‘Big Blue Monster’ continues to be a headache for Brampton neighbourhood
Posted May 4, 2017 3:57 pm.
Last Updated July 26, 2017 12:04 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Five years ago, 443 Centre Street was a small bungalow. Today, it’s become known as Brampton’s “Big Blue Monster” – a 6,600 square foot half-finished home that is at the centre of a dispute between the home owner, area neighbours and the City of Brampton.
Owner Ahmed Elbasiouni was granted a building permit in 2012 to redevelop the property and it wasn’t until construction was well advanced that the City of Brampton admitted it issued the building permit in error. Since 2013, it has been trying to get the permit revoked.
Elbasiouni has been ordered by the city and the courts on several occasions to either tear down the structure, bring the building into compliance with zoning bylaws or get approval from the committee of adjustments, which turned him down in January.
Neighbours say when construction started, they were expecting a small addition. Instead, the smaller building was eventually torn down and a massive structure was erected in its place.
“It’s an atrocity and it keeps degrading every year,” said Allison Antonacci. “I’ve actually had to change my garden and my layout because it affects the sunlight.”
“We’re the ones that have to sit here and look at it every day,” said Lynn Murphy, who has lived next to the property in question for 38 years. “We’re going to continue to fight it until the end.”
Elbasiouni says he has complied with the city’s size bylaws and accuses the city of deliberately misleading the courts. He adds his fight is now a matter of principle.
“I’m fighting, all by myself, the City of Brampton,” said Elbasiouni. “It’s kind of impossible.”
In addition, to his other legal troubles, Elbasiouni has also launched a $20-million lawsuit against the municipality and three individual councillors.
Neighbours, who complain that their property values have dropped as a result of the monster home, wonder if things will ever change. They are holding out hope that the issue will finally be resolved at the next Superior Court hearing in June.
“It’s just frustrating and it’s not just his fault but the city is at fault as well,” said neighbour Mike Leslie.
