Toronto City Council
The full agenda, as filed
All 72 items in the clerk’s order. Each carries the city’s own words: the staff recommendation, what the body decided, and its status. Nothing below is written by us.
Items 1 to 50 of 72Show 2550100all
BL24.1adopted
Introduction of General Bills and Confirming Bills
City Council will introduce General Bills and Confirming Bills.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, passed By-laws 1331-2024 to 1438-2024, subject to Section 226.9 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006.
CC24.1received
On September 19, 2023, I provided notice to the City Manager of my intention to investigate the City's decision to stop allowing refugee claimants to access spaces in City shelters that were not specifically designated for them. This marks the first investigation undertaken by the Ombudsman Toronto's Housing Unit. This report makes 14 recommendations which are set out below. I am submitting my report, dated December 10, 2024, to City Council for consideration at its December 17, 2024 meeting.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, received Item CC24.1 for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Ombudsman recommends that: 1. City Council adopt the investigation report and direct the City to implement the report's recommendations. Ombudsman Toronto's Recommendations: 1. That the City follow the Toronto Shelter Standards' interim amendment process by using a Directive when making such amendments. 2. That the City ensure all future changes to refugee claimant shelter eligibility adhere to the Ontario Human Rights Code, the City's Human Rights and Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Policy, Access T.O., and the Toronto Shelter Standards by having these proposed changes reviewed by the City's Human Rights Office, the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit, the Toronto Newcomer Office, and other relevant internal experts before implementing them. 3. That compliance with these policies be documented through a formal procedure with sign off by the General Manager, Toronto Shelter and Support Services. 4. That the formal procedure above be shared with the Ombudsman by March 31, 2025, prior to implementation. 5. That all Toronto Shelter and Support Services staff involved in shelter policy development as well as senior Toronto Shelter and Support Services leadership (the General Manager and Directors) be trained in the Anti-Black Racism Analysis Tool by June 1, 2025, and that all new shelter policy staff, as part of their onboarding, be trained in this tool. 6. That the City develop a framework to analyze any new shelter eligibility changes for alignment with the Toronto Housing Charter before these new changes are implemented. 7. That this framework be finalized by March 31, 2025, and shared with the Ombudsman prior to implementation. 8. That senior executives at the City, including the City Manager, Deputy City Manager (Community and Social Services), and the General Manager of Toronto Shelter and Support Services, invite the Chair of the Housing Rights Advisory Committee and the Executive Director of the Housing Secretariat to a meeting to discuss the City's obligations flowing from its commitment to progressively realize housing as a human right by March 31, 2025. 9. That the City hold a dedicated training session for the directors of Toronto Shelter and Support Services delivered by the Executive Director of the Housing Secretariat (or their designate) on the City's obligations flowing from its commitment to progressively realize housing as a human right by March 31, 2025. The Executive Director of the Housing Secretariat may wish to consider inviting the Chair of the Housing Rights Advisory Committee and others (as needed) to help facilitate this session. 10. That senior executives at the City, including the City Manager, the Deputy City Manager, and the General Manager of Toronto Shelter and Support Services, offer to hold a round-table session with key refugee-claimant-serving organizations and housing rights advocates to learn from these organizations, with the goal of informing future City decisions related to emergency housing for refugee claimants. If accepted by these organizations, this session should be held by June 1, 2025. 11. That the City develop a comprehensive strategy for meaningfully engaging with refugee claimants and refugee-claimant-serving organizations to help plan and deliver shelter services impacting refugee claimants. This strategy should include clear definitions of "meaningful engagement" and set out how the City will incorporate the feedback it receives. 12. That the City complete its engagement strategy and share it with the Ombudsman no later than June 1, 2025. 13. That the City update Ombudsman Toronto on Toronto Shelter and Support Services' approach to data collection and explain how data will be used to track progress toward achieving the progressive realization of the right to adequate housing for all shelter users and those trying to access shelter, including refugee claimants. This may be done in consultation with the Data for Equity Unit (People and Equity) or any other related internal or external experts. 14. That the City provide a status update on the implementation of all these recommendations by June 1, 2025, and quarterly thereafter.
DM24.1adopted
4800 Yonge Street - Request for Further Directions
In late 2015 and 2016, the Applicant applied to amend the Official Plan and City of North York Zoning Bylaw 7625 and for Site Plan Approval for the site at 4800 Yonge Street to permit redevelopment for a mixed use building of 49 storeys (160 metres) comprising of 497 dwelling units, a five storey base including retail and office uses and a five-level underground parking garage with 318 parking spaces. The Applicant appealed the Applications to the Ontario Municipal Board (now known as the Ontario Land Tribunal) due to City Council's failure to make a decision within the prescribed time period. On February 26, 2019, City Council accepted a Settlement Offer to resolve the Appeals. The Ontario Land Tribunal approved the site-specific Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-Law Amendment and Site Plan Application in principle, and the final order approving the Official Plan Amendment 462 and Zoning By-law 1113-2020 (Local Planning Appeal Tribunal) was issued by the Tribunal in 2020. The final order on the site plan appeal is still outstanding, and the site plan appeal is active before the Tribunal. The City Solicitor requires further direction. This matter is urgent and should not be deferred.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council adopt the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (October 31, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 and Confidential Appendices A, B and C to the report (October 31, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 3. City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (October 31, 2024) from the City Solicitor remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (October 31, 2024) from the City Solicitor were adopted by City Council and are now public as follows: 1. City Council accept the October 2024 Without Prejudice Proposal to revise the original approval from Adam J. Brown, Brown Dryer, dated October 29, 2024 and set out in Confidential Appendix A to the report (October 31, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to support the applicant/appellant's request to the Ontario Land Tribunal to revise components of the original Zoning By-law Amendment and Official Plan Amendment approval, substantially as set out in Confidential Appendices B and C to the report (October 31, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 3. Should the Ontario Land Tribunal agree to the requested revisions, City Council instruct the City Solicitor not to request issuing its Final Order on the revised Zoning By-law Amendment and Official Plan Amendment until the City Solicitor has advised that the owner has entered into an Amending Agreement pursuant to Section 37 of the Planning Act, satisfactory to the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the City Solicitor, with such agreement registered on title to 4800 Yonge Street, in a manner satisfactory to the City Solicitor, to secure the matters as set out in the October 2024 Without Prejudice Proposal. 4. City Council authorize the entering into of an Amending Agreement pursuant to Section 37 of the Planning Act, satisfactory to the City Solicitor to implement the revisions to the original approval as contemplated in the October 2024 Without Prejudice Proposal. 5. 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; 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. 6. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to take all necessary actions to implement City Council's decision. Confidential Appendices A, B and C to the report (October 31, 2024) from the City Solicitor are now public and can be accessed under Background Information (City Council). The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (October 31, 2024) from the City Solicitor remains confidential at this time in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (October 31, 2024) from the City Solicitor will be made public at the discretion of the City Solicitor.
Staff recommendation as filed
The City Solicitor recommends that: 1. City Council adopt the recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 and Confidential Appendices A, B, and C to this report from the City Solicitor, if adopted by City Council. 3. City Council direct that all other information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor is to remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice which is subject to solicitor-client privilege.
IA24.1received
Action Plan to Keep Toronto Safe from Hate
Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6, York Centre, has submitted the following Administrative Inquiry: I am submitting this Administrative Inquiry under Municipal Code S27-7.11 to obtain information, updates and details of actions taken since May 2024 when Council asked the City Manager to develop an "action plan" to protect places of worship, faith based schools and day cares and faith based institutions and other vulnerable institutions. On May 23, 2024, Toronto City Council in a 13-11 vote adopted the following motion (2024.MM18.16): 1. City Council request the City Manager, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to develop an action plan to recognize that Torontonians are able to practice their faith and access their place of worship free of intimidation and harassment; and are able to freely exercise their protected Charter rights to freedom of assembly, religion and expression and convey the action plan directly to relevant participating bodies including Municipal Licensing and Standards and the Toronto Police Service Board. This debate and motion was in response to the growing inciteful incidents and protests that have threatened religious communities and vulnerable institutions. The motion above was adopted instead of a more prescriptive motion asking for city staff to bring draft by laws to protect vulnerable religious institutions, commonly known as "bubble zones." Whether statute or by law, "bubble zones" keep protests a safe distance from vulnerable institutions, such as places of worship. Since October 7, 2023, the cost of policing anti-Israel protests is around $20 million. The anarchy has resulted in the doubling of 911 response times and have hurt businesses due to illegal street blocking and calls for discriminatory boycotts. These protests have damaged Toronto's international reputation as a safe place to live and invest. For example, these groups sabotaged a state dinner in Toronto for the visiting Prime Minister of Italy and the Prime Minister of Canada. It has now been 6 months since MM18.16 was passed and 13 months since the original motion (MM11.37) asking staff for a road map for "community safety zones" (aka Bubble zones) was adopted by Council. The threats to vulnerable institutions continues. On July 31, 2024, an angry mob reached the doors of Pride of Israel while a community commemoration event was taking place. On August 18, 2024, the Friends of Jesus Christ Church needed a massive police presence to keep protestors away from a peaceful event. On October 10, 2024 a mosque at Kennedy Road and Lawrence Avenue east was threatened when an individual entered chanting racist threats during prayers. On October 12, 2024, Bais Chaya Mushka, a Jewish girl's school had shots fired through its front window for the second time. On November 3, 2024, worshippers at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton were attacked by protestors. Earlier this year a violent protest took place at the Beth Avraham Yoseph synagogue in Vaughan, where protesters told supporters of the synagogue to "Go Back to Europe" These incidents are alarming for the whole region and have damaged Toronto as a safe place for all faiths. In an apparent response to the Council direction of May 23, 2024, what looks like a "draft" "action plan" was sent to the Toronto Police Services Board for discussion. The Board debated the item and then moved receipt, which means it might go no further. There is growing urgency for Council to review and debate the "Action Plan." Please respond to the following. 1. When will Toronto City Council be presented with a final "action plan" to assist in protecting places of worship and vulnerable faith based institutions in Toronto? 2. Has the Office of Emergency Management been convened or consulted to help build the action plan and provide guidance on how best to ensure safety and civility in Toronto since October 7, 2023. 3. The "action plan" motion asks that Municipal Licensing and Standards be involved. Does Municipal Licensing and Standards have a plan developed with Toronto Police Service that will enforce Toronto's by laws and at the same time keep by law officers safe? 4. Toronto Police Service have been taking on the responsibility for ensuring the protection of both federal and provincial sites and infrastructure. Has the City Manager and/or Police Services approached the other levels of government to assist with protection of critical infrastructure that is not municipal in nature? 5. Has the City of Toronto received comments and suggestions from the Toronto Police Service board or other members of the force about how best to address the growing unrest on the streets of Toronto?
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, received Administrative Inquiry IA24.1 from Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6, York Centre, regarding the Action Plan to Keep Toronto Safe from Hate, and Answer IA24.1 from the City Manager, for information.
MM24.1adopted
On November 7, 2024, the North York Panel of the Committee of Adjustment approved a minor variance application, Application A0480/24NY, brought by the owner of 10 Ternhill Crescent for five variances to the City of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013 to construct a new dwelling. A copy of the Decision is attached as Attachment 1. In the Decision, the Committee approved Application A0480/24NY finding that the proposed variances maintain the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan and Zoning By-law, are considered desirable for the appropriate development of the land and are minor. The Application presents outstanding concerns relating, but not limited to, the proposed: lot coverage, number of platforms at or above the second storey located on the rear wall of a detached house, area of each platform at or above the second storey, rear yard setback and east side yard setback. In a report from the Director, Community Planning, North York District, dated November 5, 2024, Community Planning staff recommended that Variance Number 3 related to the roof garden platform be refused. A copy of the Planning Report is attached as Attachment 2. Community Planning staff raised concerns with the variance related to the roof garden platform and opined that the size of the platform at 19.19 square metres (whereas the Zoning By-law permits a maximum platform area at or above the second storey of 4.0 square metres), is of primary concern. Community Planning staff opined that as proposed, the roof garden platform is far in excess of the Zoning By-law permitted amount and thus the concern with privacy, overlook and noise is much greater. Community Planning staff opined that, to limit the impact of the roof deck to the adjacent neighbours, the roof deck should be revised to meet the Zoning By-law requirement of 4.0 square metres. As such, Community Planning staff recommended that the variance for the roof garden platform be refused. In order for the City to continue to effectively assess and call its case, the City Solicitor may require the expertise of an external consultant to advise on the appeal, and to potentially make recommendations respecting a resolution of the appeal. To preserve the City's right of appeal, the City Solicitor appealed the Committee's decision regarding Application A0480/24NY to the Toronto Local Appeal Body on November 27, 2024. This matter is time-sensitive and urgent as the City Solicitor has already appealed the decision to the Toronto Local Appeal Body in order to preserve the City's statutory right of appeal. Thus, the City Solicitor requires instructions to appeal and to attend the hearing for this matter. This Motion will authorize the City Solicitor to appeal the Committee's decision approving the minor variance application at 10 Ternhill Crescent (Application A0480/24NY) to the Toronto Local Appeal Body, to attend the Toronto Local Appeal Body to oppose the development proposed in the Application, to retain outside consultants and necessary, and to negotiate a settlement of the appeal.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct the City Solicitor to appeal the Committee of Adjustment's decision in Application A0480/24NY regarding 10 Ternhill Crescent. 2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor and appropriate City staff to attend at the Toronto Local Appeal Body hearing to oppose the development proposed in Application A0480/24NY regarding 10 Ternhill Crescent. 3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to retain outside consultants as necessary. 4. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to negotiate a settlement of the appeal regarding Application A0480/24NY respecting 10 Ternhill Crescent, and authorize the City Solicitor to resolve the matter on behalf of the City, in her discretion, after consulting with the Ward Councillor and the Director, Community Planning, North York District.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Jon Burnside, seconded by Councillor Lily Cheng, recommends that: 1. City Council direct the City Solicitor to appeal the Committee of Adjustment's decision in Application A0480/24NY regarding 10 Ternhill Crescent. 2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor and appropriate City staff to attend at the Toronto Local Appeal Body hearing to oppose the development proposed in Application A0480/24NY regarding 10 Ternhill Crescent. 3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to retain outside consultants as necessary. 4. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to negotiate a settlement of the appeal regarding Application A0480/24NY respecting 10 Ternhill Crescent, and authorize the City Solicitor to resolve the matter on behalf of the City, in her discretion, after consulting with the Ward Councillor and the Director, Community Planning, North York District.
