(Report dated June 16, 1998, addressed to Toronto Community Council, from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and
Development Services.)
Subject:Preparation of a Framework and Concept Plan for Lands South of the Ship Channel (Port Industrial District)
(Downtown)
Purpose:
To update City Council on the preparation of a framework and concept plan for the lands south of the Ship Channel in the
Port Industrial District.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
None.
Recommendation:
That this report be received for information.
Background:
The Commissioner of Urban Development Services and Toronto Economic Development Corporation (TEDCO) were
requested by the previous Toronto City Council to prepare terms of reference for a framework and concept plan to address
planning, urban design, economic and environmental issues for all the lands south of the Ship Channel. To date a great deal
of planning for the Port has been undertaken by a variety of interested parties including TEDCO. Council directed that
further work on the southern portion of the Port be prepared in consultation with a number of local stakeholders, who
would include the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, landowners
and tenants including Ontario Hydro and local community groups including Friends of the Spit, Southeast Toronto
Industrial Awareness Organization (SETIAO), South East Area Industrial Advisory Committee (SEAIAC), the Task Force
to Bring Back the Don, the Don Watershed Regeneration Council, the Toronto Harbour Commission (THC), and the
Toronto Bay Initiative.
A number of recent developments and events in the Port Industrial District make the undertaking of this work on the
southern portion of the Port timely. These include the opportunities presented by the preparation of the bid for the 2008
Summer Olympics; the need by the Parks Division to complete a comprehensive design and implementation scheme for the
Toronto Harbour Commissioners= Waterfront Park, following the transfer of these land to the City from the THC in 1989;
the creation of the new Port Authority; the desire to proceed with a number of the recommendations adopted by Council
with respect to the greening of the Port Industrial District strategy and various City and TEDCO initiatives underway in
that regard; the needs and security of the boat clubs on the Inner Harbour along with the City=s longstanding desire to
improve access to the water=s edge by the public; and the generally increasing profile of the Port Industrial District through
new development activity, such as at the Docks at the foot of Polson Quay. At the present time this part of the waterfront is
underserved by both roads and utilities and future development will depend on rectifying this situation.
I have consulted with representatives of the City Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Culture (Parks),
TEDCO and the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, who have all reviewed this report and are in agreement with the outlined
approach.
Comments:
The framework and concept plan will be coordinated by Waterfront staff of Urban Planning and Development Services and
staff from Economic Development, Tourism and Culture (Parks), in conjunction with TEDCO, through a consultative
process involving all relevant parties and consistent with the existing regulatory framework for the area.
The following products and initiatives will be explored and achieved, in consultation with the local stakeholders:
(a)Overall Concept Plan. This overall plan will create a framework to identify opportunities for changes to the public road
system and open spaces in the area, including the potential realignment of Unwin Avenue an improved network of
pedestrian and bicycle routes and a proposal for the Martin Goodman Trail.
(b)Toronto Harbour Commissioners= Waterfront Park Design and Management Plan. The Parks Division will finalize a
design for this park and develop an accompanying implementation and management plan.
(c)Infrastructure Plan. An infrastructure plan will illustrate the way in which City services could be extended to this part of
the waterfront. At the present time no water or sewer hookups are available for a large part of this area.
(d)Urban Design Strategy and Guidelines. A series of guidelines for lighting, seating, public art and other urban design
features will be developed, based on the work underway for the greening of the Port Industrial District. The interface
between industrial uses, recreation and naturalized parkland will be addressed in this context.
(e)Specific Proposals. These will include any recommendations arising from changes to the transportation system,
servicing, changes (if any) to the land use list in the area, economic development initiatives, and areas for specific capital
improvement and expenditure, amongst other things.
I am proposing to meet with representatives of all the involved interest groups over the months of July and August, and to
begin a presentation of findings and initial proposals to these groups and the general public over the early fall through a
series of public open houses. After refinement of those proposals, I propose bringing the final draft development concept
plan and any accompanying recommendations to this Community Council for its adoption in the late fall. I will keep the
Community Council advised of all public meetings.
Conclusions:
I believe that given the increasing public interest and the variety of opportunities identified, it is now timely to initiate the
process for a framework and concept plan for the area south of the Ship Channel.
Contact Name:Elyse Parker
Telephone (416) 392-0069
Fax (416) 392-1330
e-mail: eparker@city.toronto.on.ca
(Copy of map attached, is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)
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