Planning and Housing Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 17 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.
PH32.1adopted
The City-owned parking lot at 158 Borough Drive is one of six sites approved by City Council in May 2020 for inclusion in Phase Two of the Housing Now Initiative. This site represents an important city-building opportunity in the heart of the Civic Precinct of Scarborough Centre. The proposed development concept envisions the transformation of the parking lot into a mixed-use site featuring rental housing, including affordable units, a daycare, an improved and expanded public realm, and high-quality built form. This report recommends approval of the City-initiated applications to amend the Official Plan and the Employment Districts Zoning By-law Number 24982 (Progress Employment District), and to lift the Holding ("H") provisions at 158 Borough Drive. The applications propose to update existing residential permissions to permit a mixed-used building with two residential towers of 27 and 42-storeys with approximately 645 dwelling units, of which between 33 percent - 50 percent will be provided as affordable rental housing through the Housing Now Initiative. The site's redevelopment will include a non-profit daycare with programmable outdoor space and two publicly accessible pedestrian connections along the north and west side of the development which will improve pedestrian circulation to Albert Campbell Square from Borough Drive and Town Centre Court. The proposed development concept includes a generous landscaped streetscape along Borough Drive and a publicly accessible space with opportunity for hard and soft landscaping. The site's redevelopment will contribute to the continued development of a mixed-income, inclusive community, supporting the evolution and vision of Scarborough Centre. The site will remain in City ownership and will be leased to a developer partner for a term of 99 years. The developer partner will be responsible for detailed design and submission of a Site Plan Control application based on technical work that has been undertaken by CreateTO and City divisions to support the proposed development concept, in addition to other obligations related to the provision of new affordable housing. The proposed amendment to the Official Plan would exempt 158 Borough Drive from Policy 6.3 of the Scarborough Centre Secondary Plan that sets a parkland dedication rate of 0.4 hectares per 300 units. It would bring the parkland dedication rate for the site in alignment with the city-wide Official Plan policies that apply a cap on required parkland dedication, based on site area. In order to keep zoning permissions consistent for the surrounding properties at 140, 150, 156 and 160 Borough Drive, the proposed zoning by-law amendment also includes updating a performance standard that relates to how Gross Floor Area is calculated for these properties. The proposed development concept is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (2020), conforms with A Place to Grow: Growth Plan (2020), as it provides an appropriate form and scale of development in a strategic growth area, Scarborough Centre.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council amend the Official Plan, with respect to the lands municipally known as, 158 Borough Drive, substantially in accordance with the recommended Official Plan Amendment attached as Attachment 7 to the report (March 10, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 2. City Council amend former City of Scarborough Employment Districts Zoning By-law Number 24982 (Progress Employment District), as amended, with respect to the lands municipally known as 140, 150, 156, 158 and 160 Borough Drive, substantially in accordance with the recommended Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment 8 to the report (March 10, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the recommended Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment as may be required. 4. City Council request the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to engage City partners and the developer partner, to advance the detailed design of development requirements identified in Attachment 11 to the report (March 10, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and to secure the delivery of the development requirements on terms, including details and timing, in a Lease Agreement with the developer partner. 5. City Council direct that future planning applications for 150 to 160 Borough Drive, including an application for Site Plan Control be reviewed in the context of the 158 Borough Drive Design Brief (February 2022), provided as Attachment 12 to the report (March 10, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 6. City Council direct that market dwelling units are provided in accordance with the Growing Up Urban Design Guidelines with respect to unit size and type, and secured through the Lease Agreement with the future developer partner. 7. City Council request the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management to identify interim parking opportunities in the vicinity of Scarborough Civic Centre to meet civic centre parking needs related to the ModernTO program. 8. City Council direct the Executive Director of Corporate Real Estate Management to take all necessary steps to update and amend the applicable Shared Use Agreement and Cost Sharing Agreement between the City of Toronto and the Toronto District School Board to facilitate the development at 158 Borough Drive, prior to final Site Plan Approval. 9. City Council direct the General Manager of Transportation Services to review the feasibility of implementing a Borough Drive reconfiguration pilot project including temporary bidirectional bike lanes on the northern curb lane, from Omni Drive to the northeast intersection of Town Centre Court and Borough Drive, as recommended in the approved Scarborough Centre Transportation Master Plan dated April 11, 2018.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council amend the Official Plan, with respect to the lands municipally known as, 158 Borough Drive, substantially in accordance with the recommended Official Plan Amendment attached as Attachment 7 to the Report (dated March 10, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 2. City Council amend former City of Scarborough Employment Districts Zoning By-law Number 24982 (Progress Employment District), as amended, with respect to the lands municipally known as 140, 150, 156, 158 and 160 Borough Drive, substantially in accordance with the recommended Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment 8 to the Report (dated March 10, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the recommended Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment as may be required. 4. City Council request the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to engage City partners and the developer partner, to advance the detailed design of development requirements identified in Attachment 11 to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and to secure the delivery of the development requirements on terms, including details and timing, in a Lease Agreement with the developer partner. 5. City Council direct that future planning applications for 150 to 160 Borough Drive, including an application for Site Plan Control be reviewed in the context of the 158 Borough Drive Design Brief (February 2022), provided as Attachment 12 to this report. 6. City Council direct that market dwelling units are provided in accordance with the Growing Up Urban Design Guidelines with respect to unit size and type, and secured through the Lease Agreement with the future developer partner. 7. City Council request the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management to identify interim parking opportunities in the vicinity of Scarborough Civic Centre to meet civic centre parking needs related to the ModernTO program. 8. City Council direct the Executive Director of Corporate Real Estate Management to take all necessary steps to update and amend the applicable Shared Use Agreement and Cost Sharing Agreement between the City of Toronto and the Toronto District School Board to facilitate the development at 158 Borough Drive, prior to final Site Plan Approval. 9. City Council direct the General Manager of Transportation Services to review the feasibility of implementing a Borough Drive reconfiguration pilot project including temporary bidirectional bike lanes on the northern curb lane, from Omni Drive to the northeast intersection of Town Centre Court and Borough Drive, as recommended in the approved Scarborough Centre Transportation Master Plan dated April 11, 2018.
