Planning and Housing Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 19 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.
PH7.1adopted
Housing Now - 140 Merton Street - Zoning By-law Amendment- Decision Report - Approval
This report recommends approval of the City-initiated Zoning By-law Amendment to Zoning By-law 569-2013, as amended by By-law 1779-2019, to permit a 29-storey, 294 unit development, with community agency space, new pedestrian connections and publicly accessible open space and heritage conservation, at 140 Merton Street. The site is a City-owned property that is part of the Housing Now Initiative. Following Council's direction to develop a Housing Action Plan for the 2022-2026 term of Council, staff have advanced this City-initiated proposal to permit an increase in the zoning permissions of 5,487 square metres, resulting in an additional 11 storeys, and 114 units than what was presented to Council in 2019. The addition of these units will support the project's delivery of 94-142 new affordable rental units, secured for a 99-year term of affordability through the Housing Now Initiative. The recommended Zoning By-law Amendment is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (2020), conforms with the Growth Plan (2020), and represents an appropriate form and scale of development.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council amend City of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013 for the lands at 140 Merton Street substantially in accordance with the recommended Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment 5 to the report (October 6, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the recommended Zoning By-law Amendment as may be required.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council amend City of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013 for the lands at 140 Merton Street substantially in accordance with the recommended Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment 5 to this report. 2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the recommended Zoning By-law Amendment as may be required.
PH7.2amended
Review of Zoning Regulations for Outdoor Patios on Private Property
This report recommends the adoption of Zoning By-law amendments to permanently expand a range of permissions for outdoor patios on private property. The proposed Zoning By-law amendments are intended to assist businesses with economic recovery during and after the COVID pandemic, increase dining options, provide greater activation of the public realm and increase opportunities for people to socialize, while setting conditions and regulations that manage the potential impacts of outdoor patios on nearby properties. The recommended Zoning By-law amendments reflect feedback received through public consultations, discussions with relevant City Divisions, and research across other municipalities. The proposed Zoning By-law amendments respond to the City Council request to report back to the Planning and Housing Committee on permanent modifications to the Zoning By-law for outdoor patios on private property to replace the existing temporary use by-laws that will expire on December 31, 2023. The proposed Zoning By-law amendments are for outdoor patios on private property only and complement the CaféTO program which allows expanded patios on City boulevards and rights-of-way. Two permanent City-wide by-laws are proposed to replace the existing temporary by-laws. One by-law is an amendment to City-wide Zoning By-law 569-2013, and the other by-law will address properties that remain subject to the Former General Zoning By-laws. The City-wide by-laws will propose to maintain permissions granted on a temporary basis and include expanding the permitted maximum outdoor patio area, permitting outdoor patios in the Commercial Local (CL) Zone, expanded Industrial Zone category permissions and permitting outdoor patios in parking lots. The City-wide by-laws also propose new permissions, and these include permitting outdoor patios in the Residential Apartment Commercial (RAC) Zone, permitting limited entertainment, a reduced distance requirement from the Residential and Residential Apartment Zone categories for certain zones, permitting a retail store as a permitted combined use and technical amendments as required. The proposed amendments address potential noise and visual privacy impacts by maintaining appropriate distances from the Residential and Residential Apartment Zone categories and requiring the installation of a fence parallel to these areas, maintaining a size restriction based on the indoor premises it is combined with and by continuing to prohibit entertainment on lands that are designated Neighbourhoods and Apartment Neighbourhoods where outdoor patios will be introduced as a new use (the RAC Zone) and where the temporary permission will be made permanent (the CL Zone). In addition to the two City-wide by-laws, site-specific by-laws are proposed where relief from the requirements of the Zoning By-law, including proposed amendments, are still required. The proposed Zoning By-law amendments conform with the Official Plan, are consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (2020) and conforms with A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2019).
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council amend the relevant sections of the Proposed Amendment to City-wide Zoning By-law 569-2013 for Outdoor Patios and the Proposed Stand-alone Amendment to the Former General Zoning By-laws for Outdoor Patios, in Attachments 1 and 2 to the report (October 6, 2023) from Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, so it reads: "May be used to provide entertainment such as performances, music and dancing, provided the outdoor patio is not located above the first storey of the building and the entertainment area does not exceed the greater of 10% of the outdoor patio area or 5 square metres." 2. City Council enact Zoning By-law amendments with respect to permanent city-wide and site-specific zoning permission for outdoor patios substantially in accordance with Attachments 1 to 6 to the report (October 6, 2023) from Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, as amended by Recommendation 1, above. 3. City Council enact the Zoning By-law amendment with respect to an extension of the temporary use of 229 Richmond Street West as an outdoor patio substantially in accordance with Attachment 7 to the report (October 6, 2023) from Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 4. City Council direct the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to each Zoning By-law amendment as may be required.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council enact Zoning By-law amendments with respect to permanent city-wide and site-specific zoning permission for outdoor patios substantially in accordance with Attachments 1 to 6. 2. City Council enact the Zoning By-law amendment with respect to an extension of the temporary use of 229 Richmond Street West as an outdoor patio substantially in accordance with Attachment 7. 3. City Council direct the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to each Zoning By-law amendment as may be required.
PH7.3amended
City-Initiated Zoning By-law Amendments to Implement Ontario Line - Final Report
This report proposes a series of zoning by-law amendments to facilitate the delivery of Metrolinx's Ontario Line (OL) project. The purpose of these amendments is to provide relief from certain zoning by-law provisions related to transportation uses for lands to be acquired by Metrolinx to accommodate OL project elements. The zoning by-law amendments affect lands which will accommodate transit facilities such as emergency exit buildings, emergency service buildings, traction power substations, operations and maintenance storage facilities, ventilation shaft buildings, transit station entrance buildings and temporary facilities required for construction. The amendments would apply to transportation uses only and are consistent with Official Plan and zoning policies. None of the proposed amendments reduce zoning permissions on abutting lands, nor will the amendments impact other uses permitted on properties affected by the amendments.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council amend the City of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013, the former City of Toronto Zoning By-law 438-86, as amended by Recommendation 2 below, and former North York By-law 7625 substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendments in Attachments 1, 2 and 3 to the report (September 13, 2023) from Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, for the lands at: 20, 26 and 28 Overlea Boulevard; 36 Overlea Boulevard; 891, 885 and 897 Pape Avenue; 1012-1052 Pape Avenue; 240 and 242 First Avenue; 495 and 497 Pape Avenue; 716 Pape Avenue; 676-692 Danforth Avenue; 5-11 Gertrude Place; 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, and 13 Lipton Avenue; 855 Gerrard Street East; 15 and 17 Minton Place and 156 and 158 Hopedale Avenue; 215 Wicksteed Avenue and 50 Beth Nealson Drive; 766 and 770 Don Mills Road; 825 and 817 Don Mills Road; 449 Carlaw Avenue; Part of 10 Ordnance Street; and, Part of 130 Queen Street West. 2. City Council amend former City of Toronto Zoning By-law 438-86 for the lands located at 130 Queen Street West, substantially in accordance with Attachment 2 to the report (September 13, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Transit Expansion Division, with the following changes to be made to Schedule 1: a. the north-south dimension within the property at 130 Queen Street West should be shown as 40.9 metres; and b. the north-south dimensions of the area outlined in the heavy black line should be shown as 46.9m on the west side and 47.9m on the east side of the area. 3. City Council determine that no further notice is to be given in respect of the proposed by-law amendment pursuant section 34(17) of the Planning Act. 4. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Zoning By-law Amendments as may be required.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Transit Expansion Division recommend that: 1. City Council amend the City of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013, the former City of Toronto Zoning By-law 438-86, and former North York By-law 7625 substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendments in Attachments 1, 2 & 3 for the lands at: 20, 26 & 28 Overlea Boulevard; 36 Overlea Boulevard; 891, 885 & 897 Pape Avenue; 1012-1052 Pape Avenue; 240 & 242 First Avenue; 495 & 497 Pape Avenue; 716 Pape Avenue; 676-692 Danforth Avenue; 5-11 Gertrude Place; 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, & 13 Lipton Avenue; 855 Gerrard Street East; 15 & 17 Minton Place and 156 & 158 Hopedale Avenue; 215 Wicksteed Avenue and 50 Beth Nealson Drive; 766 & 770 Don Mills Road; 825 & 817 Don Mills Road; 449 Carlaw Avenue; Part of 10 Ordnance Street; and, Part of 130 Queen Street West. 2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Zoning By-law Amendments as may be required.
