Builder jumps the gun on unit sales

A setback in the planning process for 530 St. Clair Ave. West could mean a little more than just a floor plan redesign.

Staff at the Forest Hill, the project’s name, said developer Goldman Group decided to change floor plans at the last minute to accommodate clients’ requests for more one-bedroom-plus-den units.

But Ward 21 councillor Joe Mihevc said that isn’t quite accurate in explaining the situation.

The proposal for a 22-storey condominium, phase 2 of the current project at 500 St. Clair Ave. West, has not yet been approved by city council.

“They don’t know what to sell,” Mihevc said.

The developer is currently in talks with the councillor and city staff to hash out a plan for the area.

Residents on nearby Raglan Ave., including some who live in single-family houses, have raised concerns over the height of the proposed project.

“That’s where some concern is because there will be some shadow impact the closer you are to the building,” Mihevc said. “Certainly 22-storeys is too high.”

Exit Realty Prestige agent Andrew LaFleur spotted a Forest Hill ad in a condo guide advertising units for sale. He later discovered it was premature.

A spokesperson for the Forest Hill sales office confirmed the error.

“Once it was almost approved, I started making files,” the spokesperson said. “It went into print in the condo guide that we are opening (Feb. 28).

“But then when they looked to the database of the people who have registered for one bedroom plus den, we didn’t actually have those.”

LaFleur said he’s baffled by the miscommunication.

“They’ve been delaying and delaying and advertising this project at least six months,” he said Feb. 26. “They’re supposed to have their first sales event Feb. 28, but they say they need to rework their floor plans to incorporate more one plus den units.”

He’s surprised the project is even continuing, he added.

“It’s a symptom of the times,” LaFleur said. “The market’s just really slow right now everywhere.”

Aside from sluggish real estate trends, Mihevc said sales can’t begin until council gives its consent.

“(The developer) can’t sell units that he doesn’t know he has approval for,” he said. “It’s not the developer that’s delaying, it’s basically the need for us to have the staff report completed.”

The report is expected to be presented to council in the spring.