Huh?! Confusion and Concern Following
Approval of the 25-Storey Tower
Last updated: Dec 1, 2025
The recent approval by the Committee of Adjustment (CoA) of a proposed
25-storey apartment tower at 4100 Ponytrail Drive and 1850 Rathburn Road
East has generated extensive confusion and concern in Rockwood Village and the
surrounding community.
A Confusing Message Delivered at the
Annual Meeting
At the Rockwood Residents’ Association (RRA) Annual Meeting in May 2025, attended
by approximately 125 residents, attendees were informed that:
The Committee of Adjustment is
independent of Council
Councillors cannot intervene or
influence CoA decisions
Provincial changes have
eliminated residents’ rights to appeal CoA approvals
As a result, this project would proceed
without recourse
For residents, this created the clear impression that the planning
process was complete and that the community would not have further input.
CoA Hearing Tells a Different Story
Upon reviewing the audio from the CoA hearing, it was revealed that the 25-storey
building will still require a Site Plan application. This important detail
was not conveyed at the Annual Meeting.
The result is widespread confusion: residents were told there was no
recourse, yet the CoA itself stated that further approvals are required.
Two Overlapping Proposals Added to the
Confusion
Further complicating matters is the existence of a separate early-stage
concept plan showing two additional 25-storey towers on the same site.
Because of this, many residents and our Board, assumed that:
the CoA approval was connected to
a broader redevelopment plan, and
the entire three-tower proposal
was moving forward without consultation.
The lack of clarity between these parallel processes has contributed to
elevated frustration and distrust.
NAV CAN Height Restrictions Were Not
Addressed
One of the most troubling aspects of this approval is that the proposed
25-storey height appears to exceed NAV CAN / GTAA Obstacle Limitation
Surface (OLS) restrictions that apply to this airspace corridor near
Pearson Airport. Rockwood Village is
within this restricted area.
Importantly:
No building in this area—existing
or proposed—is above 20-storeys, and
A simple location-based check
would have identified that the site is subject to federally regulated
height limits.
The fact that the variance advanced through planning review, Committee of
Adjustment proceedings, and developer submissions without these restrictions
being identified raises significant questions.
This oversight has caused anxiety among residents and has also resulted
in unnecessary use of City resources, staff time, and administrative effort,
all spent on a proposal that in its current format probably will not comply
with federal safety standards.
Planning Department Recommended
Against the Height
The City’s own Planning Staff were clear and direct in their comments to
the CoA:
“Variance 4 requests a maximum building height of 25-storeys… The Special
Site Policy stipulates the maximum height is capped at 15-storeys… The proposed
height is inconsistent with the intent of the official plan or zoning by-law…
Variance 4 is not minor in nature.”
This means the CoA approved a height that exceeds the City’s Official
Plan, exceeds the site-specific zoning, and exceeds federally
regulated aviation limits.
Where Things Stand Now
The RRA is seeking clarification from the City, NAV CAN, and the federal
government. Specifically, we are requesting:
Confirmation that the building cannot
proceed without federal clearance
Clarification of the Site Plan
process and resident involvement
Assurance that height
restrictions will be properly evaluated before any further approvals
Our goal is to ensure that development proceeds in a manner that is safe,
transparent, and consistent with established planning rules, and that the
community receives accurate information at each stage of the process.
The RRA will continue to update residents as more information becomes
available.