PH7.4adopted
This City-initiated Zoning By-law Amendment for the property at 2 and 80 Union Street (the "site") will permit the construction of the St. Clair-Old Weston SmartTrack/GO Transit station. The station is a critical piece of infrastructure required for a planned transformation of the surrounding area from a primarily industrial employment area to a mixed-use complete community as envisioned by the City Council-approved Keele-St. Clair Secondary Plan. The proposal for the site consists of two new station entrance buildings, tunnel access to platforms within the adjacent rail corridor, a new bus driveway loop with bus bays for six TTC buses and one Wheel-Trans bus stop, new bicycle parking facilities and landscaping. This report provides information and comments regarding the proposed rezoning and provides design details for the development of St. Clair-Old Weston SmartTrack/GO Transit station, which is being reviewed through an associated Site Plan Control application and the City's transit design review process. The proposed station development is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (2020) and conforms with A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2020). The proposal is also consistent with the current and planned policies and land use designations in the City of Toronto Official Plan. This report reviews and recommends approval of the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment. The proposed rezoning will support the City's SmartTrack Stations Program and Metrolinx's GO Expansion program that will provide all-day, two-way service with 15-minute headways, faster electric trains, and fully accessible stations across the GO Transit network.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council amend Zoning By-law 569-2013 for the lands at 2 and 80 Union Street substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment 6 to the report (October 5, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Zoning By-law Amendment as may be required.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council amend Zoning By-law 569-2013 for the lands at 2 and 80 Union Street substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment 6 to this report. 2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Zoning By-law Amendment as may be required.
PH7.5adopted
The Parkdale Hub is the improvement and expansion of important City-owned facilities and community agency space located at the intersection of Queen Street West and Cowan Avenue. The Parkdale Hub was considered by City Council in 2017 as an opportunity to integrate and improve service provision and unlock City-owned lands for new affordable rental housing. In May of 2023, City Council approved the site to be included as part of the Housing Now Initiative to advance the affordable rental housing component of the project. This report recommends approval of the City-initiated Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments, and the Rental Housing Demolition application to permit the proposed development concept. The recommended Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments relate to three blocks: the West Block as a 16-storey mixed-use building, the Centre Block as the location of the renovated and expanded Masaryk-Cowan Community Recreation Centre integrated with the relocated Toronto Public Library Parkdale branch, and the East Block as a six-storey mixed-use building. The mixed-use buildings are proposed to provide a minimum of 231 rental housing units, with a minimum of one-third of all units secured as affordable rental housing operated by a non-profit housing partner(s). Community agencies will be relocated within the blocks of the Parkdale Hub, as a core component of the overall redevelopment of the City properties. Nine existing rental dwelling units located in 1313 Queen Street West are proposed for demolition and would be replaced in the West Block. The proposal also includes a Tenant Relocation and Assistance Plan that addresses the right for existing tenants to return to a replacement rental dwelling unit at a similar rent as well as financial compensation to lessen hardship. The proposed development concept is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (2020) and conforms with A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2020).
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council amend the Official Plan, for the lands at 1337 and 1345 Queen Street West, substantially in accordance with the recommended Official Plan Amendment attached as Attachment 4 to the report (October 10, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 2. City Council amend Zoning By-law 569-2013, for the lands at 1303, 1313, 1325, 1337, 1345 Queen Street West and 212, 220, 224 Cowan Avenue ("Parkdale Hub") substantially in accordance with the recommended Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment 5 to the report (October 10, 2023) 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 and Zoning By-law Amendments as may be required.  4. City Council request the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the City Solicitor, to engage City Divisions, Agencies, and Corporations and the development partner(s) to advance the detailed design of development requirements identified in Attachment 6 to the report (October 10, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the City Solicitor, and to secure the delivery of development requirements on terms, including details and timing, in a Lease Agreement with the non-profit development partner(s). 5. City Council endorse the Parkdale Hub Design Brief (August 31, 2023) and direct that future planning applications for the Parkdale Hub, including applications for Site Plan Control, be prepared, and reviewed in the context of the Parkdale Hub Design Brief, provided as Attachment 7 to the report (October 10, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 6. City Council approve the Rental Housing Demolition Application File No. 23 107855 STE 04 RH in accordance with Chapter 667 of the Toronto Municipal Code and pursuant to Section 111 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 which allows for the demolition of 9 existing rental dwelling units located at 1313 Queen Street West, subject to the developer partner entering into a Lease with the City of Toronto that requires the following: a. The development partner shall provide and maintain at least nine replacement rental dwelling units on the subject site, in the West Block for a period of at least 20 years beginning from the date that each replacement rental dwelling unit is first occupied and, during which time, no application may be submitted to the City for condominium registration, or for any other conversion to a non-rental housing purpose or for demolition without providing for replacement. The replacement rental dwelling units shall collectively have a total gross floor area of at least 682 square metres and be comprised of at least five one-bedroom units and four two-bedroom units as generally illustrated on the plans submitted to the City Planning Division dated July 7, 2023. Any revisions to these plans shall be to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning; b. The development partner shall, as part of the nine replacement rental dwelling units required in Recommendation 6 a. above, provide at least five one-bedroom units and four two-bedroom units at affordable rents, as currently defined in the City's Official Plan, for a period of at least 10 years beginning from the date of first occupancy of each unit; c. The development partner shall provide tenants of all nine replacement rental dwelling units with access to, and use of, all indoor and outdoor amenities in the new mixed-use building on the West Block at no extra charge. Access to, and use of, these amenities shall be on the same terms and conditions as any other resident of the building without the need to pre-book or pay a fee, unless specifically required as a customary practice for private bookings; d. The development partner shall provide ensuite laundry in each replacement rental dwelling unit within the proposed mixed-use building on the West Block at no additional cost to tenants; e. The development partner shall provide central air conditioning in each replacement rental dwelling unit at no additional cost to tenants; f. The development partner shall provide tenants of the nine replacement rental dwelling units with access to all bicycle and visitor parking on the same terms and conditions as any other resident of the proposed residential building; g. The development partner shall provide nine storage locker to tenants of the replacement rental dwelling units; and h. The nine replacement rental units shall be made ready and available for occupancy no later than the date by which seventy percent (70 percent) of the new dwelling units in the proposed building on the West Block, exclusive of the replacement rental units, are made available and ready for occupancy, subject to any revisions to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 7. City Council direct the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, in consultation with, and to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to provide an acceptable Tenant Relocation and Assistance Plan for all Eligible Tenants of the nine existing rental dwelling units proposed to be demolished at 1313 Queen Street West, addressing the right to return to occupy one of the replacement rental dwelling units at similar rents and other assistance to mitigate hardship. 8. City Council authorize the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to issue Preliminary Approval of the Rental Housing Demolition Permit under Chapter 667 of the Toronto Municipal Code for the demolition of nine existing rental dwelling units located at 1313 Queen Street West after: a. All conditions in Recommendations 6 and 7 above have been fully satisfied or secured; b. The nine replacement rental units on the West Block are ready and available for occupancy; and c. The owner has confirmed, in writing, that all existing rental dwelling units proposed to be demolished are vacant. 9. City Council authorize the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to issue a Rental Housing Demolition Permit under Chapter 667 of the Toronto Municipal Code after the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning has given Preliminary Approval referred to in Recommendation 8 above. 10. City Council authorize the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to issue a Residential Demolition Permit under Section 33 of the Planning Act and Chapter 363 of the Toronto Municipal Code for 1313 Queen Street West after the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning has given Preliminary Approval referred to in Recommendation 8 above, which may be included in the Rental Housing Demolition Permit under Chapter 667 pursuant to Section 6.2 of Chapter 363 on condition that the existing rental units have been replaced in the West Block. 11. City Council authorize the appropriate City Officials to take such actions as necessary to implement City Council's decision, included execution of an agreement to secure rental replacement matters and other related agreements. 12. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks Forestry and Recreation, and Director Branch Operation and Customer Experience, Toronto Public Library to undertake community consultation and engagement with community-agencies currently located within the affected properties to develop an integrated approach to service delivery and programming for the Parkdale Hub. 13. City Council approve an amendment to Schedule B of the City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 925, Permit Parking, to exclude the development located at 1303,1325, 1337 and 1345 Queen Street West from Permit Parking Area 2. 14. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, in consultation with the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to permit, where applicable, entering into licenses or other arrangements at nominal value in respect of new or existing parkland, or to waive in full the following fees, for the site located at 1303, 1313, 1325, 1337 and 1345 Queen Street West and 212, 220 and 224 Cowan Avenue ("Parkdale Hub"): a. all fees related to tieback encumbrances and construction staging which impact new or existing parkland; and b. crane swing agreements over any new or existing parkland. 15. City Council waive in full all application and permit fees required under City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 743, Streets and Sidewalks, Use of, and City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 441, Fees, and Charges, for Street Work Permits and Temporary Street Occupation Permits for 1303, 1313, 1325, 1337 and 1345 Queen Street West and 212, 220 and 224 Cowan Avenue ("Parkdale Hub"). 16. City Council request the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO, in consultation with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management to engage the City Divisions, Agencies and Corporations involved with the construction and operation of the Parkdale Hub to develop a governance structure to support the delivery, planning, management and operation of the facility based on the Council direction and vision for the Parkdale Hub as set out in item number 2021.RA27.6 "Parkdale Hub Project - Completion of Phase 2 Feasibility Study, Advancing to Phase 3".
