September 11, 1998

To:Chairman and Members of the North York Community Council

From:Joe Halstead

Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

Subject:Availability of Grants and Programs from Federal and Provincial Ministries for the acquisition of lands for parks and community related purposes at the northwest corner of Finch Avenue West and York Gate Boulevard

Ward 7 - Black Creek

Purpose:

As directed by North York Community Council at its meeting held on July 22, 1998, this report is to advise Council on the availability of Grants and Programs from identified Ministries for the acquisition of lands for parks and community related purposes at the northwest corner of Finch Avenue West and York Gate Boulevard,

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)That Economic Development, Culture and Tourism continue to pursue information from the identified Ministries regarding the availability of Grants and Programs for the acquisition of lands for parks and community related purposes at the northwest corner of Finch Avenue West and York Gate Boulevard.

(2)That the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism report back to North York Community Council at its meeting to be held on October 14, 1998, when it is anticipated all responses and information from the identified Ministries regarding the availability of Grants and Programs for the acquisition of lands for parks and community related purposes will have been received.

Background:

1.0Subject Lands:

The subject lands are located at the northwest corner of Finch Avenue West and York Gate Boulevard. The applicant has submitted applications to amend the zoning by-law and a plan of subdivision comprising of 220 units of freehold townhouses and apartment buildings, with a unit count of 775 units, along the Finch Avenue West frontage. A report on the above noted applications, was adopted by North York Community Council at their meeting held on Wednesday July 22, 1998.

2.0Meeting of North York Community Council July 22, 1998:

At its meeting held on July 22, 1998, North York Community Council adopted the following recommendations:

"The Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be requested to:

(a)consult with the appropriate officials of the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources; the Ministry of Community and Social Services; and the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation; and the appropriate officials of the federal Ministry of Canadian Heritage/Parks Canada; and

(b)report back to the Community Council meeting to be held on September 16, 1998, on grants and programs which may be available through these agencies that would enable the acquisition of these lands for parks and community related purposes."

3.0Consultation:

The Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism contacted the above noted Ministries enquiring about grants and programs for the acquisition of lands for parks and community related purposes (see attached Schedules A, B, C & D).

Staff of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism have also made follow up phone enquiries to these Ministries regarding the status of our request for information.

Comments and Discussion:

4.0Information Received:

At the time of writing this report, only one of the Ministries contacted had formally responded in writing. Staff from the remaining three Ministries have acknowledged receipt of our letter and have advised that our request will be brought to the Minister's attention as soon as possible and that a response would be forthcoming.

Conclusions:

Staff from Economic Development, Culture and Tourism will continue to pursue information from the identified Ministries regarding the availability of Grants and Programs available for the acquisition of lands for parks and community related purposes.

The Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism will report back to North York Community Council at its meeting to be held on October 14, 1998, when receipt of all responses and information from the identified Ministries is anticipated.

Contact Name:

Tim Park, Land Use Planner

Phone: 395-0221Fax: 395-7886

Joe Halstead

Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

Schedules:

ALetter dated August 7, 1998 to the Honourable Sheila Copps

BLetter dated August 10, 1998 to the Honourable Isabel Bassett

CLetter dated August 10, 1998 to the Honourable Janet Ecker

DLetter dated August 10, 1998 to the Honourable John Snobolen

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