RM24.1adopted
- O Canada - Moment of Silence
CALL TO ORDER: 9:41 a.m. Speaker Nunziata took the Chair and called the Members to order. The meeting opened with O Canada. December 17, 2024 Members of Council observed a moment of silence and reflected on the announcement of the discovery of 23 potential unmarked graves near the site of the former Lejac Indian Residential School in Fraser Lake, British Columbia. Members of Council observed a moment of silence and remembered: Michael Baum Jennie Caragianakos Antonio Gagliano Roselea May McKinnon Diana McStay, and Alisha Brooks Speaker Nunziata addressed Council as follows: I would like to take a moment on behalf of Council to acknowledge the Indigenous Peoples of all the lands that we are on today. We do this to reaffirm our commitment and responsibility in improving relationships between nations and to deepening our own understanding of Indigenous peoples and their cultures. It is a moment to reflect on the importance of this land, which we each call home. We acknowledge the land we are meeting on is the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands. Speaker Nunziata advised Council of the following: For the benefit of those who are connected to the internet, the City Clerk has posted all of the agenda materials for today's meeting at toronto.ca/council. December 18, 2024 Members of Council observed a moment of silence and remembered: Ronnie des Vignes, and Juana Velarde Gomez
CC24.2amended
Policy Framework - City Response to Demonstrations
At its meeting on February 6 and 7, 2024, City Council directed the City Manager to develop a policy framework for the management and monitoring of rallies and protests, ensuring alignment with the City's Human Rights and Anti-Harassment Policy, and report back to City Council by December 2024. As directed by City Council, this report presents the Policy Framework - City Response to Demonstrations (Framework), included as Attachment 1. Demonstrations occurring anywhere in the city are events where the Toronto Police Service serves as the primary responder and enforcement agency to preserve the peace, maintain public safety and uphold the right to demonstrate lawfully. While the City of Toronto is not the primary responder for demonstrations, the City collaborates with the Toronto Police Service and coordinates specific activities in response as appropriate and based on the circumstances of the situation. The Framework applies to City divisions and informs the City's coordination when demonstrations occur on or potentially impact publicly accessible City property. The City Manager's Office led the development of the Framework, in consultation with Legal Services and the following City divisions: Corporate Real Estate Management; Economic Development and Culture; Municipal Licensing and Standards; Parks, Forestry and Recreation; People and Equity; Social Development, Finance and Administration; Strategic Public and Employee Communications; Toronto Emergency Management; and Transportation Services. The Framework aims to: Clarify the City's role, jurisdiction and municipal tools available to respond to demonstrations, including the role of applicable City divisions Establish common terminology and guiding principles to ensure clarity and consistency in the coordination of activities across City divisions Provide an overarching foundation of how the City coordinates its activities to determine an appropriate response based on the circumstances of the situation Balance the City's legal obligation to uphold Charter-protected rights and freedoms, alongside the City's commitment to promoting respectful conduct, inclusion, an environment free from hate and a safe Toronto for all Additionally, the Framework can serve as a model for the City's agencies and corporations, in accordance with their mandate, delegated authority and board-approved bylaws and policies. This report recommends City Council request City agencies and corporations to refer to the Framework as a model and align applicable policies and procedures to be consistent with the City's approach where appropriate. In addition to the Framework, other related City initiatives are underway that will support the City's coordination in response to demonstrations. For example, although the City does not issue permits for demonstrations on publicly accessible City property, a review of the City's permitting policies and procedures was identified as an opportunity to improve coordination and consistency of permitting practices in response to demonstrations. The City Manager's Office will work with the City's permitting divisions to advance the review of applicable permitting policies and procedures. Attachment 2 of this report provides an update on key actions and priorities from the Keeping Toronto Safe from Hate Action Plan, such as the City's work to support hostile vehicle mitigation and review of the emergence of municipal bylaws in other jurisdictions. Funding has been identified to establish a grant program in 2025 to support community organizations with hostile vehicle mitigation interventions. Pending Council approval, the City Manager's Office will work with the Office of the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services and consult with applicable City divisions to develop and administer the grant program for 2025. This report recommends City Council authorize the City Manager, in consultation with the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services, to establish a one-time grant program of up to $2.5 million in 2025 to support community organizations with hostile vehicle mitigation interventions through the 2025 Operating Budget submission. City staff are also reviewing the emergence of municipal bylaws established to address impacts of demonstrations on the public and on access to publicly accessible spaces in other jurisdictions, such as the Safe and Inclusive Access Bylaw adopted by the City of Calgary and the Protecting Vulnerable Social Infrastructure Bylaw adopted by the City of Vaughan. A similar bylaw approach for the City of Toronto could be considered that addresses issues raised on impacts of demonstrations on the public, including but not limited to concerns regarding community safety and access to social infrastructure and publicly accessible spaces in the community (e.g. hospitals, schools, libraries, places of worship). This report recommends City Council direct the City Manager, in consultation with the City Solicitor, applicable City divisions, the Toronto Police Service and other applicable stakeholders, to report to the Executive Committee in the first quarter of 2025 with a proposed bylaw that supports the City's commitment to keeping Toronto safe from hate and respects Charter jurisprudence that addresses impacts of demonstrations on the public and on access to publicly accessible spaces.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council adopt the Policy Framework - City Response to Demonstrations in Attachment 1 to the report (December 10, 2024) from the City Manager and direct the City Manager to update the Framework as necessary to ensure the Framework remains current and responsive to the City's needs and priorities. 2. City Council request City agencies and corporations to refer to the Policy Framework - City Response to Demonstrations in Attachment 1 to the report (December 10, 2024) from the City Manager as a model and align applicable policies and procedures to be consistent with the City's approach where appropriate. 3. City Council direct the City Manager, in consultation with the City Solicitor, applicable City divisions, the Toronto Police Service and other applicable stakeholders, to report to City Council in the first quarter of 2025, informed by public consultations and a constitutional legal expert opinion on the Charter Rights implications from the City Solicitor, with a proposed by-law, with an emphasis on protecting vulnerable institutions such as places of worship, faith-based schools and cultural institutions, that supports the City's commitment to keeping Torontonians safe from hate and protects Charter rights that address impacts of demonstrations that target people based on their identity as prohibited under the Ontario Human Rights Code. 4. City Council authorize the City Manager, in consultation with the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services, to establish a one-time grant program of up to $2.5 million in 2025 to support community organizations with hostile vehicle mitigation interventions through the 2025 Operating Budget submission. 5. City Council forward this item for information to the Toronto Police Service Board.
Staff recommendation as filed
The City Manager recommends that: 1. City Council adopt the Policy Framework - City Response to Demonstrations (Attachment 1 of this report) and direct the City Manager to update the Framework as necessary to ensure the Framework remains current and responsive to the City's needs and priorities. 2. City Council request City agencies and corporations to refer to the Policy Framework - City Response to Demonstrations (Attachment 1 of this report) as a model and align applicable policies and procedures to be consistent with the City's approach where appropriate. 3. City Council direct the City Manager, in consultation with the City Solicitor, applicable City divisions, the Toronto Police Service and other applicable stakeholders, to report to the Executive Committee in the first quarter of 2025 with a proposed bylaw that supports the City's commitment to keeping Toronto safe from hate and respects Charter jurisprudence that addresses impacts of demonstrations on the public and on access to publicly accessible spaces. 4. City Council authorize the City Manager, in consultation with the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services, to establish a one-time grant program of up to $2.5 million in 2025 to support community organizations with hostile vehicle mitigation interventions through the 2025 Operating Budget submission. 5. City Council forward this item for information to the Toronto Police Service Board.
IA24.2received
Regarding the Cost of Toronto Fire Services Operations on the Toronto Island
Councillor Jon Burnside, Ward 16, Don Valley East, has submitted the following Administrative Inquiry: I am submitting this Administrative Inquiry under Municipal Code S27-7.11 for the December 17, 2024 meeting of City Council. I am requesting the following information from the City Manager, relating to the costs of Toronto Fire Services operations for Toronto Island: 1. Average cost per incident, city-wide, in 2023. 2. Average cost per incident for Toronto Islands in 2023. 3. Average cost per incident for Toronto Islands during the off-peak period in 2023. 4. Average cost per incident for Toronto Islands during the peak period in 2023.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, received Administrative Inquiry IA24.2 from Councillor Jon Burnside, Ward 16, Don Valley East, regarding the Cost of Toronto Fire Services Operations on the Toronto Island, and Answer IA24.2 from the City Manager, for information.
MM24.2referred
Youth unemployment in Toronto is at crisis levels, with the city experiencing the highest rates since 2014, with exception made for 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This lack of economic opportunities disproportionately impacts equity-deserving groups such as Black, Indigenous, and youth living in priority neighbourhoods or Toronto Community Housing. The consequences are severe - youth firearm arrests have spiked 161 percent over the past two years, with youth perpetrating two-thirds of violent carjackings. Research shows clear links between youth unemployment and increased risks of violence, crime, and justice system involvement. Investing in robust youth employment programs has proven to be an effective upstream prevention mechanism to break this cycle. Successful initiatives in cities like Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, and New York have seen significant decreases in violent crime after implementing robust Summer Youth Employment Programs. Youth Employment Programs provide proven protective factors like job skills training, mentorship, networking opportunities, wraparound support, and tailored programming for equity-deserving groups. Nearly 90 percent of Summer Youth Employment Programs participants in the aforementioned Cities report developing new skills, making community connections, and increased hope for their future. This motion was initiated through the advocacy efforts of the Toronto Youth Cabinet, the City of Toronto's official youth advocacy body, who have been actively engaging youth across the city and amplifying their voices. Over the past year, the Toronto Youth Cabinet and its partners including; The Neighborhood Group Community Services, The Neighborhood Organization, have engaged over 30,000 youth across the city, where young people have told them directly about their desire for meaningful and gainful employment opportunities to learn, grow, contribute to communities, and develop skills for long-term career success. Youth have expressed their strong support for a Toronto Youth Employment Program, especially as youth unemployment levels are at their highest since 2014, coupled with significant cuts to employment services. The most vulnerable youth - particularly Black, Indigenous, those living in priority neighbourhoods and Toronto Community Housing - are disproportionately impacted. This has severely impacted their ability to develop job skills, social capital, community connections, and a sense of hope for the future, with dire consequences like the spike in youth involvement in serious violence. The federal government has recognized the importance of youth employment through initiatives like the Canada Summer Jobs program. Most recently, the Government of Canada announced a proposed $200.5 million investment for 2025-26 in the Canada Summer Jobs program . However, dedicated funding streams are required to meet Toronto's specific needs. The Province of Ontario also has existing youth employment programs that could be leveraged through greater investment in the city. The City of Toronto has existing youth employment initiatives through agencies like Toronto Community Housing and programs like Toronto Youth Partnerships and Employment, but a coordinated, multi-sectoral large-scale strategy is still lacking. Toronto's 10 Year SafeTO: A Community Safety and Well-Being Plan has prioritized investing in people and providing economic opportunities to reduce youth violence. A large-scale Youth Employment Program, developed in partnership with the private sector, community organizations, and coordinated across the City's Divisions, Agencies, Boards and Corporations, directly aligns with this goal. This motion presents an opportunity for collaborative action. This is more than just a job creation effort - it is an upstream investment in Toronto's future. By aligning various funding sources, conducting capacity assessments, and fostering cross-sector partnerships, the City can create a comprehensive Toronto Youth Employment Strategy. Providing 10,000 additional summer jobs for youth aged 15-24 by 2026 through a Youth Employment Program will equip young people with skills, mentors, capacity-building and pathways to economic security and career success, while also preventing violence through productive engagement.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, referred Motion MM24.2 to the Economic and Community Development Committee for consideration.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Parthi Kandavel, seconded by Councillor Jamaal Myers, recommends that: 1. City Council request the Federal Government to allocate an additional investment in the Canada Summer Jobs program for the City of Toronto to run the Toronto Youth Employment Program. 2. City Council request the Provincial Government to provide an investment into the City of Toronto to run the Toronto Youth Employment Program. 3. City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development Finance and Administration, in collaboration with City Divisions, Agencies, Boards and Corporations, including Economic Development and Culture, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Toronto Employment and Social Services, People and Equity, Toronto Community Housing Corporation, and Toronto Public Library to: a. create a multi-sector, career-focused, Toronto Youth Employment Strategy in 2025, in partnership with the Toronto Youth Cabinet, with the goal of hiring an additional 10,000 equity-deserving youth ages 15-24 by Summer 2026 through a Toronto Youth Employment Program; b. prioritize summer employment opportunities with wrap-around supports and mentorship as a violence prevention strategy; and c. report back to the Economic and Community Development Committee with a development, engagement and outreach, implementation, and evaluation plan that leverages and grows existing youth employment initiatives by the end of the first quarter of 2025. 4. City Council request the Chief People Officer to conduct a comprehensive capacity assessment across all City Divisions, Agencies, Boards, and Corporations to determine their ability to expand youth employment opportunities as part of the proposed Toronto Youth Employment Program, and report back by the end of the first quarter of 2025; such assessment shall identify: a. the current number of youth aged 14-24 employed within each entity over the past 5 years, including socio-demographic data to understand potential employment gaps and measuring program outcomes; b. projected hiring needs and available positions suitable for youth employment in the upcoming years; c. existing training programs, mentorship initiatives, and support structures that could be leveraged or expanded to facilitate increased youth hiring; d. physical workspace, supervisory capacity, and other operational factors that may impact the ability to onboard additional youth employees; and e. potential barriers or challenges to increased youth hiring, such as union agreements, or policy limitations. 5. City Council request the City Manager to convene an inter-divisional table that includes all relevant City Divisions, Agencies, Boards and Corporations, including Economic Development and Culture, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Social Development, Finance and Administration and Toronto Employment and Social Services, People and Equity, Toronto Community Housing Corporation, and Toronto Public Library, as well as the Toronto Youth Cabinet, to guide and support the development and implementation of the Youth Employment Program. 6. City Council request the City Manager to explore opportunities to leverage major events hosted in Toronto, such as the FIFA 2026 World Cup, to create targeted youth employment and skill development opportunities tied to the planning and execution of these events. 7. City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to explore partnerships and agreements with successful youth employment agencies and organizations that specialize in specific sectors, such as technology, skilled trades, and others, with the goal of developing sector-specific internship programs, apprenticeships, and career navigation support for participating youth in the Toronto Youth Employment Program. 8. City Council request the City Manager to engage the private sector, including the Toronto Region Board of Trade, and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to participate in the Toronto Youth Employment Program.
RM24.2adopted
City Council will confirm the Minutes from the regular meeting held on November 13 and 14, 2024.
City Council confirmed the minutes from the regular meeting held on November 13 and 14, 2024.
CC24.3amended
SmartTrack Stations Program - Update
The SmartTrack Stations Program represents a significant investment to improve transportation choices for people within Toronto by leveraging existing transit infrastructure. The Program consists of five stations along three GO rail corridors: East Harbour, Bloor-Lansdowne, St. Clair-Old Weston, Finch-Kennedy and King-Liberty. The SmartTrack Program Budget is $1.689 billion, inclusive of $878 million from the City of Toronto, $585 million from the Government of Canada and $226 million from the Province of Ontario. In November 2024, the Ontario Minister of Transportation sent a letter to Mayor Chow formally notifying the City of cost pressures that exceed the approved Program Budget. The Province noted that global market conditions driven by rising interest rates and escalating prices for materials, skilled trades and labour are resulting in higher costs for the Program. After receiving this notification, the City, Province and Metrolinx met to assess options to address these cost pressures. Confidential Attachment 1 includes the letter to the Mayor from the Province, current cost pressures provided by the Province, and all options assessed by City, Provincial and Metrolinx staff to address the cost pressures along with incurred costs to date provided by Metrolinx. Based on the assessment completed by City, Provincial and Metrolinx staff, the following two options emerged that stay within the Program Budget, while maximizing the number of stations prioritized (three stations): Option 2a - East Harbour, Bloor-Lansdowne and Finch-Kennedy. Option 2b - East Harbour, Bloor-Lansdowne and St. Clair-Old Weston. Both these options maintain East Harbour and Bloor-Lansdowne. East Harbour is critical to the transit network, providing both subway and GO transit connections, as well as to significant planned employment and residential development. The Bloor-Lansdowne construction contract has been awarded and as both the design and early construction works are underway, there would be financial penalties for cancellation. Staff recommend option 2b which prioritizes the delivery St. Clair-Old Weston over Finch-Kennedy (option 2a). The St. Clair-Old Weston station is required to ensure delivery of the City's St. Clair Transportation Master Plan, provides higher-order transit to a Neighbourhood Improvement Area, and has significant development, housing including future Transit Oriented Communities, and employment growth potential. Financial details for options 2a and 2b, along with all other options assessed are outlined in Confidential Attachment 1. Since Finch-Kennedy and King-Liberty stations will benefit the Province through increased ridership on the GO system, and as the Province will own and maintain the stations, the City continues to maintain that the Province, through Metrolinx, should deliver all five SmartTrack Stations. As such, this report seeks Council authority to request the Province identify a funding solution, including exploring funding opportunities with the Government of Canada, to deliver the remaining two stations, King-Liberty and Finch-Kennedy at no cost to the City. To ensure the three prioritized stations (option 2b) can be delivered within the Program Budget, this report recommends City Council direct the City Manager to request the Province ensure that the Government of Canada maintains its full funding commitment of $585 million. Direction from Council is required before Metrolinx can proceed to award construction contracts for St. Clair-Old Weston and East Harbour, which are planned for the first and second quarter of 2025.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council confirm the priority for the delivery of following three stations through the SmartTrack Program: East Harbour, Bloor-Lansdowne, and St. Clair-Old Weston (the Prioritized Program Scope) in accordance with Option 2b as set out in the report (December 10, 2024) from the City Manager, up to the current Program Budget of $1.689 billion (the Program Budget) inclusive of $878 million from the City of Toronto, $585 million from the Government of Canada, and $226 million from the Province of Ontario. 2. City Council direct the City Manager to request the Province of Ontario to identify a funding solution, including exploring funding opportunities with the Government of Canada and increasing their Provincial contribution to match or exceed the City's contribution to the SmartTrack program, to ensure delivery of the remaining two stations in the Program scope, Finch-Kennedy and King-Liberty at no additional cost to the City. 3. City Council direct the City Manager to notify the Province, Metrolinx and the Federal Government of City Council's decision as set out in Parts 1 and 2 above. 4. City Council direct the City Manager to request the Province to ensure that the Government of Canada maintains its full funding commitment of $585 million towards the Prioritized Program Scope and convene ongoing tri-partite discussions between all three orders of government to confirm delivery of the Prioritized Program Scope within the Program Budget. 5. City Council request the City Manager to request the Province of Ontario to: a. make public the cost escalation that Metrolinx is reporting since June 2023; and b. conduct a third-party review of Metrolinx's cost estimates, including risk assessment, for the five SmartTrack stations (East Harbour, Bloor-Lansdowne, St. Clair-Old Weston, Finch-Kennedy and King-Liberty SmartTrack) in accordance with the amended Subway Agreement in Principle. 6. City Council request the City Manager to inform the Province of Ontario that all five SmartTrack stations are important to meet the needs of housing and economic development in local communities. 7. City Council request the City Manager to inform the Province of Ontario of the importance of Finch-Kennedy station to support local housing and economic development, as well as the costs incurred to date to support the Finch-Kennedy station as well as the work that has already been initiated for the grade separation work. 8. City Council direct the City Manager to request Metrolinx to fulfil initial plans of a direct, protected and accessible pedestrian/cycling connection over the rail corridor between Sudbury Street and Joe Shuster Way as part of ongoing corridor work on the Kitchener Line, whether or not it is included as part of the King-Liberty GO Station construction which is pending a provincial capital funding contribution. 9. Subject to the Federal Government confirming its decision to maintain its full funding commitment of $585 million towards a Prioritized Program Scope, City Council authorize the City Manager, in consultation with the City Solicitor and any other relevant City Officials, to negotiate, enter into and execute a second amendment to the Revised Ontario-Toronto Agreement in Principle, as amended, with the Province necessary for the implementation of the Program (the Amending Agreement 2), in accordance with Part 1 above, to reflect the funding solution, if any, identified by the Province to continue to deliver Finch-Kennedy and King-Liberty stations in accordance with Part 2 above, and on such other terms and conditions satisfactory to the City Manager and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 10. Subject to entering into the Amending Agreement 2, City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an amendment to the SmartTrack Main Agreement with Metrolinx, in accordance with the Amending Agreement 2, and on such other terms and conditions satisfactory to the City Manager, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 11. City Council direct that Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 10, 2024) from the City Manager remain confidential at this time, as it contains commercial information, supplied in confidence to the City, which, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to prejudice significantly the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of a person, group of persons, or organization and involves the security of the property belonging to the City of Toronto, and contains information explicitly supplied in confidence to the City of Toronto by the Province of Ontario. 12. City Council authorize the public release of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 10, 2024) from the City Manager following the City Manager's confirmation of completion of the Program. Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 10, 2024) from the City Manager remains confidential at this time, in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as it contains commercial information, supplied in confidence to the City, which, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to prejudice significantly the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of a person, group of persons, or organization and involves the security of the property belonging to the City of Toronto, and contains information explicitly supplied in confidence to the City of Toronto by the Province of Ontario. Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 10, 2024) from the City Manager will be made public following the City Manager's confirmation of completion of the Program.
