October 15, 1998

TO:Councillor Joe Pantalone

Chair, Urban Environment and Development Committee

FROM:Shirley Hoy

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

RE:Repeal of the Scarborough Group Home Zoning By-law 25225

I would like to indicate the Department's support for the repeal of the Scarborough Group Home Zoning By-law 25225, as recommended by the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services in her report to the Urban Environment and Development Committee.

The Community Services Department in the former Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, following consultation with a number of key community stakeholders, provided recommendations to the Metropolitan Toronto Planning Department, which formed the basis for the objection filed by Metropolitan Toronto. The main areas of concern expressed at that time included: the lack of consultation with group home operators; no clearly articulated problem identified that would necessitate a change to the by-law; the negative impact on current group home operators, including the fact that the by-law would result in up to 52 existing group homes being designated legal non-conforming uses; and the impact on future development of appropriate sites.

These same concerns remain relevant today, as identified in the Committee report before you, therefore, the Community and Neighbourhood Services Department would support the repeal of the by-law. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact Nancy Matthews, Manager, Social Policy and Research at 392-8614

Yours truly,

SHIRLEY HOY

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services