marring of the legislature skyline by other developments. They claim that the interests of developers are being put ahead of the interests of the province.

Steve Peters, the speaker of the legislature, has spoken out against the ruling, as have Andrea Horwath of the NDP and several Conservative party members.

“The ball is clearly in the government’s court right now,” said Peters. “I am appealing to the government, to the premier, to the minister of culture, to the minister of municipal affairs to step in and preserve this building for future generations.”

Peters has reportedly said that the ministry of municipal affairs can declare a “provincial interest” overriding the OMB decision, which found the 133 metre and 127 metre high rise condo towers are consistent with provincial and city planning policies. However, a spokesman for municipal affairs minister Jim Bradley has been quoted as saying that the planning act does not allow a declaration of provincial interest after an OMB ruling.

Marchese says that the Liberal government, however, is insisting that this is a municipal issue, despite the fact that the ministry of municipal affairs can declare a “provincial interest” that would override the OMB decision.

In light of the government’s stance, Marchese introduced a private member’s bill before the legislature rose for the summer recess that would prohibit any developments north of the legislative buildings, which would mar the skyline around Queen’s Park.

Marchese told The Bulletin, “I am appalled by the decision, and by the government’s decision not to become involved. The Ontario Legislature belongs to us, the people of Ontario. This bill will give us the power to make decisions about the building and its views.”

Community council members Adam Vaughan (Ward 20) and Kyle Rae (Ward 27) were not available for comment at press time.