PH32.2adopted
This report responds to City Council's direction to the City Manager to report back to the Planning and Housing Committee by the first quarter of 2022 on the following: The operations of the Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB) relative to its original intent, with public engagement, with the intended outcome of simplifying the hearing process and increasing public participation. Extending compensation to the Chair and Vice-Chair for hearing time in Review Requests that is currently afforded to Toronto Local Appeal Body Members. For the Chair to be represented and included in the preparation of the annual Toronto Local Appeal Body budget, in consultation with Court Services. Amending the Fees, Licences, and Charges By-law to incorporate a 'Toronto Local Appeal Body Review Request Fee' in the amount of $300 per property address. The Toronto Local Appeal Body is an independent, quasi-judicial tribunal established through City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 142, Local Appeal Body, the City of Toronto Act, and relies on other provincial legislation. The City of Toronto Act allows for the creation of a local appeal body for land-use planning disputes related to applications under Sections 45 and 53 of the Planning Act. Toronto Local Appeal Body Member responsibilities are outlined in Municipal Code Chapter 142. They include conducting mediations, presiding over hearings, and rendering a written decision on hearings based on the evidence presented in accordance with the Toronto Local Appeal Body's Rules of Practice and Procedure and the Statutory Powers Procedure Act. Toronto Local Appeal Body Chair responsibilities were adopted by City Council in 2016 through the Toronto Local Appeal Body Governance Structure. The Chair's responsibilities are associated with the adjudication process, Member training and development, representing the Toronto Local Appeal Body, and annual reporting to Committee and Council on the Toronto Local Appeal Body's activities. This report recommends that City Council approve an increase in the Toronto Local Appeal Body Member composition from ten to fourteen part-time Members including a Chair and Vice-Chair. The purpose of this increase is to alleviate workload pressures on individual Toronto Local Appeal Body Members in order to promote timely outcomes. It is important to note that any recruitment of additional Toronto Local Appeal Body Members in 2022 would need to be completed before Council's final meeting in July 2022. If this timeline is not met, the City would not be able to bring forward additional Toronto Local Appeal Body Member nominees until Q2 2023 due to the municipal election and recruitment appointment priorities. This report also recommends that remuneration for Review Request hearing time be given to the Chair and Vice-Chair effective April 1, 2022.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council approve an increase in the Toronto Local Appeal Body Member composition from ten (10) to fourteen (14) part-time Members including a Chair and Vice-Chair. 2. City Council approve a half-day per diem rate for Review Request hearings for the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Toronto Local Appeal Body effective April 1, 2022.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services recommends that: 1. City Council approve an increase in the Toronto Local Appeal Body Member composition from ten (10) to fourteen (14) part-time Members including a Chair and Vice-Chair. 2. City Council approve a half-day per diem rate for Review Request hearings for the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Toronto Local Appeal Body effective April 1, 2022.
PH32.3amended
Response to the Provincial Consultation on Partial and Phased Occupancy of Super-Tall Buildings
Tall buildings have been part of Toronto's urban landscape since the early twentieth century. Their construction reflects a healthy economy and vibrant construction industry. With skyscrapers becoming taller and the construction process taking longer, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is consulting on whether the Building Code should be amended to include prescriptive requirements to allow partial occupancy for "super-tall" buildings that are still under construction and what those requirements should be. The purpose of this report is to provide City Council with recommendations for a response to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing as it considers potential Building Code changes in this area. The early occupancy of a partially constructed skyscraper presents unique public safety hazards to those within the building and people in the public realm adjacent to the construction site. While the Building Code allows partial occupancy of buildings in certain cases, it does not permit this to occur unless the entire building's structure and enclosing walls are completed to the roof. These provisions reflect typical high-rise building construction practices. If the Province were to proceed with permitting early occupancy of super-tall buildings, it should only do so after careful consideration by people with specific expertise in construction site safety and the hazards of allowing the public to interact with an active construction site. The report recommends that City Council ask the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to convene this expert panel (including the City of Toronto) with a mandate to consider and develop recommendations on whether and how the Building Code may be amended to allow partial occupancy of "super-tall" buildings. In a dense urban environment such as Toronto, construction-related incidents have further identified that there are gaps in current legislation which should be addressed more broadly to strengthen public safety during the construction process. Safety of the public from an active construction site is not a matter currently regulated through the Building Code Act, 1992 or the Occupational Health and Safety Act (aside from covered public walkways adjacent to a site). The report further recommends that the Government of Ontario fill the gap in the existing legislation to ensure that no person is exposed to undue risk from active construction sites. This report has been written in consultation with the Acting Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services and the General Manager, Transportation Services.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council, in response to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing consultation on partial and phased occupancy of "super-tall" buildings request that the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing: a. Convene a task-force of experts in construction site safety (including the City of Toronto on the task force) with a mandate to determine if the Building Code should be amended to permit safe partial or phased occupancy of "super-tall" buildings that are still under construction, and if so, to develop and recommend prescriptive Building Code requirements that must be met to permit safe partial or phased occupancy, and b. Conduct further consultations on the specific findings and recommendations of the task-force before proceeding with any changes to the Ontario Building Code to permit the partial or phased occupancy of "super-tall" buildings. 2. City Council request that the Government of Ontario, consider the development of prescriptive regulations setting out requirements for safety measures at construction sites to protect public safety and ensure that no person is exposed to undue risk, in addition to the existing provisions of the Building Code and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. 3. City Council request the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, in consultation with the General Manager, Transportation Services and the Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services, to report back to the Planning and Housing Committee on any further consultations and changes to the Building Code that permit partial and phased occupancy of super-tall buildings.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building recommends that: 1. City Council, in response to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing consultation on partial and phased occupancy of "super-tall" buildings, request that the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing convene a task-force of experts in construction site safety (including the City of Toronto) with a mandate to develop and recommend prescriptive Building Code requirements which must be met to allow safe partial occupancy into "super-tall" buildings that are still under construction; and 2. City Council request that the Government of Ontario, consider the development of prescriptive regulations setting out requirements for safety measures at construction sites to protect public safety and ensure that no person is exposed to undue risk, in addition to the existing provisions of the Building Code and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
