September 28, 1998

To:Scarborough Community Council

From:Ted Tyndorf, MCIP RPP

Director, Community Planning, East District

Subject:PRELIMINARY EVALUATION REPORT

Zoning By-law Amendment Application SZ98022

1234115 Ontario Limited

2131 Lawrence Avenue East

Part of Block H, Registered Plan 4329

Wexford Employment District

Scarborough Wexford

Purpose:

The applicant proposes to amend the Zoning of the subject property containing an existing commercial/office development on the southwest corner of Lawrence Avenue East and Underwriters Road, to permit restaurants and financial institutions in addition to currently permitted Community Commercial (CC) Uses. The amended zoning would enable the expansion of the existing Coffee Time Donut Shop into a 154 square metre (1650 sq. ft.) restaurant with seating, and recognize two existing financial institutions which have existed on this property since 1990. The existing 286 parking spaces on the property will remain unchanged and are sufficient to serve all uses on this property including the expanded Coffee Time Donut Shop.

Recommendations:

That the Scarborough Community Council convene a Public Meeting to consider this application at the December 1998 Community Council Meeting.

Background:

1.The subject lands contain a one storey commercial building and a three storey commercial/office building and are designated Community Commercial in the Official Plan. The current Community Commercial (CC) zoning permits day nurseries, offices, places of worship, personal service shops and retail stores. Surrounding uses include a variety of commercial uses, including restaurants and financial institutions, along the north and south side of Lawrence Avenue East, and industrial uses to the south and east along Underwriters Road.

2.Restaurants and financial institutions are not uncommon along Lawrence Avenue and are normally permitted under Community Commercial (CC) zoning. When this property was rezoned Community Commercial (CC) in 1988 an exception prohibiting restaurants and drug stores was applied to the property, and later in 1996 financial institutions were also prohibited under the Employment Districts Zoning By-law amalgamation.

3.When this property was rezoned in 1988 the applicant at that time agreed that restaurants and drug stores be specifically prohibited in response to concerns from area merchants. In 1993 a minor variance was granted permitting drug stores on this property. It appears that the two financial institutions on this property were considered offices or retail stores when they occupied the building in 1990, however they would no longer be permitted uses under the current zoning which specifically prohibits financial institutions.

Comments:

Potential Benefits

1.The proposal would implement the Community Commercial Official Plan designation by providing a wider range of commercial uses to serve the surrounding area.

2.The proposal will enable the expansion of an existing Coffee Time Donuts business and recognize two financial institutions on this property, all of which are serving the City by providing employment and assessment.

Contact Name:

Joe Nanos, Acting Senior Planner

(416) 396-7037

(416) 396-4265 Fax Number

nanos@city.scarborough.on.ca

Ted Tyndorf, MCIP, RPP

Director, Community Planning, East District

JMN/en