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council amend the Official Plan, for the lands at 1337 and 1345 Queen Street West, substantially in accordance with the recommended Official Plan Amendment attached as Attachment 4 to this report. 2. City Council amend Zoning By-law 569-2013, for the lands at 1303, 1313, 1325, 1337, 1345 Queen Street West and 212, 220, 224 Cowan Avenue ("Parkdale Hub") substantially in accordance with the recommended Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment 5 to this report. 3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the recommended Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments as may be required.  4. City Council request the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the City Solicitor, to engage City Divisions, Agencies, and Corporations and the development partner(s) to advance the detailed design of development requirements identified in Attachment 6 to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the City Solicitor, and to secure the delivery of development requirements on terms, including details and timing, in a Lease Agreement with the non-profit development partner(s). 5. City Council endorse the Parkdale Hub Design Brief (August 31, 2023) and direct that future planning applications for the Parkdale Hub, including applications for Site Plan Control, be prepared, and reviewed in the context of the Parkdale Hub Design Brief, provided as Attachment 7 to this report. 6. City Council approve the Rental Housing Demolition Application File No. 23 107855 STE 04 RH in accordance with Chapter 667 of the Toronto Municipal Code and pursuant to Section 111 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 which allows for the demolition of 9 existing rental dwelling units located at 1313 Queen Street West, subject to the developer partner entering into a Lease with the City of Toronto that requires the following: a. The development partner shall provide and maintain at least nine replacement rental dwelling units on the subject site, in the West Block for a period of at least 20 years beginning from the date that each replacement rental dwelling unit is first occupied and, during which time, no application may be submitted to the City for condominium registration, or for any other conversion to a non-rental housing purpose or for demolition without providing for replacement. The replacement rental dwelling units shall collectively have a total gross floor area of at least 682 square metres and be comprised of at least five one-bedroom units and four two-bedroom units as generally illustrated on the plans submitted to the City Planning Division dated July 7, 2023. Any revisions to these plans shall be to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning; b. The development partner shall, as part of the nine replacement rental dwelling units required in Recommendation 6 a. above, provide at least five one-bedroom units and four two-bedroom units at affordable rents, as currently defined in the City's Official Plan, for a period of at least 10 years beginning from the date of first occupancy of each unit; c. The development partner shall provide tenants of all nine replacement rental dwelling units with access to, and use of, all indoor and outdoor amenities in the new mixed-use building on the West Block at no extra charge. Access to, and use of, these amenities shall be on the same terms and conditions as any other resident of the building without the need to pre-book or pay a fee, unless specifically required as a customary practice for private bookings; d. The development partner shall provide ensuite laundry in each replacement rental dwelling unit within the proposed mixed-use building on the West Block at no additional cost to tenants; e. The development partner shall provide central air conditioning in each replacement rental dwelling unit at no additional cost to tenants; f. The development partner shall provide tenants of the nine replacement rental dwelling units with access to all bicycle and visitor parking on the same terms and conditions as any other resident of the proposed residential building; g. The development partner shall provide nine storage locker to tenants of the replacement rental dwelling units; and h. The nine replacement rental units shall be made ready and available for occupancy no later than the date by which seventy percent (70%) of the new dwelling units in the proposed building on the West Block, exclusive of the replacement rental units, are made available and ready for occupancy, subject to any revisions to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 7. City Council direct the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, in consultation with, and to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to provide an acceptable Tenant Relocation and Assistance Plan for all Eligible Tenants of the nine existing rental dwelling units proposed to be demolished at 1313 Queen Street West, addressing the right to return to occupy one of the replacement rental dwelling units at similar rents and other assistance to mitigate hardship. 8. City Council authorize the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to issue Preliminary Approval of the Rental Housing Demolition Permit under Chapter 667 of the Toronto Municipal Code for the demolition of nine existing rental dwelling units located at 1313 Queen Street West after: a. All conditions in Recommendations 6 and 7 above have been fully satisfied or secured; b. The nine replacement rental units on the West Block are ready and available for occupancy; and c. The owner has confirmed, in writing, that all existing rental dwelling units proposed to be demolished are vacant. 9. City Council authorize the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to issue a Rental Housing Demolition Permit under Chapter 667 of the Toronto Municipal Code after the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning has given Preliminary Approval referred to in Recommendation 8 above. 10. City Council authorize the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to issue a Residential Demolition Permit under Section 33 of the Planning Act and Chapter 363 of the Toronto Municipal Code for 1313 Queen Street West after the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning has given Preliminary Approval referred to in Recommendation 8 above, which may be included in the Rental Housing Demolition Permit under Chapter 667 pursuant to Section 6.2 of Chapter 363 on condition that the existing rental units have been replaced in the West Block. 11. City Council authorize the appropriate City Officials to take such actions as necessary to implement City Council's decision, included execution of an agreement to secure rental replacement matters and other related agreements. 12. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks Forestry and Recreation, and Director Branch Operation and Customer Experience, Toronto Public Library to undertake community consultation and engagement with community-agencies currently located within the affected properties to develop an integrated approach to service delivery and programming for the Parkdale Hub. 13. City Council approve an amendment to Schedule B of the City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 925, Permit Parking, to exclude the development located at 1303,1325, 1337 and 1345 Queen Street West from Permit Parking Area 2. 14. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, in consultation with the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to permit, where applicable, entering into licenses or other arrangements at nominal value in respect of new or existing parkland, or to waive in full the following fees, for the site located at 1303, 1313, 1325, 1337 and 1345 Queen Street West and 212, 220 and 224 Cowan Avenue ("Parkdale Hub"): a. all fees related to tieback encumbrances and construction staging which impact new or existing parkland; and b. crane swing agreements over any new or existing parkland. 15. City Council waive in full all application and permit fees required under City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 743, Streets and Sidewalks, Use of, and City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 441, Fees, and Charges, for Street Work Permits and Temporary Street Occupation Permits for 1303, 1313, 1325, 1337 and 1345 Queen Street West and 212, 220 and 224 Cowan Avenue ("Parkdale Hub"). 16. City Council request the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO, in consultation with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management to engage the City Divisions, Agencies and Corporations involved with the construction and operation of the Parkdale Hub to develop a governance structure to support the delivery, planning, management and operation of the facility based on the Council direction and vision for the Parkdale Hub as set out in item number 2021.RA27.6 "Parkdale Hub Project - Completion of Phase 2 Feasibility Study, Advancing to Phase 3".
PH7.6adopted
Concept 2 Keys Priority Development Review Stream Dashboard: October 2023 Update
The purpose of this report is to provide the October 2023 Dashboard for affordable housing development applications reviewed and advanced through C2K's Priority Development Review Stream (PDRS) for the period of June 2, 2023 to September 27, 2023. The report also responds to Member's Motion 8.17 requesting the assignment of certain applications to PDRS and the inclusion of information on non-profit and co-operative led affordable housing development applications into the dashboard. Since the July 2023 Dashboard report, zoning has been approved for five priority development sites, Notice of Approval Conditions have been issued for six site plan applications and three sites have received a first building permit allowing the commencement of construction activities. The Dashboard design has been revised to provide better information on the progress of priority development projects as a whole, in addition to information on individual planning applications. A new section has been appended to include a breakdown of 30 non-profit, co-operative, and City-led affordable housing development applications and support measures being provided by the City to facilitate and remove barriers to approval and construction.
The Planning and Housing Committee: 1. Received the report (October 12, 2023) from the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services, for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services recommends that: 1. The Planning and Housing Committee receive this report for information.
