2025 year in review

WND Associates was retained by Zinc Developments to provide planning consulting services with respect to securing Committee of Adjustment approvals for 287-291 Christie Street. Initially approved in July 2022 to permit a six-storey midrise building with a terraced built form and 49 residential units, an application to the Committee of Adjustment was made to permit revisions to the site-specific Zoning By-law to permit a 10-storey mixed-use building with 65 residential units.

In January 2025, the Committee of Adjustment granted Minor Variances to permit the increased height and gross floor area, reduce and eliminate required building setbacks, and remove the site-specific requirement for parking spaces.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Sean McGaffey, BES, Senior Associate, Planning and Urban Design

WND Associates was retained by the owners of a residence in Toronto’s Lawrence Park South neighbourhood to provide planning consulting services with respect to securing Committee of Adjustment approval for a new two storey detached dwelling with 304 square metres of gross floor area.

In February 2025, the Committee granted Minor Variances to permit increases to the permitted front yard setback, building length, and floor space index.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Kevin McKrow, MCIP, RPP Senior Planner

WND Associates was retained by Sierra to assist with the Committee of Adjustment application for a six-storey mixed-use building with a total of 33 residential units. A Zoning By-law Amendment Application was previously approved by City Council in 2023 for a six-storey mixed-use building with a total of 28 residential units.

In February 2025, the Committee of Adjustment granted the requested variances to permit five additional residential units, replacing the previously approved parking stacker system on the ground floor of the building. The Dundas Street frontage will continue to provide at-grade retail.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Kevin McKrow, MCIP, RPP Senior Planner

WND Associates was retained by the owners of a residence on Cortleigh Boulevard to provide planning consulting services with respect to securing Committee of Adjustment approval to permit alterations and additions designed by ERA Architects to a Part IV designated heritage building.

In February 2025, the Committee of Adjustment granted Minor Variances to permit increases to the permitted building length, building depth, and the area of a rooftop deck.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Sean McGaffey, BES, Senior Associate, Planning and Urban Design

WND Associates was retained by Sierra to assist with the Committee of Adjustment application for 110-116 Avenue Road, a 12-storey mixed-use building with a total of 74 residential units. A Zoning By-law Amendment Application was previously approved by City Council in 2022 for a nine storey mixed-use building.

In February 2025, the Committee of Adjustment granted the requested variances to permit 19 additional residential units and an increase in height to 12-storeys.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Kevin McKrow, MCIP, RPP Senior Planner

WND Associates was retained to assist with the development application approval process for 1930-1938 Bloor Street West and 3, 5 and 21 Quebec Avenue in the City of Toronto. The development consists of a 19-storey mixed-use building with a total of 137 residential units, (including the replacement of the existing twelve rental residential units), and approximately 325 square metres of commercial uses on the ground floor.

The development received approval from the Ontario Land Tribunal in March 2025, following a successful mediation process with the City of Toronto.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Andrew Ferancik, MCIP, RPP, Principal & President
Shannon Sigouin, MCIP, RPP Senior Associate, Urban Design

WND Associates was retained by Gairloch to assist with Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications at 1802 Bayview Avenue to facilitate the development of a new 46-storey mixed-use building within walking distance of the Leaside LRT Station with 419 residential units. The applications were submitted and appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal in 2023.

In December 2024, WND Associates provided expert witness testimony in the area of land use planning as part of a two-week hearing at the Ontario Land Tribunal. The issues at the hearing were related to height, the tower setbacks to surrounding properties, and the building’s setback at the ground floor along Bayview Avenue.

In March 2025, the Ontario Land Tribunal issued a decision approving the development in principle.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Andrew Ferancik, MCIP, RPP Principal & President
Kevin McKrow, MCIP, RPP, Senior Planning

WND Associates was retained to assist with a Zoning By-law Amendment application to facilitate the development of a new funeral establishment at the Beechwood Cemetery, located 7241 Jane Street in the City of Vaughan. The two-storey, 3,224 square metre Funeral Establishment will provide visitation, a non-denominational chapel, funeral services, embalming, accessory retail for cemetery supplies, reception/office facility and 209 surface parking spaces.