Staff recommendation as filed
The City Manager recommends that: 1. City Council confirm the priority for the delivery of following three stations through the SmartTrack Program: East Harbour, Bloor-Lansdowne, and St. Clair-Old Weston (the Prioritized Program Scope) in accordance with Option 2b as set out in this report, up to the current Program Budget of $1.689 billion (the Program Budget) inclusive of $878 million from the City of Toronto, $585 million from the Government of Canada, and $226 million from the Province of Ontario. 2. City Council direct the City Manager to request the Province of Ontario to identify a funding solution, including exploring funding opportunities with the Government of Canada, to deliver the remaining two stations in the Program scope, Finch-Kennedy and King-Liberty at no additional cost to the City. 3. City Council direct the City Manager to notify the Province, Metrolinx and the Federal Government of City Council's decision as set out in Recommendations 1 and 2 above. 4. City Council direct the City Manager to request the Province ensure that the Government of Canada maintains its full funding commitment of $585 million towards the Prioritized Program Scope and convene ongoing tri-partite discussions between all three orders of government to confirm delivery of the Prioritized Program Scope within the Program Budget. 5. Subject to the Federal Government confirming its decision to maintain its full funding commitment of $585 million towards a Prioritized Program Scope, City Council authorize the City Manager, in consultation with the City Solicitor and any other relevant City Officials, to negotiate, enter into and execute a second amendment to the Revised Ontario-Toronto Agreement in Principle, as amended, with the Province necessary for the implementation of the Program (the Amending Agreement 2), in accordance with Recommendation 1 above, to reflect the funding solution, if any, identified by the Province to continue to deliver Finch-Kennedy and King-Liberty stations in accordance with Recommendation 2 above, and on such other terms and conditions satisfactory to the City Manager and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 6. Subject to entering into the Amending Agreement 2, City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an amendment to the SmartTrack Main Agreement with Metrolinx, in accordance with the Amending Agreement 2, and on such other terms and conditions satisfactory to the City Manager, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 7. City Council direct that Confidential Attachment 1 remain confidential at this time, as it contains commercial information, supplied in confidence to the City, which, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to prejudice significantly the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of a person, group of persons, or organization and involves the security of the property belonging to the City of Toronto, and contains information explicitly supplied in confidence to the City of Toronto by the Province of Ontario. 8. City Council authorize the public release of Confidential Attachment 1 following the City Manager's confirmation of completion of the Program.
MM24.3adopted
The Queensway Market Gardens ran on both sides of the Queensway from the Humber River to the west of Kipling Avenue. The soil of south Etobicoke attracted farmers who specialized in growing food and flowers to supply the city. The main produce was vegetables with a few farms having apple and pear trees as well as strawberry and raspberry bushes. Typically market gardens were family-centred operations that were passed down through multiple generations. For market gardeners to sell their produce, an informal farmers' market existed on the Queensway at Park Lawn Road from 1915 to 1918. The road was only paved in 1925, so farmers would use horses and wagons to transport crops, but they would often get caught or bogged down due to the mix of rain and loose soil on their way to market. The Queensway Market Gardens were a source of full-time and part-time work for children. They would work after school and on Saturdays. During the summer break from school, they could be seen often weeding rows of vegetables six days a week for five cents a row (approximately $1 today). Children also worked at the Park Lawn Road farmers market, stocking carts and loading horses. Eventually, the farmers market was closed and the area was used for the new 56-acre Ontario Food Terminal which was opened on July 21, 1954. The proposed site of the plaque - Queensway Park - was a former 100-acre farm of one of the earliest Queensway market gardeners, Herod Noble.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council increase the 2024 Operating Budget for Heritage Toronto on a one-time basis by $7,833.61 gross, $0 net, fully funded by Section 37 community benefits obtained from the development at 689 the Queensway (Source Account: XR3026-3701285), secured for a plaque in connection with the history of the Queensway Market Gardens, for the production and installation of a heritage plaque to recognize the history of the Queensway Market Gardens (Cost Centre: HG0001).
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Amber Morley, seconded by Councillor Chris Moise, recommends that: 1. City Council increase the 2024 Operating Budget for Heritage Toronto on a one-time basis by $7,833.61 gross, $0 net, fully funded by Section 37 community benefits obtained from the development at 689 the Queensway (Source Account: XR3026-3701285), secured for a plaque in connection with the history of the Queensway Market Gardens, for the production and installation of a heritage plaque to recognize the history of the Queensway Market Gardens (Cost Centre: HG0001).
RM24.3adopted
Report of the Executive Committee from Meeting 19 on December 10, 2024 Submitted by Mayor Olivia Chow, Chair Report of the Audit Committee from Meeting 7 on December 9, 2024 Submitted by Councillor Stephen Holyday, Chair Report of the Board of Health from Meeting 18 on November 18, 2024 Submitted by Councillor Chris Moise, Chair Report of the Board of Health from Special Meeting 19 on December 9, 2024 Submitted by Councillor Chris Moise, Chair Report of the Civic Appointments Committee from Meeting 20 on November 21, 2024 Submitted by Councillor Lily Cheng, Chair Report of the Corporations Nominating Panel from Meeting 15 on December 6, 2024 Submitted by Councillor Paula Fletcher, Chair Report of the Economic and Community Development Committee from Meeting 17 on November 26, 2024 Submitted by Councillor Alejandra Bravo, Chair Report of the General Government Committee from Meeting 18 on November 20, 2024 Submitted by Councillor Paul Ainslie, Chair Report of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee from Meeting 18 on November 27, 2024 Submitted by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie, Chair Report of the Planning and Housing Committee from Meeting 17 on December 5, 2024 Submitted by Councillor Gord Perks, Chair Report of the Etobicoke York Community Council from Meeting 18 on December 2, 2024 Submitted by Councillor Stephen Holyday, Chair Report of the North York Community Council from Meeting 19 on December 3, 2024 Submitted by Councillor James Pasternak, Chair Report of the Scarborough Community Council from Meeting 18 on December 6, 2024 Submitted by Councillor Paul Ainslie, Chair Report of the Toronto and East York Community Council from Meeting 18 on December 4, 2024 Submitted by Councillor Chris Moise, Chair New Business and Business Previously Requested submitted by City Officials.
Committee Reports and New Business were presented to City Council for consideration.
CC24.4adopted
Canada Post Labour Disruption and Councillor Newsletter Entitlement
The purpose of this report is to authorize that any unspent 2024 Newsletter Entitlement for each Councillor as of December 31, 2024 be available for Councillors to spend in 2025 where they have been impacted by Canada Post labour disruption. Under the Members of Council Operations Policy (MCOP), Councillors are provided each year a Newsletter Entitlement that provides an entitlement specific to each ward for production and distribution of communications to all households within the ward. As a result of the nation-wide strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) that began on Friday, November 15, 2024, mail service by Canada Post has stopped. This has prevented Councillors from providing end of year hard copy communications to their constituents.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council authorize Councillors, who have been impacted by the Canada Post labour disruption that has prevented Councillors from sending out their end of year 2024 communication, to spend their remaining 2024 Newsletter Entitlement, as at December 31, 2024 for their respective Wards, to produce and distribute communications in 2025.
Staff recommendation as filed
The City Clerk recommends that: 1. City Council authorize Councillors, who have been impacted by the Canada Post labour disruption that has prevented Councillors from sending out their end of year 2024 communication, to spend their remaining 2024 Newsletter Entitlement, as at December 31, 2024 for their respective Wards, to produce and distribute communications in 2025.
MM24.4adopted
The now-extinct passenger pigeon was one of the most abundant birds in what is now Toronto. These birds famously congregated around the banks of Mimico Creek in Etobicoke. The word Mimico comes from the Algonkian word omiimiikaa, meaning "resting place of wild pigeons," which is a reference to the passenger pigeon. Passenger pigeons were smart, possessing a powerful homing instinct; they were fast and could fly up to 100 km/h over short distances, and they were also a staple food - fried, roasted, stewed, and turned into soups and pies. According to accounts by Elizabeth Simcoe, Samuel de Champlain, and J. J. Audubon, massive flocks of passenger pigeons could darken the sky. The birds may have been the most abundant bird on earth with an estimated population of five billion at their peak. However, despite their abundance, they fell victim to overhunting and habitat destruction, leading to their eventual extinction. In 1914, Martha, the last passenger pigeon, died in captivity at the Cincinnati Zoological Garden. The passenger pigeons were last recorded in Toronto in 1890 and in Canada in 1902. However, people can still see a taxidermied bird at the Royal Ontario Museum. The Royal Ontario Museum has 150 Passenger Pigeon specimens, the largest collection in the world.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council increase the 2024 Operating Budget for Heritage Toronto on a one-time basis by $10,000 gross, $0 net, fully funded by Section 37 community benefits obtained from the development at 2151-2155 Lake Shore Boulevard West (Source Account: XR3026-3700647), secured for streetscape improvements, for the production and installation of a heritage plaque to recognize the extinct passenger pigeon and its connection to Mimico (Cost Centre: HG0001).
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Amber Morley, seconded by Councillor Chris Moise, recommends that: 1. City Council increase the 2024 Operating Budget for Heritage Toronto on a one-time basis by $10,000 gross, $0 net, fully funded by Section 37 community benefits obtained from the development at 2151-2155 Lake Shore Boulevard West (Source Account: XR3026-3700647), secured for streetscape improvements, for the production and installation of a heritage plaque to recognize the extinct passenger pigeon and its connection to Mimico (Cost Centre: HG0001).
RM24.4received
Members of Council will declare interests under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
Members of Council declared interests under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
CC24.5adopted
Legal Review of Bike Lane Amendments to Highway Traffic Act, formerly Bill 212
Bill 212 became law on November 25, 2024. The Highway Traffic Act has been amended to restrict the authority of prescribed municipalities to design, construct, and install bicycle lanes. Prescribed municipalities are required to obtain approval from the Minister of Transportation before the installation of certain bicycle lanes that will reduce the number of motor vehicle lanes. In addition, the legislation states that the Minister shall remove existing bicycle lanes on University Avenue, Yonge Street, and Bloor Street; this authority is subject to prescribed exemptions or modifications, but none have yet been set out. The Highway Traffic Act, Part XII.1, Bicycle Lanes, also gives the Governor in Council authority to enact regulations with regards to the application of certain provisions, but no regulations are publicly available as of the date of this report. Confidential Attachment 1 provides further information and advice regarding the provisions governing bicycle lanes in Bill 212.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct that Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 9, 2024) from the City Solicitor remain confidential in its entirety as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege and information about litigation or potential litigation that affects the City. Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 9, 2024) from the City Solicitor remains confidential in its entirety in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege and information about litigation or potential litigation that affects the City.
Staff recommendation as filed
The City Solicitor recommends that: 1. City Council direct that the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 remain confidential in its entirety as it contains advice which is subject to solicitor-client privilege and information about litigation or potential litigation that affects the City.
MM24.5adopted
More Great Eats - by Councillor Dianne Saxe, seconded by Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin
Toronto thrives when small businesses do. Selling affordable street foods from a mobile vehicle is a low-barrier small business which reduces the cost of living for residents and adds vibrancy to our streets. Unfortunately, current city rules make it unnecessarily difficult and expensive to operate such a business. Our sidewalks are crowded, so since 2002 the city has had a moratorium on sidewalk vending permits in downtown wards, including Ward 11. Once widespread, downtown food carts are now rare. It is therefore difficult or impossible to either purchase food from a food cart or start a new food cart business in Ward 11. Food trucks are a type of mobile refreshment vehicle that is allowed to park and operate in certain motor vehicle parking spaces, and many operate on St. George St. in the University of Toronto campus. However, the number of such trucks is strictly limited, and the bylaw requires that they be independently motorized. This makes it illegal to operate a less-polluting, less-expensive mobile refreshment vehicle, such as a trailer that is towed by car or bicycle. Anastasiia Alieksieiehuk, a newcomer from Ukraine, owns a popular coffee and baked goods trailer that serves students at the University of Toronto. She obtained a non-motorized refreshment vehicle licence, but has been frequently ticketed because the current by-law does not allow her to lawfully operate her trailer on either the road or the sidewalk. No municipal interest is served by requiring on-road mobile food vendors to operate trucks, rather than unmotorized trailers, providing that the vehicle bears a Highway Traffic Act licence, and therefore can be securely identified, bear insurance and fulfil the other requirements of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 740, Street Vending.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, in consultation with Transportation Services, Toronto Public Health, other appropriate Divisions, and the Ward 11 Councillor, to report back to the February 26, 2025, Economic and Community Development Committee meeting with proposed by-law amendments to establish a time-limited pilot project in Ward 11 to allow: a. a non-motorized refreshment vehicle which bears a Highway Traffic Act trailer licence to receive a mobile food vending permit that allows them to park and sell their refreshments in appropriate parking spots where a mobile food vendor with such a permit may do so.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Dianne Saxe, seconded by Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin, recommends that: 1. City Council direct the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, in consultation with Transportation Services, Toronto Public Health, other appropriate Divisions, and the Ward 11 Councillor, to report back to the February 26, 2025, Economic and Community Development Committee meeting with proposed by-law amendments to establish a time-limited pilot project in Ward 11 to allow: a. a non-motorized refreshment vehicle which bears a Highway Traffic Act trailer licence to receive a mobile food vending permit that allows them to park and sell their refreshments in appropriate parking spots where a mobile food vendor with such a permit may do so.
RM24.5received
Members of Council may file petitions.
No petitions were filed during the Routine Matters portion of the meeting.
