2024 year in review

WND Associates was retained by MDRB Development Inc to assist with the Committee of Adjustment application for infill townhouses within a neighbourhood that provides for missing middle housing consisting of 6 townhouses. The Minor Variance received Committee of Adjustment Approval in January 2024.

WND Associates was retained by Reserve Properties to assist with the Rezoning approval process for 19 Bloor Street West in the Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood.

The proposed development consists of a single tower of 99 storeys and 317.4 metres of height, making it the third tallest building currently approved in the city, and one of the country’s only “supertall” buildings. At an FSI of 59.7 it is also the densest development ever approved in the history of the City of Toronto. WND assisted with the coordination of the application submission, prepared the necessary planning reports, participated in the OLT mediation with City staff and adjacent landowners and residents, and prepared a detailed affidavit in support of the settlement which was approved by the Ontario Land Tribunal in November 2024.

WND Associates was retained by Sierra to assist with the approval process for a Minor Variance application adding two floors to an under construction mid-rise mixed-use building in the Bloor Street West area of the City of Toronto.

The proposed development at 990 Bloor Street West is comprised of a 13-storey building, with a total of 116 new residential units and retail on the ground floor. The proposed development was previously approved for 11 storeys.

The proposed development received Committee of Adjustment approval in March 2024. The two additional storeys approved by the Committee of Adjustment will contribute to much needed housing options for future residents.

WND Associates was retained by Fairway Development to provide planning consulting services with respect to the Zoning By-law Amendment process for 1728 Bloor Street West.

The development consists of an 18-storey mixed-use building on a small corner lot. The development provides retail usage on the ground floor with a residential lobby, and will introduce 91 residential units located above the ground floor within the Keele Station MTSA. The development contributes to the MTSA density targets while also providing an improved public realm along Bloor Street West which currently consists of surface parking and a fast food restaurant.

WND Associates provided evidence at the Ontario Land Tribunal in support of a settlement of the Zoning By-law Amendment application. The Ontario Land Tribunal issued its decision in August 2024.

WND Associates was retained by Atria Development to assist in the application approval process for a development consisting of four towers with heights of 36, 39, 41, and 47 storeys mixed use building at 1680 Brimley Road in the City of Toronto. WND previously assisted with obtaining zoning approvals in 2017, and in 2024 assisted in completing the Site Plan Control application process for the first phase of development, which commenced construction in the spring of 2024, with Premier Doug Ford providing the keynote address.

The proposed development provides 1,591 new housing units, providing a large supply and range of housing rental units, numerous retail spaces, and a daycare facility. The proposed development introduces pedestrian walkways and landscaped areas for the future residents and public realm of the development. It will introduce an attractive built form to a vacant lot that will integrate into the existing public realm and provide and ideal usage in a growing neighborhood in proximity to the future Scarborough subway Line 2 extension and Highway 401.

The Site Plan Control Application received approval from Council in April 2024. Areas of the Town Centre Place are currently under construction.

WND Associates was retained by Canadian Tire Real Estate Limited to assist with the application approval process for 2681 Danforth Avenue in the City of Toronto.

The proposed two tower mixed use development application required a multi-party block plan and mediation process. The proposed development comprises a large Canadian Tire retail store at grade and two towers of 33 storeys and 48 storeys, with an 8 storey podium. The proposed development will provide 1,050 new residential units with 21 affordable housing units. It was also part of the Main Street Planning Study implementation. The proposed development provides a public park of 0.1 hectares and will enhance the pedestrian streetscape through pathways and landscaping. It will also include a new 18.5 metre wide road that will provide a connection to the Danforth Avenue corridor from the block.

WND Associates participated in the mediation and provided evidence at the Ontario Land Tribunal in support of a settlement of the Zoning By-law Amendment and Official Plan Amendment applications. The Ontario Land Tribunal issued its decision in October 2024.

