Developer, residents reach accord in convent debate

Community Associations in the Westboro area said Wednesday they planned to withdraw an Ontario Municipal Board claim over the development of a former convent property after reaching their own agreements.

After months of negotiations, Ashcroft Developments and the residents opposed to the Richmond Road condo building reached an agreement that will see the developer donate $200,000 to a community association trust fund. The developer will also withdraw its own OMB complaint that was seeking an allowance to build an even higher condo on the site.

Area residents were angry that the proposed nine-storey condo was allowed despite a city restriction that forbids such heights on that section of Richmond Road. They filed a complaint with the OMB late last year.

Ashcroft Homes wants to renovate the 135-year-old Sisters of the Visitation convent on Richmond Road, near Island Park Drive, and build several new buildings including two condominium towers and a residence for seniors on the land.

The developer filed its own appeal last October requesting allowance for a maximum height of 12 storeys.