Toronto's newest MPP Glen Murray is vowing to wade into a contentious battle over a proposed condominium development on Avenue Road that could undermine what he calls the "postcard" vista of the Ontario Legislature and cast lengthy shadows over residential streets in Yorkville.
At issue is a 143-metre-high point tower, one of two planned for the current Four Seasons Hotel site. It will appear to protrude from the roofline of the 117-year-old assembly building as you look north along University Avenue from south of College Street.
Local heritage advocates, former lieutenant-governor Lincoln Alexander and even Speaker of the Ontario Legislature Steve Peters have all criticized the project because of its potential impact on one of the city's most historic view corridors.
Mr. Murray, elected for the provincial Liberals this month in Toronto Centre Rosedale, said in an interview that he intends to meet with area councillor Kyle Rae and the builder, Menkes Developments, with an eye to working out a "reasonable compromise" to protect Queen's Park.
Menkes' lawyer Adam Brown did not reply to a request for an interview.
At this stage, the fight has come down to a matter of metres.
Last month, city planners proposed a revision to the development that would cap the south tower at 118 metres - a height that conceals it entirely behind the legislature when seen from College Street.
Mr. Murray said he believes that elevation is acceptable.
But city Councillor Adam Vaughan, who has concerns about the height of the development, noted that other buildings in the vicinity are even taller, and thus establish a precedent for the developer.
Indeed, council last month approved a motion to allow the structure to rise to 133 metres, which would be clearly visible all along University Avenue. Mr. Murray said he was "quite surprised" by council's decision.
With the application now before the Ontario Municipal Board, the Speaker's Office last week confirmed it has taken the highly unusual move of applying for party status at the hearing, which begins next month.
Heritage activists also want the Ontario government to exercise its authority to intervene in the approval process, invoking a seldom-used provision allowing Queen's Park to declare a provincial interest in the application.
The government had until Friday to make such a move. The decision rested with Minister of Culture Michael Chan, but a spokesperson declined to reveal what the government decided.
"We're aware of the options," said Alicia Farrow. "As it is before the OMB, it is inappropriate for us to comment."
Planning experts and area residents have been expressing concern about the project for well over a year. Last summer, provincial officials asked the city to commission a comprehensive heritage study examining the impact from various points along University Avenue.
In the 1970s, the City of Toronto promulgated view-protection policies to ensure that historic buildings like St. James Cathedral in downtown Toronto are not overwhelmed by adjacent development. But such policies were edited out of the new official plan in 2007.
Mr. Vaughan said the onus is clearly on Dalton McGuinty's government. "If Queen's Park is to be protected, there is one group of politicians in this city who can do it, and that's the province."
Catherine Nasmith, president of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, which has also applied for standing at the hearing, said it is "incredibly frustrating" that both governments acknowledge the problem, but seem unwilling to act.