Subject: Designation of the area formerly known as the City of York as a Community Improvement Project Area
(Februry 3, 1998) From the Commissioner, Development Services, York Civic Service Centre
Purpose:
To bring forward a By-law designating the former City of York as a Community Improvement Project Area for Council=s consideration.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
N/A
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) City Council enact a by-law in accordance with the Draft By-law attached as Schedule 1 to this report.
Background:
On May 28, 1997, the former City of York Council adopted an Official Plan Amendment which established new, simplified policies for Community Improvement. Approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on July 29, 1997, the main objective of the Amendment is to provide Council with an effective policy framework from which to improve the amenity, appearance and safety of all areas of York. Accordingly, one of the new policies designates the entire former City as a Community Improvement Area. At the same meeting, Council instructed the City Solicitor to prepare a By-law designating the entire City as a Community Improvement Project Area.
Discussion:
The Planning Act defines a Community Improvement Project Area as any area within a municipality in which, in the opinion of Council, community improvement is desirable. The Act provides local councils with the authority to pass by-laws establishing Community Improvement Project Areas. Once such a by-law is passed, the City can prepare a Community Improvement Plan for approval by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Community Improvement Plans allow Council to acquire land for community improvement purposes, such as municipal parking lots, or make grants or loans to private property owners for such purposes as facade improvements.
The designation of only select areas of York as Community Improvement Project Areas, as is presently the case, is an unnecessary restriction which only delays the development and implementation of Community Improvement Plans. All areas of York could benefit from some form of community improvement, either presently or in the future. Therefore, it is recommended that City Council approve the Draft By-law attached to this report designating all of the former City of York as a Community Improvement Project Area.
Conclusion:
Designating the lands formerly known as the City of York as a Community Improvement Project Area will facilitate the development and implementation of future community improvement programs. Therefore, I recommend that Council establish this designation by enacting a By-law in accordance with the Draft By-law attached as Schedule 1 to this report.
Contact Name: Henry Byres, Senior Planner
Tel: (416) 394-2618 Fax: (416) 394-2782
E-Mail: City of York.Eglinton Ave.HByre
Schedule 1 - Draft By-law
A BY-LAW
NUMBER
TO DESIGNATE the area consisting of the former City of York as a
Community Improvement Project Area
WHEREAS there is an Official Plan (herein called the AOfficial Plan@) in force that contains provisions relating to community improvement in that portion of the City of Toronto which was formerly the City of York;
AND WHEREAS the area formerly known as the City of York, and now known as Wards 27 and 28 of the City of Toronto, is designated as a Community Improvement Area in the Official Plan;
AND WHEREAS the Council of the City of Toronto deems it in the interest of the Municipality to designate the area formerly known as the City of York as a Community Improvement Project Area;
NOW THEREFORE THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TORONTO ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:
-1-
Pursuant to Subsection 28(2) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990 c.P.13, the area of the City of Toronto consisting of the former City of York is hereby designated as a Community Improvement Project Area.
ENACTED and PASSED this day of A.D. 1998
Mayor
Clerk