PH32.4amended
At its meeting on January 12, 2022, the Planning and Housing Committee (PHC) adopted PH30.12 - RentSafeTO and directed Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) to report back on requests made by committee in December 2020 (PH19.6) and October 2021(MM36.13). RentSafeTO is a registration, audit and enforcement program enabled by Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 354, Apartment Buildings. The program applies to all apartment buildings with 3 or more storeys and 10 or more units; this accounts for 30% of Toronto's residents who live in approximately 3,500 apartment buildings across the City. The objectives of the program are to strengthen enforcement of City bylaws, enhance tenant engagement and access to information, and promote proactive maintenance in apartment buildings to prevent the deterioration of critical housing stock. The program is supported by a dedicated team of 35 staff, including management, support staff, an engagement lead and Bylaw Enforcement Officers (BEOs). In 2022, City Council approved 7 additional staff positions to support the expansion of RentSafeTO, Multi-Tenant Housing and Noise ByLaw enforcement. This report provides an update of the work completed in 2021. This includes the communication of bylaw changes; launch of the interactive webpage which allows current and prospective tenants and landlords to view and download building-specific RentSafeTO reports and evaluation scores; and engagement and outreach initiatives to improve program awareness, open feedback channels and keep people informed. This increased transparency on the quality of apartment buildings across Toronto will enable residents to find a safe and well-maintained home. On November 26, 2019, City Council directed staff to create a rating system similar to the City's "Dinesafe" program that requires landlords to post a colour-coded sign that displays the building ratings in prominent areas. In December 2020, staff responded to that directive with a proposal that included the requested colour-coded signage. On December 16, 2020, City Council directed staff (PH19.6) to instead undertake a review of the current process and criteria used to evaluate buildings registered under the RentSafeTO program to develop a revised evaluation tool without a colour-coded signage element. The current evaluation tool is a system supported by technology solutions and operational processes that enable BEOs to evaluate the common areas of buildings in the program and identify buildings that need to be audited. Staff procured a third party expert (Rentlogic) to assist with the development of the evaluation framework and provide advisory services for a new evaluation tool. After a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process, staff anticipate that the redesigned evaluation framework and recommendations for a new tool will be publicly available for feedback in the second quarter of 2022. In order to address directive PH 19.6 (9a) that requires the evaluation of in-suite criteria and PH 19.6 (9c) to be responsive to ongoing violations and orders, the new evaluation tool will incorporate data from a variety of data sources. Including additional data will help satisfy Council directives and address stakeholder feedback. This will also result in an improvement from the current evaluation tool as today it only reflects point in time data collected by BEOs. Other areas being explored include whether category weightings result in improvements to the tool. MLS has also published the 2021 RentSafeTO Year in Review, a snapshot of the work that has taken place since the RentSafeTO program began in 2017. It delivers key performance data, including building evaluations and audits, service requests, investigations and enforcement actions. The report is available online and will be updated annually. Lastly, this report provides updates on outstanding directives from the October 2021 City Council meeting (MM36.13). MLS has made improvements to customer experience in relation to pest control within the RentSafeTO program. Recommendations identified during the audit completed by the Internal Audit Division have all been implemented, including training for BEOs on pest control, introducing a new process to issue a letter to non-responsive complainants of timelines for when a service request will be closed, and staff communication to underscore the importance of documentation in the division's current technology system (IBMS). Furthermore, a review of the entry powers for BEOs show that existing authorities are consistent with the entry authority provided in other municipal bylaws and provincial legislation. If the City was to request the Provincial government to pursue a provincial amendment enabling BEOs the right to enter a dwelling without the tenant's consent, it is unlikely that this type of entry will be authorized for situations where there is no urgent life/safety concern. This report does not recommend bylaw changes, and was prepared in consultation with Legal Services and Internal Audit.
The Planning and Housing Committee: 1. Directed the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to carry out the following actions and to report back to the Planning and Housing Committee in the First Quarter of 2023: a. provide comprehensive and consistent training to every By-Law Officer on how to properly and adequately identify and manage pest infestations, mold growth, electrical problems, and other common issues; b. determine and explain the consistent criteria on how By-Law Officers determine that a case is "closed" and the process for communicating this to residents; c. identify how many additional By-law Officers would be necessary to ensure the optimal functioning of RentSafeTO and additionally report back this information through the 2023 budget process; d. investigate the feasibility of creating a system of implementing financial penalties to landlords based on non-compliance. 2. Requested the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards in consultation with the Executive Director of the Housing Secretariat to: a. as a part of Engagement 3, host a meeting between the full Tenant Advisory Committee, that had been established by the Housing Secretariat as a result of a recommendation of the Subcommittee on the Protection of Affordable Rental Housing, representatives from the Flemingdon Park Thorncliffe Park Tenant Resident Network and Technology Services Division staff and the third party consultants engaged in the development of the evaluation framework and tool, in order to provide expert advice on: - ensuring the new RentSafeTO evaluation framework and tool includes the full suite of components that should be evaluated and the appropriate weighting assigned in the evaluation; and - how best to disseminate the information to tenants and to prospective tenants of a building recognizing that many Torontonians do not have internet access. b. conduct a jurisdictional scan, including New York City and Vancouver, of similar tools. c. provide an update on the elements of the proposed new RentSafeTO evaluation framework and tool, including the results of Engagement 3 and the jurisdictional scan in part 2.b, above to the Planning and Housing Committee. 3. Requested the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to consider increasing the fines to landlords for Failure to Comply with Property Standards Orders and report back to the Planning and Housing Committee.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards recommends that: 1. The Planning and Housing Committee receive this report for information.