WND Associates was retained by Sierra to assist with the application approval process for a mixed use building at 503 Eglinton Avenue East in the City of Toronto.

The proposed development will provide 207 residential uses through a 14 storey building within the Leaside Major Transit Station Area. The development is an example of a “tall midrise” building that achieved a height in excess of the “anticipated height range” in the Secondary Plan. The new residential units will contribute to the target intensification goals for this area along the Eglinton Crosstown corridor.

The Zoning By-law Amendment application received approval from Council in May 2024.

WND Associates was retained by Scarboro Golf & Country Club Residences Inc. to assist with the application approval process for 3174-3182 Eglinton Avenue East & 1-7 Centre Street in the City of Toronto.

The development consists of an 8-storey podium and an 18-storey tower, with a total height of 24 storeys. The development provides a total of 335 residential units and ground floor commercial uses fronting Eglinton Avenue East. The development Incorporates a coordinated public realm strategy to support the future Eglinton East LRT transit stop in front of the site with a road widening to accommodate a landscaped setback zone framed by retail uses to support a pedestrian-focused public realm.

The development received Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment approval from City Council in December 2024.

WND Associates was retained by Streamliner Properties to assist in the application approval process for a proposed development at 133 Erskine Avenue.

The proposed development consists of a mixed use tower with a total of 35 storeys, consisting of an 8 storey podium and a 27 storey tower. The proposed development will provide 366 residential units to the Yonge-Eglinton Secondary Plan Area increasing housing opportunities. The development also provides rental replacement and will improve the public realm through a landscaped open space along Erskine Avenue along with new retail space. These features will provide an enhanced connectivity and livelihood for future residents and the public realm.

The Zoning By-law Amendment received approval by the Ontario Land Tribunal in March 2024 following WND Associates’ extensive evidence in support of the appeal. WND is currently assisting the owner with the Site Plan Control Application process.

WND Associates was retained by Gairloch to assist with the development application approvals process for 2-20 Glazebrook Avenue.

The proposed development provides a 33-storey building with an 8-storey podium and 428 residential units. The proposed development provides a mix of housing opportunities and commercial use space for the Leaside area through providing three townhouse units and retail space on the ground floor, along with other residential units in all floors above. The proposed development provides future residents with a landscaped ground floor area providing for future pedestrians and 1,050 square metres of amenity space on the second level connecting outdoor and indoor amenity. The proposed development will also provide a new 330 square metre public park located at 391 Broadway Avenue.

WND Associates participated in the mediation and provided evidence at the Ontario Land Tribunal in support of a settlement of the Zoning By-law Amendments application. The Ontario Land Tribunal issued its approval decision in March 2024.

WND Associates was retained to assist with the application approval process for 7128, 7170, and 8176 High 7 East in the City of Markham.

The proposed development comprises a three-tower built form with heights of 21, 24, and 27 storeys. It will provide a diverse supply of housing with 884 residential units. The proposed development also includes retail usage on the ground floor that connects to the public realm. It ensures that the area is desirable and walkable through the provision of landscaping, walkways, and a 0.26-hectare public park. The proposed development also relocates the existing Francis Pike House, establishing the preservation of an important heritage building in this area. The development has podium heights ranging from 4 to 8 storeys and will be compatible the existing built form and streetscape.

The Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law applications received approval from Markham Council in July 2024.

WND Associates was retained to assist with a Minor Variance application for a 12-storey residential building at 599-631 Kennedy Road in the City of Toronto. WND previously assisted with the rezoning of the site for a 10-storey apartment building. Changes to provincial and municipal planning policies and urban design guidelines since the original approval presented an opportunity to seek greater density permissions through a minor variance application.

The two additional floors proposed through the revised development will contain 269 new residential dwelling units (an increase of 54 dwelling units as compared to the previous approval). WND assisted with the overall management of the file including the submission to the Committee of Adjustment, attendance at the hearing and community consultation.