PH7.7amended
City Comments on Provincial Bill 134 Proposed Definition of Affordable Residential Unit
On September 28, 2023 the Ontario government introduced Bill 134, the Affordable Homes and Good Jobs Act, 2023 and posted proposed amendments on the Ontario Regulatory Registry for a 30-day consultation, with comments due by October 28, 2023. As part of Bill 134, amendments to the Development Charges Act, 1997 are proposed to update the definition of 'affordable residential unit' for the purposes of exemptions from municipal development charges. Bill 134 was debated in Second Reading on October 3 and 4, 2023 and has been referred to the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy. City staff are currently undertaking a review of the proposed amendments. A complete report with staff comments on the proposed amendments will be available at the Planning and Housing Committee meeting on October 26, 2023.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council request the Government of Ontario to create a provincial grant or other incentive program that provides incentives to promote affordability directly to homeowners, renters or developers, instead of exemptions to development charges, community benefit charges and parkland dedication fees, which provides a different level of incentive in municipalities across the province depending on the level of fees imposed. 2. City Council express to the Government of Ontario its support in principle of the direction in Bill 134 to adopt an income-based approach for the definition of affordable housing which is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, provided that the Government: a. rely on publicly accessible, reliable and objective data for determining the income-based affordable rent and affordable purchase price to develop the "Affordable Residential Units bulletin", such as the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's Rental Market Survey and Census information published by Statistics Canada; b. ensure provincial income-based affordable rents and purchase prices take into consideration the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's National Occupancy Standard and different household incomes and sizes for different bedroom types; c. not publish the "Affordable Residential Units bulletin" until meaningful consultation with the City and stakeholders has taken place on data sources and the detailed methodology for determining average market rent, income-based affordable rent, income-based affordable purchase price and average purchase price; d. following further consultation with the City and stakeholders, the Province publish the "Affordable Residential Units bulletin" on an annual basis on a set date; e. enact legislation to ensure legal mechanisms exist to secure units created under this definition are registered on title, including securing the affordability term, depth of affordability, and tenure; f. ensure there is a process put in place to guarantee fair and equitable access to the affordable rental and ownership units and require the use of any existing municipal process; g. update Bill 23 amendments to further amend the Development Charges Act, 1997 to specify that affordable rental and ownership units that receive exemptions from municipal fees and charges must remain affordable for a minimum 50-year period, instead of 25 years as currently outlined; h. update Bill 23 amendments to further amend the Development Charges Act, 1997 and Planning Act, 1990 to provide that where an owner does not provide affordable units for the required duration or otherwise breaches its obligations, to authorize the City to add the amounts plus interest to the tax roll and to give such amounts priority lien status; i. update Bill 23 amendments to further amend the Development Charges Act,1997 to eliminate municipal development charge exemptions for "attainable residential units", and alternatively create a direct provincial grant or other Provincial incentive program for developers, renters or homeowners; and j. ensure that the proposed Provincial Planning Statement and any future provincial legislation, regulation and policy, includes an income-based definition of "affordable" consistent with the proposed definition under Bill 134. 3. City Council request the Government of Ontario to make the City whole respecting Bill 23 impacts, for all of the impacts that came into effect starting on November 28, 2022, that reimbursement include both operating impacts as well as the value of the fee reductions and exemptions provided through Bills 23 and 134, and that reimbursement commence in 2024, and continue annually thereafter. 4. City Council direct Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, in consultation with Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to report to the Planning and Housing Committee, with any recommended changes to the Open Door Affordable Rental Housing and Home Ownership Assistance programs following Bill 134 coming into effect, by the first quater of 2024.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat recommends that: 1. The Planning and Housing Committee receive this report for information.
PH7.8forwarded without recommendation
Recommended Framework for the Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator (CIHA) Tool
This report recommends a framework for the use of the Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator ("CIHA") tool. The CIHA provides municipalities the opportunity to request the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to issue a zoning order. The proposed framework builds on the draft framework considered by the Planning and Housing Committee in April 2023 (2023.PH3.9) and incorporates input from engagement activities undertaken with City and agency staff, non-profit and for-profit residential developers, long term care developers, and other municipalities who have implemented a CIHA Order request. The proposed framework includes a set of criteria to determine whether a proposed project is eligible for a CIHA Order and identifies types of projects that should be prioritized for the first phase of implementation. The framework also includes a review process for applications where a CIHA Order would be requested. The CIHA tool provides an opportunity to expedite the development of projects which meet the City's priorities, including affordable rental housing, long term care homes, and other community infrastructure.
The Planning and Housing Committee forwards the item to City Council without recommendations.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, recommends that: 1. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to use the recommended framework and process for the Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator (CIHA) tool set out in this report to assess any CIHA Order requests. 2. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to monitor the use of the CIHA tool, and report back, as needed, with any required changes to the recommended framework and process.
PH7.9amended
Exploring the Potential for Office Conversions - and Affordable Housing - in Downtown Toronto
As of September 2023, occupancy rates within the downtown core remain at approximately 50 percent of pre-pandemic levels. While some employers are mandating a return to work, others are embracing hybrid and work from home policies. Given the changing nature of work and the ongoing housing crisis, it is time to reevaluate the need for office space. The City of Toronto must remove barriers to the creation of new housing at every opportunity. That includes making it easier - where possible - to convert older office buildings into housing. This will require that we ensure relief from guidelines and other rules that make it difficult to convert office floor plates into housing. This will also mean modernizing office replacement policies to unlock new housing supply and identify opportunities to secure affordable housing.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to study potential conversion of office space into new housing, consider what zoning and other regulatory or policy relief may be required to enable economically-viable office conversions, evaluate the feasibility of requiring the provision of affordable housing in lieu of the replacement of office space, and report back to Planning and Housing Committee with recommendations in the third quarter of 2024 as part of the ongoing Office Space Needs Study. 2. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning review the Downtown Calgary Development Incentive Program for any lessons learned that can be applied to the City of Toronto, including efforts to expedite reviews and provide financial incentives. 3. City Council request the Government of Canada follow through on a commitment to create a federal grant program to support the conversion of empty office and retail space into residential housing in municipalities across Canada, especially when there are opportunities to increase the supply of affordable housing.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Brad Bradford recommends that: 1. The Planning and Housing Committee request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to study potential conversion of office space into new housing, consider what zoning and other regulatory or policy relief may be required to enable economically-viable office conversions, evaluate the feasibility of requiring the provision of affordable housing in lieu of the replacement of office space, and report back to Planning and Housing Committee with recommendations in Q3 2024 as part of the ongoing Office Space Needs Study.
PH7.10deferred
City Council on October 11 and 12, 2023, referred Item PH6.3 back to the Planning and Housing Committee. Summary from the report (September 14,2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning on Our Plan Toronto: Recommendations on the East Harbour Employment Area Conversion Request - Final Report: This report is the fourth in a series of Final Reports that provide staff recommendations on Employment Area conversion requests as part of the Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) of the Official Plan. Council authorized the commencement of the Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) and Growth Plan conformity exercise known as "Our Plan Toronto" on August 4, 2020. As part of the MCR, City Planning received approximately 150 requests to convert lands designated Core Employment Areas or General Employment Areas in the Official Plan for non-employment uses, including some of which were City-initiated. The MCR and any recommended Official Plan amendments are considered under Section 26 of the Planning Act, where the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is the approval authority. The Minister's decisions are not subject to appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal unless the Minister refers all or part of the amendments to the Tribunal. This report is to be considered at a Special Public Meeting under Section 26 of the Planning Act regarding the City's phased Official Plan and Municipal Comprehensive Reviews. This fourth report provides an overview of staff's review and recommendations on the Employment Area conversion request made for the East Harbour lands (21 Don Valley Parkway, 30 Booth Avenue, and 375-385 Eastern Avenue). The report also describes the recommended Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 683 and the city-building objectives, such as affordable housing, that are included to support the introduction of residential use permissions. In April 2021, the Province announced a Transit Oriented Communities ("TOC") commercial partnership with Cadillac Fairview for the East Harbour lands that proposes a mixed-use community on the lands, which includes the 926,000 square metres of employment development previously approved in the Unilever Precinct Secondary Plan and relevant Zoning By-laws, but would also introduce residential uses not previously contemplated for the lands. The residential uses envisioned for the TOC are not permitted on the lands which are designated Core and General Employment Areas in the Official Plan. In August 2021, Cadillac Fairview submitted an employment area conversion request for the lands to be considered as part of the City's MCR. On April 8, 2022, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing made a Minister's Zoning Order per Ontario Regulation 329/22 ('MZO') for the East Harbour lands. The MZO permits residential uses on specific portions of the East Harbour lands up to a maximum of 302,000 square metres, in addition to the existing employment development permissions. The MZO allows for residential uses in the zoning permissions on lands designated Core Employment Areas and General Employment Areas. While the Growth Plan 2020 prohibits, and the City's official plan policies do not permit, residential uses on lands designated Employment Areas, the Province's MZO does not need to conform to these policies. The zoning permissions granted through the MZO for the East Harbour lands enable development contemplated in the Province's TOC arrangement between the Province and Cadillac Fairview. Staff's recommendations on the East Harbour conversion request are to implement the MZO made for the lands by the Minister and the recommended Official Plan amendment detailed in this report aligns with the permissions granted by Province through the MZO.
