Agricola Finnish Lutheran Church Development (AFLCD) – April 30 2024

On February 29, 2024, the Ontario Land Tribunal returned its decision on the appeal by the Agricola Church/House of Finland to develop the property at 25 Old York Mills into a 12-storey, 100+ unit condominium with church, day care and event spaces. The Tribunal approved the application in its entirety, in principle, subject to some pre-requisite matters.

These pre-requisite matters mainly centre around parking and traffic concerns. The Agricola Church is required to provide the City of Toronto with a Parking Utilization Study, Vehicle Maneuvering diagrams to demonstrate the functionality of the driveway access on Campbell Crescent, and a Transportation Demand Management Plan. The Agricola Church also has to address some engineering and construction services concerns from a Sept 2022 memo that were not satisfactorily addressed in the application. During the Ontario Land Tribunal process, local community groups (York Mills Valley Association and the Townhomes of Hogg’s Hollow Community Association) made multiple suggestions for more collaborative solutions that would still allow for the densification being proposed, but would lessen the environmental and traffic impacts on the neighbourhood. Unfortunately, these suggestions were not seriously considered by the TRCA or the City. For the proposed development, the six legacy Autumn Blaze maples along Campbell Crescent will be removed (along with many other mature trees on the property). Due to the imposing building footprint that comes so close to Campbell Crescent, there will be no ability to replace these trees once removed. The application has some planters and hardscape out front, but the streetscape will be irreparably changed into primarily glass and concrete. The sizable footprint of the building and placement of the driveway also require the tall, mature trees between #14 Campbell Crescent and the Agricola Church property to be removed. Last November, City-owned and private trees on the property bordering the Agricola Church (#14 Campbell Crescent) were removed illegally by the new owner, the House of Finland, who purchased the home last summer. HHTW reported the destruction of these trees to Urban Forestry, however it remains unclear as to whether any punitive action has been taken by the City. The unpermitted removal of these trees indicates a disregard for the regulations that pertain to the trees and environment in Hogg’s Hollow. Ultimately, the direction of the final project is still in the hands of the City – and perhaps the Church congregation. The City of Toronto will need to decide if it is satisfied by the Church’s submissions on the above pre-requisites. The City will also need to approve the Site Plan that the Agricola Church has submitted before it issues building permits. And, as we understand it, the Church congregation also has to approve the final plans for the Church space. The timeline for the development remains unclear.