Toronto City Council
The full agenda, as filed
All 56 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 51 to 56 of 56Show 2550100all
MM27.33adopted
In September 2019, the City was contacted by Homes First about the opportunity to redevelop a City-owned site at 805 Wellington Street West with a new supportive housing building for seniors and other homeless individuals, which would require City-initiated Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments. The property at 805 Wellington Street West is part of a larger site, municipally known as 53 Strachan Avenue, which contains both, the subject site and 805A Wellington Street West as convenience addresses. The larger, western portion of the site, known as 805A Wellington Street West, is currently occupied by Strachan House, an 83-bed shelter providing short and long-term housing and its associated surface parking area. The smaller, eastern portion of the site, known as 805 Wellington Street West, currently contains a one-storey structure known as the Maple Green Inc building, constructed in 1901 and a number of community-run allotment gardens. The proposal would maintain the existing Strachan House building and redevelop the Maple Green Inc, building with a supportive housing building. In 2014, City Council adopted the recommendation to re-designate the eastern portion of the site (805 Wellington Street West) from 'Regeneration Areas' to 'Parks and Open Space Areas' and to amend the Zoning By-law to "G" Park, as a result of the South Niagara Planning Study. This re-designation was based on the expectation that Parks, Forestry and Recreation would explore the adaptive re-use of the existing one-storey Maple Green Inc. building and that the lands would possibly be required to accommodate the landing of the Fort York Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge. The 805A Wellington Street West portion of the site was re-designated as 'Mixed Use Areas' to accommodate the existing shelter use. The current proposal to re-develop the site for supportive housing presents a unique situation in which the re-use of the building at 805 Wellington Street West would complement the shelter use currently provided at 805A Wellington Street West through Homes First. This area is in a state of transition from historically being used for industrial purposes to introducing residential, commercial, office and parkland uses. Parks in the area have expanded beyond what was anticipated through the 2014 South Niagara Study to now include parks adjacent to the site as well as in the area including: the Stanley Park South extension at 801 Wellington Street West (9,430 m2); the City Works Yard at 701 Wellington Street West (7,900 m2); the open space adjacent to the Wellington Destructor (1,700 m2); and a future new park at 28 Bathurst Street (9,550 m2). Additionally, the redevelopment proposal at the former Quality Meats site at 2 Tecumseth Street will result in an on-site parkland dedication of 1,800 m2. Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff have confirmed that they do not intend to pursue the re-use of the Maple Green Inc. building or require the land for construction of the pedestrian bridge, as the bridge has been accommodated for at the eastern edge of the Stanley Park South extension, which has already been developed to base-park condition (future park improvements are planned for 2021 and beyond). As such, City Planning staff, in consultation with staff from Parks Forestry and Recreation, support further amendments to the Official Plan and the Zoning By-law as may be necessary to portions of the site 805 Wellington Street West, in order to permit the proposed supportive housing use. The exact portion of the site to be utilized by the supportive housing development will be determined through the development approval process. Any redevelopment of the subject site would be required to be undertaken in accordance with provincial policies and meet the objectives of the City's planning framework, which includes the appropriate interface of the development proposal with the adjacent park to the east. These lands to the east, at 801 Wellington Street West, serve as a southern extension to Stanley Park and the north landing to Garrison Crossing Bridge and will continue to be designated Parks and Open Space. The re-designation of the Maple Green Building and limited land to its east will not affect the utility of the adjacent parkland. There are also a number of community run allotment gardens on the site which have been in place for a number of years. The proponent would be required to work with the community organization on how to best facilitate this use as part of the development. Additionally, in 2014, City Planning was directed by City Council to report on the potential Heritage Designation of certain properties within the South Niagara Planning Study area, which includes the subject site. While the site is currently not listed on the City's Heritage Register or Designated under the Heritage Act, Heritage Planning staff will participate in the review and comment on any preliminary plans for the subject site. To develop a proposal for this site, the proponent, Homes First, requires funding through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Given the urgent need for affordable housing in the City, the proponent intends to begin this work as soon as possible, thereby the City initiated application must be submitted as soon as possible. In the opinion of staff, this proposal presents an opportunity to advance the City's objectives to provide a range of affordable housing options, better utilize existing City buildings and lands for the delivery of City Services, improve the public realm and support new development that fits within the context of the area. Any portion of the site not utilized for the development proposal will remain as Parks and Open Space.
