The court order should be nearing its expiry date, meaning the city could order the structure’s demolition.

Following Tuesday’s meeting, Russo said Elbasiouni’s request for special permission was “separate” to the order issued by the Ontario Superior Court in September. He said the application “lacked clarity” and the evidence presented “does not support the request.”

Committee rejected the application to classify the structure as conforming duplex dwelling based on staff’s observation that “permitted uses are stated in very specific terms.”

“A single detached dwelling is permitted and a duplex dwelling is not,” said Michelle Gervais, development services manager.

Elbasiouni has been locked in legal wranglings since 2013 when the city ordered him to demolish the partially built structure, which at one point called for eight bedrooms, 10 bathrooms and more than 11,000 square feet of living space.

Residents and councillors argue the house is bigger than what was allowed under the city’s zoning bylaws.

Elbasiouni has maintained all along that he received approval from the city to build the home.

In 2013 city staff admitted to council that the permit was issued by mistake because of a “computer mapping error,” but nevertheless, the city tried to revoke the permit and ordered that the structure be demolished.

Elbasiouni has since taken on the city on a number of fronts including launching a $20-million lawsuit against the municipality.

He has also fought, and lost, appeals to Ontario Municipal Board over applications for extended lot coverage and permission to erect a large, 3.5-metre fence around the property.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Elbasiouni charged that city staffers continue to “mislead and complicate” the matter.

Meanwhile, the property, which towers over houses a quarter the size, remains half built and in a poor state of repair.