September 14, 1998

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject:27 Rosedale Road: Application for consent under Chapter 276, Article I of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code to bury telephone and TV cable within the Avondale Ravine (Ward 23 - Midtown )

Purpose:

This report is an assessment of the City's position on the ravine consent application regarding the burying of telephone cable within the rear yards of the properties at 10 Avondale Road and 27 Rosedale Road.

Source of Funds:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

1.That City Council consent to Application No. 098049 pertaining to the burying of telephone and TV cable within the Avondale Ravine portion of the property at 27 Rosedale Road, substantially in accordance with the plan titled Avondale Ravine, Proposed Landscape, date stamped as received on June 12, 1998, prepared by Vertechs Design Inc., as on file with the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.

2.That the owner undertake to hand dig a trench as shown on the Proposed Landscape plan, prepared by Vertechs Design Inc.

3.That the owner be advised to contact the Forestry Services Section, Parks and Recreation Division, Community Services at 392-1900, upon the completion of all work as indicated on the approved plans.

Background:

The site is located within the Avondale Ravine, as designated by Chapter 276, Article I of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code (see Map 1), and is located to the rear of properties bounded by Park Road, South Drive, Crescent Road, Rosedale Road and Avondale Road. The majority of the ravine consists of generally developed rear garden lands mixed with a substantial amount of natural vegetation.

The owners are proposing to bury existing telephone and TV cable by hand digging a trench within the Avondale Ravine.

A minor variance application from the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 276, Ravines, was submitted on June 12, 1998 by Inese Bite of Vertechs Design Inc, Suite 205, 1246 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1W5 on behalf of Mark and Judith McLean of 27 Rosedale Road, Toronto, Ontario, M4 2P5.

I have undertaken the required consultations with all relevant City departments. I am in agreement with the comments contained in the reports reproduced in Appendix B.

Comments:

No alterations are proposed to any existing landform and at the completion of the work, the valley floor would be restored to its current condition. The routing of the buried cables is such that they will be adequately directed around the roots of all existing trees and would not have any negative effects on the natural characteristics of the ravine.

Conclusions:

I believe that the current proposal to bury the existing above ground cable lines is both reasonable and within the intent of Chapter 276, Ravines, of the Municipal Code. Therefore, I recommend that the Community Council give consent to the proposed development.

Contact Name:Angus M. Cranston

Telephone: (416) 392-0425

Fax: (416) 392-7536

E-Mail:acransto@city.toronto.on.ca

Beate Bowron

Director, Community Planning, South District

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APPENDIX A

Reports of Civic Officials

1.Works and Emergency Services (August 20, 1998)

Comments:

The proposal has been reviewed and there are no Departmental requirements of the owner.

Location

North side of Avondale Road, west of Park Road.

Proposal

To bury Bell Telephone and Cable TV lines.

Ravine Control Area

The site is subject to Municipal Code Chapter 276, Ravines, Article I. (Avondale Ravine)

2.Economic Development, Culture and Tourism (Toronto Parks and Recreation) (July 15, 1998)

This will acknowledge your Minor Variance from the City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 276 Ravines, Circulation Forms which were circulated on June 16, 1998, and contained new plans for the burial of telephone and cable TV lines at the above noted address. I have reviewed the circulated plans and advise that:

I advise that the plans to hand dig a trench and bury Bell telephone and cable TV lines as shown on the Proposed Landscape Plan date stamped as received on June 12, 1998, by Urban Development Services and on file with the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services are acceptable.

3.Heritage Toronto (July 9, 1998)

We received the Circulation for the above noted property on June 16, 1998.

The property at 16 Avondale Road is not listed on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties; the property at 27 Rosedale Road which is affected by this application, is listed.

The Minor Variance will not affect the heritage attributes of 27 Rosedale Road.

4.The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (June 25, 1998)

Authority staff has reviewed the above noted application and we offer the following comments.

We note that the subject property is located within the Avondale Ravine. Although this corridor is affected by the City's Ravine By-law, we advise that it is not currently, or proposed to be, regulated by this Authority. Further, it is our understanding that the proposed works are limited to a hand dug trench for the purpose of burying telephone and cable lines.

Based upon the above, we would have no objections to the approval of this application as submitted.

We trust that this is satisfactory. However, should you have any questions please contact the undersigned or Gaspare Ritacca at extension 324.