The Minor Variance application was submitted in March of 2024 and received Committee approval in June 2024.

WND Associates was retained by Cannect International Mortgage Corporation to assist with the application approval process for 507-511 Kingston Road in the City of Toronto.

The development builds upon previous Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment approvals with a revised 8-storey mid-rise building design accommodating 90 residential apartment and ‘townhouse’-style units, along a frequent transit route. Landscaping and amenity improvements are also proposed to support future residents.

The development received Minor Variance approval in October 2024 and resolution of the Site Plan Approval application is underway.

WND Associates was retained to assist with the application approval process for 171-175 Lowther Avenue in the City of Toronto.

The proposed development is comprised of 11 storeys, providing a total of 64 residential units, and will replace three single detached dwellings previously designated Neighbourhoods. The design by Gabriel Fain Architects Inc. will integrate a modern and unique design located above a brick ground floor that adequately reflects the existing character of the neighbourhood and street wall characteristics. It will introduce high quality housing units within the Annex. The proposed development is located within the Spadina Station Protected Major Transit Station area and is also walking distance to St. George subway station.

The Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendments applications were deemed complete in December of 2024 and received approval from Council in April 2024, within 120 days of submission of the application to the City. The Application was featured in an April 8, 2024 Globe and Mail article.

WND Associates was retained by Trinity Point for the to assist in the Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Control applications for the for a mixed use building development at 9331-9399 Markham Road in the City of Markham.

The proposed development consists of two towers with a total height of 39 storeys. The development is along a rail corridor and therefore provides a crash wall along the corridor to contribute to the enhanced livelihood of future residents. The proposed development will support to the housing goals of the City of Markham providing a range and supply of housing units within the Mount Joy Go Major Transit Station. The proposed development will thus contribute to meeting intensification targets and density goals with 957 new residential units. It will also enhance the streetscape on Markham Road and introduce two new streets and generally provide a more walkable and desirable space for pedestrians, improving the relationship to the public realm through also mitigating impacts.

The Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Control applications received approval from the Ontario Land Tribunal after WND’s assistance through the provision of expert evidence in April 2024.

WND Associates was retained by Spotlight Developments and Urban Capital to assist in the development application approval process for the proposed development of 774-782 Marlee Avenue.

The development consists of a 6-storey podium that provides commercial use and residential uses and an 18-storey tower, with a total height of 24 storeys. The development provides a total of 321 residential units. The development proposed a designation change from Neighbourhoods to Mixed Use Areas to provide for the public realm along Marlee Avenue and support future residents through both residential and retail facilities.

The development received Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment approval from the Ontario Land Tribunal in January 2024.

WND Associates was retained by Atria Development to provide planning consulting services with respect to Official Plan Amendment and Zoning Bylaw Amendment applications for development with two buildings with 9-storeys of height.

The proposed development will introduce 600 residential units, retail space, and will also consist of a 315 square metres of Privately Owned Public Space (POPS). The proposed development is directly across from the Aurora Go Station and will enhance the public realm and will improve the area’s walkability and desirability.

WND provided expert evidence to the Ontario Land Tribunal for the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications. The Met received approval from the OLT in May of 2024.

WND Associates was retained to provide planning consulting services with respect to Committee of Adjustment Application for a Minor Variance and Consent to Sever that adjusted the lot line for two low-rise buildings.

The Minor Variance and Consent to Sever application received approval from the Committee of Adjustment in May 2024.

WND Associates filed Minor Variance applications to facilitate the adaptive re-use of two former residential buildings at 47 and 49 Roselawn Avenue in the Yonge-Eglinton neighbourhood for office space.

The Minor Variance application was approved by the Committee of Adjustment on the basis of the site’s location within the Yonge Eglinton Secondary Plan area and a rapidly intensifying block, proximity to rapid transit, and the emerging small scale commercial use permissions facilitated by the city’s Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods initiative which is moving toward allowing commercial uses in formerly residential neighbourhood areas.

