'We are not here for tree preservation': Development company appealing latest decision with Lemay Forest

A new fight is gearing up at city hall over Lemay Forest.

A new fight is gearing up at city hall over Lemay Forest.

The owner of the property wants to demolish a house it owns on Lemay Avenue to gain access to the land for a future development, as there are no roads in or out of the forest.

However, the city said no, prompting an appeal. This comes as many in the community are petitioning to buy the forest and preserve it.

"That just makes the land completely null and void," said John Wintrup, a planner that represents Tochal Developments.

Tochal is planning an assisted living facility with 5,000 beds and 5,000 parking. Removing the house – which they want to do without a building permit – who allow them to do prep work on the land.

"We are not here for tree preservation, we are not here for public parks. We are going to do something with those lands."

City planners panned that move, saying the demolition application is premature, as it's not clear how long the lot would be vacant because the larger development plans have not been approved.