Whistler:
I fail to see what's wrong with it. Without a rendering with the appropriate materials and colours we can't really judge what this will look like. The massing looks interesting and the design is different from 1 and 2 which most seem to agree is what we want. If the city doesn't like it due to style then fine, but if they're skeptical about it's height they obviously haven't had a good read of Toronto�s official plan.
Actually, from the city perspective there is more to ground argue against this project on planning issues, which are considered legit, than stylistic ones, which aren't nearly as solid an argument. In addition, there is a difference between encouraging increased density from a planning carte blanche.
Here is a quote from the OP, 3.1.2 Built Form Policy:
3. New development will be massed to fit harmoniously into its surroundings and will respect and improve the local scale and character. It will minimize the impact on neighbouring buildings and open space by:
a) massing new building to frame adjacent streets and open spaces in a way that respects the existing and/or planned street proportion;
b) creating a transition in scale to neighbouring buildings;
c) providing adequate privacy, sunlight and sky view ensuring adequate separation between building walls; and
d) minimizing shadows and uncomfortable wind conditions on neighbouring properties and open space.
and 3.13 Built Form - Tall Buildings Policy:
2. Tall building proposals must, at a minimum, address key urban design considerations such as:
a) meet the built form principles of this plan;
b) demonstrate how the proposed building and site design will contribute to and reinforce the overall City structure;
c) demonstrate how the proposed building and site design relate to adjacent buildings and blocks within the immediate neighbourhood;
d) minimize the negative impact of shadows, sky view and wind on adjacent public areas including streets, parks, open spaces;
e) take into account the relationship of the site to topography and other tall buildings;
f) minimize the negative impact of shadows, sky view and wind on neighbouring private properties and residential neighbourhoods;
g) provide adequate transition between taller buildings and the adjacent lower scaled buildings;
h) provide high quality, comfortable and usable publicly accessible open spaces and areas; and
i) meet all other policies of this Plan.
I am not sure if these issues are satisified, particularly re: context and transition.
AoD