Can We Actually Stop the 108 Vine Avenue Towers? Yes — Here’s the Real Possibility and Our Best Path Forward
Short answer: It is absolutely possible to stop the full land-use change and the three-tower development — or at the very least force major changes that protect our heritage building and the Junction’s character.
The owners have filed an Official Plan Amendment to re-designate the Core Employment lands at 108–162 Vine Avenue to Mixed Use so they can build up to three tall towers (concept plans show 18, 22 and 28 storeys). This is the critical first step developers need. Without the land-use change, the towers cannot be built.
The application has been appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, and on April 14, 2026 City Council directed staff to oppose the appeal.
Realistic and better than many people think. Employment-land conversions are not automatic. The City must be convinced there is a genuine need, that it won’t harm the surrounding employment area, and that it fits the neighbourhood. Add the historic French-chateau-style factory at 108 Vine (Dr. Jackson’s Roman Meal building that supplied metal for Toronto City Hall) and the narrow community street that is already overwhelmed — and there have powerful arguments.
Two ways:
- Stop it. Push the City and the Ontario Land Tribunal to refuse the land-use change outright. Strong community letters, heritage designation for 108 Vine, and public pressure at the Tribunal hearing can make this happen.
- SASP as a fallback. If some change is inevitable, demand a new Site and Area Specific Policy (SASP) that overrides the blanket mixed-use permission. A SASP could:
- Require full preservation of the 108 Vine heritage building
- Keep a meaningful amount of employment space
- Cap height and density to fit the Junction’s scale
- Protect Vine Avenue Parkette and the street’s walkable character
Many past “tower” proposals in Toronto have been stopped or dramatically scaled back exactly this way when the community organized early. The communites voice at the Ontario Land Tribunal and to the councillor can make the difference between losing another piece of Junction history and keeping 108 Vine Ave. standing, the Avenue as in was designed a community mixed use which works today, and can for the future.
