The Richmond Hill Naturalists are renewing their fight against the proposed development of the David Dunlap Observatory lands. The lands were owned by U of T until 2008, when they were sold to private developer Metrus/Corsica for $70 million. Prior to being sold, the lands had been used by the university’s Astronomy department for decades.

In September, Metrus/Corsica reached a settlement with the Town of Richmond Hill, as well as community groups that had objected to the original sale. The settlement splits the land between the development of 530 homes and a public park.

The Naturalists are now attempting to contest the settlement at the divisional court level, having unsuccessfully appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) in July. At the time, Lynda Tanaka, executive chairperson of the omb, found there were “no errors” in the original report. The court has not indicated whether it will hear the appeal.

With files from The Richmond Hill Liberal