CC24.6adopted
On April 29, 2022, the City received Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Control applications for 4001 Steeles Avenue West to permit significant infill development, including the construction of three new towers with heights of 45, 45 and 35 storeys at the north-east corner of the property. The applicant appealed City Council's neglect or failure to make a decision on its applications for the Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Control, to the Ontario Land Tribunal on March 13, 2023. The City Solicitor requires further directions for the upcoming Ontario Land Tribunal hearing, which had been scheduled for November, 2024, but was adjourned until May, 2025 to allow the City Solicitor to obtain further instructions. This matter is urgent and should not be delayed to ensure sufficient time for procedural exchanges in advance of the scheduled hearing date.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council adopt the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 3, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 and Confidential Appendices A, B and C to the report (December 3, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 3. City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 3, 2024) from the City Solicitor remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 3, 2024) from the City Solicitor were adopted by City Council and are now public as follows: 1. City Council accept the without prejudice offer to settle dated November 29, 2024 set out in Confidential Appendix A to the report (December 3, 2024) from the City Solicitor, and direct the City Solicitor to attend at the Ontario Land Tribunal in support of the settlement of the Zoning By-law Amendment appeal. 2. City Council instruct the City Solicitor to request the Ontario Land Tribunal to withhold its Order until the City Solicitor has advised that: a. the final form and content of the Zoning By-law Amendment is satisfactory to the Executive Director, Development Review Services, and the City Solicitor; b. the owner has provided a revised Functional Servicing Report, a revised Stormwater Management Report, a revised Hydrological Report and a revised Geotechnical Study, such reports to be reviewed to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services; c. the owner has provided a revised Parking Study, a revised Loading Study, a revised Traffic Operations Assessment, and a revised Transportation Impact Study, to be reviewed to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Transportation Services; d. the owner has provided a revised Pedestrian Level Wind Study, including a Wind Tunnel Study, such report to be reviewed with recommendations implemented as part of the amending Zoning By-laws and/or secured in a development agreement, to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Development Review Services; e. the Owner has provided a revised Sun/Shadow Study, such report to be reviewed with recommendations implemented as part of the Zoning By-law(s) and/or secured in a development agreement, to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Development Review Services; f. the owner has provided an acceptable Land Use Compatibility Study, Noise Impact Study, Vibration Study and Air Quality Study, such reports to be peer reviewed by a third-party consultant on behalf of the City and at the owner's expense, with recommendations to be implemented as part of the amending Zoning By-laws and secured in a Site Plan Agreement, to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Development Review Services; g. the owner has made satisfactory arrangements with the City and has entered into the appropriate agreements for the design and construction of any improvements to municipal infrastructure, should it be determined that upgrades are required to the infrastructure to support the development, according to the accepted Functional Servicing Report, Stormwater Management Report, Geotechnical Report and Transportation Impact Study accepted by the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services and the General Manager, Transportation Services; h. the owner has provided a revised Tree Preservation Plan and a revised Landscape Concept Plan to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation; i. the Owner has provided a revised Landscape Plan and Civil Utilities Plan identifying, among other things, the relocation of the existing hydro vault shown in the area to be conveyed as parkland, to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation; and j. the owner has made satisfactory arrangements and has entered into an appropriate agreement(s) with such agreement(s) to be entered into prior to Site Plan Control approval, to secure the following matters to support the development: i. the owner shall continue to provide and maintain the existing 647 retained rental units as rental housing for a period of at least 20 years commencing from the date the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment comes into force and effect, with no application for demolition or conversion from residential rental use during the 20-year period, all to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning; ii. the owner shall undertake improvements to the existing rental buildings at its sole expense and at no cost to tenants, including access to all indoor amenities in the proposed new building and all outdoor amenities on the lands for tenants of the existing rental buildings, all to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning; and iii. the owner shall develop and implement a Construction Mitigation and Tenant Communication Plan, all to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 3. If the Ontario Land Tribunal allows the appeals, in whole or in part, City Council direct that the applicable alternative rate for on-site parkland dedication required pursuant to Section 42(3) of the Planning Act be provided on-site; the Owner shall convey and construct to base park condition at no cost to the City an on-site dedication of no less than 1,200 square metres at the southeast portion of the site with frontage onto Jane Street and Hullmar Drive, all to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation. 4. If the Ontario Land Tribunal allows the appeal, in whole or in part, and the Owner elects to design and construct Above Base Park Improvements, 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 Charges credit shall be in an amount that is the lesser of the cost to the Owner for 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. 5. If the Ontario Land Tribunal allows the appeals, in whole or in part, City Council require the owner to: a. host future consultation meetings with tenants to discuss improvements to the existing rental buildings and site at 4001 Steeles Avenue West, 5000 Jane Street, and 360 Hullmar Drive at no cost to tenants or the City and in consultation with City Planning and the Ward Councillor and prior to Notice of Approval Conditions for Site Plan Control approval for the development; b. submit a Public Consultation Report prior to Notice of Approval Conditions for Site Plan Control approval for the development; the Public Consultation Report shall detail the comments received by community members and substantiate the detailed design and delivery of improvements to the existing rental buildings and site at 4001 Steeles Avenue West, 5000 Jane Street, and 360 Hullmar Drive; and c. develop a Construction Mitigation and Tenant Communication Plan prior to Notice of Approval Conditions for Site Plan Control approval for the development to mitigate the impacts of construction of the development on tenants of the existing rental buildings, all to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 6. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to take all necessary actions to implement City Council's decision. Confidential Appendices A, B and C to the report (December 3, 2024) from the City Solicitor are now public and can be accessed under Background Information (City Council). The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 3, 2024) from the City Solicitor remains confidential at this time in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 3, 2024) from the City Solicitor will be made public at the discretion of the City Solicitor.
Staff recommendation as filed
The City Solicitor recommends that: 1. City Council adopt the recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 and Confidential Appendices A, B and C to this report from the City Solicitor, if adopted by City Council. 3. City Council direct that all other information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor is to remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice which is subject to solicitor-client privilege.
MM24.6adopted
The East-West hydro corridor between Islington Avenue and Royal York Road is a large under-utilized green space within Ward 3 Etobicoke-Lakeshore. It currently provides unofficial local connections through an informal network of trails and space for people to exercise their dogs. Etobicoke-Lakeshore continues to experience significant pressures from development and population growth, including on the Queensway nearby this hydro corridor, and needs more park space to support residents with active and healthy outdoor opportunities. Activating this section of the hydro corridor will improve opportunities for local active transportation connections between neighbourhoods, to local retail and entertainment locations on Islington Avenue, to six nearby schools, and to other nearby churches and cultural centres. It will also provide opportunities to formalize, permit, and expand existing unsanctioned uses in the hydro corridor through exploring additional uses of the space for parks amenities such as a Dog Off Leash Area and community gardens.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the General Manager, Transportation Services and the local Councillor, to explore the feasibility of utilizing greenspace within the East-West Hydro Corridor in Ward 3 (between Islington Avenue and Royal York Road), as outlined in the attachment to this motion, for active recreational use and improving local active transportation connections, and to identify potential funding sources including but not limited to existing Section 37 funds, with a report back to the Etobicoke York Community Council by the third quarter of 2025.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Amber Morley, seconded by Councillor Shelley Carroll, recommends that: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the General Manager, Transportation Services and the local Councillor, to explore the feasibility of utilizing greenspace within the East-West Hydro Corridor in Ward 3 (between Islington Avenue and Royal York Road), as outlined in the attachment to this motion, for active recreational use and improving local active transportation connections, and to identify potential funding sources including but not limited to existing Section 37 funds, with a report back to the Etobicoke York Community Council by the third quarter of 2025.
RM24.6received
Presentations, Introductions and Announcements
Various presentations and announcements will be made at the City Council meeting.
Various presentations, introductions and announcements were made to City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024. December 17, 2024 Speaker Nunziata, during the morning session of the meeting, called upon Mayor Chow to address City Council to recognize the contributions of Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health, Toronto Public Health. Mayor Chow addressed City Council and gave remarks to honour and thank Dr. Eileen de Villa for her service, and presented Dr. de Villa with a commemorative scroll. Mayor Chow acknowledged that Dr. Eileen de Villa was joined by her husband, her three sons, her mother, her close friends, and senior officials from Toronto Public Health, who were present in the Chamber. Dr. Eileen de Villa addressed City Council. Councillor Moise, as Chair of the Board of Health, gave remarks on Dr. De Villa's years of service and thanked her for her contributions. Councillor Myers, during the morning session of the meeting, advised Members of Council that December 17 marked Transit Workers Assault Awareness Day, an occasion to recognize and honour the commitment and courage of TTC workers. Councillor Myers thanked Mayor Chow, Greg Percy, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission, and Marvin Alfred, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 President, who was present in the Chamber, and Union partners for their support to the cause. Councillor Saxe, during the morning session of the meeting, welcomed students from Palmerston Avenue Junior Public School and their teacher, who were present in the Council Chamber. Speaker Nunziata, during the afternoon session of the meeting, called upon Mayor Chow to address City Council to recognize the Toronto Argonauts for winning the 2024, 111th Grey Cup Championship. Mayor Chow addressed City Council and gave remarks to honour the Toronto Argonauts on their championship, and welcomed Michael "Pinball" Clemons, General Manager, Toronto Argonauts to the podium. Michael Clemons addressed City Council. Councillor Matlow, during the afternoon session of the meeting, congratulated Councillor Parthi Kandavel and his wife, Anu, on the birth of their son. December 18, 2024 Speaker Nunziata, during the morning session of the meeting, called upon Mayor Chow to address City Council to recognize the contributions of City of Toronto Staff, Agencies and Partners during the Taylor Swift Concert Series in Toronto. Mayor Chow addressed City Council and gave remarks to honour the City of Toronto Staff, Agencies and Partners on their contributions during the Taylor Swift Concert Series in Toronto, recognizing those staff who were present in the Council Chamber. Mayor Chow invited Paul Johnson, City Manager to speak. Paul Johnson addressed City Council, and thanked City of Toronto Staff, Agencies and Partners for their efforts during the Taylor Swift Concert Series in Toronto. Deputy Mayor Malik, during the morning session of the meeting, congratulated and thanked City of Toronto Staff, Agencies and Partners for the experience of the Taylor Swift Eras Tour in Toronto. Councillor Bravo, during the morning session of the meeting, welcomed and congratulated Jim Jessop, Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services, on his recent appointment as Fire Chief and General Manager of Toronto Fire Services. Councillor Fletcher, during the morning session of the meeting, welcomed the Grades 4 and 5 class of Bruce Junior Public School and their teacher, Leslie Middaugh, who were present in the Council Chamber. Speaker Nunziata, during the afternoon session of the meeting, called upon Mayor Chow to address City Council to recognize the contributions of Marc Torres, a Toronto Transit Commission operator, for his actions during an incident on October 9, 2024. Mayor Chow welcomed Marc Torres, his family, and members of the Toronto Transit Commission Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, to the Council Chamber. Mayor Chow addressed City Council to honour Marc Torres, a TTC operator, for his heroic actions during an incident on October 9, 2024, and thanked Marc Torres for his bravery. Councillor Myers, during the evening session of the meeting, advised Members of Council that there is a road dedication by-law before Council, which allows for the opening of the northern portion of State Crown Boulevard which is a significant milestone for his community in Ward 23, Scarborough North. Councillor Myers thanked City staff for their work in bringing the project to completion.
CC24.7amended
390-400 Woodsworth Road- Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing - Request for Directions
On October 22, 2021, the City received Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, and Site Plan Control applications for 390-400 Woodsworth Road to permit the construction of three new 8-storey mid-rise residential buildings. On August 28, 2023 the Owner made a resubmission to increase the overall heights of two of the three mid-rise buildings to 9 storeys (from 8) and 10 storeys (from 8). The applicant appealed City Council's neglect or failure to make a decision on its application for the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments, to the Ontario Land Tribunal on December 18, 2023. The Site Plan Control application was also appealed. The City Solicitor requires further directions for an upcoming Ontario Land Tribunal hearing scheduled for April 28 to May 9, 2025. This matter is urgent and cannot be deferred.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council adopt the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 and Confidential Appendices A, B and C to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 3. City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. 4. City Council request the Executive Director, Development Review, and appropriate City staff to work with the applicant prior to Site Plan approval on exploring alternative options for vehicular access, including from Leslie Street, to minimize traffic infiltration impacts on the surrounding neighbourhood, and to consult with the local community as appropriate. The confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor were adopted by City Council and are now public as follows: 1. City Council accept the without prejudice offer to settle dated November 29, 2024 set out in Confidential Appendices A, B and C to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor, and direct the City Solicitor to attend at the Ontario Land Tribunal in support of the settlement. 2. City Council instruct the City Solicitor to request the Ontario Land Tribunal to withhold its Order until the City Solicitor has advised that: a. the final form and content of the draft Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Application are to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and the Executive Director, Development Review; b. City Council has approved the Rental Housing Demolition Application 21 229478 NNY 15 RH under Chapter 667 of the Toronto Municipal Code pursuant to Section 111 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, and, should City Council authorize the demolition, that the applicant has entered into, and registered on title to the lands, an agreement pursuant to Section 111 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, securing the replacement of the existing rental dwelling units, including unit mix, size and rents, tenant assistance to mitigate hardship, and other rental related matters, all to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and the Executive Director, Development Review; and c. the Owner has, at the Owner's sole expense: 1. confirmed sanitary, stormwater and water capacity for the development to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services; 2. submitted a functional servicing report, stormwater management report and hydrogeological report ("Engineering Reports") to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, in consultation with the General Manager, Toronto Water; 3. should the City accept Engineering Reports identifying that any upgrades or improvements to existing municipal infrastructure and/or new municipal infrastructure are required to support the development, those upgrades and improvements shall be designed and financially secured by appropriate development agreement(s) as a condition of site plan approval, and be constructed and operational prior to the issuance of any above-grade building permits for any development on the lands, all at the Owner's sole expense, and all to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, the General Manager, Toronto Water and the City Solicitor; 4. provided all necessary financial securities for transportation improvements in the area, including signal modifications and/or upgrades, to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services; 5. made satisfactory arrangements to convey to the City any land dedications including road widening and site triangles, to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services; 6. submitted a revised transportation impact study and a transportation demand management plan to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Development Review and the General Manager, Transportation Services, and that such matters arising from the accepted transportation impact study and transportation demand management plan, be secured if required; and 7. submitted a revised pedestrian level wind study, to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Development Review. 3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to take all necessary actions to implement City Council's decision. Confidential Appendices A, B and C to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor are now public and can be accessed under Background Information (City Council). The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor remains confidential at this time in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor will be made public at the discretion of the City Solicitor.
Staff recommendation as filed
The City Solicitor recommends that: 1. City Council adopt the recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 and Confidential Appendices A, B and C to this report from the City Solicitor, if adopted by City Council. 3. City Council direct that all other information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor is to remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice which is subject to solicitor-client privilege.
MM24.7adopted
Second Street Junior Middle School is looking to replace its more than 40-year-old wooden play structure, which frequently requires repairs, making a new playground urgently needed. If external funding, such as Section 37 funds, can be secured, the Toronto District School Board will support full upgrades to the schoolyard, including new basketball nets, soccer pitch, sand pit, outdoor classroom, and an enhanced community garden, the revitalization will also include a new playground with challenging circuits, bridges, and sensory components, along with the other upgrades mentioned. This project would have a significant impact on both the school and the community: the school serves 600 students, and the schoolyard is vital for outdoor play, sports, and gym activities. It also provides an important greenspace for local families and the wider community, especially on weekends. The Deputy Mayor would like to bring forward this motion to use Section 37 funds from 225 Birmingham Street Development for Second Street Junior Middle School, which is within the school's catchment area, and which would serve as the home school for children residing in this new development, as well as the broader South Etobicoke area.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council increase the 2024 Operating Budget for Non-Program by $75,000.00 gross, $0 net, (Cost Centre: NP2161) fully funded by Section 37 funds obtained in the development at 225 Birmingham Street, secured for a variety of purposes including park improvements in the Ward (Source Account: XR3026-3701187), for the purpose of providing one-time capital funding to the Toronto District School Board for capital improvements to the schoolyard at Second Street Junior Middle School, subject to the Toronto District School Board entering into an acceptable Community Access Agreement with the City. 2. City Council request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to participate in the preparation of the Community Access Agreement, in consultation with the Ward Councillor and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, provided acceptable terms can be agreed upon.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Amber Morley, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, recommends that: 1. City Council increase the 2024 Operating Budget for Non-Program by $75,000.00 gross, $0 net, (Cost Centre: NP2161) fully funded by Section 37 funds obtained in the development at 225 Birmingham Street, secured for a variety of purposes including park improvements in the Ward (Source Account: XR3026-3701187), for the purpose of providing one-time capital funding to the Toronto District School Board for capital improvements to the schoolyard at Second Street Junior Middle School, subject to the Toronto District School Board entering into an acceptable Community Access Agreement with the City. 2. City Council request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to participate in the preparation of the Community Access Agreement, in consultation with the Ward Councillor and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, provided acceptable terms can be agreed upon.
RM24.7amended
City Council will review the Order Paper.
December 17, 2024: City Council adopted the December 17, 2024, Order Paper, as amended and all other items not held on consent. December 18, 2024: City Council adopted the December 18, 2024, Order Paper.
CC24.8adopted
2453-2469 Bloor Street West - Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing - Request for Directions
At its meeting of April 17, 2024 City Council considered a Zoning By-law Amendment application for 2453-2469 Bloor Street West to permit the construction of a 13 storey mixed-use building containing 91 dwelling units and 260 square metres of ground floor retail. At that same meeting City Council approved by-law 488-2024 reflecting a modified approval to what was applied for. By-law 488-2024 permits a 10 storey development with a deeper building footprint than requested by the applicant, and with limited side yard setbacks. The applicant appealed by-law 488-2024, to the Ontario Land Tribunal on May 27, 2024. The City Solicitor requires further directions for upcoming Ontario Land Tribunal hearings scheduled to begin March 24, 2025.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council adopt the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 3. City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor were adopted by City Council and are now public as follows: 1. City Council direct the City Solicitor to attend the Ontario Land Tribunal in opposition to the revised proposal contained in Public Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to take all necessary actions to implement City Council's decision. The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor remains confidential at this time in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor will be made public at the discretion of the City Solicitor.
Staff recommendation as filed
The City Solicitor recommends that: 1. City Council adopt the recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor, if adopted by City Council. 3. City Council direct that all other information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor is to remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice which is subject to solicitor-client privilege.
MM24.8adopted
This motion requests City Council authority and approval to accept the donation of "War Horse", a sculpture by Emanuel Hahn, to be re-installed at the Guild Park and Gardens as part of the City of Toronto's Public Art and Monuments Collection. "War Horse" is a larger-than-life bronze bust of a bridled horse head, created by celebrated German/Canadian sculptor Emanuel Hahn (1881-1957). Hahn had a prolific career and left an indelible mark on his home city of Toronto. In addition to his monumental works in the public realm, Hahn contributed to the education of countless young artists through his four decades as an instructor and head of sculpture at the Ontario College of Art. He cemented his artistic legacy in the lives (and pockets!) of each Canadian through his design of the Bluenose and the caribou featured on the 10 cent and 25 cent coins. "War Horse" already has a long history at the Guild Park and Gardens. Over the decades, the Guild became a cultural destination, featuring an exceptional art collection built by Rosa and Spencer Clark, much of which is displayed outdoors. Hahn's widow, Elizabeth Wyn Wood, a celebrated Canadian artist in her own right, previously loaned "War Horse" to the Clarks for temporary display on the grounds among sculptures by other renowned Canadian artists such as Sorel Etrog and E.B. Cox. "War Horse" was displayed at the Guild for more than twenty years before it was returned to the artist's estate, and it has been greatly missed by Toronto residents and park visitors. The artist's family is now seeking to bring the sculpture back to the park by donating it to the City of Toronto. Through this generous donation, the estate will be reuniting this cherished artwork with one of Scarborough's unique cultural landmarks. Staff in the Economic Development and Culture Division are working closely with the artist's estate to plan for the re-installation of the artwork pending Council approval of the donation. With adoption of this motion, the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, will negotiate and execute a donation agreement with the estate of Emanuel Hahn.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to enter into and execute a donation agreement with the Estate of Emanuel Hahn to accept the donation of the bronze sculpture "War Horse" by Emanuel Hahn, on such terms deemed necessary and appropriate by the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Paul Ainslie, seconded by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie, recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to enter into and execute a donation agreement with the Estate of Emanuel Hahn to accept the donation of the bronze sculpture "War Horse" by Emanuel Hahn, on such terms deemed necessary and appropriate by the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.
