Monster homes getting too big?

Joe Mihevc says he wants to rein in monster home construction in West Forest Hill.

Following requests from residents, the St. Paul’s Ward 21 councillor has called for a zoning study to be conducted in the area roughly bounded by Eglinton Avenue West to the north, Cedarvale Ravine to the south, Richview Avenue to the west and Spadina Road to the east. The creation of the study was spurred by residents who have complained about the size of new homes in the area.

“The residents have been organizing and saying that we need to review the kinds of houses that we permit to be built,” Mihevc said in late November.

Noting that West Forest Hill is a desired area, Mihevc said developers are purchasing land and building suburban-style homes on urban midtown lots.

“They’re asking for too much,” Mihevc, adding the study is an attempt to update and clarify the area’s appropriate numbers for height, density and setbacks.

Mihevc acknowledges zoning bylaws can’t stop developers from appealing at the Ontario Municipal Board.

“But when the zoning bylaw is old, and hasn’t been updated then the OMB almost doesn’t take it as a standard,” Mihevc said.

Mihevc requested the city’s planning division conduct the zoning study at November’s meeting of the Toronto and East York community council. Public consultations are expected to take place during the winter months.