July 3, 1998
To:Scarborough Community Council
From:Lorne Ross, MCIP, RPP
Commissioner of Planning and Buildings
Subject:REQUEST FOR DIRECTION
MINOR VARIANCE APPEAL
3173763 Canada Inc., East Side of Warden Avenue, North of Metropolitan Road
Ward 14 - Scarborough Wexford
Purpose:
This report seeks direction from Council as to the City Solicitor's role at the pending
Ontario Municipal Board hearing, which has been scheduled for August 10, 1998, on the
current minor variance application appeal, as detailed below.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that Council direct the City Solicitor to attend the Ontario Municipal
Board hearing in support of the Committee's decision with respect to Minor Variance
Application SA50/98.
Comments:
Variance Application SA50/98
3173763 Canada Inc.
East side of Warden Avenue, North of Metropolitan Road
Part of Blocks G and H, Registered Plan 4597
Ellesmere Employment District - Ward 14 - Scarborough Wexford
The Toronto Chinese Methodist Church is proposing to purchase the subject property in
order to construct a place of worship. The Church has applied to the Committee of
Adjustment for the City of Toronto for a variance from the provisions of the Employment
Districts Zoning By-law No. 24982 (Ellesmere), as amended, in regard to Part of Blocks G
and H, Registered Plan 4597, for the property located on the east side of Warden Avenue,
north of Metropolitan Road, to permit:
(1)a Place of Worship on a lot which does not abut directly upon Warden Avenue, whereas
the Zoning By-law permits a Place of Worship on this site provided the lot abuts Warden
Avenue;
(2)the use of this property, which does not abut or front a street, whereas the Zoning By-law
prohibits the erection of a building or use of a lot unless the lot to be so used or upon which
the building is situated or proposed to be erected, abuts or fronts on a street.
An abutting property owner, Quality Inn- Toronto East, has appealed the May 20, 1998
decision of the Committee of Adjustment which authorized a variance to permit a Place of
Worship on a lot which does not abut directly upon Warden Avenue, and the use of this
property to permit the erection of a building or use of a lot which does not abut or front a
street.
The concerns raised regarding this variance application appeal include traffic on a City
street and land use compatibility issues. However, staff are of the opinion that the proposed
use, as expressed in the staff report (attached), is appropriate for this site. Therefore, the City
Solicitor should be directed to attend any OMB hearing in support of the Committee's
decision regarding this variance.
Contact Name:
Bill Kiru, MCIP, RPP
Planner, Community Planning Division
(416) 396-7014
(416) 396-4265 Fax Number
kiru@city.scarborough.on.ca
Respectfully submitted,
Lorne Ross, MCIP, RPP
Commissioner of Planning and Buildings