Toronto family's treehouse stays, court order on hold
Image courtesy of John Alpeza, Facebook.
Digital Reporter
Wednesday, April 27, 2016, 4:05 PM - A Toronto family can breathe a little easier knowing that their summer plans might go undisturbed.
John Alpeza, president of Alpeza General Contracting Inc., was granted a brief reprieve from receiving a court order demanding that he demolish his alluring backyard treehouse.
The contractor spent six years building the 108-square-feet summer play space for his two sons. A week ago, the City of Toronto demanded that Alpeza take down the treehouse due to zoning bylaw violations.
NOW ON YOUTUBE: Subscribe to The Weather Network's YouTube channel for access to the best weather-related videos in Canada VIEW THE CHANNEL | VIEWER VIDEOS | POPULAR NOW | SUBSCRIBE
Local and international media caught wind of the story, sending it into a viral state. Soon after the online uproar, Toronto Mayor John Tory stepped in asking the City to take a second look at Alpeza's treehouse before proceeding with demolition orders.
"I just wish the city wouldn't jump with the sledgehammer approach of 'guilty until proven innocent,'" Alpeza says of the whole process. The father of two says he's only aware of one family's complaint to the City of Toronto that launched the battle to tear down the treehouse, noting that he would've preferred the chance to discuss things with his neighbour, civilly.
"I think the city should have a policy where they encourage neighbours to talk."
He received the complaint from a neighbouring family as he was putting the finishing touches on the treehouse.
THE BIG REVEAL: Will a developing La Niña affect our summer as much as El Niño affected our winter? Tune in for the Summer Forecast on May 24 at 9pm EST and we'll help you plan your summer.
For now, all Alpeza can do is wait. This temporary hold-off is a chance for the City to look for zoning variances about the height and proximity to neighbours.
Alpeza says he built the space to give his kids an alternative to the internet, TV, and video games. He's still working to put up shelves for a library and set up room for board games.
"[Our backyard] is like a little oasis in the city, a place that we really relax and enjoy, it’s like a cottage in the city. We love it.”