The space will be designed to function as WND’s new base of operation for in person collaboration.

WND Associates was retained to assist in the application approval process for a mixed-use redevelopment located at 836-838 Roselawn and 131 Lyon Court in the City of Toronto.

The proposed development is comprised of a 33-storey mixed-use residential building spanning the entire block of Lyon Court, with a 7-storey podium and at-grade retail uses, and at grade outdoor and indoor amenities with a landscaped public walkway to increase pedestrian safety and reduce the impacts on the public realm. The development will replace an existing group of low-rise buildings.

The proposed development received approval for a Zoning By-law Amendment application in April 2024.

WND Associates was retained to provide planning consulting services with respect to Committee of Adjustment Application for a Minor Variance that granted the permission to build a rear addition to the existing detached house.

The Minor Variance application received approval from the Committee of Adjustment in September 2024.

WND Associates was retained by Sorbara Group to assist with the Rezoning approval process for 410 Sherbourne Street in the east end of the City of Toronto, on the site of the current Phoenix Nightclub.

The proposed development consists of a 42 storey tower with grade related retail uses, and 473 units. The design incorporates a mid block pedestrian connection between Sherbourne Street and Maribeth Street to provide better connectivity and permeability within this downtown block. The project received support from city staff but was refused by Council due to concerns regarding the continuation of the existing Phoenix Nightclub, requiring an appeal and settlement which secured the continuation of the nightclub use for a longer period of time. The settlement was approved by the OLT in September 2024.

WND Associates was retained by Platinum Vista, Alterra, and DBS Developments to assist with the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment process for 566-576 Sherbourne Street and 29-37 Linden Street in the City of Toronto.

The development is comprised of a 69-storey tall building providing a total of 872 residential units (including rental replacement units) in the Sherbourne Station PMTSA area, on lands that were designated Neighbourhoods. It provides a mix of condominium units and affordable rental replacement units, providing for a full replacement of existing rental units and dwelling rooms. It will retain significant portions of the existing heritage buildings while providing a mix of improved housing opportunities on the site.

The development received Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment approval from City Council in October 2024.

WND Associates was retained by Atria Development to assist in the Committee of Adjustment application approval process for a proposed development of 47 Simcoe Street South.

The proposed redevelopment includes an 11-storey mixed use building with commercial at ground level and 193 residential units, the building is a key example of adaptive re-use and provides off-site parking as it will maintain the existing streetscape through the preservation of the heritage building at ground level.

The proposed development received approval in January 2024 by the City of Oshawa Committee of Adjustment.

WND Associates was retained by the owners of a residence on Chestnut Park in the South Rosedale Heritage Conservation District to assist with heritage and Committee of Adjustment applications to permit additions to the Part IV designated dwelling, as well as a new two-storey coach house with accessory dwelling unit in the rear yard. In September 2024, the Committee of Adjustment approved a second Minor Variance application to permit the two buildings to be linked below-grade with a new walkway tunnel connection.

WND Associates was retained by ProWinko Canada Ltd. to assist with the application approval process for 41-45 Spadina Road in the City of Toronto.

The development consists of a 10-storey new building constructed above a retained 4-storey heritage building. The development proposes an innovative design strategy to construct the new cantilevered addition above a central support column, while retaining the entirety of the existing building in-situ. Landscaping and amenity improvements are also proposed to support existing and future residents.

The development received Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment approval in-principle from City Council in October 2024.

WND Associates was retained to assist in the application approval process for a residential building at 41-47 Stella Crescent in Quinte West (Trenton).

The proposed development will provide 246 residential units with purpose built rental. The proposed development is a 13-storey building that also offers 20% affordable units improving the housing affordability and opportunities in Quinte West on an underdeveloped former commercial lot.

The Zoning By-law Amendment and Official Plan Amendment applications both received Council approval in April 2024 and WND is currently assisting the owners with the Site Plan Control application approval process.