The Zoning By-law Amendment application received approval from Council in June 2025.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Shannon Sigouin, MCIP, RPP Senior Associate, Urban Design

WND Associates was retained by NDB Northcliffe Ltd. to assist with the application of a proposed redevelopment of 645-655 Northcliffe Boulevard with a 42-storey high-rise mixed-use building. The development will provide 336 residential dwelling units, 369 bicycle parking spaces, and a mix of indoor and outdoor amenity space.

In July 2025, City Council adopted a settlement to conditionally approve a Zoning By-Law Amendment application for 645-655 Northcliffe Boulevard. The consultant team is currently pursuing a Final Order from the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Andrew Ferancik, MCIP, RPP Principal & President
Erik Retz, MCIP, RPP, Senior Planner

WND Associates was retained by Sierra to assist with the Committee of Adjustment application for a 15-storey mixed-use building with a total of 219 residential units. A Zoning By-law Amendment Application was previously approved by City Council in 2024 for a 14-storey mixed use building.

In July 2025, the Committee of Adjustment granted the requested variances to permit eight additional residential units and an increase in height to 15-storeys.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Kevin McKrow, MCIP, RPP Senior Planner

WND Associates was retained by the owners of 5 Ridout Street in Toronto to assist with the approval process for a Minor Variance application, to facilitate the construction of a three-storey detached dwelling with retention of existing building features, a rear extension and new covered parking area.

The proposed development received Committee of Adjustment approval in July 2025.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Tyler Peck, MCIP, RPP, Senior Associate

WND Associates was retained by the owners of 283 Balsam Drive in the city of Oakville to assist with the approval process for a Minor Variance application, to facilitate the construction of a new two-storey detached dwelling on an infill residential lot.

The proposed development received Ontario Land Tribunal approval in July 2025.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Tyler Peck MCIP, RPP, Senior Associate

WND Associates was retained by BV Realty to assist with the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-Law Amendment applications for 2-12 Cawthra Square.

The proposed development consists of a residential tower with a three-storey base building, which has been designed to respect the adjacent context and preserve key heritage attributes of the existing buildings located on the subject site. The tower is proposed at 63-storeys with 590 residential units and 475 square metres of community space located on the first two floors.

The conservation of 6 Cawthra Square and 8 Cawthra Square will include restoration of the building exteriors and involves replicating wood verandahs and woodwork at the bargeboards of the gables based on a 1901 archival photograph.

The proposed development received Council approval in July 2025.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Sean McGaffey, BES, Senior Associate, Planning and Urban Design

WND Associates was retained to assist with a Zoning By-law Amendment Application for a proposed 14-storey mixed use building. The development is comprised of a total of 302 residential units, 144 residential parking spaces, 17 visitor parking spaces, and 227 bicycle parking spaces.

The Zoning By-law Amendment application was appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal in 2024. WND Associates attended mediation with the City of Toronto which led to revisions to the application.

In 2025, Council adopted a settlement offer and WND Associates provided expert witness testimony in the area of land use planning at an Ontario Land Tribunal settlement hearing in September 2025.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Andrew Ferancik, MCIP, RPP, Principal & President
Kevin McKrow, MCIP, RPP Senior Planner

WND Associates was retained by Fairmont Properties to provide planning consulting services with respect to securing Committee of Adjustment approvals for additions and alterations to a Part V Designated building within the South Rosedale Heritage Conservation District, designed by ERA Architects.

In October 2025, the Committee of Adjustment granted the requested variances to permit increases to the permitted building length and depth to permit the addition.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Sean McGaffey, BES, Senior Associate, Planning and Urban Design

WND Associates was retained by 2485 Eglinton Holdings Inc. to provide planning and urban design consulting services with respect to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment application process.

The proposed development consists of a 45-storey mixed-use building containing grade-related retail uses and 519 dwelling units with an overall FSI of 19.3. The project was appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal in February 2025 due to City Council’s failure to make a decision within the statutory timeframes, and Council instructed City Staff to oppose the proposal. WND Associates and the project team continued to work with City Staff and was resolved with a Settlement Offer being accepted by City Council in July 2025.