PH32.5referred
Review of Mediation and Settlement in Planning Process
Planning and Housing Committee requested that the City Solicitor report on the negotiation process for development applications which have been appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal ("OLT"). This report provides that information, and an analysis of the obligation on City Staff and City Council to maintain confidentiality in the negotiation process once litigation has begun. Mediation is an important part of the Ontario Land Tribunal process, and often provides the City an opportunity to resolve disputes to the satisfaction and advantage of the City without recourse to a full contested hearing. There is little downside in participating in mediation, given the potential for resolution and the fact that if no consensus is reached, there is no prejudice to the City in having tried to resolve the matter, as whatever is communicated in mediation cannot be used against a party at a hearing. There are opportunities for public participation in Ontario Land Tribunal mediation, which interested members of the public can, and should be encouraged to, avail themselves of.
The Planning and Housing Committee: 1. Referred the item to the City Solicitor and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report back to the May 31, 2022 meeting of Planning and Housing Committee with further examination and offer advice on any policy, regulation or legislative changes which would improve the process in terms of Council's desire to consult with the public and Council's authority to manage the development review process.
Staff recommendation as filed
The City Solicitor recommends that: 1. Planning and Housing Committee receive this report for information.
PH32.6adopted
Our Plan Toronto: Draft Environment and Climate Change Official Plan Policy Updates
This report presents draft environment and climate change policies for the purpose of public consultation as part of the Growth Plan conformity and Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) of the Official Plan. The draft policies presented are intended to bring the Official Plan in conformity with A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2020) (the "Growth Plan"); the Provincial Policy Statement (2020); the Greenbelt Plan (2017); and the Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement (2018). The draft policies also address City Council direction to support TransformTO recommendations for the Net Zero Strategy and the 2019 declaration of a Climate Emergency. The draft policies address the commitment to review additional Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs) since the last Official Plan update (OPA 262) and input received from Our Plan TO consultations, which focused on protecting the environment and acting on climate change. The City of Toronto has a strong legacy of introducing leading-edge policies to protect the natural environment and address climate change. Existing Official Plan policies include many examples of successful implementation related to environment and climate change action, and include: Green Roof By-law 2009; introducing and updating the Toronto Green Standard to require new development to meet sustainable performance measures; adding polices and requirements for green infrastructure, energy conservation and Energy Strategies in 2015; identifying and protecting 68 additional Environmentally Significant Areas; and in 2019 adding references to Council's declaration of the Climate Emergency. For the purposes of the conformity exercise and the Municipal Comprehensive Review, the City is substantially in conformity with the requirements for the climate change and conservation policies and only minor modifications are required to improve alignment and reflect Growth Plan language. Beyond Growth Plan conformity, the Municipal Comprehensive Review provides an opportunity to enhance policy requirements and to clarify messaging in order to further advance climate resilience and mitigation. Outcomes of this update to the Official Plan's environment and climate change policies will support the City's declaration of a climate emergency and reflect Council-approved updates to TransformTO - Toronto's recently updated Net Zero Strategy which outlines a pathway to achieve net zero emissions in Toronto by 2040. This Official Plan update emphasizes achieving net zero emissions and climate adaptation and reliance. Protection and enhancement of the City's natural heritage system and water resource systems is a key element of climate adaptation and resilience. Proposed changes include new maps to identify the water resource systems, an update of Map 9 Natural Heritage System to include water resource features and to align with the Ravine and Natural Feature Protection bylaw regulated area and a new layer that identifies areas that contribute to resilience of the natural heritage system. Four new Environmentally Significant Areas and additions to two existing Environmentally Significant Areas are proposed for designation bringing the total number of Environmentally Significant Areas to 90. A new Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSW) are proposed to be added to Map 12b. Further proposed changes include updating policy language to reference net zero emissions, embodied emissions from building materials, minimizing extraction and discharge of clean groundwater into the sewer system, reduce vulnerabilities to the potential impacts of climate change, integration of impacts of a changing climate into stormwater management plans. Language refinements have also been made to policies to reduce fossil fuel use and support the use of low carbon fuel sources throughout the plan. Revisions have been made to the Climate Emergency sidebar in Chapter 3 to reflect the Net Zero 2040 Strategy. Under Schedule 3, the Energy Strategy, required as part of a complete application, is proposed to be renamed 'Net Zero Emissions Strategy'. Policies are also updated to ensure conformity with provincial policies related to conservation objectives for solid waste and reuse of excess soil.
The Planning and Housing Committee: 1. Authorized the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to use the draft Revisions to Official Plan Environment Policies, attached as Attachment 1 to the report (March 7, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning as a basis for consultation and bring forward a Final Report by May 31, 2022.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, recommends that: 1. Planning and Housing Committee authorize the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to use the draft Revisions to Official Plan Environment Policies, attached as Attachment 1 to this report (March 7, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning as a basis for consultation and bring forward a Final Report by May 31, 2022.
