The OLT is setting aside 20 days for the contested hearing regarding a non-decision appeal by Valery Group regarding a proposal to build two 20-storey towers atop a four-storey podium. The original proposal included 685 rental units.
Valery filed the appeal on December 19, 2024, following unsuccessful negotiations between the developer and City planning staff. The developer made a modified submission to staff at lower heights of 12-storey and 10-storey.
During today’s (June 11) OLT case management conference, lawyers Russell Cheeseman (representing Valery) and Rachel McVean (representing the City) told the Tribunal there are 37 outstanding issues of disagreement between the two sides.
At this stage, it is expected there will be 12 witnesses total between both sides.
City Council approved having a mediation assessment that will be facilitated by the Tribunal. The Tribunal did not ask McVean if the Council has provided instructions for mediation.
Approval of Participants
The Tribunal approved participant status for three individuals who attended today’s CMC hearing. All three live near the proposed development.
Other people submitted written requests for participant status. Initially, OLT Vice-Chair William Middleton stated he was not granting participant status to those who wrote in but did not attend today’s video hearing.
Following a recess to allow the Vice-Chair to consult with the OLT scheduling staff, the City and developer agreed the Tribunal should contact those who sought status to confirm if they wish to be participants.
Anyone contacted who states they wish to be a participant will be granted status.
Participants are only permitted to submit a written statement that will be read into the record during the hearing.
Note: due to an event in the Council Chamber at the same time as this hearing, I did not get the date of the planned hearing. When the procedural order is issued, this story will be updated.
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Published: June 11, 2025
Last updated: June 11, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
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v. 1.0.0 original version