It stands high in the sky, towering over its nearest neighbors.
A home under construction in Richmond Hill that is almost twice the height of others on the street has raised concerns among residents.
“It’s a monstrosity and an eyesore,” said Ward 5 Councilwoman Karen Silevc. “It’s like somebody put a lighthouse in the backyard of all these residents.”
The number of residents complaining about the project is significant, according to Zilewitz, who says she has received complaints from as many as 20 residents in the area.
The question among residents is unanimous: How did a home this size get approved by the city?
Regardless of how much the house stands out, Tsilewitz says the property was built to all zoning specifications — albeit narrowly.
The height of the house according to the plan is 10.97 meters. The maximum permissible height for the area is 11 meters.
Michael Laney’s huge Richmond Hill home has some of his neighbors on edge. (CTV News Toronto/Sean Litong)
The house will occupy 39.7% of the plot. The maximum allowable is 40 percent.
As a result, homeowner Michael Laney didn’t have to get special approval for the project and didn’t have to notify neighbors.
“I’m just trying to build a house for my family. We love the area,” he told CTV News Toronto.
The father of two has owned the property for nine years. He grew up in the area and attended the nearby school.
Lani said he just wanted to follow the rules, but now he’s facing some backlash and the house has already been vandalized.
“Unfortunately people are not happy, there is already a crack in my window. Someone threw a stone or a pebble,” he said.
But not everyone in the neighborhood is repulsed by the tall building.
Govanna Martacci, for example, has lived across the street for 37 years and said it’s not a problem.
“Maybe if I was next door, maybe I’d be in the way, but I’m across the street,” she said.
There are other new buildings on the same street or in the area popping up next to some smaller homes — but some neighbors say the specific location of this project is cause for concern.
Kathy Menzies lives down the road and describes the house as a “monster”.
“For those tiny homes, a home like this should never have been built there,” she said.
Lani said he believes there will be more redevelopments like his in the future, while Councilman Cilevc says the city is reviewing its zoning laws.
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