The Planning and Housing Committee: 1. Deferred consideration of Item PH7.10 and directed the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report to a future meeting of the Planning and Housing Committee on Conversion Request 041 respecting the lands known in 2022 as 21 Don Valley Parkway, 30 Booth Avenue, and 375-385 Eastern Avenue (East Harbour) so that this final report on the employment area conversion is considered by City Council at the same time as the East Harbour Transit Oriented Communities Report, and that no further notice of special public meeting is required for the East Harbour conversion final report.
PH7.11adopted
220 Cowan Avenue and 1313 Queen Street West - Alterations to Designated Heritage Properties
This report recommends that City Council approve the alterations proposed for the designated heritage properties at 220 Cowan Avenue and 1313 Queen Street West under Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act in connection with a proposed development of the subject properties as part of the City-led Parkdale Hub project. The subject heritage properties are located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Queen Street West and Cowan Avenue within the Parkdale Main Street Heritage Conservation District (the "HCD"). The HCD was approved by City Council but is currently under appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) and is not in effect. The City-led Parkdale Hub project is a strategic city-building initiative that aims to revitalize and expand upon an existing cluster of City-owned facilities and community services located at Queen Street West and Cowan Avenue, including the Toronto Public Library Parkdale Branch and the Masaryk-Cowan Community Recreation Centre. The Parkdale Hub involves three blocks: a West Block, Centre Block and East Block. The proposed alterations to the heritage properties are associated with the development of the Centre Block of the Parkdale Hub, of which the City will retain ownership. The West and East Blocks will deliver new rental homes as part of the City's Housing Now Initiative and are adjacent to heritage properties but do not contain heritage properties. The Centre Block involves proposed alterations to the heritage properties at 220 Cowan Avenue and 1313 Queen Street West. The designated heritage properties at 220 Cowan Avenue and 1313 Queen Street West consist of the former Parkdale Curling Club (built in 1898), the former Fire Hall No. 18 (built in 1905) and former Police Station No. 6 (built in 1931-32). These heritage buildings are proposed to be conserved and incorporated into the new building complex, which will be four storeys tall. The former Parkdale Curling Club and Fire Hall No. 18 will be retained as whole buildings with minor alterations to accommodate the new programming and the former Police Station No. 6 will be substantially retained as a whole building, with minor alterations proposed to ensure universal accessibility and to integrate the building into the new complex. The proposed design also involves the removal and/or relocation of the iron gate on the west side of the property. The impacts of the proposed development on the heritage properties are appropriately mitigated through the overall conservation strategy and the compatible design of the new construction. In addition, the proposal will serve the public interest by providing at least 231 new rental housing units, of which between 30-50 percent will be new affordable rental housing units in accordance with the City's Housing Now Initiative. Staff are satisfied the proposal meets the intent of the Planning Act, the Provincial Policy Statement (2020), the Growth Plan (2020), the City of Toronto's Official Plan heritage policies and the Council-approved Parkdale Main Street Heritage Conservation District Plan (the "HCD Plan").
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council approve the alterations to the heritage properties at 220 Cowan Avenue and 1313 Queen Street West, in accordance with Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act to allow for the construction of the Parkdale Hub, on the lands known municipally in the year 2023 as 1303, 1313, 1325, 1337 and 1345 Queen Street West and 220 and 224 Cowan Avenue, with such alterations substantially in accordance with the plans and drawings dated July 7, 2023, prepared by DTAH Architects Limited and on file with the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning and the Heritage Impact Assessment prepared by ERA Architects Inc., dated August 3, 2023, and on file with the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, all subject to and in accordance with the Conservation Plan satisfactory to the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning and subject to the following additional conditions: a. That the related site-specific Zoning By-law Amendment permitting the proposed alterations has been enacted by City Council and has come into full force and effect in a form and with content acceptable to City Council, as determined by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning. b. That prior to the introduction of the bills for such Zoning By-law Amendment by City Council, the owner, being the City Divisions and Agencies responsible for the alterations and restoration, shall: 1. Provide a detailed Conservation Plan, prepared by a qualified heritage consultant that is substantially in accordance with the conservation strategy set out in the Heritage Impact Assessment for the properties at 220 Cowan Avenue and 1313 Queen Street West prepared by ERA Architects Inc., dated August 3, 2023, to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning. c. That prior to Site Plan approval for the proposed redevelopment for the properties located at 220 Cowan Avenue and 1313 Queen Street West, the owner, being the City Divisions and Agencies responsible for the alterations and restoration, shall: 1. Provide final Site Plan drawings substantially in accordance with the approved Conservation Plan required in Recommendation 1.b.1 above to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning. 2. Provide a Heritage Lighting Plan that describes how the exterior of the heritage properties will be sensitively illuminated to enhance their heritage character to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning and thereafter shall implement such Plan to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning. 3. Provide a detailed Landscape Plan for the subject properties, satisfactory to the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning. 4. Provide an Interpretation Plan for the subject properties, to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning and thereafter shall implement such Plan to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning. 5. Provide a Signage Plan for the subject properties, to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning and thereafter shall implement such Plan to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning. d. That prior to the issuance of any permit for all or any part of the properties at 220 Cowan Avenue and 1313 Queen Street West, including a heritage permit or a building permit, but excluding permits for repairs and maintenance and usual and minor works for the existing heritage buildings as are acceptable to the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning the owner, being the City Divisions and Agencies responsible for the alterations and restorations, shall: 1. Provide building permit drawings, including notes and specifications for the conservation and protective measures keyed to the approved Conservation Plan required in Recommendation 1.b.1 above, including a description of materials and finishes, to be prepared by the project architect and a qualified heritage consultant to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council approve the alterations to the heritage properties at 220 Cowan Avenue and 1313 Queen Street West, in accordance with Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act to allow for the construction of the Parkdale Hub, on the lands known municipally in the year 2023 as 1303, 1313, 1325, 1337 and 1345 Queen Street West and 220 and 224 Cowan Avenue, with such alterations substantially in accordance with the plans and drawings dated July 7, 2023, prepared by DTAH Architects Limited and on file with the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning and the Heritage Impact Assessment prepared by ERA Architects Inc., dated August 3, 2023, and on file with the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, all subject to and in accordance with the Conservation Plan satisfactory to the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning and subject to the following additional conditions: a. That the related site-specific Zoning By-law Amendment permitting the proposed alterations has been enacted by City Council and has come into full force and effect in a form and with content acceptable to City Council, as determined by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning. b. That prior to the introduction of the bills for such Zoning By-law Amendment by City Council, the owner, being the City Divisions and Agencies responsible for the alterations and restoration, shall: 1. Provide a detailed Conservation Plan, prepared by a qualified heritage consultant that is substantially in accordance with the conservation strategy set out in the Heritage Impact Assessment for the properties at 220 Cowan Avenue and 1313 Queen Street West prepared by ERA Architects Inc., dated August 3, 2023, to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning. c. That prior to Site Plan approval for the proposed redevelopment for the properties located at 220 Cowan Avenue and 1313 Queen Street West, the owner, being the City Divisions and Agencies responsible for the alterations and restoration, shall: 1. Provide final Site Plan drawings substantially in accordance with the approved Conservation Plan required in Recommendation 1.b.1 to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning. 2. Provide a Heritage Lighting Plan that describes how the exterior of the heritage properties will be sensitively illuminated to enhance their heritage character to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning and thereafter shall implement such Plan to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning. 3. Provide a detailed Landscape Plan for the subject properties, satisfactory to the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning. 4. Provide an Interpretation Plan for the subject properties, to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning and thereafter shall implement such Plan to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning. 5. Provide a Signage Plan for the subject properties, to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning and thereafter shall implement such Plan to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning. d. That prior to the issuance of any permit for all or any part of the properties at 220 Cowan Avenue and 1313 Queen Street West, including a heritage permit or a building permit, but excluding permits for repairs and maintenance and usual and minor works for the existing heritage buildings as are acceptable to the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning the owner, being the City Divisions and Agencies responsible for the alterations and restorations, shall: 1. Provide building permit drawings, including notes and specifications for the conservation and protective measures keyed to the approved Conservation Plan required in Recommendation 1.b.1, including a description of materials and finishes, to be prepared by the project architect and a qualified heritage consultant to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning.
