Due to security concerns, the City of Toronto has given Drake special permission to erect fences that are two times higher than what’s usually permitted.
“The amount of people that try to come onto this property during the day and at night is very, very significant,” Brad Rafauli of the Ferris Rafauli Architectural Design Build Group, told a community council on Monday, per CTV News. He continued, “Security is really left in his hands.”
Rafauli was requesting approval to be exempt from the city bylaw that dictates residential fences can be no taller than two meters—around 6.5 feet—in height.
Drake’s mansion is still under construction and features a number of fences, walls, columns, and gates varying from around 3.0 to 4.4 meters—or 9.8 to 14.4 feet. His lawyers have argued that they all have been integrated into the property, particularly because Drake has spent over $1 million on 20-foot cedar trees to line them.
However, a property owner who shares a backyard lot line with Drake has fired back, saying that the 4.4 meter—or 14.4 foot—“barrier wall” casts a large shadow and sets a bad precedent. However, no other neighbors voiced any concerns.
“There was very little opposition,” Jaye Robinson, from the community council said. “There’s nothing lovelier than a whole row of beautiful trees, so we’re very impressed with the actual investment in trees on this particular property.”
Rafauli, who designed the mansion, highlighted the fact that the fence is crucial for Drake’s security. Even though he has 24-hour security on the property, fans still try to access the building site to see the mansion and the star. “Everyone knows where he eats, where he sleeps, and that has really freaked him out,” said Rafauli. “Security is really, really high on the list.”