City Council on December 16, 17 and 18, 2020, adopted the following: 1. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing, and any other necessary City Officials, to consider any required amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law, through a City-initiated application, as they apply to City-owned lands at 805 Wellington Street West or in part, dependant on the review of the proposal, to permit the development of a new supportive housing facility; the lands not required for the proposal as reviewed by City Planning and Parks, Forestry and Recreation will remain in their current Official Plan designation; for a report with recommendations by the third quarter of 2021. 2. City Council request, as part of the City-initiated Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendment process in Part 1 above, that the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, in conjunction with General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing, the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and any other necessary City Officials, develop and implement a consultation plan for the proposed supportive housing use. 3. City Council request that through the City-initiated Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendment process, the proponent work with the community to accommodate the community run allotment gardens within the development.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Joe Cressy, seconded by Councillor Mike Layton, recommends that: 1. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing, and any other necessary City Officials, to consider any required amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law, through a City-initiated application, as they apply to City-owned lands at 805 Wellington Street West or in part, dependant on the review of the proposal, to permit the development of a new supportive housing facility; the lands not required for the proposal as reviewed by City Planning and Parks, Forestry and Recreation will remain in their current Official Plan designation; for a report with recommendations by the third quarter of 2021. 2. City Council request, as part of the City-initiated Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendment process in Recommendation 1 above, that the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, in conjunction with General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing, the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and any other necessary City Officials, develop and implement a consultation plan for the proposed supportive housing use. 3. City Council request that through the City-initiated Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendment process, the proponent work with the community to accommodate the community run allotment gardens within the development.
MM27.34adopted
On September 16, 2020, the Toronto and East York Panel of the Committee of Adjustment (the "Committee") refused a Minor Variance application brought by the owners of 18 Standish Avenue (Application A0098/20TEY). The Application proposes to construct a new detached dwelling, with integral garage, rear basement walkout and a rear ground floor deck on the lot. The decision of the Committee is attached. On October 5, 2020, the owners appealed the Committee's decision to refuse the Application, to the Toronto Local Appeal Body. Local residents who opposed the application are seeking the support of the City to defend the position of the Committee of Adjustment. This intervention is urgent as staff are required to perform work in preparation of a hearing in the New Year.
City Council on December 16, 17 and 18, 2020, adopted the following: 1. City Council authorize the City Solicitor and appropriate City Staff to attend at the Toronto Local Appeal Body hearing in support of the Committee's decision to refuse the application, and to oppose the owner's appeal respecting Application A0098/20TEY for 18 Standish Avenue. 2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to retain outside consultants as necessary. 3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to negotiate a settlement of the appeal of the decision in Application A0098/20TEY respecting 18 Standish Avenue and, if a resolution is reached, authorize the City Solicitor to settle the matter on behalf of the City at the City Solicitor's discretion after consultation with the Ward Councillor, and with the Director of Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Mike Layton, seconded by Councillor Joe Cressy, recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the City Solicitor and appropriate City Staff to attend at the Toronto Local Appeal Body hearing in support of the Committee's decision to refuse the application, and to oppose the owner's appeal respecting Application A0098/20TEY for 18 Standish Avenue. 2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to retain outside consultants as necessary. 3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to negotiate a settlement of the appeal of the decision in Application A0098/20TEY respecting 18 Standish Avenue and, if a resolution is reached, authorize the City Solicitor to settle the matter on behalf of the City at the City Solicitor's discretion after consultation with the Ward Councillor, and with the Director of Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.
MM27.35adopted
Toronto's retail streets are at the heart of local neighbourhoods but they are being devastated by the economic fallout of this pandemic. The lockdown restrictions in Toronto needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 mean small retail stores and restaurants business operations are severely restricted. Small shops cannot allow in-person shopping and restaurants cannot allow indoor dining. Many feel there is an uneven playing field that favours big-box stores over the smaller independently-owned small businesses that do so much to bring life to our City streets. The Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas warned in November that "COVID-19 and the lockdowns are changing the shopping streets to the point where they will be a mere shadow of their former selves regardless of what relief might be made available now, and recovery will take many years, if it occurs at all." Toronto's Business Improvement Areas have been asking the Province for more support to try keep as many businesses open and the possibility of a post-pandemic recovery alive as we see in the distance the hopeful light of a vaccine roll-out. The Ontario Government has provided some important aid including a grant program to help with the extra costs associated with running a business in a manner that helps stop the spread of COVID-19 including personal protective equipment costs, cleaning costs, extra staff costs for meeting public health requirements. Several Toronto Business Improvement Areas have launched a campaign with some specific asks to try to improve those programs and Council should add their voice to this campaign. They advise, for example, that many businesses report difficulty navigating through the current application system and either giving up due to multiple errors with unknown issues in the system or they are unable to understand the requirements being asked. The survival of our main streets will be critical to Toronto's economic recovery and livability. Reason for Urgency: Many Toronto small businesses need help urgently in order to survive the latest round of lockdown measures.