PH7.12adopted
This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the properties at 570, 572, 574 and 576 Sherbourne Street and 37 Linden Street and 29 Linden Street and under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for their cultural heritage value. Located on the west side of Sherbourne Street at the southwest corner of Linden Street, the properties at 570, 572, 574, 576 Sherbourne Street and 37 Linden Street were originally constructed by City of Toronto Alderman and land developer, Edward Hewitt. Constructed between 1888 and 1889 as a row of large brick-clad three-storey attached house-form buildings in a mix of the Richardson Romanesque and Queen Anne styles, the row has the appearance of large houses to match the scale of the Upper Jarvis area mansions along Sherbourne Street that define the neighbourhood character, including the James Cooper and Charles Gooderham (Selby Hotel) mansions immediately to the north of the subject properties. 576 Sherbourne Street is associated with acclaimed Toronto author Shirley Faessler (1921-1997) as it was her residence from the late 1940s until the early 1990s. She owned the property and operated a boarding house catering to artists and performers. Further west, on the south side of Linden Street, the property at 29 Linden Street consists of a two-and-a-half storey red-brick residential structure that was constructed in 1882. Designed in the Second Empire style, the building features a Mansard roof and contrasting buff-coloured decorative brickwork. The property forms part of a large collection of late-nineteenth century residential structures located along Linden Street and in the area bounded by Sherbourne, Selby, Huntley, and Isabella Streets. Staff have determined that the properties at 570, 572, 574 and 576 Sherbourne Street and 37 Linden Street, which is a row of five attached house-form buildings built together, and 29 Linden Street meet Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act under the categories of Design/Physical and Contextual value. Staff have determined that the property at 576 Sherbourne Street also has Historical/Associative value. A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets two or more of the nine criteria. As of January 1, 2023, should a property be subject to an Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment and/or Draft Plan of Subdivision Application that would trigger a Prescribed Event, the property must be listed in the heritage register prior to the Prescribed Event occurring to designate a property under Section 29(1.2)1 of the Ontario Heritage Act. This requirement does not apply to a Prescribed Event that has occurred prior to January 1, 2023. The properties at 572, 574, 576, and 37 Linden Street (formerly known as 578 Sherbourne Street) were listed on the City's Heritage Register on August 18, 1976. The properties at 570 Sherbourne Street and 29 and 31 Linden Street were listed on the City's Heritage Register on February 7, 2023. On April 27, 2023, the City received Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, and Site Plan Approval applications related to the proposed redevelopment of the subject properties that would retain the front elevation and portions of the return walls of 576 Sherbourne Street and 37 Linden Street. The listed properties at 29 and 31 Linden Street and 570-574 Sherbourne Street are proposed to be demolished. 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. An HIA has been prepared by GBCA - Goldsmith Borgal & Company Ltd. Architects and was submitted on June 15, 2023. The City Clerk issued a complete application notice on June 30, 2023. Council must make its decision at or before its December 13-15, 2023 meeting to provide sufficient time for the City Clerk to issue a notice of intention to designate before the waiver provided by the owner expires on January 1, 2024. Designation enables City Council to review proposed alterations or demolitions to the properties 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 570 Sherbourne Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 570 Sherbourne Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 3 to the report (September 26, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 2. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 572 and 574 Sherbourne Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 572 and 574 Sherbourne Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 4 to the report (September 26, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 3. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 576 Sherbourne Street and 37 Linden Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 576 Sherbourne Street and 37 Linden Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 5 to the report (September 26, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 4. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 29 Linden Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 29 Linden Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 6 to the report (September 26, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 5. 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 570 Sherbourne Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 570 Sherbourne Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 3, to the report, September 26, 2023, from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 2. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 572 and 574 Sherbourne Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 572 and 574 Sherbourne Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 4, to the report, September 26, 2023, from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 3. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 576 Sherbourne Street and 37 Linden Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 576 Sherbourne Street and 37 Linden Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 5, to the report, September 26, 2023, from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 4. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 29 Linden Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 29 Linden Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 6, to the report, September 26, 2023, from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 5. 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.
PH7.13amended
Area-Specific Amendment to the Sign By-law: 195 Galaxy Boulevard
Toronto's Sign By-law is a harmonized, City-wide set of regulations governing signs which was adopted in 2010. The Sign By-law contains a process for any member of the public to apply to City Council to amend the Sign By-law to implement significant changes to the sign regulations for a specific property or area. Applications are commonly made requesting amendments to the Sign By-law to allow signs that are prohibited, to remove permissions for signs in an area, or to modify the administrative requirements of the Sign By-law. The Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, ("CBO") brings applications to amend the Sign By-law together on an annual basis for City Council consideration, so that that City Council can more easily assess the overall and cumulative impact of these applications on the city's built environment, and the Sign By-law itself. Sanford Outdoor Inc. (the "Applicant") is requesting an amendment to the Sign By-law (the "Proposed Amendment") to both redesignate a portion of the property municipally known as 195 Galaxy Boulevard (the Royal Woodbine Golf Club) from an Open Space ("OS") Sign District to an Employment ("E") Sign District, for purposes of the Sign By-law; as well as, to replace the existing regulations for this portion of 195 Galaxy Boulevard (the "Subject Premises") with regulations which would allow the property to display a third party electronic ground sign (the "Proposed Sign"). The Proposed Amendment would establish regulations for the Proposed Sign, which do not comply with numerous provisions of the Sign By-law concerning third party electronic ground signs, where such signs would otherwise be permitted. The Proposed Amendment qualifies for consideration by City Council as an amendment to the Sign By-law as it would alter the sign district designation of a premises, specifically the portion of Subject Premises 55 metres to the north and 70 metres to the south of the limits of Dixon Road where it passes through the Subject Premises (the "Subject Area"). Toronto Building, in consultation with City Planning, conducted a thorough review of the application, and does not believe that the proposed area-specific amendment is consistent with the objectives of the Official Plan, the applicable Zoning By-law or Sign By-law for the Subject Premises. Therefore, Toronto Building does not recommend approval of this amendment.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council approve the application to amend Chapter 694, Signs, General as outlined in Appendix 1 to the report (October 12, 2023) from the Acting Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, including adding new regulations for property municipally known as 195 Galaxy Boulevard, allowing for one third party electronic ground sign to Schedule B, Signage Master Plans and Area-Specific Amendments of Chapter 694, Signs, General; and altering the sign district designation applicable to a portion of 195 Galaxy Boulevard from Open Space ("OS") to Employment ("E") by amending the Schedule A, Maps, of Chapter 694 by replacing the current Sign District Map Ward 2: Etobicoke North, with a map substantially similar to the map in Attachment 2 to the report (October 12, 2023) from the Acting Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Acting Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, recommends that: 1. City Council refuse the application to amend Chapter 694, Signs, General as outlined in Appendix 1 to the report (October 12, 2023) from the Acting Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, including adding new regulations for property municipally known as 195 Galaxy Boulevard, allowing for one third party electronic ground sign to Schedule B, Signage Master Plans and Area-Specific Amendments of Chapter 694, Signs, General; and altering the sign district designation applicable to a portion of 195 Galaxy Boulevard from Open Space ("OS") to Employment ("E") by amending the Schedule A, Maps, of Chapter 694 by replacing the current Sign District Map Ward 2: Etobicoke North, with a map substantially similar to the map in Attachment 2 to the report (October 12, 2023) from the Acting Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building.