In October 2025, the Ontario Land Tribunal issued an oral decision approving the Settlement based on the uncontested evidence provided by WND Associates. The building supports the achievement of a complete, transit supportive community with the Caledonia PMTSA and provides for a high-quality design by Gh3* Architects.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Sean McGaffey, BES, Senior Associate, Planning and Urban Design

WND Associates was retained by the Owners of a residence in the City of Toronto’s Rosedale neighbourhood to provide planning consulting services with respect to securing Committee of Adjustment approval for a three-storey rear addition on an existing house. The property is within the South Rosedale Heritage Conservation District.

In October 2025, the Committee of Adjustment granted the requested variances to permit reduced side yard setbacks and an increased floor space index.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Sean McGaffey, BES, Senior Associate, Planning and Urban Design

The owners of 35 Laburnham Avenue in the Long Branch neighbourhood of the City of Toronto retained WND Associates for Consent and Minor Variance applications to permit the severance of the lot and construction of semi-detached fourplexes on the properties.

The development provides a total of eight new 3-bedroom rental residential units along with landscaping areas for residents’ use. The development is an excellent example of new multiplex and “missing middle” housing being advanced through the City of Toronto’s Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods programme.

The proposed development was approved by the Committee of Adjustment in November 2025.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Tyler Peck, MCIP, RPP, Senior Associate

WND Associates was retained by the owners of a residence on Bayview Ridge to provide planning consulting services with respect to securing Committee of Adjustment and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Approvals for a new two-storey detached dwelling with 1,175 square metres of gross floor area and below-grade parking designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects.

In November 2025, the Committee granted the requested variances to permit increases to the permitted main wall height, a decrease of the required front yard setback, as well as a building length of 44.39 metres and a building depth of 36.35 metres.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Sean McGaffey, BES, Senior Associate, Planning and Urban Design

WND Associates was retained by Orchard West Real Estate Group to assist with securing approvals to convert an existing three-storey residential apartment building with eight rental dwelling units to a condominium building.

The application was approved in December 2025 by the Toronto City Council based on the Official Plan requirement that the converted units had above-market rents at the time of the application.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Mike Bennett, BURPI, Senior Planner

WND Associates was retained by Stanford Homes to assist with an application to the Committee of Adjustment for Minor Variance for a development at 762-764 Vaughan Road. The development comprised an 11-storey mixed-use building with 53 residential units and a ground floor retail space.

The proposed development will contribute to the intensification of an area that is underdeveloped relative to the soon-to-open Fairbank LRT station. The development will contribute to the creation of housing opportunities and will support the achievement of vibrant built form and public realm.

The proposed development was approved by the Committee of Adjustment in December 2025.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Andrew Ferancik, MCIP, RPP Principal & President
Erik Retz, MCIP, RPP, Senior Planner

WND Associates was retained by Stanford Homes to assist with an application to the Committee of Adjustment for Minor Variance for a development at 754-758 Vaughan Road. The proposal is comprised of a 10-storey mixed-use building with 60 residential units and a ground floor retail space with a total floor area of 622 square feet. The proposed development will contribute to the intensification of an area that is underdeveloped relative to the soon-to-open Fairbank LRT station.

The proposal was approved by the Committee of Adjustment in December 2025.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Andrew Ferancik, MCIP, RPP Principal & President
Erik Retz, MCIP, RPP, Senior Planner

WND Associates was retained by the owners of a residence in Toronto’s Rosedale neighbourhood to provide planning consulting services with respect to securing Committee of Adjustment approval for a new two-storey house with a total floor area of 319 square metres. The property is within the North Rosedale Heritage Conservation District and required variances for an increased size of the overall dwelling and custom architectural features which included a front bay window and a rear breakfast bar which extended past the rear main wall.

In December 2025, the Committee of Adjustment granted the requested variances to permit a reduced front yard setback, increased building length, increased building depth and increased floor space index for the new two-storey home.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Kevin McKrow, MCIP, RPP Senior Planner

WND Associates was retained to assist with planning approvals for a 14-storey mixed-use development at 1012-1018 Gerrard Street East. The proposed development will have 112 residential units, and one level of underground parking. It will provide a diversity of unit types in proximity to the under-construction Gerrard Station (Ontario Line).

In December 2025, Toronto City Council approved the application to amend the Zoning By-law.

Key WND Planners Involved:
Andrew Ferancik, MCIP, RPP Principal & President
Erik Retz, MCIP, RPP, Senior Planner