Huge victory at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) for Church-Wellesley Village & everyone who supports planning policies that maintain Church Street’s mid-rise character! The OLT have dismissed an appeal by developer Kingsett/2606545 Ontario Inc. who wanted to build a 28-storey highrise tower at 68 to 78A Wellesley Street East.
The OLT upheld local site- and area-specific Official Plan policies that recognize Church Street between Charles and Wood as a special character area. It also uphelded policies related to shadows on Barbara Hall Park, and the angular plan policy that reinforces the midrise character of this section of Church Street.
This won’t be the last fight we have at the OLT against developers who seek overly-aggressive redevelopment in the Village. In 2026, the OLT will decide on a proposed redevelopment for a 48-storey tower on the Crews and Tangos site at 506-516 Church Street.
As the OLT doesn’t use their own decisions as precedents when they consider future appeals, we must continue to push back against applications that seek to disrupt the character of the Village.
I want to thank City staff, including Jessica Braun, Rachel Godley, Joseph Luk, Kevin Friedrich and Jeremy Humphry. The Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association supported the City’s refusal of this application, and I want to thank Ian Flett and Dr. Gary Davidson for their legal and professional assistance.
It has been a tremendously busy summer! Between Pride and FIFA on one end, the final Toronto and East York Community Council and City Council of the term later this month on the other, and the ongoing Church Street Pedestrianization Pilot, my team and I have been working hard to continue delivering results. Despite the stress, despite the heat, and especially despite the province’s ongoing work to make the City of Toronto miserable, for this final proper Councillor Update of the term, I want to provide positive vibes only.
The celebration on Church Street continues! The Church Street Pedestrianization has officially launched, with the Church-Wellesley Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) and my team installed patios and more seating on Church Street post-Pride to make it an even better place to visit. The pedestrianization lasts until August 21, so come on out and experience The Village like never before, enjoy the beautiful weather, and help me advocate for more pedestrianization across the City and to make this pilot permanent!
Join the Friends of Old City Hall for a screening of A Thing of Beauty: The Early Years of Toronto's Old City Hall at City Hall, Council Chambers, on July 15 and 6:30pm. Please click here to register!
Enjoy free popcorn & free ice cream and a screening of Zootopia 2, courtesy of TCEU Local 416, plus drinks and entertainment from our office. It's a night out for the whole family — and it won't cost you a thing. We’ll even be giving away kids' CNE passes for kids under the age of 13!