Monster home built north of Toronto infuriating neighbours
It stands high in the sky, towering over its closest neighbours.
A home under construction in Richmond Hill, Ont. -- which is nearly twice as tall as the others on the street -- has heightened concerns among residents.
"It's a monstrosity and an eyesore," Ward 5 Councillor Karen Cilevitz told CTV News Toronto. "It's like somebody put a lighthouse in the backyard of all of these residents."
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The number of residents complaining about the project is significant, according to Cilevitz, who said she's received complaints from as many as 20 residents in the area.
The question among residents is unanimous: How was a home this size ever approved by the city?
Despite how much the house stands out, Cilevitz said the property was built to all zoning specifications -- if only by a hair.
The height of the house, according to the plan, is 10.97 metres. The maximum allowable height for the area is 11 metres.
Michael Lanni's massive Richmond Hill home has left some of his neighbours on edge. (CTV News Toronto/Sean Leathong)
The house will cover 39.7 per cent of the lot. The maximum allowable is 40 per cent.
As a result, the owner of the home, Michael Lanni, did not have to get special approval for the project and he did not have to notify neighbours.
"I'm just trying to build a house for my family. We love the area," he told CTV News Toronto.
The father of two has owned the property for nine years. He grew up in the area and attended a nearby school.
Lanni said he only wanted to follow the rules -- but is now facing some backlash and the house has already fallen victim to vandalism.
"Unfortunately, people are not happy, there's a crack in my window already. Someone threw a stone or a pebble," he said.
But not everyone in the neighbourhood is put off by the high-reaching house.
Govanna Martacci, for instance, has lived across the street for 37 years and she said it's not a problem.
"Maybe if I were next door, maybe it would bother me, but I'm across the road," she said.
There are other new builds on the same street or in the area appearing next to some smaller homes -- but some neighbours says it's the particular location of this project that’s a cause for concern.
Cathy Menzies lives down the road and described the house as a "monster."
"For those small homes, a home like that should never have been built there," she said.
Lanni said he believes more rebuilds like his will come in the future, while councillor Cilevitz says the city is reviewing its zoning laws.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police investigation underway outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
There is a large police presence outside of Drake’ Bridle Path mansion Tuesday morning.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
3 Indian nationals accused of murdering Hardeep Singh Nijjar facing court in B.C.
Three Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are due to face court Tuesday over the killing that triggered a major diplomatic rift with India.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.