Plans to construct the city’s tallest building, initially proposed at 25 storeys, have been reduced for a second time.
The final word on how high it can go was delivered by the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), which approved the redevelopment of 70 Fountain St. E. and 75 Farquhar St. to have 16 levels, which is three fewer than the owner, SkyDev Co., most recently proposed.
“After thorough consideration of the valid positions on both sides of the issues, the tribunal finds that a tall, mixed-use development at this site is appropriate if tempered by a maximum height of 16 storeys and subject to certain technical requirements,” states a written decision handed down on Wednesday, following a 14-day hearing that started in January.
“Some might question how three storeys at the top of a tall building can make a difference. Here it does.
“A limit of 16 storeys will reflect the height gradations downwards with proximity to old downtown, reduce the building’s presence when viewed from north of the railway, and give viewers the impression that it is similar but not taller than the area’s other tall buildings.”
The location is currently zoned for up to six storeys.
When city council unanimously rejected the proposal in 2020, spurring the OLT appeal, the building was to be 25 storeys tall, with four floors of office and commercial space. A reduction to 19 levels was announced during the OLT hearing.
Though the tribunal brought the building down in height, it gave the OK for SkyDev to move ahead with plans to include a mix of uses.
“The tribunal finds that current opportunity, in the form of mixed use, out-paces future potential, in the form of a stand-alone office. While the site is suitable for either use, the application before the tribunal satisfies all relevant policy, including planning for offices, and does not offend policies pertaining to office or major office uses,” the decision states.
“Land uses proposed on site are no different than permitted on a majority of the downtown area; the opportunity for office space is abundant throughout downtown even without this site being retained for the possibility of a stand-alone major office; and this site will contribute sizeable office area from the outset, with potential for substantially more in future.”
