Problem solved

[attach]4013[/attach]The city approved a settlement for the Beach development at 66-76 Kippendavie Avenue.

Developer Worsley Urban Partners first proposed the condo project in 2009 but due to council’s lack of a decision in a timely matter, the developer appealed directly to the Ontario Municipal Board.

So this new settlement was an 11th hour deal considering with that board hearing looming April 19.

The city, Kew Beach Neighbourhood Association, Toronto District School Board and the developer met with a city-funded mediator on April 6 and came away with a settlement, which was approved by council without debate on April 12.

Beach Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon said that all parties compromised to reach this agreement.

“I am happy everyone can get on with their lives and have worked really hard especially the community,” she said hours April 12 vote to approve the project. “But I am worried about the size and the (area basement) flooding.”

City solicitor Kelly Matsumoto said the settlement would now proceed to the Ontario Municipal Board, but for a shorter duration.

“The developer appealed to the OMB. It’s his appeal, so he need the OMB to make a decision,” she said in an interview.

At the Dec. 1 Ontario Municipal Board pre-hearing besides the city, developer, school board and residents’ group, two others were also named parties or participants: Alexandria Struke and Vittoria Oddi-Pierce. Oddi-Pierce and Struke were the only ones not part of the settlement agreement.

It is not known if they are still in opposition.

“But I think in the mind of the developer,” mused Matsumoto, “the main parties have settled.”

Agreement highlights:

• The 65 unit condo building will now be reduced to a maximum of 60 units. Access to the roof will be further restricted with no livable space above the four storey height.

• The developer will pay for an independent, third party engineering firm to do pre and post assessments of nearby properties. Worsley Urban Partners will maintain a $25 million insurance plan to cover any damages to nearby properties caused by construction of the Kippendavie project.

• The city is already doing an environmental assessment regarding unrelated basement flooding in the Beach area including Kippendavie Avenue. The developer agreed to pay the city $25,000 towards the implementation of a basement flooding plan.

“It’s been a long process and hard for all parties,” said developer Dino Longo. “We came to agreeable solution.”