A button worn by Karen Cilevitz, chair of the David Dunlap Observatory Defenders, in 2011.
The lands surrounding a historic telescope north of Toronto have been partially saved from suburban sprawl following six months of negotiations.
Roughly 60 per cent of the David Dunlap Observatory site will be transferred to the Town of Richmond Hill by developer Corsica, to be preserved as a park and historic space. A wetland and wood will also be protected.
The eastern portion of the lands, meanwhile, will be paved over and turned into a subdivision.
The deal was made public late Thursday after it was approved by the town's council.
"This settlement protects all of the historic precinct around the Observatory Dome and will create a unique heritage open space, the like of which does not exist anywhere else. We have respected the cultural and natural heritage in a way we can be proud of," Richmond Hill mayor Dave Barrow said in a statement. "This will be a legacy public place for Richmond Hill forever."
Corsica affiliate Metrus bought the land in 2008 from the University of Toronto. The company made plans to redevelop all of it, which were rejected by Richmond Hill. Corsica appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board. What followed were months of mediation between the developer, the town, York Region, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and a community group dedicated to preserving the observatory.
The deal must still be approved by regional council and the TRCA's board.
There are also some details that have not yet been worked out: the town and Corsica are still in talks to determine whether the local government will take ownership of the buildings themselves, which include the dome, an administration building and a house.
The observatory was presented to the U of T as a gift in 1935.
Adrian Morrow