March 11, 1998

To:East York Community Council

From:Richard Z. Tomaszewicz

Commissioner of Development Services

East York Office

 Subject:PRELIMINARY EVALUATION REPORT

Application for a Temporary Use By-law

G-Tek Automotive Corp.

26 Cranfield Road

East York By-law No. 6752

 Purpose:

 This is an information report to the April 1, 1998 East York Community Council. It concerns an application by G-Tek Automotive Corp. for a Temporary Use Zoning By-law Amendment.

G-Tek Automotive Corp. wish to continue to use an existing building at 26 Cranfield Road for motor vehicle repairs.

 Recommendation:

 It is recommended that the East York Community Council convene a day time public meeting for this application in the third quarter of 1998 and instruct the Clerk to provide public notice by circulation.

 Background:

 The car repair shop operated by G-Tek Automotive has been operating out of this location since March 1993. The applicant has recently applied for a car repair licence and while processing this application it was discovered that car repairs are not permitted at this location. To rectify this situation, the applicant applied in January 1998, for an Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments to legally establish the use.

 Staff have determined that we cannot support this application in advance of the completion of the Industrial Lands Review by the Economic Development Department. Furthermore the Planning Division proposes to review the O`Connor Industrial Area`s policies. We advised the applicant that until these matters are resolved, we would only be prepared to support a Temporary Use Zoning By-law. This would allow the applicant to continue operating the garage for a renewable two year time period. By the end of that time, we should have our industrial area policies resolved, and be better able to reevaluate this application.

 Comments:

 (1)Proposed Approach to this

Application`s Processing:

 As previously indicated, automotive repair shops are not permitted by East York`s Official Plan and Zoning By-law. In East York, in the past, we typically did not support encroachments of such non-industrial uses into our existing industrial land base. This may not be the approach taken by the new City.

 In advance of the outcome of the broader studies, East York`s Official Plan allows Council to pass Temporary Use By-laws to allow these uses for a defined temporary period of time. Staff is of the opinion that this application meets these conditions and should be considered on that basis.

 (2)Property Upkeep:

 Staff have discussed the upkeep and appearance of these premises with the applicant. He indicates that he is prepared to make some general improvements to the building's facade, to landscape (sod) the front yard and to clean up and re-organize the rear parking area. These changes will be further detailed in our forthcoming recommendation report.

 (3)Parking and Loading

Facilities:

 Based on the requirements of Section 8.1 and 8.5 of Zoning By-law No. 6752, the proposed

use requires nine (9) parking spaces and 1 loading space. The applicant`s drawings show a parking area at the rear of the property. It is accessed via a laneway adjoining the south west side of the building at this location. Both the parking and driveway appear to meet the Borough`s current zoning standards. The City`s transportation engineer`s response will enable us to provide greater detail.

 Conclusion:

 This temporary rezoning, if permitted, would enable the applicant to operate his car repair shop for a two year time period. He then has an option of applying for an extension of this permission or for the legalization of the operation. By the end of that time, planning staff should be in a better position to advise him about Council`s decision resulting from this area`s review.

 This is a relatively minor application and it is not expected to generate substantial public interest. Consequently we are not proposing to hold a preview meeting and we recommend that the public meeting be held during the day rather than in the evening.

      Contact Name:

 Jean Besz,

Senior Planner East York Community Office

(416) 778-2045

(416) 466-9877

planning@borough.eastyork.on.ca

Richard Z. Tomaszewicz

Commissioner of Development Services

East York Office