As many of you know, there is a plan to demolish Delisle Court to construct a community/cultural/theatre centre.
As described in its application to the City, the new three-storey detached multi-purpose building will have a mezzanine level (third storey), mechanical rooftop and multi-purpose meeting room (fourth storey) connecting outdoor terrace, and three green rooftops (two at the third storey and one on the fourth storey). The building will contain program areas which will include community spaces, and a convertible theatre auditorium, atrium gathering area, workshop and studio spaces, and meeting rooms.
There are a number of objections to the proposal, including: a building taller than the existing structure; an entrance atrium rising to the height of the eighth floor of the adjacent apartment building at 10 Delisle; a four-storey mechanical penthouse on the north side; a rooftop outdoor amenity space overlooking private balconies and terraces; and the absence of street-level retail along the entire Yonge Street frontage, creating an inactive streetscape reminiscent of the Eaton Centre.
The application for a variance to approve the demolition was not approved by the Committee of Adjustment and the project will now be evaluated at the Toronto Local Appeal Board (TLAB) as Choice Properties – the development REIT of the Weston Group – has appealed. TLAB is a body described by the City as an entity that “… will make decisions about local planning matters affecting Toronto neighbourhoods in a fair, consistent, fact-based and informed manner.”
A group representing the owners at 10 Delisle are planning to object at the TLAB hearing. The date is not yet set as far as we know. Once a decision is made, it is our understanding that the TLAB decision can only be appealed if there is an error in law.
In any case, Choice’s approach has been consistent to this point – minimize community consultation and input.