Close

Latest updates

HPCA at the OMB


Dear Neighbour,


I don’t need to tell you that High Park North is facing significant development.


Two 25 storey buildings right behind High Park Subway Station are almost completed, and there are currently three more development applications in process (Minto/111 Pacific Ave, Great West Life/35 High Park Ave, and 299 Glenlake Ave).


The Minto and GWL proposals alone would add six new towers and approximately 1500 units to the already dense apartment building neighbourhood.


In Fall 2019, Minto and GWL submitted updated applications, but both development proposals remain too big. They still include towers that directly face existing apartments and will block out sunlight and privacy from your home, increase wind tunnel effects in our neighbourhood, and would still remove the majority of green space and outdoor amenities between buildings.


The City and developers are in private settlement talks and are not willing to have these discussions include HPCA on behalf of the community. At this point, the only guaranteed option for the community to play an active role is by challenging the two development applications at the OMB.


A full contested hearing at the OMB for the Minto and GWL applications is set to start on January 27, 2020, and HPCA needs your help to be there in full force.


Many people have told us “There’s no sense in trying to fight this, Minto and GWL have a lot of money and the power to push these developments through.”


But the OMB doesn’t always side with the developers, and we have a solid case. These proposals violate provincial policy and a long list of City regulations and guidelines for apartment building neighbourhood intensification.


If we do not engage seriously in this process, we will no doubt regret giving Minto and GWL permission to dramatically alter our neighbourhood.

Donate Now

We anticipate that it will cost High Park Community Alliance $30,000 to retain a lawyer to represent the community at the OMB hearing and to produce presentation materials for use by a generous professional urban designer who is also offering pro bono services at the hearing.


Thanks to the generous support of the community, we currently have $23,800 in the bank.


We need your help raising $6,000 by December 31st so that we can present our case at the OMB in January.


There are currently over 750 HPCA members like you. Perhaps you are among those who have attended public meetings and written letters to the City’s Planning Department. But now it’s time to pool our financial resources.


If every HPCA member donated just another $8 we would raise the $6,000 needed for the hearing. If 300 people donated only $20 we could raise $6,000. Or if 150 people like you could spare $40 towards this campaign, we will raise the $6,000 we need.


If you have yet to do so, please join the HPCA Executive Committee and your hardworking neighbours at this crucial time and make a donation today.

Donate Now

For more detailed information, please check out our website: highparkcommunityalliance.com.


And while you’re there, please click “Donate” or go to HPCA’s GoFundMe account: https://www.gofundme.com/highparkCA.


If you prefer to make a cash or cheque donation, email us at highparkcommunityalliance@gmail.com to arrange drop off or pickup.


You can also send a cheque, payable to ‘High Park Community Alliance’ to 204-255 Glenlake Ave, Toronto, ON, M6P 1G2.


Minto and Great West Life are proposing massive changes to our neighbourhood. The future of our community is in your hands…please donate and forward this letter to your friends and neighbours and encourage them to donate as well.


Sincerely,

Elissa Aknay

HPCA President, on behalf of HPCA Executive Committee


Past updates