PH32.7amended
In June 2020, the City Planning Division initiated the Growth Plan Conformity and Municipal Comprehensive Review ("MCR") which includes the delineation of approximately 180 potential Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) to meet Provincial minimum intensification requirements. A subset of Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) will be identified as Protected Major Transit Station Areas (PMTSAs), where the Council-approved inclusionary zoning policy framework can be implemented. An equity lens is being applied to this work program through prioritizing the delineation of Protected Major Transit Station Areas to enable the implementation of Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) as an affordable housing tool, where market conditions through the approved Inclusionary Zoning framework can support it. This report will be the basis for consultation for two draft Official Plan Amendments (OPA) that include 97 total Major Transit Station Areas/Protected Major Transit Station Areas: Draft Official Plan Amendments 570 includes 57 stations, all of which are proposed Protected Major Transit Station Areas; and Draft Official Plan Amendments 575 includes 40 stations, all of which are proposed Major Transit Station Areas. Official Plan Amendments 570, delineates 57 proposed Protected Major Transit Station Areas and Site and Area Specific Policies (SASPs) in areas where either the station area overlaps with a Council-approved inclusionary zoning market area or Council has directed staff to identify the station as a Protected Major Transit Station Areas, or where there was an ongoing study which could meet the Protected Major Transit Station Areas requirements. Official Plan Amendments 575, delineates 40 proposed Major Transit Station Areas and Site and Area Specific Policies remaining across the City. The 97 draft Major Transit Station Areas/Protected Major Transit Station Areas delineations in this report address the conformity requirements of A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2020) (the "Growth Plan"). The 57 potential Protected Major Transit Station Areas also address the inclusionary zoning requirements under Section 16(15) of the Planning Act. For each of the 97 station areas, a draft Site and Area Specific Policy (SASP) establishes a minimum density target (residents and jobs per hectare) that meet or exceed the Growth Plan's targets. For potential Protected Major Transit Station Areas, the Site and Area Specific Policies also include minimum development density (Floor Space Index ("FSI") or minimum number of units). Both of these minimum density measures are based on the following Council-approved development framework: in effect Official Plan land use designations within the identified areas; as-of-right zoning by-law permissions; density permissions included in secondary plans; and approved developments that have not yet been built. The density measures included in the Site and Area Specific Policies are minimums and do not preclude the submission, staff review, and Council approval of any new development applications that may exceed these minimums. In many cases, it is expected that development in Mixed-Use Areas will exceed these minimums. Updates to Zoning By-laws will follow the Minister's approval of the final Official Plan Amendments to ensure consistency with the identified minimum densities in each Site and Area Specific Policy. City Planning will use these draft 57 Protected Major Transit Station Areas (Official Plan Amendments 570) and 40 Major Transit Station Areas (Official Plan Amendments 575) as a basis for consultation, prior to advancing a final Report for City Council's adoption. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is the approval authority for the delineation of Major Transit Station Areas and Protected Major Transit Station Areas. There is no appeal of the Minister's decision.
The Planning and Housing Committee: 1. Authorized the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to use the proposed Official Plan Amendment, attached as Attachment 3 to the report (March 4, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning as a basis for consultation and bring forward a Final Report by July 5, 2022. 2. Directed the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to consider opportunities for more density where feasible at all Major Transit Station Areas for the purpose of increasing affordable housing across the City and report back in the Final Report.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, recommends that: 1. Planning and Housing Committee authorize the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to use the proposed Official Plan Amendment, attached as Attachment 3 to the report (March 4, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning as a basis for consultation and bring forward a Final Report by July 5, 2022.
PH32.8amended
Our Plan Toronto: Employment Area Conversion Requests - Preliminary Assessments Group 3
This report provides preliminary assessments for the remaining 56 requests to convert lands designated Core Employment Areas and General Employment Areas to non-employment uses as part of the current Growth Plan 2020 conformity exercise and Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR). It also includes one preliminary assessment in response to direction from Planning and Housing Committee. This is the third in a series of reports providing staff's preliminary assessments to be used as the basis of consultation with key stakeholders and the public, including landowners and businesses, to obtain comments and feedback. Staff will prepare final recommendations for each of the conversion requests for Planning and Housing Committee and Council's consideration as part of a statutory public meeting under Section 26 of the Planning Act.
The Planning and Housing Committee: 1. Amended Attachment 1 to the report (March 10, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning by deleting the Preliminary Assessments for 109 Ryding Avenue (Number 121), and 116R 126-142 Ryding (Number 059) and requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to include these Preliminary Assessments in the conversion requests report back to the Planning and Housing Committee. 2. Authorized the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to use the Preliminary Assessments, attached as Attachment 1 to the report (March 10, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, as amended by Part 1 above, as the basis for consultation. 3. Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to provide an expanded preliminary assessment to the Planning and Housing Committee for the conversion request and expansion area at 1235-1255, 1265, 1275 and part of 1289 Lawrence Avenue West and 3-16 and 22 Benton (Group 3 - Number 098 and 098A) by adding the addresses to the south, specifically those located on the north side of Colville Road, for consideration of a redesignation from Core Employment Areas to General Employment Areas. 4. Directed staff report to Planning and Housing Committee as part of the MCR process on the conversion request for the block of land at 340, 350, 360, 364 Evans Avenue and 12, 14, 14, 16 Arnold Street on whether the 28,000 square metres of employment space being proposed as part of a mixed use development could be secured by the City as a condition of approval by use of stratified title and restrictive covenants on the lands. 5. Directed staff to report to Planning and Housing Committee as part of the MCR process on the conversion request for 3710 Chesswood Drive in order to have the lands converted to Mixed Use Area designation to allow for the redevelopment of the lands which includes Newcomer's Hotel and Affordable Rental 6. Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to provide an expanded preliminary assessment for the conversion request at 1774 Ellesmere Road (Group 1 - Number 018) by adding the property located directly west, municipally known as 1760 Ellesmere Road designated General Employment Areas to the Planning and Housing Committee. 7. Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to undertake and finalize as part of the peer review of the conversion request for the lands at 4711, 4723, 4733 and 4751 Steeles Avenue East, to determine whether the environmental and community impacts, including adverse effects from noise, vibration, and emissions, including dust and odour, can be effectively mitigated to the satisfaction of City Planning and to report back on any findings as part of the Final Report on employment land conversions.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that: 1. Planning and Housing Committee authorize the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to use the Preliminary Assessments, attached as Attachment 1 to the report (March 10, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning as the basis for consultation.