CC24.9amended
145 Sheppard Avenue East - Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing - Request for Directions
On November 20, 2017, the City received Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications for 145 Sheppard Avenue East to permit the construction of an 11-storey mixed use building with at grade retail and an underground parking garage with 47 vehicular parking spaces. The applicant appealed City Council's neglect or failure to make a decision on its application for the Zoning By-law Amendment to the former Ontario Municipal Board on March 29, 2018, and at its meeting on June 26, 27, 28 and 29, 2018, City Council refused the Official Plan Amendment application. The refusal of the Official Plan Amendment application was appealed to the former Local Planning Appeal Tribunal on July 26, 2018. The two appeals have been consolidated and a 5-day hearing was scheduled at the Ontario Land Tribunal on January 20, 2025, but it has since been converted to 1-day Case Management Conference on January 24, 2025. The City Solicitor requires further directions prior to the end of the December 17, 18 and 19, 2024 meeting of City Council.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council adopt the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor, as amended by Motion 1 by Councillor Lily Cheng. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor, as amended by Motion 1 by Councillor Lily Cheng, and Confidential Appendix A to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 3. City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor, as amended by Motion 1 by Councillor Lily Cheng, were adopted by City Council and are now public as follows: 1. City Council accept the without prejudice offer to settle dated December 3, 2024, set out in Confidential Appendix A to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor, and direct the City Solicitor to attend at the Ontario Land Tribunal in support of the settlement. 2. City Council instruct the City Solicitor to request the Ontario Land Tribunal to withhold its Order on the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments until such time as the Ontario Land Tribunal has been advised by the City Solicitor that: a. the final form and content of the draft Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments are satisfactory to the Executive Director, Development Review and the City Solicitor, that includes 3 required visitor parking spaces as part of the 18 parking spaces being provided; b. the Owner has submitted revised technical reports and plans including a revised Functional Servicing Report, a revised Stormwater Management Report, a revised Hydrogeological Report, and a revised Transportation Impact Study, all to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Development Review; c. depending on the outcome of the technical reports, the Owner has made satisfactory arrangements with Engineering and Construction Services for the construction of any improvements to the municipal infrastructure, should it be determined that upgrades are required to the infrastructure to support this development, according to the Functional Servicing Report accepted by the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services and Traffic Impact Study accepted by the General Manager, Transportation Services; and d. the conveyance to the Owner of a 1.32 metre-wide strip of the public laneway that abuts the Site to the east as illustrated on the Reference Plan prepared by Guido Papa Surveying, completed in October 2024, as Parts 1, 2 and 3 (the "Lane Segment"), has occurred. 3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to take all necessary actions to implement City Council's decision. Confidential Appendix A to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor is now public and can be accessed under Background Information (City Council). The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor remains confidential at this time in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 4, 2024) from the City Solicitor will be made public at the discretion of the City Solicitor.
Staff recommendation as filed
The City Solicitor recommends that: 1. City Council adopt the recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 and Confidential Appendix A to this report from the City Solicitor, if adopted by City Council. 3. City Council direct that all other information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor is to remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice which is subject to solicitor-client privilege.
MM24.9adopted
The City of Toronto has existing bylaws intended to govern excessive exterior lighting that can cause a nuisance to neighbours. Under the existing Property Standards by-law, however, Municipal Licensing and Standards is only able to enforce these standards where the light is directly shining into a dwelling unit. Recently, residents in both of our wards have raised concerns about the challenges presented by extremely bright lights from neighbouring properties that, after Municipal Licensing and Standards investigation, did not meet the criteria of the current by-law. Therefore, this motion requests that staff examine these provisions as part of their planned review of the Property Standards by-law to determine how to better address issues raised by disruptive ambient, indirect light sources.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to include, as part of the planned fourth quarter of 2025 report back to Planning and Housing Committee on the review of Chapter 629, Property Standards, recommendations on strengthening nuisance lighting bylaw provisions, including issues arising from ambient, indirect lighting sources such as LED bulbs and soffit lighting.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Brad Bradford, seconded by Councillor Dianne Saxe, recommends that: 1. City Council direct the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to include, as part of the planned fourth quarter of 2025 report back to Planning and Housing Committee on the review of Chapter 629, Property Standards, recommendations on strengthening nuisance lighting bylaw provisions, including issues arising from ambient, indirect lighting sources such as LED bulbs and soffit lighting.
CC24.10adopted
2350-2352 Yonge Street - Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing - Request for Directions
On July 13, 2022, the City received a Zoning By-law Amendment application for 2350-2352 Yonge Street to permit the construction of a fifty storey residential building containing a total of 323 residential dwelling units, with 20,562 square metres of gross floor area, consisting entirely of residential space. The applicant appealed City Council's neglect or failure to make a decision on its application for the Zoning By-law Amendment, to the Ontario Land Tribunal on July 10, 2023. The matter was scheduled for a hearing in the summer of 2024, however, the hearing dates were adjourned to permit the continuation of without prejudice discussions. The City Solicitor requires further directions. For reasons set out in Confidential Attachment 1, this matter is urgent and cannot be deferred.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council adopt the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 and Confidential Appendices A and B to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 3. City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report from the City Solicitor remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor were adopted by City Council and are now public as follows: 1. City Council not accept the without prejudice offer to settle dated November 12, 2024 set out in Confidential Appendix A to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor, and direct the City Solicitor to continue to oppose the appeal at the Ontario Land Tribunal. 2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to take all necessary actions to implement City Council's decision. Confidential Appendices A and B to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor are now public and can be accessed under Background Information (City Council). The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor remains confidential at this time in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor will be made public at the discretion of the City Solicitor.
Staff recommendation as filed
The City Solicitor recommends that: 1. City Council adopt the recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1, Confidential Appendices A and B to this report from the City Solicitor, if adopted by City Council. 3. City Council direct that all other information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor is to remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice which is subject to solicitor-client privilege.
MM24.10adopted
Food banks since the pandemic and throughout this cost-of-living crisis have seen record numbers of users accessing their services. Food Banks Canada reports in a 2024 report, HungerCount 2024, that 1 in 10 Toronto residents rely on food banks. Food banks thus play a vital role for numerous Toronto residents to feed themselves and their families. Food banks, by the necessity and nature of their operation, generate significant amounts of waste. This is collected by City collection services at a cost to the food bank, diverting their scarce and limited operational budgets towards disposal service costs. Currently, the City's Solid Waste Management Division offers an exemption for charitable organizations to have their solid waste fees waived through the Waste Diversion Rate Waiver program. However, organizations are only eligible for this program if they occupy building space that is less than 500 m2 ground floor area and less than 4 stories or at least 1/3 of the space is residential and less than 4 stories. This means that several food banks, which operate as charitable organizations, are ineligible to access the waiver. Also, many food banks operate in industrial units because the relatively affordable rent is within what their limited operational budgets can accommodate, and because many need warehouse or storage space to collect and distribute food and other items. The current program disqualifies organizations operating in industrial zoned space. This motion assesses the feasibility of expanding access for food banks to the Waste Diversion Rate Waiver program.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to assess the feasibility of expanding the City's eligibility criteria for waste collection services under Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 841, Waste Collection, Commercial Properties, to include the collection of garbage, recycling and organics generated by the food bank program of non-residential properties and report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee no later than the second quarter of 2025 with the feasibility assessment and any proposed by-law amendments to expand waste collection eligibility and fee waiver eligibility criteria to include food bank programs and a proposed Solid Waste Management Services program that would allow non-residential properties with food banks to apply for waste collection services and waste collection fee waivers. 2. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee no later than the second quarter of 2025 with the feasibility of expanding the fee waiver of tipping fees at the City's Transfer Stations under Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 841, Waste Collection, Commercial Properties, to include garbage, recycling, and organics generated by food bank program of non-residential properties as potential exempt tipping customers.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Jamaal Myers, seconded by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie, recommends that: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to assess the feasibility of expanding the City's eligibility criteria for waste collection services under Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 841, Waste Collection, Commercial Properties, to include the collection of garbage, recycling and organics generated by the food bank program of non-residential properties and report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee no later than the second quarter of 2025 with the feasibility assessment and any proposed by-law amendments to expand waste collection eligibility and fee waiver eligibility criteria to include food bank programs and a proposed Solid Waste Management Services program that would allow non-residential properties with food banks to apply for waste collection services and waste collection fee waivers. 2. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee no later than the second quarter of 2025 with the feasibility of expanding the fee waiver of tipping fees at the City's Transfer Stations under Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 841, Waste Collection, Commercial Properties, to include garbage, recycling, and organics generated by food bank program of non-residential properties as potential exempt tipping customers.
CC24.11adopted
On April 4, 2022, the City received an Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment application for 1245 and 1285 Dupont Street, 1260 Dufferin Street, and 213 Emerson Avenue to permit the construction of 2,966 dwelling units and 24,216 square metres of non-residential gross floor area in the 8 buildings already approved on the Site, ranging in height from 18 to 48-storeys. The application represents an approximate 30-percent increase of height and residential gross floor area across Blocks 1 to 4 of the already approved Reimagine Galleria development at the Site. The proposed additional dwelling units include purpose-built rental and affordable rental at the Site. The City received a further resubmission for the Site in January 2024. The applicant appealed City Council's neglect or failure to make a decision on its application for the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment to the Ontario Land Tribunal on April 18, 2024. On December 3, 2024, the City Solicitor received a with prejudice settlement offer, consisting of the correspondence and architectural plans and drawings attached to this report as Public Attachment 1. The Settlement Offer is open until the end of the City Council meeting commencing on December 17, 2024, at which point it will be withdrawn. The City Solicitor requires further directions for the upcoming Ontario Land Tribunal Case Management Conference on February 7, 2025. Given the deadline for the Settlement Offer, this matter is urgent and cannot be deferred.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council adopt the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 3. City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report from the City Solicitor remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor were adopted by City Council and are now public as follows: 1. City Council accept the With Prejudice offer to settle dated December 3, 2024 set out in Public Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor, and direct the City Solicitor to attend at the Ontario Land Tribunal in support of the settlement. 2. City Council instruct the City Solicitor to request the Ontario Land Tribunal to withhold its Order on the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment until such time as the Ontario Land Tribunal has been advised by the City Solicitor that: a. the final form and content of the Draft Official Plan Amendment is to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Development Review, and the City Solicitor; b. the final form and content of the Draft Zoning By-law is to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and the Executive Director, Development Review; c. the owner has resubmitted the Functional Servicing and Stormwater Management Report and Hydrogeological Report, which includes confirmation of water, sanitary, and stormwater capacity, to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, or the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services has determined that holding provisions are required in the Zoning By-law Amendment; d. the owner has entered into a financially secured agreement for the construction of any improvements to the municipal infrastructure, should it be determined that upgrades and road improvements are required to support the development, according to the Functional Servicing and Stormwater Management Report and Hydrogeological Report accepted by the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services; e. the owner has submitted a revised Pedestrian Level Wind Study to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Development Review, with any required wind mitigation measures to be secured through the Site Plan approval process; f. the owner has provided an updated Transportation Demand Management Plan to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, and the General Manager, Transportation Services; and g. an Amending Section 37 Agreement satisfactory to the Executive Director, Development Review, and the City Solicitor, has been executed and registered on title to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, securing the community benefits described in Part 3 below. 3. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Development Review to enter into an agreement pursuant to Section 37 of the Planning Act to secure the following: a. an additional thirty-two (32) affordable rental housing units in the aggregate will be located on Development Block 3, which will have an updated definition of affordable rental housing as defined in the City's Official Plan, with an affordability period of forty (40) years. 4. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to take all necessary actions to implement City Council's decision. The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor remains confidential at this time in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor will be made public at the discretion of the City Solicitor.
Staff recommendation as filed
The City Solicitor recommends that: 1. City Council adopt the recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor, if adopted by City Council. 3. City Council direct that all other information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor is to remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice which is subject to solicitor-client privilege.
MM24.11adopted
On the north side of Roehampton fronting North Toronto Collegiate Institute, there is a "green boulevard" that requires significant upkeep due to the high volume of pedestrian activity. Transportation Services staff, as well as my office, have worked closely with local residents on a design concept to improve the boulevard, and are now looking to proceed with tendering the contract and construction in 2025. This excellent project will animate the public realm on Roehampton, adding new tree canopy and perennial planting, a low fence to protect the green space, as well as new benches for residents to sit. This motion requests authority from Council to increase the 2024-2033 Capital Budget and Plan for Transportation Services Neighbourhood Improvements by $90,000 gross, fully funded by Section 37, for boulevard improvements to Roehampton Avenue fronting North Toronto Collegiate Institute Field.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council increase the 2024-2033 Capital Budget and Plan for Transportation Services Neighbourhood Improvements by $90,000 gross, fully funded by Section 37 community benefits secured from the developments: a. $18,591 from 89-101 Roehampton Avenue (Source Amount: XR3026-3701066); and b. $71,409 from 75 Broadway Avenue (Source Amount: XR3026-3701211). for boulevard improvements to Roehampton Avenue fronting North Toronto Collegiate Institute Field (Cost Centre: CTP424-07).
Staff recommendation as filed
1. City Council increase the 2024-2033 Capital Budget and Plan for Transportation Services Neighbourhood Improvements by $90,000 gross, fully funded by Section 37 community benefits secured from the developments: a. $18,591 from 89-101 Roehampton Avenue (Source Amount: XR3026-3701066) b. $71,409 from 75 Broadway Avenue (Source Amount: XR3026-3701211) for boulevard improvements to Roehampton Avenue fronting North Toronto Collegiate Institute Field (Cost Centre: CTP424-07).
