After disregarding a previous request by the city to remove portions of an 18-foot fence, one of Toronto’s most prominent families is again asking the city to reconsider the decision.
Last summer, after applying for a fence exemption that caused neighbours to protest, the city told the Bronfman family they had to remove portions of the fence from their Burton Road house. The most recent fence application was to go before Toronto and East York Community Council last month; however, the item was deferred at council with the understanding that the Bronfmans would first privately settle on an agreement with neighbours.
“They now only want to keep in place the fence where the abutting neighbours support it,” said Jane Pepino, the Bronfman family’s lawyer. “We want peace in the valley, so to speak.” She said the Bronfmans are concerned about security, which is why they would like to keep the fence, which was erected in December 2008 — one month after the family was robbed.
Local councillor Joe Mihevc said he has been in talks with several of the neighbours, and although there is no resolution yet, there is still hope. “Local, neighbourhood politics is all about hope,” he said.