Bannockburn hearing held over to 2015
The Ontario Municipal Board hearing on the TDSB-proposed severance of land at Bannockburn School will continue in the new year.
The hearing did not wrap up as planned at end of day on Nov. 14, resulting in it being scheduled to reconvene Jan. 8–9.
The OMB heard from several witnesses, including outgoing city councillor Karen Stintz and incoming school trustee Jennifer Arp. The only witness left to present is city planner Alan Young, who has been retained by the City of Toronto and community group Save Bannockburn’s Green Space.
The Toronto public school board first proposed the severance of the property to raise funds for other projects last year. It met with fierce opposition from the community, leading to the formation of the Save Bannockburn group who then led the charge against the proposal and raised funds to fight it at the OMB.
The city’s committee of adjustment rejected the proposal in May this year, saying the school board failed to follow its own policies in the proposal and citing community need for greenspace.
In June, the school board said it would take the matter to the OMB, but was willing to sell the land to the city if an offer was made. The city expressed interest, but never made a formal offer.
The OMB is expected to make its ruling within two months after the hearing ends.
