1911 Finch Avenue West (Jane Finch Mall) - Official Plan Amendment and Zoning Amendment Applications - Decision Report - Approval

The rezoning would permit the development of Phase 1 fronting on Finch Avenue West between Jane Street and Driftwood Avenue. Six new towers are proposed, with heights ranging from 28 to 47 storeys. In total, Phase 1 proposes to deliver 2730 new residential units and 5668 square metres of non-residential gross floor area, consisting of retail spaces, community space, and a daycare, and a network of new streets, parks, and open spaces. During Phase 1, most of the Jane Finch Mall will be retained, with approximately 2500 square metres of the 22,509 square metres proposed to be demolished. The proposed development is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (2020) (PPS) and conforms with A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2020) (Growth Plan). The proposed development also conforms to the City's Official Plan and delivers key city building priorities, including: · focusing density and growth around transit in a compact urban form; · supporting a mix of housing forms with units of varying sizes and types; · creating an attractive public realm that supports gathering, walking, cycling, and transit; · creating landmark public spaces and new parks; · supporting the creation of spaces for businesses and jobs; · supporting new community service facilities; and; · supporting community engagement and decision-making within the planning process. This report reviews and recommends approval of the applications to amend the Official Plan and the site-specific Zoning By-law with holding provisions.

3. City Council amend Zoning By-law 7625 for the lands at 1911 Finch Avenue West substantially-in-accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment, which includes a Holding Provision, attached as Attachment 11 to this report. 4. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Official Plan Amendment and draft Zoning By-law Amendment as may be required. 5. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning in consultation with the local Ward Councillor and the City Solicitor to continue to work with the applicant to bring forward an in-kind community benefit offer, pursuant to 37(6) of the Planning Act, for the provision of new affordable rental housing and/or community service facilities, and to report back to City Council if an offer is made. 6. Prior to Site Plan Control approval for the development, City Council require the owner make efforts to secure funding and/or partnerships and/or beneficial financing arrangements in support of the provision of additional Affordable Housing through Federal (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation or otherwise), Provincial, and/or municipal funding programs (such as Open Door or other) to maximize the provision of Affordable Rental Housing and/or Affordable Ownership Housing on-site. 7. City Council approve the acceptance of on-site parkland dedication, subject to the owner transferring the parkland to the City free and clear, above and below grade, of all easements, encumbrances, and encroachments, in an acceptable environmental condition to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the City Solicitor. 8. Prior to the issuance of the first above grade building permit for Phase 1B, City Council require the owner shall convey to the City and in accordance with Section 42 of the Planning Act, an on-site parkland dedication having an approximate size of 3500 square metres, to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the City Solicitor, and that the remaining parkland dedication required for Phase 2 and Phase 3 will be fulfilled through an on-site parkland dedication either through a Zoning By-law Amendment application for Phase 2 and Phase 3 or a Draft Plan of Subdivision application for the lands at 1911 Finch Avenue West, whichever is first. 9. City Council approve a Development Charge credit against the Parks and Recreation component of the Development Charges for the design and construction by the owner of the Above Base Park Improvements to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and the Development Charge credit shall be in an amount that is the lesser of the cost to the owner of designing and constructing the Above Base Park Improvements, as approved by the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and the Parks and Recreation component of Development Charges payable for the development in accordance with the City's Development Charges By-law, as may be amended from time-to-time. 10. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Manager, the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, and the General Manager, Toronto Water, in consultation with other Divisions, as required, to evaluate options to bring the public square on the south side of Finch Avenue West, east of Jane Street into City ownership and include a strategy for programming, operations, and maintenance. 11. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with other Divisions, as required, to establish a Working Group with the applicant and residents and businesses in the surrounding area to inform the design, programming, and operations of the public square, in consultation with the Ward Councillor.