April 16, 1998

To:North York Community Council

From:Bryan Tuckey

Acting Commissioner of Planning

Subject:ZONING STRATEGY - INDUSTRY STREET, Employment Lands Adjacent to 665 Trethewey Drive

Ward 6 - North York Humber, UDSB-1232 and UD43-IND

Purpose:

 This report provides a status on the zoning strategy in the Trethewey Drive - Industry Street - Jane Street area for the employment lands adjacent to the Di Battista subdivision lands at 665 Trethewey Drive.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that this report be received for information purposes.

Council Reference:

During consideration of the residential subdivision proposal at 665 Trethewey Drive on February 18, 1998, the North York Community Council requested that staff review in conjunction with the Black Creek Task Force, the appropriateness of the industrial zoning immediately adjacent to the Di Battista subdivision site.

Discussion:

During the review of the Di Battista subdivision, the relationship between the proposed residential uses and the adjacent existing industrial uses was examined in detail. The result of that review indicated that a compatible relationship could be achieved between residential and adjacent industrial uses provided specific measures were incorporated in the subdivision. The following protective provisions have been approved by Council as part of the subdivision approval:

$12 metre rear yard setbacks for the residential lots abutting any lands with industrial zoning,

$additional landscaping and fencing, and

$acoustical barriers and other measures recommended in the noise and vibration study.

These measures will provide sufficient buffering between the existing businesses and the proposed residential development. Rezoning of the adjacent industrial lands is not necessary with this approach, as the onus is on the residential developer to provide the protective measures.

The Di Battista subdivision lands and the adjacent employment lands are part of an area represented by the Black Creek Business Area Association - BCBAA (formerly the Black Creek Task Force). The BCBAA is composed of area business people, developers, politicians, representatives from local business support services and municipal staff. The area includes employment and redevelopment lands between Lawrence Avenue West, Trethewey Drive, Eglinton Avenue West and the rail lines between Jane Street and Weston Road (see attached Map 1). These lands are located in the former Cities of North York and York, with some properties straddling the former municipal boundary.

Currently, the BCBAA is undertaking a strategic plan review. During March, staff and the BCBAA participated in two workshops to develop a new Aaction@ plan for the area. This plan will be completed shortly.

The workshops included a preliminary review of the existing zoning. As there are two zoning by-laws, one from each of the two former municipalities, there are different zoning regulations and uses permitted. This includes zoning differences on properties straddling the former municipal border and on adjacent properties. In order to attract new businesses into the area and to reduce red tape for existing property owners, the workshop participants felt that it would be preferable to have one set of zoning regulations. A BCBAA subcommittee will be examining all of the zoning within their area including the properties located at 123 and 130 Industry Street (see attached Map 2) over the next year. City staff will be monitoring and participating in this process.

At this time, a change to the industrial zoning in the area is not recommended. Changes may be considered in light of the longer term strategy developed through the initiatives of the BCBAA.

Conclusion:

Rezoning of adjacent industrial lands is not recommended at this time. The City will be working with the Black Creek Business Area Association over the next year to examine and rework the zoning in the area. This will include the lands adjacent to the Di Battista subdivision at 665 Trethewey Drive. In the interim, the City has undertaken measures to provide protective buffering between the proposed residential development and existing businesses. This approach will ensure an acceptable separation of these uses.

Contact Name:

Michael Saunders

395-7104

Bryan Tuckey

Acting Commissioner of Planning