A proposal to construct a small residential building northwest of Toronto's Bathurst and Bloor intersection has been refused for a second time, sparking angry reactions from people claiming that policy and neighbourhood NIMBYs are creating unnecessary hurdles in getting housing built.

Developer Green Street Flats' minor variance application with the City seeking to build a tiny apartment building on the site of a single-family home at 91 Barton Avenue was slapped down in a 2-1 vote back in April, forcing the project team back to the drawing board with a modified plan presented to the City's Committee of Adjustment on Wednesday.

The updated proposal for a three-storey, nine-unit apartment building with a two-storey, two-unit laneway suite — including one affordable rental unit — was once again slapped down in a 2-1 decision on Thursday, sending commenters on social media into a frenzy of anger and confusion.

LINK to our HNTO slides presented to TEY Committee of Adjustment in SUPPORT of "Minor Variances" required for a new build 11-Unit EHON development at 91 BARTON AVE which included 1-BDRM #AffordableHousing unit deal for 25-years.

= ⛔️ DENIED..?!?!?

PDF - https://t.co/yCnURsiMor pic.twitter.com/lOEzmRUCXl

— HousingNowTO (@HousingNowTO) August 15, 2024

In the weeks leading up to August's hearing, neighbours sent over a dozen letters in objection to the proposal to the committee, with arguments focusing on the size and density of the development. And these locals got their way on Thursday when the proposal was shot down for a second time.

And it is going to get refused again.

— 🏭🏘🏢Sean Galbraith🗻❄️🥏 (@PlannerSean) August 14, 2024

But many more are angered by the latest decision.

madness

— Will Meneray (@willmeneray) August 14, 2024

Among the many reasons people are baffled by the refusal, the proposal site falls within a provincially-designated Major Transit Station Area, or MTSA, where developments such as these should theoretically be greenlit with little resistance.

Wild! This is in a MTSA, if I recall.

This will be something of a blow to EHON and any chance of affability is going to be killed by the costs of an appeal. https://t.co/Rmoo7fQUjW

— Tristan DowneDewdney (@TristanToronto) August 14, 2024

The project site is located a stone's throw from Bathurst Station and well within that transit link's corresponding MTSA. One user cites this as "one of the reasons why we continue to have a housing crisis in Toronto."

Let’s take a look at how far 91 Barton Ave is to Bathurst Station.

**checks google maps**

500 meters but 11 units of housing (including one affordable unit) are denied. This is one of the reasons why we continue to have a housing crisis in Toronto.@PlannerSean @HousingNowTO… https://t.co/n1XYYDOp8d pic.twitter.com/XDlVIdTh6P

— Rob Cerjanec (@robcerjanec) August 15, 2024

While the planned development has once again been forced back to the drawing board, the current house on site is still getting some love from local artists.

A group of 30 artists and muralists have transformed the soon-to-be-demolished property into a surreal wonderland in a pop-up art project created in partnership with the proposal's developer.