PH7.14adopted
Area-Specific Amendment to the Sign By-law: 2075 Lawrence Avenue East
Toronto's Sign By-law is a harmonized, City-wide set of regulations governing signs which was adopted in 2010. The Sign By-law contains a process for any member of the public to apply to City Council to amend the Sign By-law to implement significant changes to the sign regulations for a specific property or area. Applications are commonly made requesting amendments to the Sign By-law to allow signs that are prohibited, to remove permissions for signs in an area, or to modify the administrative requirements of the Sign By-law. The Chief Building Official ("CBO") brings applications to amend the Sign By-law together on an annual basis for City Council consideration, so that that City Council can more easily assess the overall and cumulative impact of these applications on the city's built environment, and the Sign By-law itself. In 2018, Pattison Outdoor Advertising (the "Applicant") made an application requesting that City Council amend the Sign By-law ("the Previous Proposal"). This amendment would have allowed for the replacement of the existing regulations concerning third-party signs at 2075 Lawrence Avenue East (the "Subject Premises"), located in a Commercial Residential ("CR") Sign District, with new regulations. The Planning and Housing Committee considered the Previous Proposal at its May 2019 meeting and referred it back to the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building for further discussions with the Applicant. Subsequently, the Applicant revised the Previous Proposal and is now applying for a similar amendment to replace the third-party sign regulations applicable to the Subject Premises with new regulations. The new regulations would allow for, and regulate, a third-party electronic ground sign in a CR Sign District, where it is not a permitted sign type (the "Current Amendment Proposal"). The Current Amendment Proposal would allow for and regulate the Proposed Sign, a third-party electronic ground sign containing two sign faces in a back-to-back configuration. Each side would display electronic static copy with a sign face area of 18.6 square meters, which is more than six times larger than permitted by the Sign By-law. The maximum height of the Proposed Sign would not be more than 7.65 meters. The Current Amendment Proposal would have the Proposed Sign be limited to a maximum illumination level of 150 nits during the period between sunset and sunrise. It also contains provisions which would require the removal of multiple existing third-party ground signs erected under the Sign By-law (the "Existing Signs"); require the removal of various temporary signs; and the revocation of all associated permits. The Current Amendment Proposal also modifies the initial sign permit term for the Proposed Sign to 10 years from the usual 5 years. The Current Amendment Proposal contains regulations allowing for, and regulating, the Proposed Sign. These regulations would be a significant departure from the regulations enacted by City Council concerning third-party electronic ground signs, the Subject Premises, and other premises within the City in the following ways: · The Sign By-law mandates that the maximum term of a sign permit be 5 years rather than the 10 years sought by the Current Amendment Proposal. · The Sign By-law generally prohibits third-party electronic ground signs in CR Sign Districts. · A sign face area of 18.6 square meters is more than six times larger than permitted for a third-party sign in a CR Sign District, such as the Subject Premises, by the Sign By-law. · The Proposed Sign would be allowed to be erected within 40-60 meters of and facing an Institutional (I) Sign District, Open Space (OS) Sign District, Residential ("R") Sign District, and a Residential Apartment ("RA") Sign District, where the Sign By-law generally prohibits third-party electronic signs from being closer than 250 meters to and facing these Sign Districts. Toronto Building does not recommend approval of the Current Amendment Proposal to replace the existing regulations for 2075 Lawrence Avenue East. In the opinion of the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building ("CBO"), the Applicant has provided an insufficient basis as to why the existing regulations for the Subject Premises are not suitable for the current and long-term uses of the Subject Premises, the surrounding area, and the City as a whole. Furthermore, it is the CBO's opinion that the third-party electronic sign that would be allowed under the Current Amendment Proposal is not compatible with the Sign District, Zoning By-law, and Official Plan designations for the property. In addition, CBO believes that the Proposed Sign would also add to sign clutter in the area and would conflict with existing and future first-party signs on the Subject Premises and surrounding area.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council refuse the application to amend the Sign By-law to add an area- specific amendment to Schedule 'B' of Chapter 694, Signage Master Plans and Area-Specific Amendments, to replace the existing Sign By-law regulations concerning third party signs applicable to the premises municipally known as 2075 Lawrence Avenue East with regulations to allow for, and regulate, a single third party electronic ground sign, as described in Attachment 1 of the report (October 12, 2023) from the Acting Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Acting Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, recommends that: 1. City Council refuse the application to amend the Sign By-law to add an area- specific amendment to Schedule 'B' of Chapter 694, Signage Master Plans and Area-Specific Amendments, to replace the existing Sign By-law regulations concerning third party signs applicable to the premises municipally known as 2075 Lawrence Avenue East with regulations to allow for, and regulate, a single third party electronic ground sign, as described in Attachment 1 of this report.
PH7.15adopted
Area-Specific Amendment to the Sign By-law: 2378-2410 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto's Sign By-law is a harmonized, City-wide set of regulations governing signs which was adopted in 2010. The Sign By-law contains a process for any member of the public to apply to City Council to amend the Sign By-law to implement significant changes to the sign regulations for a specific property or area. Applications are commonly made requesting amendments to the Sign By-law to allow signs that are prohibited, to remove permissions for signs in an area, or to modify the administrative requirements of the Sign By-law. The Chief Building Official ("CBO") brings applications to amend the Sign By-law together on an annual basis for City Council consideration, so that that City Council can more easily assess the overall and cumulative impact of these applications on the city's built environment, and the Sign By-law itself. In 2018, Pattison Outdoor Advertising (the "Applicant") applied to City Council to amend the Sign By-law. The aim was to replace the existing regulations concerning third-party signs with new regulations for the premises at 2378-2410 Eglinton Avenue East ("The Subject Premises"), designated as a Commercial Residential ("CR") Sign District. The Applicant initially proposed the Previous Proposal, which the Planning and Housing Committee considered at its May 2019 meeting. The committee referred it back to the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, for further discussions with the Applicant. The Applicant subsequently revised the Previous Proposal and is now applying for an amendment to replace the existing third-party sign regulations applicable to the Subject Premises with new regulations ("The Current Amendment Proposal"). The Current Amendment Proposal would allow for and regulate the Proposed Sign, a third-party electronic ground sign. The Proposed Sign would contain two sign faces in a "V-shaped" configuration, displaying static copy on one side and electronic copy on the other. Each side would have a sign face area of 18.6 square metres, with a height of not more than 7.62 metres. The Proposed Sign would face and be in close proximity to various forms of "Residential Sign Districts," as well as being in close proximity to multiple other third-party signs. The Current Amendment Proposal would have the Proposed Sign be limited to a maximum illumination level of 150 nits during the period between sunset and sunrise. The proposal would also require the removal of an existing third-party ground sign erected under the provisions of a Sign by-law of a former area municipality (the "Existing Sign"). Additionally, the initial permit term would be modified to 10 years from the usual 5 years. The Current Amendment Proposal contains regulations that allow for and regulate the Proposed Sign. These regulations would be a significant departure from the regulations enacted by City Council concerning third-party electronic ground signs, the Subject Premises, and other premises within the City in the following ways: The Sign By-law mandates the maximum term of a sign permit to be 5 years rather than the 10 years sought by the Current Proposed Amendment. The Sign By-law typically prohibits third-party signs from having sign faces displayed in a "V-shaped" configuration. A sign face area of 18.6 square metres is more than six times larger than permitted for a third-party sign in a CR Sign District, such as the Subject Premises, by the Sign By-law. The Proposed Sign would be allowed to be erected within 60-135 metres of, and facing a CR Sign District, Residential ("R") Sign District, and a Residential Apartment ("RA") Sign District, where the Sign By-law generally prohibits third-party electronic signs from being closer than 250 metres to or facing these types of Sign Districts. The Proposed Sign would be allowed to be erected within 90 metres of another third-party sign, where the Sign By-law generally prohibits third-party electronic signs from being within 150 metres of another third-party sign. Toronto Building does not recommend approval of the Current Amendment Proposal to replace the existing regulations for 2378-2410 Eglinton Avenue East. It is the opinion of the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, that the Applicant has not provided sufficient justification for why the existing regulations for the Subject Premises are unsuitable for the current and long-term uses of the Subject Premises, the surrounding area, and the City as a whole. Furthermore, it is the CBO's opinion that the third-party electronic sign that would be allowed under the Current Amendment Proposal is not compatible with the Sign District, Zoning By-law, and Official Plan designations for the property. In addition, CBO believes that the Proposed Sign would also add to sign clutter in the area and would conflict with existing and future first-party signs on the Subject Premises and surrounding area.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council refuse the application to amend the Sign By-law to add an area- specific amendment to Schedule 'B' of Chapter 694, Signage Master Plans and Area-Specific Amendments, to replace the existing Sign By-law regulations concerning third party signs applicable to the premises municipally known as 2378-2410 Eglinton Avenue East with regulations to allow for, and regulate, a single third party electronic ground sign, as described in Attachment 1 of the report (October 16, 2023) from the Acting Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Acting Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, recommends that: 1. City Council refuse the application to amend the Sign By-law to add an area- specific amendment to Schedule 'B' of Chapter 694, Signage Master Plans and Area-Specific Amendments, to replace the existing Sign By-law regulations concerning third party signs applicable to the premises municipally known as 2378-2410 Eglinton Avenue East with regulations to allow for, and regulate, a single third party electronic ground sign, as described in Attachment 1 of this report.
