NEWS

Controversial Chaplin Crescent application refused

256 Chaplin
TREES SAVED: The city’s committee of adjustment refused an application to build a new home at 256 Chaplin Cres., where at least 14 trees would have to be removed.

A group of Forest Hill residents breathed a sigh of relief on Sept. 24 as the Committee of Adjustment rejected a property owner’s minor variance request that, according to city staff, would have required the removal of at least 14 mature trees.

Khosrow Choubineh, owner of the property at 256 Chaplin Cres., had proposed building a two-storey detached house with an underground garage on the site. His application was opposed both by neighbours, who submitted five letters and a 23-signature petition, and the city.

“Obviously we’re very pleased,” Lucianna Ciccocioppo, a longtime resident of the neighbourhood who helped gather the signatures said after the hearing. “Even one of the committee members said to the application’s agent … these are not minor variances.”

According to a Sept. 17 report by the city’s Urban Forestry, Ravine and Natural Feature Protection division, Choubineh’s proposal would have rquired the removal of at least half of the 28 trees on the site, in addition to injuring the roots of another six trees, some of whom belong to neighbours.

“There is insufficient space on site to provide for tree planting that would compensate for the incurred loss of trees and canopy coverage,” said the report, which asked the committee of adjustment to refuse the application.

Ward 22 Councillor Josh Matlow also opposed Choubineh’s application, and had submitted a strongly worded letter to the committee.

“I share the concerns raised by our forestry department and the community,” he wrote. “As this property is within an area regulated under the Ravine and Natural Feature Protection Bylaw, we need to ensure that we do whatever possible to minimize the impact any new development has on the existing tree canopy.”

The building “would have been basically clear-cutting a ravine area right in the heart of the neighbourhood, and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever,” Matlow said after the hearing. “It was great that we were able to protect our community, and great to see that reason prevailed.”

But Matlow also said Choubineh now has the option of appealing the committee’s decision to the OMB, and promised residents would have the city’s full support if he did.

Ciccocioppo said that Choubineh’s application was only the latest in a trend that has seen many dilapidated Forest Hill homes demolished and replaced with “monster homes.”

“The issue is that we’re looking for sustainable development in our neighbourhood,” she said. “The bylaws are there for a reason. Any variances should be the exception, not the rule.”

Choubineh did not respond to the Town Crier’s request for comment, and his agent Farzad Zahedi said he would have to discuss the next step with his client. However, before the hearing Choubineh is reported to have told the Toronto Star that the Urban Forestry report had exaggerated the tree removal numbers, and that he would work with city officials before building his new home.