PH32.9adopted
Toronto Heritage Survey Phase One and Heritage Planning Process Update
This report responds to Council's request in July 2019 to provide an update in the second quarter of 2020 on progress and a timeline for completion of Phase One of the Toronto Heritage Survey. Though delayed by the global pandemic and by the impact of recent, significant Bill 108 changes to the Ontario Heritage Act, this report demonstrates that City Planning has established the Toronto Heritage Survey (THS) as a fundamental building block of good planning that will help to provide transparency and clarity about where properties have heritage interest. This report summarizes the accomplishments of Phase One to date, including revisions to Heritage Planning processes related to the implementation of Bill 108. The projected deliverables of Phase One were identified in the City-Wide Heritage Survey Feasibility Study report's recommendations and Attachment 3: Phase One Work Plan (2019-2022). A phased approach to the survey was recommended due to the importance of establishing clear and consistent business practices, communications, and survey and engagement methods prior to scaling up to a city-wide program. Since the launch of Phase One, City Planning has: co-developed, with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, the Economic Development and Culture Division and the Indigenous Affairs Office, an Indigenous Heritage Engagement Project; supported greater equity and inclusion in City Planning engagement practices; shaped processes, work flows, and methodologies across the Heritage Planning unit and throughout the City Planning Division to achieve early, efficient, and systematic review of properties to determine if they do, or do not, have cultural heritage value; achieved greater transparency and predictability for the public and development review through the prompt inclusion of identified properties on the Heritage Register; and contributed to new development and growth plans that conserve cultural heritage resources and the sense of place they define or support. Progress within Phase One has largely been the result of a strategic approach that has tested city-wide survey methodologies within the existing study work program, supported by staff across the City Planning Division. In delivering the Toronto Heritage Survey, City Planning is not only identifying properties of heritage interest and clearing the vast majority of others of heritage concern, the Division is advancing the implementation of Toronto's Official Plan vision and the strategic priorities of Toronto's Corporate Strategic Plan, 2019, including implementation of the Toronto Office of Recovery and Rebuild recommendations. To this end, the Toronto Heritage Survey and the City Planning Division's Study Work Program have been responsive to emerging issues and priorities facing the city to ensure that everyone can benefit from and share the rewards and advantages of living in Toronto. The Toronto Heritage Survey's key goals remain especially relevant today and for the future of the city. More work remains to be done before Phase One can be completed. This report identifies key next steps and proposes a Staff Report in the third quarter of 2023 to summarize the results of Phase One and recommend next phases of the Toronto Heritage Survey.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report back to City Council in the third quarter of 2023 following the completion of the first phase of the Toronto Heritage Survey work plan, and to make recommendations on future phases of work.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report back to City Council in the third quarter of 2023 following the completion of the first phase of the Toronto Heritage Survey work plan, and to make recommendations on future phases of work.
PH32.10adopted
This report recommends that City Council affirm its decision of July 14, 15 and 16, 2021 (Item DM35.1) stating its intention to designate the properties at 10 and 10A Dawes Road under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. The City has received an objection to the Notice of Intention to Designate from an interested party within the statutory timeline. The properties at 10 and 10A Dawes Road are located on the west side of Dawes Road at the southern terminus of the road, south of Danforth Avenue and north of the railway corridor. Staff have reviewed the objections raised by the interested party and are of the opinion that these objections have no bearing on the cultural heritage value of the properties. The properties meet Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act under all three categories of design and physical, historical and associative, and contextual values. As the properties have cultural heritage value or interest and meet the prescribed criteria pursuant to Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, staff are of the opinion that these properties should be designated. Designation enables City Council to review proposed alterations for the property, enforce heritage property standards and maintenance, and refuse demolition. In June 2019, the More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019 (Bill 108) received Royal Assent. Schedule 11 of this Act included amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act which included amendments to the listing and designation processes. The Bill 108 Amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act came into force on July 1, 2021. City Council has until April 24, 2022, 90 days from the date of the end of the objection period, to make a decision on this objection as per the timeline under the Ontario Heritage Act.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council affirm its decision to state its intention to designate the properties at 10 and 10A Dawes Road under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act as set out in City Council Decision Item DM35.1 on July 14, 15 and 16, 2021. 2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the bill in City Council designating the properties at 10 and 10A Dawes Road under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council affirm its decision to state its intention to designate the properties at 10 and 10A Dawes Road under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act as set out in City Council Decision Item DM35.1 on July 14, 15 and 16, 2021. 2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the bill in City Council designating the properties at 10 and 10A Dawes Road under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
PH32.11withdrawn
This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the property at 221 Sterling Road (including active entrances at 225 and 227 Sterling Road) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. The property at 221 Sterling Road comprises a complex of adjoining one- and two-storey brick structures, constructed incrementally in c.1914-1918, c.1924-1939, and c.1954-1965. Originally part of a site developed alongside the Grand Trunk Railway tracks for the Fairbanks-Morse Canadian Manufacturing Company Ltd., the property served a variety of industrial uses through the 1980s. It reflects the history of industrial development along Sterling Road within the lower Junction Triangle and Brockton Village areas, and contributes to a concentration of former industrial buildings, many of which now have cultural functions. The property is a rare and unique example of an evolved manufacturing complex that has been adaptively reused to support the arts. The complex has gained prominence since the 1980s as a hub of cultural activities, housing a number of creative organizations, studios, rehearsal and performance spaces for visual artists, artisans, dancers, circus performers, and other creators. It is one of the last such facilities remaining in Toronto. Heritage Planning staff have determined that the property at 221 Sterling Road meets Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, for its physical, historical/associative, and contextual values. Zoning Amendment, Draft Plan of Subdivision, and Rental Housing Demolition applications have been made for the property, which propose to replace the existing building complex at 221 Sterling Road with a new development. The City Clerk issued a complete application notice on July 9, 2021. In June 2019, the More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019 (Bill 108) received Royal Assent. Schedule 11 of this Act included amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA). The Bill 108 Amendments to the OHA came into force on July 1, 2021, which included a shift in Part IV designations related to certain Planning Act applications. Section 29(1.2) of the OHA now restricts City Council's ability to give notice of its intention to designate a property under the OHA to within 90 days after the City Clerk gives notice of a complete application. The property owner provided a waiver to extend the 90-day timeline established under Bill 108 through December 31, 2021. A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is required for all development applications that affect listed and designated properties and will be considered when determining how a heritage property is to be conserved. Designation enables City Council to review proposed alterations or demolitions to the property and enforce heritage property standards and maintenance.
