Post Updated February 19, 2025, after release of a revised Procedural Order
A quick update, neighbour, on the progress of our Friends of Olde Berlin Town campaign in pursuit of a compatible, inclusive development of 22 Weber St W that permits existing neighbours to thrive and the Heritage District to endure.
Following a 1½-year adjournment, the owner requested that their appeal of the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw be revived. The Tribunal obliged, setting a new hearing date of April 14, 2025.
Then, on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024 — after the Parties had adopted a revised Procedural Order, Issues List, and Witness List — the owner announced their intention to seek further revisions to their application (as shown below).
Some progress has been achieved in reconciling the Parties. Car and bicycle parking spaces are no longer under dispute. The Province has prohibited minimum car parking regulations in Major Transit Station Areas, and the owner has agreed to provide bicycle parking in compliance with the City’s regulations. In terms of other zoning regulations, the owner is now seeking to modify their ask as follows:
| Flanking Zoning (SGA-2) | Developer’s Proposal | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Building Height | 8 storeys AND 20m within 15m of rear property line | 19 Storeys and 59m |
| Minimum Front Yard Setback | 3m | 0m |
| Minimum Side Yard Setback | 3m | 2.5m |
| Minimum Front Yard Setback for Storeys 7 and Above | 6m | 0m |
| Minimum Side Yard Setback for Storeys 7 and Above | 6m | 2.5m |
| Minimum Landscaped Area | 20% | 5% |
| Rear Yard Setback | 7.5m | 8m, for elements up to 5m high; 14m otherwise |
Notes:
1. The flanking SGA-2 zoning was put into effect in 2024, in full compliance with provincial, regional and municipal legislation, policy and guidelines, after due public consultation.
2. All modifications in red indicate developer’s proposed revision of December 24, 2024.
3. The Civic Centre Heritage District Conservation Plan takes precedence over conflicting zoning.
4. Full development permissions of SGA zoning are only available to properties meeting lot width and area requirements.
The proposed revisions to the side yard setbacks align better with the flanking zoning. As to the front yard setback, the owner informs us that the Region is proposing to widen Weber St W, effectively consuming 3m of 22 Weber St W’s front yard. A 0m setback from a revised front property line aligns better with flanking heritage properties than a 0.8m setback from the current front property line. The proposed revisions diverge from the flanking zoning on the rear yard setback and landscaped area. Of note, little has actually changed regarding height, as the owner was already proposing a 19-storey, 59m tower.
Friends of Olde Berlin Town will continue to pursue an appropriate transition, to maintain the viability of neighbouring properties and the Civic Centre Heritage District as a whole.
We continue to need financial and volunteer contributions as we prepare for the April 14, 2025 hearing. Please
- Participants: Submit your statements by Wednesday March 5, 2025. Now is the time to refresh on the details of the application and all the latest proposed revisions and update and submit your Participant Statements. Friends of Olde Berlin Town has assembled a resource page here for your convenience.
- Contribute to our campaign. We need additional funds to have our expert witness present his professional evaluations before the Tribunal and for legal assistance. Every contribution counts, regardless of size. Kindly visit our website for details.
- Offer to help with our campaign by contacting us at obtfriends@gmail.com
Further information is available at our campaign website, www.obtfriends.ca. We welcome your questions and comments at obtfriends@gmail.com.
Please share this message widely. We are succeeding together.