Our Mission as a Non-Profit Neighbourhood organization is to advocate for good planning by specifically opposing the development proposal at Bayview and Broadway by the Gupta Group. We have retained an expert legal and planning team to represent the community in technical planning meetings and hearings in order to advocate for long established good planning principles in order to achieve a new or revised development proposal that works to add population density, integrate into the local context, and establish a good planning precedent to help shape subsequent development proposals all along Bayview both north and south of Eglinton.
Our current defence team consists of:
The future of our neighbourhood is at risk.
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1. Have you retained counsel and expert witnessess?
Yes. We have retained:
The fact that we have been able to retain Mr. Tang, Graham and Freedman speak to the merits of our case. Highly acclaimed Land Use and Planning experts do not typically act for not-profts such as ours since the bulk of their business comes from developers like the Gupta Group. Isaac, Ian and Robert have agreed to be retained by us because they believe in our case and their ability to achieve a successful result for our neighbourhood.
2. What is the process moving forward?
3. How much will this cost?
We have retained legal counsel and expert witnesses to help us in our case. Isaac Tang, Ian Graham and Robert Freedman are experts at the top of their profession and they do not come cheap. The OLT only allows experts such as the ones we have retained to testify at their hearings.
In addition, there are costs related to incorporation of BBGPI which is a necessity to avoid individual liability. Below is an estimated breakdown of these costs:
BBGPI will not engage in a pointless debate with the Gupta Group about high-rise versus mid-rise. Developers typically do this to drain funds from the opposing organization. Rather, if mediation is unsuccessful, we will apply the funds we raise to the trial in October.
4. There are at least two other proposals for high-rise buildings in this neighbourhood – one at Glazebrook & Bayview and the other on the site of the Esso station. Will we have to go through this whole process again with each of these developments?
The short answer is, not likely. The project at 1837 Bayview (the Gupta Proposal) is first in the queue and the decision on this development will likely set a precedent for what is approved across the street. It will be extremely difficult for a developer to make a case for a 34 story building if the initial development for 25 storeys at 1837-1845 Bayview is turned down in favour of mid-rise. This means it is crucial to stop this development now in order to protect our neighbourhood from a influx of high rise buildings all around us.
5. What if you have leftover funds at the end of the Ontario Land Tribunal or any settlements?
All remaining funds in BBGPI's accounts will be returned pro-rata to those whom have donated at least $1,000. We have set the $1,000 bar in order to streamline administration (e.g., it will be very onerous and expensive to return very small amounts to many donors), and to encourage donations of at least $1,000 in order to reach our funding goal.
6. Is there any other way to oppose the project?
At this point, and unfortunatley, not really. The Tribunal has already laid out who can be a party to the proceedings. BBGPI is the only party outside of the City of Toronto and the developer who will be allowed oppose the project. The Ontario Land Tribunal typically only takes expert witness testimony into account (i.e., professionals like Ian Graham and Robert Freedman whom we have retained).
The process is slanted in the developers favour, but BBGPI is just as organized and ready to defend the neighbourhood.
7. How will counsel be instructued?
BBGPI has instructed counsel to obtain the best result possible for the neighbourhood in the context of the current legislative environment (e.g., lowest height and least impact to the neighbourhood and existing homes). Our defence team has advised BBGPI that they can mount a credible defence that the 1837 Bayview site should be zoned as a "mid-rise" site (the definition of mid-rise site is available here), as opposed to the current proposal of "high-rise".
BBGPI is relying on our retained experts to guide any decisions going forward, including any potential settlement discussions. BBGPI will not accept any settlment that does not involve the proposal being a mid-rise site, at maximum.
8. How can I donate?
That's easy! Simply click here for further instructions.
9. Will you keep me up to date if I donate?
Yes. We will provide regular updates to all those who donate.
10. Who can I contact if I have any additional questions?
Please reach out to us at [email protected]. We would be pleased to answer any questions you may have.