CC24.12adopted
On September 22, 2022, the City received applications for a Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Control approval for 33-51 Walsh Avenue and 2717-2745 Weston Road to permit the construction of a mixed-use development with six towers with building heights ranging from 14 to 40 storeys, a public park at the corner of Walsh Avenue and Weston Road, in addition to 766 square metres of retail space at the base of the buildings proposed to front Weston Road. The applicant appealed City Council's neglect or failure to make a decision on its application for the Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Control approval, to the Ontario Land Tribunal on November 14, 2023. The City Solicitor requires further directions for upcoming Ontario Land Tribunal hearings scheduled for February 17-March 7, 2025. For reasons set out in Confidential Attachment 1, this matter is urgent and should not be deferred.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council adopt the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 and Confidential Appendices A and B to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 3. City Council direct that balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor were adopted by City Council and are now public as follows: 1. City Council accept the without prejudice offer to settle dated December 4, 2024 set out in Confidential Appendix A the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor, and direct the City Solicitor to attend at the Ontario Land Tribunal in support of the settlement. 2. City Council instruct the City Solicitor to request the Ontario Land Tribunal to withhold its Order until the City Solicitor has advised that: a. the final form and content of the draft Zoning By-law Amendment is to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and the Executive Director, Development Review; b. the owner has addressed all outstanding issues identified within the Engineering and Construction Services Part I - Re-zoning Application correspondence, dated November 22, 2023, or as revised, to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services; c. the owner has submitted a revised Functional Servicing and Stormwater Management Report to determine the stormwater runoff, sanitary flow, and water supply demand resulting from the proposed development, and whether there is adequate capacity in the existing municipal infrastructure to accommodate the proposed development to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services. d. the owner has submitted a revised Traffic Impact Study including Transportation Demand Management, vehicular access, parking, loading, and driveway locations appropriate to pedestrian safety and the public park, demonstrating conformance with City's Complete Streets Guidelines and Development Infrastructure Policy and Standards to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Transportation Services, the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and the Executive Director, Development Review; e. Should it be determined that upgrades are required to the infrastructure to support the development according to the accepted Functional Servicing and Stormwater Management Report and/or the Transportation Impact Study, that a Holding Provision be included in the final form of the Zoning By-law Amendment and the Holding Provision not to be lifted until such a time as the owner has made satisfactory arrangements, including entering into appropriate agreement(s) with the City for the design and construction financial securities to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, and the General Manager, Transportation Services; f. the owner has submitted a revised Hydrological Assessment Report, and Hydrological Review Summary Form, Servicing Report Groundwater Summary Form and Foundation Drainage Summary Form to determine the quality and quantity of groundwater that may be required to be discharged to the City sewage works as a result to of a proposed development and comply with Foundation drainage policy and guidelines to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, and the General Manager, Toronto Water; g. the owner has addressed all outstanding issues identified in the Toronto Transit Commission memorandum, dated October 11, 2022, or as revised, to the satisfaction of the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission, the General Manager, Transportation Services, and the Executive Director, Development Review; h. the owner has submitted revised Landscape and Planting Plans, including a soil volume plan to meet TGS requirements, to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Chief Planner, City Planning, and the Executive Director, Development Review; i. the owner has submitted an Energy Strategy Report to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Environment and Climate; j. the submitted Air Quality and Land Use Compatibility Assessment, and Transportation Noise and Vibration Assessment, both dated August 31, 2022 and authored by Gradient Wind Engineers and Scientists, have been peer reviewed by a third-party consultant retained by the City at the owner's expense to confirm there are no negative impacts on the proposed development or surrounding uses, and the owner agrees to implement any necessary air quality, noise, vibration or land use compatibility control measures and recommendations identified through the peer review, with the control measures to be secured through the Site Plan Control process, to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Development Review; k. the owner has submitted a revised Shadow/Study which includes testing on March 21, June 21 and September 21, to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, the Executive Director, Development Review, and the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation; l. the owner has submitted a revised Pedestrian Level Wind Study including a Wind Tunnel Study, and changes in design and massing necessary to address unacceptable wind impacts on the public park, public realm, entrances, and amenity areas have been made to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and the Executive Director, Development Review; m. the owner has provided revised plans and statistics to demonstrate a minimum of 15 percent 2-bedroom units and a minimum of 10 percent 3-bedroom units are included in the proposed development per the City's Growing Up Urban Design Guidelines, to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner, City Planning, and Executive Director, Development Review; n. the owner has mapped the existing 30 NEF/NEP contour line in relation to the proposed development, and has worked with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority to ensure that any residential dwellings units that may be located within the 30 NEF/NEP contour line are subject to conditions and/or warning clauses registered on title, as appropriate, to be secured to through the Site Plan Control process, to the satisfaction of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, and the Executive Director, Development Review; o. the owner has provided revised plans to demonstrate that public art will be provided per Site and Area Specific Policy 67, up to a value of $500,000.00, to be secured to through the Site Plan Control process for the Phase that the public art is located within, to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive, City Planning and the Executive Director, Development Review; p. the owner has provided revised plans and statistics to demonstrate adequate size, location, configuration, and phasing of the public road, including any required road widening identified in the accepted TIS, with road conveyance to be secured through the Site Plan Control to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services; and q. the owner has provided revised plans and statistics to demonstrate adequate size, location, and configuration of the on-site parkland dedication, with conveyance to be secured prior to the issuance of the first above grade building permit for the first Phase of site development, to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation. 3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to take all necessary actions to implement City Council's decision. Confidential Appendices A and B to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor are now public and can be accessed under Background Information (City Council). The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor remains confidential at this time in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor will be made public at the discretion of the City Solicitor.
Staff recommendation as filed
The City Solicitor recommends that: 1. City Council adopt the recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1, Confidential Appendices A and B to this report from the City Solicitor, if adopted by City Council. 3. City Council direct that all other information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor is to remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice which is subject to solicitor-client privilege.
MM24.12adopted
General traffic is required to turn right off of King Street within the King Street Transit Priority Corridor, between Jarvis Street and Bathurst Street, at most major intersections, with the exception of streetcars, buses, Toronto Transit Commission-operated Wheel-Trans vehicles, Billy Bishop Airport Shuttle Buses (certain intersections), Toronto Community Crisis Service Vehicles and bicycles. A further exemption for licensed taxicabs is provided between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. The King-Bathurst Station, part of the Ontario Line Subway project, will be situated at the southeast and northeast corners of the King Street West and Bathurst Street intersection. During related construction activities, Metrolinx contractor's hauling trucks will travel specific routes to and from this construction site. Trucks will use Bathurst Street, Stewart Street, King Street West, Portland Street, Wellington Street West, and Spadina Avenue to facilitate earth and concrete works during construction. To ensure that these trucks minimize the use of Portland Street, which is a local road that runs north-south in a densely populated neighborhood and is heavily used by pedestrians and cyclists, we are requesting that these trucks, which are clearly marked with the Ontario Line logo, be allowed to use King Street West between Bathurst Street and Spadina Avenue by exempting them from the through travel restriction at Portland Street. The exemption would be in place from December 23, 2024 to December 31, 2027, inclusive. After working with staff from Transportation Services, it is recommended to amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 950 to allow Ontario Line vehicles to proceed along King Street West through the intersection at Portland Street without restriction.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council authorize vehicles transporting materials or equipment, working for Metrolinx on the Ontario Line, to proceed through the intersection along King Street West at Portland Street when through travel easterly and westerly are restricted. 2. City Council approve the amendments to City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 950, Traffic and Parking, associated with Part 1 above, generally as outlined in Attachment 1 to Member Motion MM24.12. 3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the necessary Bills to give effect to City Council's decision and City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary clarifications, refinements, minor modifications, technical amendments, or By-law amendments as may be identified by the City Solicitor, in consultation with the General Manager, Transportation Services in order to give effect to the Parts 1 and 2 above.
Staff recommendation as filed
Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, seconded by Councillor Chris Moise, recommends that: 1. City Council authorize vehicles transporting materials or equipment, working for Metrolinx on the Ontario Line, to proceed through the intersection along King Street West at Portland Street when through travel easterly and westerly are restricted. 2. City Council approve the amendments to City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 950, Traffic and Parking, associated with Recommendation 1 above, generally as outlined in Attachment 1 to this motion. 3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the necessary Bills to give effect to City Council's decision and City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary clarifications, refinements, minor modifications, technical amendments, or By-law amendments as may be identified by the City Solicitor, in consultation with the General Manager, Transportation Services in order to give effect to the Recommendations above.
CC24.13amended
417-419 Burnhamthorpe Road - Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing - Request for Directions
On June 15, 2022, Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Control applications were submitted to the City for the properties at 417-419 Burnhamthorpe Road to permit the construction of a four-storey townhouse building containing 11 residential units. On September 6, 2023, the applicant submitted a revised Zoning By-law Amendment application to the City to permit the construction of a four-storey townhouse building containing 10 residential units. On January 31, 2024, the applicant appealed City Council's neglect or failure to make a decision on the Applications within the prescribed timelines in the Planning Act, to the Ontario Land Tribunal. On March 4, 2024, the applicant submitted a revised Zoning By-law Amendment application to the City to permit the construction of a four-storey townhouse building containing 18 back-to-back residential units. On December 5, 2024, the City Solicitor received a with prejudice, not confidential, settlement offer, consisting of the correspondence attached to this report as Public Appendix A and the architectural plans and drawings attached to this report as Public Appendix B, which propose to modify the Rezoning Application. The City Solicitor requires further directions for the upcoming Ontario Land Tribunal hearing scheduled for April 1 to 3 and 8 to 9, 2025. The Settlement Offer is open until the end of the City Council meeting commencing on December 17, 2024, at which point it will be withdrawn. Given the deadline for the Settlement Offer, this matter is urgent and cannot be deferred.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council adopt the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor, as amended by Motion 1b by Councillor Stephen Holyday. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor, as amended by Motion 1b by Councillor Stephen Holyday. 3. City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor, as amended by Motion 1b by Councillor Stephen Holyday, were adopted by City Council and are now public as follows: 1. City Council accept the with prejudice settlement offer dated December 5, 2024, set out in Public Appendices A and B to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor (the architectural plans and drawings) (together the "Settlement Offer"), and direct the City Solicitor to attend at the Ontario Land Tribunal in support of the settlement. 2. City Council instruct the City Solicitor to request the Ontario Land Tribunal to withhold its Order on the Zoning By-law Amendment application until the City Solicitor has advised that: a. the final form and content of the Zoning By-law Amendment are satisfactory to the Executive Director, Development Review, and the City Solicitor, in consultation with other appropriate divisions, and it provides for, among other matters: i. one residential parking space per residential unit, that complies with all dimensional requirements noted in section 200.5.1.10 of Zoning By-law 569-2013, to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Transportation Services; and ii. a minimum of two visitor parking spaces, that complies with all dimensional requirements noted in section 200.5.1.10 of Zoning By-law 569-2013, to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Transportation Services; b. the Owner has, at its sole cost and expense: i. addressed all outstanding issues identified within the Engineering and Construction Services memorandum, dated November 27, 2024, to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services; ii. provided a revised Hydrological Report, Hydrological Review Summary Form, Foundation Drainage Summary Form and a revised Servicing Report Groundwater Summary Form to determine the quality and quantity of groundwater that may be required to be discharged to the City sewage works as a result of the proposed development and comply with foundation drainage policy and guidelines to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services and the General Manager, Toronto Water; iii. submitted a revised Functional Servicing and Stormwater Management Report, which shall determine the stormwater run-off, sanitary flow and water supply demand resulting from the development, and whether there is adequate capacity in the existing municipal infrastructure to accommodate the proposed development and/or any upgrades that may be required, to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services; iv. made satisfactory arrangements with Engineering and Construction Services and has entered into the appropriate agreements with the City for the design and construction of any improvements to the municipal infrastructure, should it be determined that upgrades are required to the infrastructure to support the proposed development, according to the accepted Functional Servicing and Stormwater Management Report and Traffic Impact Study to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services or the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services has determined that holding provisions are required in the Zoning By-law Amendment; v. addressed all outstanding Transportation Services issues identified in the Engineering and Construction Services memorandum, dated November 27, 2024, including the provision of detailed Vehicle Maneuvering Diagrams, to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Transportation Services; vi. addressed matters from Urban Forestry, Tree Protection and Plan Review, outlined in the memorandum, dated November 7, 2024, and submitted the following materials: a revised Arborist Report, Tree Inventory and Protection Plan, Landscape Concept Plan, Soil Volume Plan and Sections, Landscape/ Planting Plan and Soil Specifications, Landscape Details, Toronto Green Standard Checklist and Statistics Templates and Grading Plan, all to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation; and vii. revised the proposal to meet the Toronto Green Standard requirements to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Development Review and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 3. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 925, Permit Parking, in order to prevent the residents of, visitors to, or tradespersons at 417-419 Burnhamthorpe Road from obtaining a parking permit. 4. City Council request the Executive Director, Development Review to consider including the following as a Site Plan Control approval condition: a. the Owner shall insert the following advisory into all agreements of purchase and sale or agreements to lease and condominium declaration document(s) for each affected residential unit within the development: Purchasers, tenants or residents acknowledge and agree that purchasers or residents of the development will not be eligible for on street-parking permits under the City of Toronto Municipal Code. Purchasers, tenants or residents agree that, despite the status or availability of on-street parking permits for residents in the development area as of the date of this document, the availability of on-street parking permits in the development area for the purchasers or residents of the development may, at the discretion of City of Toronto Council, be modified, amended or removed at any time in accordance with the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as amended from time to time and its successors, and the City of Toronto Municipal Code; b. the Owner shall insert the following advisory into all agreements of purchase and sale or agreements to lease and condominium declaration document(s) for each affected residential unit within the development: The buildings contain [insert number of] units, served on site by [insert number of] resident parking spaces, [insert number of] visitor parking spaces and [insert number of] accessible parking spaces. Additional parking for overflow, visitors and residents, including overnight, is of limited or no availability. Additional off street parking, potentially at additional cost, is not guaranteed, however may be available at: For visitors: [insert the 5 closest locations that provide off-street parking, Green P on-street parking, or parking for more than 3 hours] For residents: [insert locations of 5 closest off-street parking locations that offer overnight or monthly parking]. 3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to take all necessary actions to implement City Council's decision. The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor remains confidential at this time in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor will be made public at the discretion of the City Solicitor.
Staff recommendation as filed
The City Solicitor recommends that: 1. City Council adopt the recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor, if adopted by City Council. 3. City Council direct that all other information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor is to remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice which is subject to solicitor-client privilege.
MM24.13adopted
Guildwood Community has a long and rich history starting with Rosa and Spencer Clark who created Canada's first artists' community, the Guild of All Arts. The couple welcomed artists of all backgrounds to their property and eager visitors came to see painters, sculptors, weavers and others in action. The site became so popular that the Clarks converted their home into the Guild Inn. In their later years, the Clarks sold their Guild property which now operates as the Guild Park and Gardens. This is the heart of Guildwood Village and contains many architectural artefacts which were saved during the 1960s when Toronto's downtown was undergoing a major building boom. These treasures such as the Greek Theatre would have been lost forever had it not been for the preservationist mentality of the Clarks. In the 1950s the Clarks also created a "village within a city" by carefully planning a subdivision which was integrated with nature. For example, builders were not permitted to cut down trees on the lots, streets had no sidewalks and schools could be walked to through a connected system of parks within the subdivision. Most of the homes were built in the late 1950s/early 1960s. Later, the community grew to include medium and high-rise structures. The Guildwood Community was originally developed with a distinct architectural vision and character, reflecting careful planning and design principles. This unique character contributes significantly to the community's identity, livability, and property values. Recent development proposals within Guildwood have demonstrated a lack of adherence to the original design principles, resulting in visual discord and potential harm to the community's overall aesthetic. In October 2024 a community walking tour was coordinated by my office together with local residents, the Guildwood Village Community Association and Scarborough Community Planning staff to show case the community and present all the unique characteristics. Recently, the Guildwood Village Community Association formed a Housing Subcommittee to work with the community and the city on preserving the special character, including the architectural features, of the Guildwood Community.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct the Executive Director, Development Review, and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to undertake a thorough review of existing development guidelines and zoning regulations within the Guildwood Community. 2. City Council direct the Executive Director, Development Review and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to develop specific design guidelines that clearly articulate the desired architectural character and principles of the community; these guidelines should: a. emphasize the preservation and enhancement of the existing architectural styles and materials; b. consider the scale, massing, and setbacks of new developments to ensure compatibility with the surrounding built environment; c. incorporate measures to protect views and sightlines within the community; d. amend existing zoning by-laws and development agreements as necessary to ensure compliance with the newly developed design guidelines; and e. implement a robust review process for all new development proposals within Guildwood, ensuring that they are rigorously assessed for compliance with the established design guidelines. 3. City Council direct the Executive Director, Development Review and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to engage with the Guildwood community through public consultations to gather input and feedback on the development of these design guidelines.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Paul Ainslie, seconded by Councillor Nick Mantas, recommends that: 1. City Council direct the Executive Director, Development Review, and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to undertake a thorough review of existing development guidelines and zoning regulations within the Guildwood Community. 2. City Council direct the Executive Director, Development Review and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to develop specific design guidelines that clearly articulate the desired architectural character and principles of the community; these guidelines should: a. emphasize the preservation and enhancement of the existing architectural styles and materials; b. consider the scale, massing, and setbacks of new developments to ensure compatibility with the surrounding built environment; c. incorporate measures to protect views and sightlines within the community; d. amend existing zoning by-laws and development agreements as necessary to ensure compliance with the newly developed design guidelines; and e. implement a robust review process for all new development proposals within Guildwood, ensuring that they are rigorously assessed for compliance with the established design guidelines. 3. City Council direct the Executive Director, Development Review and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to engage with the Guildwood community through public consultations to gather input and feedback on the development of these design guidelines.
