M II A II R II K
Senior Member
Liberals urged to protect Legislature skyline from condo development
May 20 2010
Rob Ferguson - Queen’s Park Bureau
David Rider - Urban Affairs Bureau Chief
Read More: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/...gislature-skyline-from-condo-development?bn=1
##################################
The Ontario government is washing its hands when it comes to protecting postcard-perfect vistas of the 111-year-old building it calls home. Premier Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals said they won’t fight a controversial Ontario Municipal Board ruling allowing two high-rise condo towers to go up behind the Legislature, marring its distinctive silhouette on the midtown skyline.
“The OMB made a decision,†Culture Minister Michael Chan said Thursday. “We have to respect that.†Opposition parties and the Speaker of the Legislature called on the government to fight the decision, perhaps through special legislation. They fear—along with architectural heritage experts—that the decision to allow the condo towers on the northeast corner of Bloor St. and Avenue Rd. would spoil the singular view of the Legislature looking north up University Ave. The OMB’s decision sets a precedent that will, over time, see condo towers ruin Toronto’s views including that of city hall itself, predicted Lloyd Alter, president of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario.
##################################
The legislature, seen here in a file photo at a war memorial ceremony, is an iconic part of the Toronto skyline.
May 20 2010
Rob Ferguson - Queen’s Park Bureau
David Rider - Urban Affairs Bureau Chief
Read More: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/...gislature-skyline-from-condo-development?bn=1
##################################
The Ontario government is washing its hands when it comes to protecting postcard-perfect vistas of the 111-year-old building it calls home. Premier Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals said they won’t fight a controversial Ontario Municipal Board ruling allowing two high-rise condo towers to go up behind the Legislature, marring its distinctive silhouette on the midtown skyline.
“The OMB made a decision,†Culture Minister Michael Chan said Thursday. “We have to respect that.†Opposition parties and the Speaker of the Legislature called on the government to fight the decision, perhaps through special legislation. They fear—along with architectural heritage experts—that the decision to allow the condo towers on the northeast corner of Bloor St. and Avenue Rd. would spoil the singular view of the Legislature looking north up University Ave. The OMB’s decision sets a precedent that will, over time, see condo towers ruin Toronto’s views including that of city hall itself, predicted Lloyd Alter, president of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario.
##################################
The legislature, seen here in a file photo at a war memorial ceremony, is an iconic part of the Toronto skyline.