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“I found it fascinating that the cultural heritage impact statement that Mr. Fyfe’s planner wrote up and submitted to the city says a primary consideration in this particular case is new houses have to respect and be sensitive to the Massey House,” said d’Aquino, who, with husband Thomas d’Aquino, a former longtime CEO of the powerful lobby group Business Council on National Issues, have called 400 Lansdowne Rd. home for 37 years.

The two released a public statement Friday in opposition to city approval, which she says thwarts the zoning rules outlined for the area as a designated heritage conservation district. Next, the Committee of Adjustment will vote Wednesday whether the division of the lot should be approved.

She said the move to approve the new size would be a first for the area.

“You take a lot that meets a minimum requirement and create a fresh two new lots that do not. That is unprecedented.”

D’Aquino said it will visually dwarf the Hart Massey House, which peeks just nine feet above the road compared to the proposed home, built on a slope and expected to stand 40 feet above that shared road.

“That height is very much out of the ordinary.”

This tension, D’Aquino said, will make it difficult for residents to welcome Fyfe. Reached Saturday evening, Fyfe said he had no comment.

According to the city’s website, all such designations must comply with the Ontario Heritage Act, “especially with regard to the alteration or demolition of any portion of the property.”