CC24.14amended
On November 8, 2021, the City received an Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment application for 595 Bay Street, 304-316 Yonge Street and 14-40 Dundas Street West to permit the construction of a 34-storey mixed-use building containing 317 dwelling units and 2,998 square metres of non-residential gross floor area. The applicant appealed City Council's neglect or failure to make a decision on its application for the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment, to the Ontario Land Tribunal on January 12, 2024. The City Solicitor requires further directions for upcoming Ontario Land Tribunal hearings scheduled for June 9-13, 2025. This matter is urgent and cannot be deferred.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council adopt the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 and Confidential Appendix A to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 3. City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. 4. City Council direct the Executive Director, Development Review, in consultation with the local Ward Councillor and the City Solicitor, to continue to work with the applicant to explore an in-kind community benefit package pursuant to 37(6) of the Planning Act and to report back to City Council for further instruction on any offer of in-kind community benefits made by the applicant. 5. City Council request the Executive Director, Development Review to consider securing the following as part of the site plan agreement, as per the applicant's written commitment in their letter of December 14, 2024: a. outdoor seating, to be located within or adjacent to the public right-of-way for public use, in consultation with Transportation Services; and b. low-carbon energy strategy as part of the site plan agreement that includes at least the following sustainability measures: 1. a highly energy-efficient building envelope; 2. low carbon building heating and cooling systems; 3. ample electrical outlets for bicycle charging in the interior bicycle parking area; 4. fixtures and appliances that are efficient in their use of water and energy; 5. electric-only appliances or fireplaces in the residential units; 6. accommodation for future solar photovoltaic system; 7. improved Stormwater Management Measures; 8. installation of outdoor (dark sky) downward lighting; 9. provision of indoor space dedication for household hazardous waste; 6. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to review and report back on the feasibility of amending Schedule B of the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 925, Permit Parking, to exclude the development located at 595 Bay Street, 304 - 316 Yonge Street and 14-40 Dundas Street West from Permit Parking. 7. City Council request the owner to make reasonable commercial efforts to convey off-site parkland to the City equal to the value of the on-site parkland dedication, in fulfilment of the parkland dedication requirements pursuant to Section 42 of the Planning Act, with the off-site parkland dedication to be acceptable to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and free and clear of any above or below grade encumbrances, with the exception of any encumbrances as may be otherwise approved by the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to be conveyed prior to the issuance of the first above grade building permit and: a. in the event that the off-site parkland dedication is less than the value of the on-site parkland dedication, then the owner will pay cash-in-lieu of parkland to make up for the shortfall in parkland dedication, prior to the issuance of the first above grade building permit; b. in the event that the owner is unable to provide an acceptable off-site parkland dedication to the City, the owner will be required to satisfy the parkland dedication requirement through the payment of cash-in-lieu; and c. the value of the cash-in-lieu of parkland dedication will be appraised through Real Estate Services and payment will be required prior to the issuance of the first above grade building permit. The confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor were adopted by City Council and are now public as follows: 1. City Council accept the without prejudice offer to settle dated December 4, 2024 set out in Confidential Appendix A to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor, and direct the City Solicitor to attend at the Ontario Land Tribunal in support of the settlement. 2. City Council instruct the City Solicitor to request the Ontario Land Tribunal to withhold its Order until the City Solicitor has advised that: a. the final form and content of the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment is to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and the Executive Director, Development Review; b. the Owners have provided confirmation of water, sanitary and stormwater capacity to support the Development to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services; c. in the event that improvements or upgrades and/or new infrastructure are required to support the Development, the Owners have entered into agreement(s), for the construction of any such improvements to such services concurrent with the construction of the Development, as required, at no cost to the City and to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services; d. the Owners have provided an updated Transportation Impact Study to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Transportation Services; and e. the Owners have provided an Aeronautical Assessment to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Development Review to ensure that the building height and projections of the Development conform to applicable requirements, including Zoning By-law 1432-2017 and Minister's Zoning Order 10/24. 3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to take all necessary actions to implement City Council's decision. Confidential Appendix A to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor is now public and can be accessed under Background Information (City Council). The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor remains confidential at this time in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 5, 2024) from the City Solicitor will be made public at the discretion of the City Solicitor.
Staff recommendation as filed
The City Solicitor recommends that: 1. City Council adopt the recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 and Confidential Appendix A to this report from the City Solicitor, if adopted by City Council. 3. City Council direct that all other information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor is to remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice which is subject to solicitor-client privilege.
MM24.14adopted
The purpose of this Motion is to request various exemptions from Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 636, Public Squares, and former City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 237, Nathan Phillips Square for the Toronto Spring Festival. Normally, these exemptions would have been included in Item TE14.42 - Use of Nathan Phillips Square for Various Events - September 1, 2024 - April 30, 2025 adopted at City Council in June 2024 however, this request was received as part of the recent call for applications to use Nathan Phillips Square in 2025 which closed in November 2024. The Toronto Spring Festival aims to unite diverse communities through a vibrant celebration of the Lunar New Year, showcasing traditional Chinese customs alongside modern festivities, fostering inclusivity and cultural exchange in the heart of Toronto. The festival will present spring festival-inspired dishes, cultural performances such as traditional lion and dragon dances, pyrotechnics, spring festival-inspired decoration, and a parade in the square. The event will load in on Thursday, January 23 from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. and Friday, January 24 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and load out on Sunday 9:00 p.m. - Monday 3:00 a.m. Event timing: - Friday, January 24: 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. - Saturday, January 25: noon - 11:00 p.m. - Sunday, January 26: noon - 9:00 p.m. If the exemptions are approved by the Council, the issuance of permits and exemptions for the event listed in this motion will be conditional on the submission of all required documentation and permissions by the event organizers to City staff for review and approval. These actions will comply with all other related City policies, procedures, and criteria, and will follow regular business practices.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council approve a one-time exemption to the policies governing the usage of Nathan Phillips Square to grant the Canada International Dance Culture Association permission to solicit donations in support of their organization and use special effects pyrotechnics and open flame as part of their event production. 2. City Council approve a one-time exemption to the policies governing the usage of Nathan Phillips Square to grant the Canada International Dance Culture Association to operate a beer and wine garden and to serve alcohol contingent upon the following conditions: a. approval of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario; b. approval of the Medical Officer of Health; c. compliance with the City of Toronto's Municipal Alcohol Policy; and d. receipt of all the necessary permits associated with the production of the event i.e., building permits, noise by-law extension permit.
Staff recommendation as filed
Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, seconded by Councillor Amber Morley, seconded by: 1. City Council approve a one-time exemption to the policies governing the usage of Nathan Phillips Square to grant the Canada International Dance Culture Association permission to solicit donations in support of their organization and use special effects pyrotechnics and open flame as part of their event production. 2. City Council approve a one-time exemption to the policies governing the usage of Nathan Phillips Square to grant the Canada International Dance Culture Association to operate a beer and wine garden and to serve alcohol contingent upon the following conditions: a. approval of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario; b. approval of the Medical Officer of Health; c. compliance with the City of Toronto's Municipal Alcohol Policy; and d. receipt of all the necessary permits associated with the production of the event i.e., building permits, noise by-law extension permit.
CC24.15adopted
On July 29, 2022, an Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment application and a Site Plan Control application were submitted to permit the redevelopment of the land with four residential towers having proposed heights of 56, 49, 45, and 22 storeys, an on-site privately-owned publicly accessible space, and a public park at the corner of Ferrand Drive and Rochefort Drive. The applicant proposed to redevelop the lands in three phases; phase one consisting of the privately-owned publicly accessible space with below grade parking in the existing conference centre; phase two consisting of two towers - Buildings A and B - of 56 and 49 storeys respectively, connected with a 4 to 11 storey podium; phase three consisting of two towers - Buildings C and D - of 45 and 2 storeys respectively, connected by a 4 to 7 storey podium. The total proposed residential gross floor area was 139, 068 square metres. The Applications were deemed complete as of September 16, 2022. The applicant appealed the City's failure to make a decision on the Applications to the Ontario Land Tribunal on February 21, 2023. Case Management Conferences were held on June 17, 2023, November 15, 2023, and November 1, 2024. A fourth Case Management Conference is scheduled for January 28, 2025. The property was designated as having cultural heritage value or interest on July 19, 2023 through Designation By-law 743-2023. The Owner appealed the designation by-law to the Ontario Land Tribunal on September 7, 2023. The first Case Management Conference in respect of this appeal was held on November 15, 2023, and the second Case Management Conference on November 1, 2024. No hearing of this appeal has yet been scheduled. The parties engaged in two days of mediation on September 8 and September 15, 2023. The parties also engaged in significant without prejudice discussions following mediation. On December 5, 2024, the City Solicitor received a With Prejudice Settlement Offer, consisting of the correspondence attached to this report as Public Appendix A, (the With Prejudice Settlement Offer) which proposes to modify the Applications. The owner has requested that City Council consider the With Prejudice Settlement Offer at its meeting scheduled to begin December 17, 2024. The purpose of this report is to seek instructions on the With Prejudice Settlement Offer.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council adopt the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 9, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 9, 2024) from the City Solicitor. 3. City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 9, 2024) from the City Solicitor remain confidential, as it contains advice that is subject to litigation and solicitor-client privilege. The confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 9, 2024) from the City Solicitor were adopted by City Council and are now public as follows: 1. City Council accept the with prejudice offer to settle dated December 5, 2024 set out in Public Appendix A o the report (December 9, 2024) from the City Solicitor, and direct the City Solicitor to attend at the Ontario Land Tribunal in support of the settlement. 2. Should the Ontario Land Tribunal allow the appeal of the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment Application, in whole or in part, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to request the Ontario Land Tribunal to withhold the issuance of its final Order(s) until such time as the Ontario Land Tribunal has been advised by the City Solicitor that: a. the final forms of the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendments are to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Development Review and the City Solicitor, including any appropriate Holding (H) Provisions; b. the Owner has, at the Owner's expense: i. addressed all outstanding issues raised by Engineering and Construction Services as they relate to the application, including providing for an appropriate legal arrangement for the provision of Foresters Lane as either a stratified public road or a private road with a public surface easement, at the discretion of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services; ii. provided a revised Traffic Impact Study, including acceptable Transportation Demand Measures, to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, the General Manager, Transportation Services, and the Executive Director, Development Review; iii. provided a Functional Servicing Report and Stormwater Management Report, including the Foundation Drainage Report (the "Engineering Reports") to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, and the General Manager, Toronto Water; iv. designed and provided financial securities for any upgrades or required improvements to the existing municipal infrastructure identified in the accepted Engineering Reports, all to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services and the General Manager, Toronto Water, should it be determined that improvements or upgrades are required to support the development, according to the accepted Engineering Reports; v. made satisfactory arrangements with the City and has entered into the appropriate agreement(s) for the design and construction of any improvements to municipal infrastructure, should it be determined that upgrades and/or road improvements are required to the infrastructure to support the development, according to the accepted Engineering Reports and Traffic Impact Study accepted by the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services and the General Manager, Transportation Services; and vi. addressed all outstanding issues raised by Urban Forestry, Tree Protection and Plan Review as they relate to the application, to the satisfaction of the Supervisor, Tree Protection and Plan Review. 3. City Council require the Owner to submit a phasing plan, in a form acceptable to the Executive Director, Development Review, in consultation with the General Manager, Transportation Services, the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, and the City Solicitor; City Council require that phasing regulations be provided in the final form of the Zoning By-law Amendment, if deemed necessary by the Executive Director, Development Review and the City Solicitor; and City Council require that any appropriate agreement be entered into to provide for the orderly development of the lands, to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Development Review and the City Solicitor. 4. City Council accept an on-site parkland dedication pursuant to Section 42 of the Planning Act, having a minimum size of 1,320 square metres (the "Required Parkland Dedication") with the exact size, location and configuration of the on-site parkland dedication to be to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and such on-site parkland dedication to be conveyed to the City, free and clear, above and below grade, of all easements, encumbrances and encroachments, in an acceptable environmental condition; the parkland shall be conveyed to the City prior to the issuance of the first Above Grade Building Permit for the first phase of development of the Property, to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation; if the Owner requires the Require Parkland Dedication for construction staging purposes following conveyance of the lands to the City, the Owner shall enter into an agreement with the City on terms satisfactory to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry Recreation, save and except for the payment of any occupancy fees, as agreed upon and acknowledged by the Owner and the City; the agreement shall stipulate that use of the Required Parkland Dedication for construction staging purposes shall occur for no more than 48 months after conveyance, unless otherwise approved by the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation. 5. 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 Above Base Park Improvements to the Parkland, to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation; 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 the development charges payable for the development in accordance with the City's Development Charges By-law, as may be amended from time to time. 6. City Council authorize the City Solicitor and necessary City staff to take such other necessary steps, as required, to implement City Council's decision. The balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 9, 2024) from the City Solicitor remains confidential in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as it contains advice that is subject to litigation and solicitor-client privilege.
Staff recommendation as filed
The City Solicitor recommends that: 1. City Council adopt the recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor, if adopted by City Council. 3. City Council direct that all other information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor is to remain confidential, as it contains advice which is subject to litigation and solicitor-client privilege.
MM24.15referred
Doug Ford's latest overreach into municipal jurisdiction is another reminder that Canada's constitution was written when our country was largely an agrarian society. Large cities like Toronto are now responsible for delivering, and funding a large share of, transit, roads, social housing, recreation, and other services residents rely on every day. Yet the province can overturn any of our considered and debated decisions on a whim. Constant provincial meddling in municipal affairs undercuts local democracy and threatens civic engagement. We risk Torontonians tuning out our public meetings and consultations if the sentiment that the province will just overturn Council decisions takes root. Whether Torontonians agree with a Council decision regarding a development plan, how elections are conducted, or a bike lane, the level of government making the decision should be accountable. Toronto needs a new arrangement with senior levels of government that ensures we have the independence necessary for 21st century cities to thrive and achieve results for residents. Common in the United States and elsewhere, Charter Cities have supreme authority over "municipal affairs." Also referred to as "Home Rule", a Charter City's law concerning a municipal affair will trump a state law governing the same topic. It's time for Canada's largest city to have the tools it needs to effectively chart its own course to decide how we grow, get around, support each other, and improve our quality of life. A City Charter will also assist in making the division of roles and responsibilities between senior levels of government and City Hall more transparent and therefore more accountable to the public. No one can be under any illusion that a Charter is possible at present given such a move would require support from the provincial government. However, it is important to start work on how greater independence could be structured and communicate the benefits to Torontonians, other municipalities, and senior levels of government. That's why this motion requests the City Manager to establish a Program Advisory Body that would serve as a task force on Municipal Autonomy and Effective Local Governance that would include local advocates and governance experts.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, referred Motion MM24.15 to the Executive Committee for consideration.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Josh Matlow, seconded by Councillor Jamaal Myers, recommends that: 1. City Council request the City Manager to establish a Program Advisory Body on Municipal Autonomy and Effective Local Governance.
CC24.16amended
Advancing Phase One of the Purpose-built Rental Housing Incentives Stream
On November 13-14, 2024, City Council adopted EX18.2 - Build More Homes: Expanding Incentives for Purpose Built Rental Housing report endorsing a new stream under the Rental Housing Supply Program to support purpose-built rental housing developments across the city. City Council directed staff to launch a Quick Start Call for Applications to support 7,000 new rental homes including at least 1,400 affordable rental homes, and report directly to City Council on December 17-19, 2024 with an update on the results of the Call for Applications. The Call for Applications for Purpose-built Rental Housing Incentives stream opened on November 18 and closed on November 29, 2024. Staff are currently reviewing the applications and will prepare a report to be considered by City Council, providing an update on the Call for Applications and a summary of any applications approved.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to approve a deferral of development charges payable for 528 purpose-built rental units (in addition to 5,600 purpose-built rental units approved in Item 2024.EX18.2). 2. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to enter into agreements, pursuant to Section 27 of the Development Charges Act, to defer the payment of development charges payable in relation to purpose-built rental units within projects approved through the Call for Applications described in Part 1 above, for as long as they remain as purpose-built rental projects containing at least 20 percent affordable units and on such other terms and conditions as may be satisfactory to the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 3. City Council authorize an exemption from taxation for municipal and school purposes under the terms of the Rental Housing Supply Program for the affordable rental homes located within the developments and for the periods of time described in Table 2 in the revised supplementary report (December 17, 2024) from the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat. 4. City Council authorize the Deputy Treasurer to cancel or refund any taxes paid after the effective date of the exemption from taxation for municipal and school purposes as set out in the applicable municipal housing facility agreement (the City's Contribution Agreement).
Staff recommendation as filed
The Executive Director, Housing Secretariat recommends that: 1. City Council receive this report for information.
MM24.16adopted
The City-owned building at 641 Eglinton Avenue West is a former Fire Hall most recently used by Metrolinx in the construction of the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit. Toronto Fire Fighters Charities Inc., the charitable arm of the Toronto Fire Fighters Union, has expressed interest in utilizing the space at 641 Eglinton Avenue West to provide a 'Home Away Program' for burn victims receiving treatment at Sunnybrook or The Hospital for Sick Children. The Toronto Fire Fighters Charities Inc. will investigate utilizing available funding to support this program and the costs associated with the space. This program would be a first of its kind in Ontario and will provide a necessary treatment and education centre in Toronto. This motion requests the City Manager to report to General Government Committee in the second quarter of 2025 on the feasibility of entering into an agreement with Toronto Fire Fighters Charities Inc. to lease 641 Eglinton Avenue West at a nominal cost for the "Home away Program" for burn victims receiving treatment at Sunnybrook or the Hospital for Sick Children and to ask for support from the Government of Ontario.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council request the City Manager to report to the General Government Committee in the second quarter of 2025 on the feasibility of entering into an agreement with Toronto Fire Fighters Charities Inc. to lease 641 Eglinton Avenue West at a nominal cost for the "Home away Program" for burn victims receiving treatment at Sunnybrook or the Hospital for Sick Children. 2. City Council request the City Manager to work with the Government of Ontario to support the "Home Away Program".
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Josh Matlow, seconded by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie, recommends that: 1. City Council request the City Manager to report to the General Government Committee in the second quarter of 2025 on the feasibility of entering into an agreement with Toronto Fire Fighters Charities Inc. to lease 641 Eglinton Avenue West at a nominal cost for the "Home away Program" for burn victims receiving treatment at Sunnybrook or the Hospital for Sick Children. 2. City Council request the City Manager to work with the Government of Ontario to support the "Home Away Program".
