Authorization for Submission of Minor Variance Application 411 Victoria Park Avenue and 2510 and 2530 Gerrard Street East - by Councillor Gary Crawford, seconded by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie

With regards to the proposed development at 411 Victoria Park Avenue and 2510 and 2530 Gerrard Street, City Council at its meeting on July 14, 15 and 16, 2021 approved Zoning By-law amendments to By-law 569-2013 (By-law 959-2021) and former City of Scarborough Birchcliff Community Zoning By-law 8786 (By-law 960-2021), for a development on five different blocks containing four mid-rise apartment buildings ranging from 8 to 12 storeys and four blocks of stacked and back to-back townhouses. Of the 1,052 dwelling units proposed, 120 (11.4 percent) would be affordable rental or affordable ownership units. As part of the approval, the minimum parking space requirements were as follows: - 0.60 spaces per unit for mid-rise residential units on Blocks 1, 2 and 3; - 1.0 space per unit for the townhouse units on Block 2; - 0.50 spaces per unit for the affordable housing (townhouse units) on Block 4; - 0.25 spaces per unit for the affordable housing units on Block 5; and - 0.10 spaces per unit for residential visitors on Blocks 1, 2 and 3. In light of the City's policy direction on permitting reduced parking rates for developments located close to major transit stations, the owner has now requested permission to apply to the Committee of Adjustment for a minor variance for a reduced parking rate. City Planning supports consideration of a reduced parking rate for this development by way of a minor variance application. Under the Planning Act as amended, however, this owner will not be able to file for a minor variance application for zoning relief on this matter until July 16, 2023, thus delaying site development for over a year and causing the owner undue project delay and financial hardship. City Council's authorization for submission of a minor variance application at this time is warranted.