The Planning and Housing Committee withdrew Item PH32.11 from the agenda.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 221 Sterling Road (including active entrances at 225 and 227 Sterling Road) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 221 Sterling Road (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 3 to the report (January 24, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 2. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
PH32.12adopted
This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the property at 14 Duncan Street (including entrance addresses at 180, 184, and 188 Pearl Street) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. The property at 14 Duncan Street is situated on the northwest corner of Duncan and Pearl streets in the King-Spadina neighbourhood. It contains the Telfer Paper Box Building, a three-storey structure on a raised basement that was constructed in 1902 by the Telfer Manufacturing Company according to the designs of the well-known Toronto architects Gregg and Gregg. The property is fashioned in the Edwardian Classical style. Occupied for 60 years by the Telfer Paper Box Company, the facility was expanded in 1906 by Wickson and Gregg and again in 1925, when a westward extension was added as was a fourth-storey to this wing. The property was modified at the end of the 20th century when it was converted for commercial uses and continues to contribute to the distinctive heritage character of the King-Spadina neighbourhood, which is grounded in its early-mid 20th-century transformation as the city's primary manufacturing hub and its fashion district identity. The property at 14 Duncan Street was included on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register on March 9, 2017 and was identified as a contributing property within the proposed King-Spadina Heritage Conservation District, adopted by City Council in 2017 and currently under appeal. Following research and evaluation under Ontario Regulation 9/06, the provincial criteria prescribed for municipal designation, staff have determined that the property at 14 Duncan Street merits designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its design and physical, historical and associative, and contextual values. The property is currently the subject of a Zoning By-law amendment application to permit a mixed-use development on the site that proposes to conserve the Telfer Paper Box Building. In June 2019, the More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019 (Bill 108) received Royal Assent. Schedule 11 of this Act included amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act. The Bill 108 Amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act came into force on July 1, 2021, which included a shift in Part IV designations related to certain Planning Act applications. Section 29(1.2) of the Ontario Heritage Act now restricts City Council's ability to give notice of its intention to designate a property under the Act to within 90 days after the City Clerk gives notice of a complete application. The application currently under review was deemed complete prior to the amended legislation coming into force. A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is required for all development applications that affect listed and designated properties and will be considered when determining how a heritage property is to be conserved. Designation also enables City Council to review proposed alterations or demolitions to the property and enforce heritage property standards and maintenance.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 14 Duncan Street (including entrance addresses at 180, 184, and 188 Pearl Street) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 14 Duncan Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 3 to the report (March 3, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 2. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 14 Duncan Street (including entrance addresses at 180, 184, and 188 Pearl Street) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 14 Duncan Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 3 to the report, March 3, 2022, from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 2. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
PH32.13adopted
This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the listed heritage property at 68 Kendal Avenue for its design, historical/associative and contextual values under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. Located on the west side of Kendal Avenue, north of Jean Sibelius Square in the Annex neighbourhood, the property contains the Audley Court Apartments designed by architect Joseph Hunt Stanford for his client C. R. S. Dinnick, a noteworthy local contractor and land developer. The Audley Court Apartments, located at 68 Kendal Avenue, is a fine example of an early period of apartment architecture within Toronto, displaying many characteristics of the Edwardian Classical Revival style. Constructed in 1912, the building retains its original scale, form, and massing as a three-and-a-half storey brick building, and it features a prominent cornice at the roof and its original architectural detailing around the front entrance. In 1986 the building was converted into a condominium with 8 units. The Audley Court Apartments located on the property at 68 Kendal Avenue was listed on the Heritage Register on May 30, 1983. Metropolitan Toronto Condominium Corporation Number 704, owners of the subject property, requested designation when they applied to the 2021 Toronto Heritage Grant program. On December 15, 2021, City Council approved the award of $58,800 from the Toronto Heritage Grant Program to assist with the conservation work on the building's façade includes repairs to the existing wood columns, railings and balusters. Designation is required to satisfy a condition in the Letter of Understanding of the grant award between the City of Toronto and the heritage grant recipient. Designation also enables City Council to review proposed alterations to the property and enforce heritage property standards and maintenance. There are no planning applications related to this designation.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 68 Kendal Avenue under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance; 68 Kendal Avenue (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 3, to the report (March 3, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 2. If there are no objections to the designation City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 68 Kendal Avenue under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance; 68 Kendal Avenue (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 3, to the report, (March 3, 2022), from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 2. If there are no objections to the designation City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
PH32.14amended
This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the two adjacent listed properties at 2726 and 2734 Danforth Avenue under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for their cultural heritage value. The subject properties are located on the north side of Danforth Avenue, east of Main Street and west of Dawes Road within the historic village of Little York known today as the East End-Danforth neighbourhood. The area is associated with an early European settlement at the corner of Danforth Avenue and Dawes Road, the village of Dawes' Corners, which later became Little York at end of the 19th century, the Town of East Toronto between 1903 and 1908, eventually being annexed to the City of Toronto. The property at 2726 Danforth Avenue, dating to the mid-19th century and later known as Little York Hotel, is a rare surviving example of a pre-Confederation era building in the city and a unique remnant of the hotel/inn typology located near the historic intersection of Danforth and Dawes Road. The design, style and materiality exhibited at the upper-storey level of the original building typifies Georgian architecture while remnant structural members associated with construction methods that pre-date the mass production of machined lumber are still present in the basement. The adjacent 2-storey main street commercial row building dating to c.1886 and located at 2734 Danforth Avenue is likewise representative of the mid- to late-19th century local streetscape, with brick-clad wood-frame construction and Victorian-era decorative wooden detailing. Both of the subject properties were identified in the Danforth Avenue Planning Study - Coxwell Avenue to Victoria Park Avenue (2018) and Main Street Planning Study (2019) as potential heritage properties. They were both listed on the City's Heritage Register on December 16, 2020 as part of the Danforth Avenue (Coxwell Avenue to Victoria Park Avenue) and Dawes Road Properties multiple listings staff report. Heritage Planning staff have undertaken research and evaluation and determined that the two subject properties meet Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act under all three categories of design, associative and contextual values. As such, the properties are significant built heritage resources. On February 6, 2020 the City received an application to amend the zoning by-law to permit the redevelopment of the site with a proposed 9-storey mixed-use building. The development plan proposes conservation of the historic hotel/inn building at 2734 Danforth Avenue and retains portions of the 2-storey historic Main Street commercial row building at 2726 Danforth Avenue. The application currently under review was deemed complete prior to the amended Ontario Heritage Act (Bill 108) legislation coming into force on July 1, 2021. Designation enables City Council to review proposed alterations or demolitions to the property and allows staff to enforce heritage property standards and maintenance.