PH7.16adopted
Area-Specific Amendment to the Sign By-law: 496 Evans Avenue
Toronto's Sign By-law is a harmonized, City-wide set of regulations governing signs which was adopted in 2010. The Sign By-law contains a process for any member of the public to apply to City Council to amend the Sign By-law to implement significant changes to the sign regulations for a specific property or area. Applications are commonly made requesting amendments to the Sign By-law to allow signs that are prohibited, to remove permissions for signs in an area, or to modify the administrative requirements of the Sign By-law. The Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building ("CBO") brings applications to amend the Sign By-law together on an annual basis for City Council consideration, so that that City Council can more easily assess the overall and cumulative impact of these applications on the city's built environment, and the Sign By-law itself. 496 Evans Avenue (the "Subject Premises") is located within one of 84 areas throughout the city where City Council has determined that no third-party signs should be permitted, and that signage should be restricted to first-party signs only. The Bader Group Inc (the "Applicant") has been authorized by the property owner, Mersen Canada DN Ltd, to make an application (the "Proposed Amendment") asking City Council to replace the current regulations applicable to the Subject Premises, which prohibit any third-party signs from being erected and displayed, with regulations to allow for, and regulate, a third-party electronic sign (the "Proposed Sign"). The Proposed Amendment would not only allow for a third-party sign in an area where City Council has specifically enacted a regulation stating no third-party signs would be appropriate but would establish unique regulations for the Proposed Sign. These regulations would allow it to be more than three times larger than what is generally allowed for third-party ground signs and to have a height exceeding, by more than fifty percent, the height that electronic ground signs are generally permitted to have by the Sign By-law. The Proposed Amendment would further alter the regulations in the Sign By-law concerning the sign permit term to allow the Proposed Sign to be issued a sign permit with an initial term of ten years, which is double the permit length for other third-party signs set out in the Sign By-law. Additionally, it would allow the Proposed Sign to have faces displayed in a "v-shaped" configuration, rather than the generally permitted "back-to-back" configuration. Not only would the Proposed Amendment allow the Proposed Sign to be located within an area where City Council has determined that no third-party signs should be displayed, but it would also allow for a third-party electronic ground sign to face Open Space ("OS") and Residential ("R") sign districts located within 250 meters. This is contrary to the minimum separation distances required by the Sign By-law. Toronto Building, in consultation with City Planning and Transportation Services, conducted a thorough review of the Application, and the supporting material. It is the opinion of the CBO that the Proposed Amendment, which would allow for and regulate the Proposed Sign, is not consistent with the objectives of the Sign By-law, or the specific regulations enacted for the Subject Premises and surrounding area. Therefore, CBO does not support Council approval of the Proposed Amendment.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council refuse the application to amend the Sign By-law to add an area-specific amendment to Schedule 'B' of Chapter 694, Signage Master Plans and Area-Specific Amendments, to replace the existing Sign By-law regulations concerning third party signs applicable to the premises municipally known as 496 Evans Avenue with regulations to allow for, and regulate, a single third party electronic ground sign, as described in Attachment 1 of the report (September 28, 2023) from the Acting Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Acting Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, recommends that: 1. City Council refuse the application to amend the Sign By-law to add an area-specific amendment to Schedule 'B' of Chapter 694, Signage Master Plans and Area-Specific Amendments, to replace the existing Sign By-law regulations concerning third party signs applicable to the premises municipally known as 496 Evans Avenue with regulations to allow for, and regulate, a single third party electronic ground sign, as described in Attachment 1 of this report.
PH7.17adopted
Area-Specific Amendment to the Sign By-law: 82 Queen Elizabeth Boulevard
Toronto's Sign By-law is a harmonized, City-wide set of regulations governing signs which was adopted in 2010. The Sign By-law contains a process for any member of the public to apply to City Council to amend the Sign By-law to implement significant changes to the sign regulations for a specific property or area. Applications are commonly made requesting amendments to the Sign By-law to allow signs that are prohibited, to remove permissions for signs in an area, or to modify the administrative requirements of the Sign By-law. The Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building ("CBO") brings applications to amend the Sign By-law together on an annual basis for City Council consideration, so that that City Council can more easily assess the overall and cumulative impact of these applications on the city's built environment, and the Sign By-law itself. 82 Queen Elizabeth Boulevard (the "Premises") is located within one of 84 areas throughout the city where City Council has determined that third-party signs should not be permitted and where signage should be restricted to first-party signs only. On behalf of 2034038 Ontario Limited (the "Property Owner"), Pattison Outdoor Advertising (the "Applicant") is making an application (the "Proposed Amendment") to City Council. The purpose of this application is to replace the existing regulations applicable to the Premises with area-specific regulations. These new regulations would not only allow for a third-party sign in an area where City Council has specifically enacted a regulation stating no third-party signs would be appropriate ("the Proposed Sign"), but they would also establish unique regulations for the Proposed Sign. If approved, the Proposed Sign would be more than three times larger than what is generally allowed for third-party ground signs. Additionally, it would have a height approximately fifty percent taller than the maximum height typically permitted where such signs are allowed to be erected and displayed by the Sign By-law. The Proposed Amendment would also establish regulations to allow the Proposed Sign to have faces displayed in the generally prohibited "v-shaped" configuration. This is contrary to the generally permitted "back-to-back" configuration. Furthermore, the Proposed Sign would face the Open Space ("OS") and Residential ("R") sign districts within 250 meters of its location. This is contrary to the minimum separation distances generally required by the Sign By-law. The Proposed Amendment would also alter the Sign By-law's administrative provisions concerning sign permit term to allow the Proposed Sign to be issued a sign permit which would have a ten-year duration, double the permit length for other third party signs set out in the Sign By-law; and, as well as establishing a further condition on the issuance a sign permit for the Proposed Sign, that the existing single-sided third party electronic ground sign *the "Existing Sign") be removed from the Premises and all associated permits revoked. Toronto Building, in consultation with City Planning and Transportation Services, conducted a thorough review of the application, and does not believe that the proposed site-specific amendment is consistent with the objectives of the Sign By-law. Therefore, Toronto Building does not recommend approval of this amendment.
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council refuse the application to amend the Sign By-law to add an area-specific amendment to Schedule 'B' of Chapter 694, Signage Master Plans and Area-Specific Amendments, to replace the existing Sign By-law regulations concerning third party signs applicable to the premises municipally known as 82 Queen Elizabeth Boulevard with regulations to allow for, and regulate, a single third party electronic ground sign, as described in Attachment 1 of the report (October 12, 2023) from the Acting Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Acting Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, recommends that: 1. City Council refuse the application to amend the Sign By-law to add an area-specific amendment to Schedule 'B' of Chapter 694, Signage Master Plans and Area-Specific Amendments, to replace the existing Sign By-law regulations concerning third party signs applicable to the premises municipally known as 82 Queen Elizabeth Boulevard with regulations to allow for, and regulate, a single third party electronic ground sign, as described in Attachment 1 of this report.
PH7.18adopted
Request for Review of Signs: Site-Specific Amendment Process
A number of general concerns have been raised regarding the intended scope of the Sign by-law site-specific amendment process, which sees some applications being considered by Committee and City Council, rather than the Sign Variance Committee
The Planning and Housing Committee: 1. Directed the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to conduct a review of the provisions of Chapter 694, Signs, General, concerning site-specific amendments; the review to in particular consider, the circumstances set out in section 694-31A of Chapter 694 which enable an application for a site-specific amendment to be made; and, to report back to the February 28, 2024 Planning and Housing Committee with recommendations concerning potential amendments to Chapter 694, Signs, General, as may be required to ensure that the process regulating site-specific amendment applications is an effective use of City Council resources, and that the site-specific amendment applications submitted for consideration by City Council are reflective of the intended scope of the site-specific amendment process; rather than be matters which are in whole, or in part, matters which substantively were intended to be delegated to the Sign Variance Committee for consideration.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councilor Gord Perks recommends to the Planning and Housing Committee that: 1. The Planning and Housing Committee direct the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to conduct a review of the provisions of Chapter 694, Signs, General, concerning site-specific amendments; the review to in particular consider, the circumstances set out in section 694-31A of Chapter 694 which enable an application for a site-specific amendment to be made; and, to report back to the February 28, 2024 Planning and Housing Committee with recommendations concerning potential amendments to Chapter 694, Signs, General, as may be required to ensure that the process regulating site-specific amendment applications is an effective use of City Council resources, and that the site-specific amendment applications submitted for consideration by City Council are reflective of the intended scope of the site-specific amendment process; rather than be matters which are in whole, or in part, matters which substantively were intended to be delegated to the Sign Variance Committee for consideration.
PH7.19received
City Preliminary Comments on Bill 131, Schedule 2, Proposed GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023
On September 25, 2023, the Ontario government introduced the Bill 131, Transportation for the Future Act, 2023, which proposes to enact the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023, and amend the City of Toronto Act, 2006. The Province's Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy held public hearings on October 18 and 19, 2023. The Province provided a 30-day commenting period, which closes on October 25, 2023. City staff have submitted preliminary comments to meet the October 19, 2023, deadline for written comments to Standing Committee (Attachment 1). The Standing Committee will consider amendments to the bill on November 1, 2023. The purpose of this report to is provide Planning and Housing Committee with a brief summary of the proposed Bill and staff's comments to the Province.
The Planning and Housing Committee received the item for information.