The CLRA considers the application for variance and permission before the Committee of Adjustment re: 66 Wells Hill Ave.  is deeply problematic.  The application appears to contain erroneous and or misleading information as set out below.

  1. The applicants built six ancillary buildings on the property without permits or permission from the City of Toronto.  The applicants now seek to obtain the City of Toronto permission after-the-fact.  This type of build-first ask for permission later should not be encouraged by the City of Toronto.  To grant after-the-fact permission would encourage this applicant and all Toronto residents to engage in this unacceptable behaviour.
  2. The actual buildings on the property as built, offend the existing zoning by-law.  The applicants appear to suggest the main ancillary building (Building C) is a garage.  That ancillary building is a second house with a full operating washroom and other living amenities.  Had the applicant followed the proper City of Toronto process to obtain permits for building beforehand, the permits would likely have been denied on several bases.
    • The main ancillary building is a second house on the property, which is not permitted for a variety of reasons.  To call a second house a garage is an obvious attempt to circumvent zoning and building laws.
    • The property is massively overbuilt, having less soft landscaping than required by the by-law.  This is problematic not only due to the by-law infringement but given the ancient at-risk Oak forest in which this property is located.
    • We have concerns about servicing this ancillary building with necessary city services including Toronto fire services.
    • The total floor area of all buildings on the lot is 2.6 times what is permitted by the by-law.  This poses obvious precedent issues with such massive overbuild.
  3. The applicant is attempting to circumvent the required application process.  This behaviour cannot be encouraged by the City of Toronto.  The onsite buildings were not properly inspected during construction, were not authorized by the City to begin with, and do not abide by past or current zoning laws.  These applicants have come to the committee of adjustment asking for relief from their own misconduct.  The committee need not find a remedy for their problem.  These applicants are the authors of their misfortune.  The committee ought to send a strong message that such conduct is unacceptable by denying the application.

The CLRA Submission to the COA is available HERE.

The Application will be heard online (COVID requirement) on October 8, at 9:00 AM. Application material can be accessed HERE.

The public Webex meeting on Thursday October 8th can be accessed HERE.

To participate in the public Webex virtual meeting you must register in advance no later than 4:30 pm Tuesday October 6th by phoning 416-392-7565 (leave voice mail)  or emailing The File Reference is A0213/20TEY