Concept 2 Keys Priority Development Review Stream Enhancements and Adjustments and Fourth Quarter of 2021 C2K Program Updates

Currently, 28 development applications for 20 development projects, including 18 priority affordable housing projects and two private purpose-built rental projects have been placed in the Priority Development Review Stream. The average time for City staff to review and provide comments to the applicant has been five weeks per round of review; down from a City-wide average duration of eight to nine weeks per review round. Together, these affordable housing projects propose 2,190 affordable units. Details of these applications are provided in Attachment 1 - Priority Development Review Stream - Affordable Housing Application Information. Driven in part by the City's efforts to increase affordable housing stock and also by federal funding in support of affordable housing there is a significant volume of affordable housing projects underway today and in the pipeline for development. The priority review stream is currently relying on 'borrowed' staff from commenting divisions. This approach poses operational challenges for Concept 2 Keys (C2K) and has resulted in strained resourcing for partner Divisions already dealing with vacancies, increased application volumes and deadlines associated with the upcoming end of the Council term. The complexity of files within the priority stream, coupled with pressure to accelerate timelines beyond the five weeks achieved to date, means additional capacity is needed to deliver results. In October 2021, City Council directed that the Priority Development Review Stream transition from a pilot to a permanent service and that staff report back to Council with a plan to expand the service. Based on the experience and lessons learned from the pilot period in 2021, this report recommends approval of 16 permanent positions to staff the Priority Development Review Stream; 7 of which will be allocated to City Planning, 4 to Engineering and Construction Services, 2 to Transportation Services, 1 to Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and 2 to Concept 2 Keys. As staff levels increase, more applications will be placed in the Priority Development Review Stream. This report also highlights key accomplishments and updates made by the Concept 2 Keys team in collaboration with development review staff across divisions.

2. City Council approve 16 new permanent positions be added to the 2022 Staff Recommended Operating Budgets of commenting divisions subsequent to their approval as follows: 7 to City Planning, 4 to Engineering and Construction Services, 2 to Transportation Services, 1 to Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division, and 2 to the City Manager's Office (Concept 2 Keys). 3. City Council authorize the Mayor and/or any other relevant City Official to accept up to $1,750,000 in funding from the Province from the Streamline Development Approval Fund, and to enter into and execute any agreements, including any amendments, with the Province of Ontario for the receipt of such funds under the Streamline Development Approval Fund on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 4. City Council direct that any funding received from the Province through the Streamline Development Approval Fund be deposited to the Development Application Reserve (XR1307). 5. City Council confirm affordable housing as the current priority focus for the Concept 2 Keys (C2K) Priority Development Review Stream. 6. City Council direct the Chief of Staff, City Manager's Office to report back to City Council in Q1 2023 with an update on the C2K Priority Development Application Review Stream and to get direction on any new priorities for development review. 7. City Council request the Chief of Staff, City Manager's Office to report to Planning and Housing Committee at least once per year to provide updates on work completed to date and future deliverables related to Concept 2 Keys.