City Council on December 16, 17 and 18, 2020, adopted the following: 1. City Council request the Ontario Government to provide greater financial supports in an easy to access format to businesses that are required to reduce hours or shut down as part of measures implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to help those businesses remain solvent and re-open; and consider the request of Toronto Business Improvement Areas that they increase to the Main Street Relief Grant to be a $2,500 monthly infusion - with a one-time application process - to be ongoing through the pandemic.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Paula Fletcher, seconded by Councillor Joe Cressy, recommends that: 1. City Council request the Ontario Government to provide greater financial supports in an easy to access format to businesses that are required to reduce hours or shut down as part of measures implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to help those businesses remain solvent and re-open; and consider the request of Toronto Business Improvement Areas that they increase to the Main Street Relief Grant to be a $2,500 monthly infusion - with a one-time application process - to be ongoing through the pandemic.
MM27.36adopted
This Motion requests that Toronto City Council recognize the historic contributions made by Harvard Professor and Stem Cell Biologist Derrick Rossi, the founder of Moderna, who has played a major role in developing the Moderna Vaccine. By recognizing this illustrious graduate of Norman Bethune Collegiate in Scarborough and the University of Toronto, we have an opportunity to thank all the unsung heroes in Canada's medical scientific community who have contributed so much towards the efforts in the battle to contain the spread of COVID-19. By recognizing Derrick Rossi and his colleagues who have worked tirelessly to develop a vaccine, we can use this as an opportunity to encourage citizens to participate in the planned vaccination programs and help overcome vaccine hesitancy.
City Council on December 16, 17 and 18, 2020, adopted the following: 1. City Council recognize the historic contributions made by Harvard Professor and Stem Cell Biologist, Derrick Rossi, the founder of Moderna who has played a major role in developing the Moderna Vaccine.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Mike Colle, seconded by Councillor Joe Cressy, recommends that: 1. City Council recognize the historic contributions made by Harvard Professor and Stem Cell Biologist, Derrick Rossi, the founder of Moderna who has played a major role in developing the Moderna Vaccine.
MM27.37adopted
On December 11, 2020, a fire broke out on the fifth floor of a Toronto Community Housing Building at 6250 Bathurst Street. Thanks to Toronto Fire Services and first responders they were able to effectively mitigate any further damage to the building. Unfortunately 29 residents were displaced and one tragically passed away. The purpose of this Motion is support these residents moving forward.
City Council on December 16, 17 and 18, 2020, adopted the following: 1. City Council request the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Community Housing Corporation, to establish a working group with the local Councillor, local stakeholders, agencies and residents to accelerate a response and strategy to repair, rebuild, help residents and ensure the future safety of the Toronto Communication Housing Corporation building at 6250 Bathurst Street.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor James Pasternak, seconded by Councillor Mike Colle, recommends that: 1. City Council request the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Community Housing Corporation, to establish a working group with the local Councillor, local stakeholders, agencies and residents to accelerate a response and strategy to repair, rebuild, help residents and ensure the future safety of the Toronto Communication Housing Corporation building at 6250 Bathurst Street.
MM27.38adopted
On July 27, 2020, as part of the Federal-Provincial Safe Restart Agreement, the Government of Ontario announced up to $2 billion in funding would be provided in two phases to support municipal transit systems. Under Phase 1, Toronto received an allocation of $404,088,232 to help provide immediate relief from the financial pressures of COVID-19. On December 15, 2020, the Province of Ontario confirmed the City of Toronto's Phase 2 Transit allocation is $776,099,821 to address the ongoing financial pressures of COVID-19 until March 31, 2021. In order to receive Safe Restart Agreement Phase 2 Transit funding, the City is required to execute a Transfer Payment Agreement with the Province of Ontario and provide a report for the eligible expenditures incurred during the Phase 2 eligibility period. Prior to the Province signing the Transfer Payment Agreement, anticipated as early as January 2021, municipalities will be required to provide the Ontario Ministry of Transportation with a copy of the by-law authorizing the municipality to enter into the Transfer Payment Agreement with the Province. This requirement must be fulfilled prior to the Ministry providing funding to the municipality.
City Council on December 16, 17 and 18, 2020, adopted the following: 1. City Council authorize the Mayor and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer to enter into and execute any agreements, including any amendments and extension of such agreements, with the Province of Ontario for funding under the Phase 2 - Safe Restart Agreement program and any other programs to provide COVID-19 related relief funding to the City on terms and conditions satisfactory to the City Manager, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the receipt and disbursement of funds from Phase 2 of the Safe Restart Agreement and any other programs providing COVID-19 related relief funding to the City.
Staff recommendation as filed
Mayor John Tory, seconded by Councillor Gary Crawford, recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the Mayor and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer to enter into and execute any agreements, including any amendments and extension of such agreements, with the Province of Ontario for funding under the Phase 2 - Safe Restart Agreement program and any other programs to provide COVID-19 related relief funding to the City on terms and conditions satisfactory to the City Manager, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 2. City Council authorize the receipt and disbursement of funds from Phase 2 of the Safe Restart Agreement and any other programs providing COVID-19 related relief funding to the City.