Settlement that avoided a hearing

Although this application was appealed to LPAT, parties were able to to settle before the hearing proper.  A passage from the 33-page REPORT which delivered the decision states:

Following extensive discussions with the City and community stakeholders, a resubmission was filed on August 15, 2019 to revise the Original Proposal to a 12- and 15-storey mixed-use building (with an overall height of approximately 50 metres, including mechanical penthouse), containing office, residential and retail uses, with a total gross floor area of 25,685 square metres and an overall density of 8.81 FSI (“Revised Proposal”). These revisions were made to address the comments made by the community, the Toronto District School Board, and the City.

The report outlines the conditions and timing of Section37 contributions amounting to a total of $1,000,000.  The third contribution has been earmarked as follows:

Prior to the issuance of the first above-grade building permit, the owner shall make a cash contribution in the amount of $600,000.00 for above base ​​streetscape improvements on the west side of Brant Street between King Street West and Adelaide Street West, including a portion which will be allocated to the revitalization of the playground of the Toronto District School Board property at 20 Brant Street, subject to public access outside of regular school hours, all to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division, in consultation with the Ward Councillor.

Parents, students and administration of the Alpha Alternative School at 20 Brant have been very involved throughout the life cycle of this application.  It was gratifying to note that their envisioned "green wall" on the east side of the building facing their playground was encoded within the LPAT decision:

The owner agrees to work with the Toronto Lands Corporation to implement and maintain a living green wall for the height of the ground floor of the east-facing façade of the portion of the building located at 1-7 Morrison Street, immediately adjacent to the Toronto District School Property at 20 Brant Street, utilizing vegetation which will remain green throughout all four seasons of the year. The green wall will be maintained by the owner of 540-544 King Street West and will be detailed in the Site Plan control drawings