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 2726 Danforth Avenue (with entrance address at 2732 Danforth Avenue) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, in accordance with the Statement of Significance in Attachment 3 to the report (March 9, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 2. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 2734 Danforth Avenue under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, in accordance with the Statement of Significance in Attachment 4 to the report (March 9, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 3. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 2726 Danforth Avenue (with entrance address at 2732 Danforth Avenue) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, in accordance with the Statement of Significance attached to this report as Attachment 3. 2. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 2734 Danforth Avenue under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, in accordance with the Statement of Significance attached to this report as Attachment 4. 3. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
PH32.15amended
This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the property at 778 King Street West under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. The property at 778 King Street West comprises a two-storey brick building with stone trim, located on the north side of King Street West, just west of Tecumseth Street. It is a representative example of a mid-twentieth-century industrial headquarters, demonstrating the influence of the Streamlined Moderne style. Designed by Leo Hunt Stanford, the building was constructed in 1947 for the York Mending Wool Company. It was subsequently the location of Uniforms Registered, the notable Ydessa Hendeles Art Foundation gallery (1988-2012), and is currently a real estate office. The property reflects the redevelopment of King Street West for textile-related manufacturing during the first half of the twentieth century, as well as the area's later period of adaptive reuse and cultural regeneration. Heritage Planning staff have determined that the property at 778 King Street West meets Ontario Regulation 9/06 - the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act - for its design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual values. In June 2019, the More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019 (Bill 108) received Royal Assent. Schedule 11 of this Act included amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act. The Bill 108 Amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act came into force on July 1, 2021, which included a shift in Part IV designations related to certain Planning Act applications. Section 29(1.2) of the Ontario Heritage Act now restricts City Council's ability to give notice of its intention to designate a property under the Act to within 90 days after the City Clerk gives notice of a complete application. In November 2021, the City received an application for a Zoning By-law Amendment to facilitate the redevelopment of the site for an 18-storey mixed-use building with a non-residential gross floor area of 714 square metres, and a residential gross floor area of 24,126 square metres. The building at 778 King Street West is proposed to be demolished as well as the adjacent existing buildings located at 780, 782, 786, and 788 King Street West. The development application currently under review was deemed complete on January 14, 2022, following the new legislation coming into force. This Notice of Intention to Designate report must be considered by City Council before April 14, 2022. A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is required for all development applications that affect listed and designated properties and will be considered when determining how a heritage property is to be conserved. A Heritage Impact Assessment was not submitted for this application. Designation also enables City Council to review proposed alterations or demolitions to the property and enforce heritage property standards and maintenance.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 778 King Street West under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 778 King Street West (Reasons for Designation) in Attachment 3 to the report (March 9, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 2. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. 3. City Council include the property at 778 King Street West on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 778 King Street West under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 778 King Street West (Reasons for Designation) attached to this report as Attachment 3. 2. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
PH32.16amended
At its meeting on February 22, 2022, the Toronto Preservation Board considered Item PB31.6 and made recommendations to the Planning and Housing Committee. Summary from the letter (February 22, 2022) from the Chair, Toronto Preservation Board: The following request is based on information received during a deputation related to during agenda item PB30.5 of the Toronto Preservation Board Meeting 30, held on 24 January 2022, related to the former Bank of Canada building located at 250 University Avenue, on the southeast corner at Queen Street West. The deputant stated that the developer of the new building to rise over the heritage building had proposed that the new main station of the Metrolinx Osgoode stop on the Ontario Line, could be built under the existing building. The Board was told that Metrolinx is recommending that the main station be built on the northeast corner of the intersection within the property associated with Osgoode Hall. The new structure would extend above grade. Three of the corners of University Avenue and Queen Street West contain important heritage buildings: Campbell House on the northwest corner, Osgoode Hall on the northeast corner, and the Bank of Canada on the southwest corner. The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts occupies the southeast corner. Together they form a very important cultural heritage landscape for our city.
The Planning and Housing Committee: 1. Directed the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Transit Expansion Office to invite Metrolinx to give a presentation to the Toronto Preservation Board on May 10, 2022 on the current plans related to the Ontario Line in the vicinity of the section of Queen Street West and University Avenue, as they relate to heritage conservation.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Toronto Preservation Board recommends that: 1. The Planning and Housing Committee direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Transit Expansion Office to invite Metrolinx to give a presentation to the Toronto Preservation Board on May 5, 2022 on the current plans related to the Ontario Line in the vicinity of the section of Queen Street West and University Avenue, as they relate to heritage conservation.
PH32.17amended
Short Term Rental Update and Regulations Enforcement Issues
In December 2017, and January 2018, City Council approved regulations for short-term rentals in Toronto. However, the City's zoning bylaw amendments to permit short-term rentals as a use were appealed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) and so implementation of the regulations was delayed. In May 2021, City Staff developed a report titled Short-term Rental Updates and Exploring their Conversion to Longer-term Housing which contained information from a City commissioned February 2021 report by researchers from McGill University. There were positive findings in both reports about housing units were returning to the long-term housing market as a result of the regulations and enforcement activities. These housing units are desperately needed to help address the city's ongoing housing affordability crisis. However, there were significant aspects of the situation that required further monitoring and analysis. Recently, there have been media reports of possible serious shortcomings in the enforcement of these regulations and the failure to address this issue would further exacerbate our housing crisis. Given that and the timing and nature of previous reports on this matter, it is important that we once again review this issue.
The Planning and Housing Committee: 1. Directed the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards in consultation with the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to provide an update report on Short-Term rental market and regulations, including any enforcement challenges, including ghost hotels, and by law interpretation; and the medium-term market (30 day plus) including third-party international student housing providers, to the April 27, 2022 meeting of the Planning and Housing Committee.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Paula Fletcher recommends that: 1. The Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards in consultation with the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to provide an update report on Short-Term rental market and regulations, including any enforcement challenges, including ghost hotels and by law interpretation, to the April 27, 2022 meeting of the Planning and Housing Committee.