The stretch of Eglinton between Bayview and Laird is punctuated by the presence of a four-storey “Tower of Babel” at the corner of Rumsey Road. This project is associated with the culling of a honey locust tree in the rear yard last June – an action that is under investigation by the City. This occurred just after an application for minor variances was approved at the Committee of Adjustment, to facilitate moving the building forward on the lot, specifically to protect the tree.
In July 2025, an application was submitted for variances to permit a garden suite, a second building in the rear yard in the clear space newly freed up by the removal of the tree. The North York Committee of Adjustment approved the application on Oct. 23, 2025, with some amendments, despite several letters of objection and deputations from residents, and a letter of strong opposition from Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin.
At the Nov. 12, 2025 meeting, City Council adopted a Member’s Motion by Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin to appeal the Committee of Adjustment decision to the Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB). The City will be a Party at the hearing. The Case Management Conference was scheduled to be held on March 27, 2026.
We need your help
The Leaside Residents Association has agreed to be a Party in opposition to the appeal and has hired a lawyer and a planner. This is where you come in. Hiring a lawyer and planner costs money. Please consider making a special donation to the LRA for this cause. The LRA board believes the community needs to be actively represented in fighting against the application.
The garden suite does not fit the lot – with four family-size units there needs to be open space, as well as space for waste management and storage needs. But in addition, there are special circumstances in this case – the culling of the tree and construction safety issues under investigation, which are not consistent with the values most Leasiders hold and respect.
