Geoff Kettel, one of the parties to the mediation process dealing with the Elgie farmhouse, says an agreement has been struck to build two additional homes on the property at 262 Bessborough Drive. This was the goal of the developer Matthew Garnet. It has also been agreed that the Elgie farmhouse will be moved some seven metres forward on the lot. This is a change from the Toronto Committee of Adjustment finding that the “placement, setback and orientation” were integral to the home’s historical attributes. In other words, the house could not to be moved. It was, in the mind of the developer at least, a contentious matter given the many heritage homes which are moved to suitable locations so development might occur. It appears that the size of the old farmhouse will be reduced but the details are appaently not complete. As many will recall, most of the home dates from the 1970s. and as shown in the picture above, the original home was built in the 19th Century. Mr, Kettel, who represented the Leaside Property Owners Association, also reveals that the other members of the Leaside mediation team were Renee Jacoby (for Parkhurst) and Sheila Murray (for Bessborough).