MM24.17adopted
This motion recommends directing $1,000,000 in local s. 37 funding to enhance capital upgrades at the Yorkville Library. Located at 22 Yorkville Avenue, Yorkville is the oldest library branch in the Toronto Public Library network. Opened in 1907 funded by a grant from the Carnegie foundation, the Yorkville branch became a listed Heritage property in 1973. Yorkville is the most historically significant branch in the Toronto Public Library system. Improving the accessibility of this location is an important signal of our commitment to celebrate and modernize our unique heritage buildings by providing modern, accessible library service. The Yorkville branch serves a community of 61,000 at its current location. Population in the immediate area is growing rapidly with the construction of new residential towers. The branch is undersized at 9,053 sq ft (842 sq m) and does not meet the Library's Service Delivery Model standard of 10,000-20,000 sq ft (929 - 1858 sq m) for a neighbourhood branch. Building deficiencies were identified in past property condition assessments with a significant backlog in state of good repair for replacement of flooring, lighting, mechanical, heating/cooling system controls and resolving building envelope issues in this listed heritage building, which are needed to address health and safety and energy issues. Furniture and equipment, shelving, and workroom configuration will also address health and safety and accessibility and service concerns. Upgrades to the IT infrastructure are needed to bring the branch up to standard. Yorkville branch was the second highest scoring branch in the library's Facilities Master Plan and requires Major Capital Revitalization in the Horizon A time frame - between 2019 and 2029. The Library's current 2024-2033 10-year Capital Plan includes a capital renovation to the Yorkville branch $11.3 M is currently allocated for project that starts in design in 2025 and is completed by 2030. This renovation is focussed primarily on the lack of accessibility for both public and staff. (The current washrooms and accessible ramp do not meet current Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, or Toronto Accessibility Design Guideline recommendations. Staff areas on the lower level are currently underutilized and not accessible by elevator.) It will also address some state of good repair issues with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning and washrooms. These additional Section 37 Funds will allow the project to also: Replace wooden door assembly, an important step to advance the heritage preservation of this important structure. Lighting, seating and landscaping enhancements would improve the public realm at the front of the branch on Yorkville Avenue and enhance the heritage architecture of the building. Yorkville has a medium sized and well used program room at the rear of the branch which requires improvements to bring the space up to new library standards. This would include improved technology available for staff and public use, addition of a small kitchenette and updated furniture. Additional access to power and improvements to wifi connectivity will allow people to work on site with their own devices. Computer layout and furniture would also be improved to meet current standards for size and adjustability.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council increase the 2024-2033 Capital Budget and Plan for Toronto Public Library by $1,000,000 gross, fully funded by Section 37 community benefits funds secured from the following developments: a. $840,668 from 836-850 Yonge Street and 1-9A Yorkville Avenue (Source Account: XR3026-3700722); and b. $159,332 from 27-37 Yorkville Avenue and 26-32 and 50 Cumberland Street (Source Account:XR3026-3701297) for capital improvements to the Toronto Public Library - Yorkville Branch for streetscaping, program room upgrades, connectivity projects and upgrading the main door (Cost Centre: CLB234-02).
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Dianne Saxe, seconded by Councillor Amber Morley, recommends that: 1. City Council increase the 2024-2033 Capital Budget and Plan for Toronto Public Library by $1,000,000 gross, fully funded by Section 37 community benefits funds secured from the following developments: a. $840,668 from 836-850 Yonge Street and 1-9A Yorkville Avenue (Source Account: XR3026-3700722); and b. $159,332 from 27-37 Yorkville Avenue and 26-32 and 50 Cumberland Street (Source Account:XR3026-3701297) for capital improvements to the Toronto Public Library - Yorkville Branch for streetscaping, program room upgrades, connectivity projects and upgrading the main door (Cost Centre: CLB234-02).
MM24.18adopted
This motion is to amend a City Council decision from 2019 to allow the Old Town Toronto Business Improvement Area to move previously approved section 37 funding from an art installation at Farquhars Lane to instead be used for an art installation at Front Street East and Jarvis Street. In 2019, the Old Town Toronto Business Improvement Area, formerly known as the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Business Improvement Area, was provided $125,000 in section 37 monies to facilitate the installation of artwork in Farquhars Lane. Following that decision, the Business Improvement Area lost the ability to install the artwork in Farquhars Lane, and has since been working to find an alternative location for their art installation. Given the size of the previous proposal, they have been in discussions to split this installation to both the St. Lawrence Market South building and the private residence at 109 Front Street East. Both the St. Lawrence Market and the board of 109 Front Street East are agreeable to this art installation being installed on their buildings, notwithstanding ensuring impacts to any heritage facades is properly reviewed by City staff. As the Old Town Toronto Business Improvement Area still has the funds previously provided in 2019, this motion would allow them to amend any agreements with the City as required to now put these funds towards the Front Street East and Jarvis Street intersection where both the St. Lawrence Market and 109 Front Street East buildings are located.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council amend its previous decision on item 2019.MM8.42 by: a. amending Part 1 by: 1. deleting the words "St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood" and replacing them with the words "Old Town Toronto"; and 2. deleting the words "Farquhar's Lane" and replacing them with the words "near Front Street East and Jarvis Street"; so that Part 1 now reads as follows: 1. City Council increase the approved 2019 Operating Budget for Non-Program by $125,000.00 gross, $0 net fully funded by Section 37 community benefits obtained in the development of the lands now known as 20 to 26 Lombard Street and 25 Richmond Street East (source account XR3026-3700826), for the purpose of forwarding funds to the Old Town Toronto Business Improvement Area for capital improvements near Front Street East and Jarvis Street (Cost Centre NP2161). b. amending Part 2 by: 1. deleting the word "be" after the words "the $125,000.00" and replacing it with the word "previously"; 2. adding the word "be" after the words "St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Business Improvement Area"; and 3. adding the words "or amending the previous Undertaking" after the words "signing an undertaking"; so that Part 2 now reads as follows: 2. City Council direct that the $125,000.00 previously forwarded to the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Business Improvement Area be subject to the Business Improvement Area signing an Undertaking or amending the previous Undertaking governing the use of the funds and the financial reporting requirements. 2. City Council direct that the project details (including installation method) shall be submitted to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning in the event a heritage permit may be required under the provision of Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Chris Moise, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, recommends that: 1. City Council amend its previous decision on item 2019.MM8.42 by: a. amending Part 1 by: 1. deleting the words "St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood" and replacing them with the words "Old Town Toronto"; and 2. deleting the words "Farquhar's Lane" and replacing them with the words "near Front Street East and Jarvis Street"; so that Part 1 now reads as follows: 1. City Council increase the approved 2019 Operating Budget for Non-Program by $125,000.00 gross, $0 net fully funded by Section 37 community benefits obtained in the development of the lands now known as 20 to 26 Lombard Street and 25 Richmond Street East (source account XR3026-3700826), for the purpose of forwarding funds to the Old Town Toronto Business Improvement Area for capital improvements near Front Street East and Jarvis Street (Cost Centre NP2161). b. amending Part 2 by: 1. deleting the word "be" after the words "the $125,000.00" and replacing it with the word "previously"; 2. adding the word "be" after the words "St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Business Improvement Area"; and 3. adding the words "or amending the previous Undertaking" after the words "signing an undertaking"; so that Part 2 now reads as follows: 2. City Council direct that the $125,000.00 previously forwarded to the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Business Improvement Area be subject to the Business Improvement Area signing an Undertaking or amending the previous Undertaking governing the use of the funds and the financial reporting requirements. 2. City Council direct that the project details (including installation method) shall be submitted to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning in the event a heritage permit may be required under the provision of Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
MM24.19adopted
At its meeting of June 19 and 20, 2023, Toronto City Council adopted Item 2023.TE6.22 approving a Rental Housing Demolition Application to demolish 82 rental dwelling units located at 88 Isabella Street, which included conditions that must be met prior to issuance of the rental housing demolition permit and residential demolition permit. These pre-conditions included a requirement for the i ssuance of permits for excavation and shoring for the approved development on the site. The applicant would like to demolish the 82 rental dwelling units located at 88 Isabella Street before the issuance of excavation and shoring permits for the approved development. The tenants of 88 Isabella Street have moved out and received tenant assistance and compensation, and the rental units are currently vacant. This motion will enable the earlier demolition of 88 Isabella Street to allow more expedited construction timeline for the project and reduce the anticipated displacement period for tenants. City Planning staff support the proposed amendments to the conditions. REQUIRES RE-OPENING: Requires a re-opening of Item 2023.TE6.22, only as it pertains to the conditions for the Preliminary Approval of the Rental Housing Demolition Permit set out in Part 4.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council amend its previous decision on Item 2023.TE6.22 by deleting Part 4.d.: Part to be deleted: 4.d. the issuance of excavation and shoring permits (conditional or full permit) for the approved development on the site. so that Part 4 now reads as follows: 4. City Council authorize the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to issue Preliminary Approval of the Rental Housing Demolition Permit under Chapter 667 of the Toronto Municipal Code for the demolition of the 82 existing rental dwelling units located at 88 Isabella Street after all the following have occurred: a. all conditions in Part 3 above have been fully satisfied and secured; b. the Zoning By-law Amendment has come into full force and effect; c. the issuance of the Notice of Approval Conditions for site plan approval by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning or their designate, pursuant to Section 114 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, or as otherwise authorized by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning; and d. the owner has confirmed, in writing, that all existing dwelling units proposed to be demolished are vacant.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Chris Moise, seconded by Councillor Josh Matlow, recommends that: 1. City Council amend its previous decision on Item 2023.TE6.22 by deleting Part 4.d.: Part to be deleted: 4.d. the issuance of excavation and shoring permits (conditional or full permit) for the approved development on the site. so that Part 4 now reads as follows: 4. City Council authorize the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to issue Preliminary Approval of the Rental Housing Demolition Permit under Chapter 667 of the Toronto Municipal Code for the demolition of the 82 existing rental dwelling units located at 88 Isabella Street after all the following have occurred: a. all conditions in Part 3 above have been fully satisfied and secured; b. the Zoning By-law Amendment has come into full force and effect; c. the issuance of the Notice of Approval Conditions for site plan approval by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning or their designate, pursuant to Section 114 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, or as otherwise authorized by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning; and d. the owner has confirmed, in writing, that all existing dwelling units proposed to be demolished are vacant.
MM24.20adopted
To ensure a city-wide approach to waterfront development, I am requesting staff, report back on opportunities to advance wider waterfront initiatives outside of the Central Waterfront and Designated Waterfront Area projects. This should include the City and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority joint projects on the Scarborough and Etobicoke portions of the Lake Ontario Waterfront that could benefit from funding from senior levels of government. This report should be available by third quarter of 2025 to inform inter-governmental discussions, funding requests, and the 2026 budget deliberations. This approach will ensure that the City's focus on the entire waterfront considers a city-wide perspective and encompasses the valuable waterfront assets in other parts of the city. I would greatly appreciate your support for this objective.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services, in consultation with Waterfront Toronto, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and the General Manager, Parks Forestry and Recreation, to report back by the third quarter of 2025 on opportunities to advance wider waterfront initiatives outside of the Central Waterfront and Designated Waterfront Area projects listed in the report (December 5, 2024) from the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services in Item 2024.EX19.2, including City and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority joint projects on the Scarborough and Etobicoke portions of the Lake Ontario Waterfront that could benefit from funding from senior levels of government so as to inform inter-governmental discussions and funding requests, and 2026 budget deliberations.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Paul Ainslie, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher, recommends that: 1. City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services, in consultation with Waterfront Toronto, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and the General Manager, Parks Forestry and Recreation, to report back by the third quarter of 2025 on opportunities to advance wider waterfront initiatives outside of the Central Waterfront and Designated Waterfront Area projects listed in the report (December 5, 2024) from the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services in Item 2024.EX19.2, including City and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority joint projects on the Scarborough and Etobicoke portions of the Lake Ontario Waterfront that could benefit from funding from senior levels of government so as to inform inter-governmental discussions and funding requests, and 2026 budget deliberations.
MM24.21adopted
This Motion will give the City Solicitor authority to appeal the Committee of Adjustment's decision approving demolishing the existing dwelling and constructing a new two-storey dwelling at 187 Oakridge Drive (Application A0215/24SC) and to attend the Toronto Local Appeal Body, along with appropriate City Staff, to oppose the Application. The Application seeks to demolish an existing dwelling and construct a new two storey dwelling. The Application proposes a floor space index of 457.25m2 where By-law 569-2013 only permits a maximum floor space index of 0.4 times the lot area if the lot area is more than 697 m² (341.44 m²). On November 13, 2024, the Committee of Adjustment issued a decision approving the Application, subject to conditions. A copy of the Notice of Decision of the Committee of Adjustment is attached. In order to preserve the City's right of appeal, the City Solicitor appealed the Committee of Adjustment's Decision to the Toronto Local Appeal Body on December 2, 2024. This matter is time sensitive and urgent as the City Solicitor has already appealed the Decision to the Toronto Local Appeal Body to preserve the City's statutory right and requires instructions to appeal and attend the hearing for this matter. This motion is urgent as the City Solicitor's office has to prepare to appeal a Committee of Adjustment decision before Toronto Local Appeal Body.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct the City Solicitor to appeal the Committee of Adjustment's decision regarding 187 Oakridge Drive (Application A0215/24SC) and to attend the Toronto Local Appeal Body with appropriate City staff. 2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to retain outside consultants as necessary. 3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to attempt negotiating a resolution regarding 187 Oakridge Drive (Application A0215/24SC), and authorize the City Solicitor to resolve the matter on behalf of the City, in their discretion, after consulting with the Ward Councillor and Scarborough District Community Planning.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Parthi Kandavel, seconded by Councillor Lily Cheng, recommends that: 1. City Council direct the City Solicitor to appeal the Committee of Adjustment's decision regarding 187 Oakridge Drive (Application A0215/24SC) and to attend the Toronto Local Appeal Body with appropriate City staff. 2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to retain outside consultants as necessary. 3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to attempt negotiating a resolution regarding 187 Oakridge Drive (Application A0215/24SC), and authorize the City Solicitor to resolve the matter on behalf of the City, in their discretion, after consulting with the Ward Councillor and Scarborough District Community Planning.
MM24.22adopted
Clarence Square Park Improvements - Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, seconded by Councillor Amber Morley
Clarence Square Park is one of the oldest parks in Toronto's downtown core and features a mature tree canopy, many park benches and an enclosed dog off-leash area. Clarence Square is an area of Special Identity in the King-Spadina Secondary Plan that is part of the City of Toronto's Official Plan, in which it is described as "unique in Toronto." It serves many neighbourhood residents, workers in businesses and organizations near by, and visitors to our city. It's part of the green corridor in the Wellington Place neighbourhood, where streetscaping improvements have taken place and other park improvements, such as those at Victoria Memorial Square, are planned for next year. This motion aims to explore potential improvements that could be made to ensure its consistency with other areas in the green corridor and evaluate its accessibility and use for a variety of programming. This motion is urgent as works need to be initiated for the summer season and to meet this deadline we need an assessment of the financial supports required for the next council meeting.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to engage with community stakeholders and the local Councillor to explore the feasibility of enhancing recreational uses and undertaking park improvements at Clarence Square Park using resources and funding available in future budgets, including but not limited to utilizing growth funding tools (Section 37, 42 Above 5 percent cash-in-lieu, 45, Community Benefit Charges) if necessary and consult with the local Councillor by the second quarter of 2025 on the findings.
Staff recommendation as filed
Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, seconded by Councillor Amber Morley, recommends that: 1. City Council direct General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to engage with community stakeholders and the local Councillor to explore the feasibility of enhancing recreational uses and undertaking park improvements at Clarence Square Park using resources and funding available in future budgets, including but not limited to utilizing growth funding tools (Section 37, 42 Above 5 percent cash-in-lieu, 45, Community Benefit Charges) if necessary and consult with the local Councillor by the second quarter of 2025 on the findings.
MM24.23adopted
I applaud the Federal Government as they prepare to support a high-speed rail along the Toronto - Quebec Corridor. I would also like to express my strong support for a high-speed rail connection between Toronto and New York City. Last month New York State Senator Jeremy A. Cooney, on X, voiced his support for a high-speed-rail -connection stating that "It's time to bring high-speed rail to Upstate New York and connect the major hubs of Toronto and New York City." Senator Cooney is the Chairman of the States senate Transportation Committee. This project aligns with the City of Toronto's commitment to sustainable transportation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As outlined in the article "This state senator wants to see high-speed rail connect New York City and Toronto" published in the Toronto Star on December 2, 2024, there is growing support for this initiative. On March 29, 2023, City Council supported my request ( 2023.MM5.5 ) to support the implementation of a High-Speed Train in the Quebec-Toronto Corridor. It would be beneficial to request the Federal Government to also support a Toronto-New York Corridor High-Speed Train. This Motion is urgent as the next regular City Council meeting is not until March 2025.
City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council express its support for a high-speed rail connection between Toronto and New York City to significantly reduce travel time between the two major urban centers, fostering closer economic ties and increased tourism. 2. City Council forward this Item to the Prime Minister of Canada, the federal Minister of Transport, the federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, members of the House of Commons, the Premiers of Ontario, the Ontario Minister of Transportation, each Municipality and Region on the Toronto-New York Rail Corridor, the Chief Executive Officer, VIA Rail, the Chief Executive Officer, Canadian National Rail, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Paul Ainslie, seconded by Councillor Nick Mantas, recommends that: 1. City Council express its support for a high-speed rail connection between Toronto and New York City to significantly reduce travel time between the two major urban centers, fostering closer economic ties and increased tourism. 2. City Council forward this Item to the Prime Minister of Canada, the federal Minister of Transport, the federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, members of the House of Commons, the Premiers of Ontario, the Ontario Minister of Transportation, each Municipality and Region on the Toronto-New York Rail Corridor, the Chief Executive Officer, VIA Rail, the Chief Executive Officer, Canadian National Rail, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.