Status Report - Revised Plans -

Official Plan Amendment and Rezoning -

2230, 2324 and 2336 Gerrard Street East

(East Toronto)

The Toronto Community Council recommends that:

(1)City Council confirm its support for development approvals of 2230, 2324 and 2336 Gerrard Street East based on the final planning report adopted by the Council of the former City of Toronto at its meeting of October 21, 1997 and refuse the revised applications submitted in April 1998; and

(2)the City Solicitor be instructed to attend before the Ontario Municipal Board in support of the position as finally adopted by Council.

The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having requested the City Solicitor to report directly to Council on the retention of an outside planning consultant for the Ontario Municipal Board prehearing conference scheduled for August 17, 1998 and the subsequent full hearing.

The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (July 21, 1998) from the City Solicitor:

Purpose:

To advise Council of the current status of the applications for Official Plan and zoning amendments and approval of a plan of subdivision for the former East of Main rail yard and to request authorization for an outside planning consultant to assist in the up-coming Municipal Board Hearing on this matter.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

A recommended source of funds for retention of an outside planning consultant will be addressed in a further report direct to Council.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the Toronto Community Council recommend to Council either its confirmation of support for development approvals of 2230, 2324 and 2336 Gerrard Street East based on the final planning report adopted by the Council of the former City of Toronto at its meeting of October 21, 1997 and refuse the revised applications submitted in April 1998 or support the revised applications;

(2)if it recommends refusal of the revised applications, the Toronto Community Council request the City Solicitor to report directly to Council on the retention of an outside planning consultant for the Ontario Municipal Board prehearing conference scheduled for August 17, 1998 and the subsequent full hearing; and

(3)the City Solicitor be instructed to attend before the Ontario Municipal Board in support of the position as finally adopted by Council.

Comments:

On October 21, 1997, the former City Council adopted a Final Planning Report recommending approval of a plan for the site. That plan showed a total of 290 residential units and 3.45 hectares (8.52 acres) of park. The applicant submitted an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board shortly thereafter.

In April 1998 the applicant submitted a revised plan that nearly doubled the number of units to 480 houses and reduced the amount of parkland by approximately half to 1.97 hectares (4.87) acres. One hundred eighty two of the additional units in the revised plan are proposed for an area of the site which was formerly part of a 2.62 hectare (6.47 acre) park.

A public meeting was held in the neighbourhood to present this revised plan. Approximately 300 persons attended and were unanimously opposed to the revised plan and favoured instead the plan adopted by Council in October of 1997 (290 units and 3.45 hectares of parkland).

The Ontario Municipal Board has issued a Notice of Prehearing Conference for August 17, 1998. Council should take a position on the application and, if that position is to support the October 1997 proposal and reject the revised application, authorize retention of an outside planning consultant.

Contact Name:

Robert Balfour, Solicitor

Telephone:392-7225

Fax:392-0024

E-mail:rbalfour@city.toronto.on.ca

The Toronto Community Council also submits the following report (July 6, 1998) from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services:

Comments:

A final Planning report recommending that the by-laws and agreements be drafted by the City Solicitor for the East of Main Subdivision application, was before the former City of Toronto Council on October 21, 1997. Council adopted that report but the application was subsequently referred to the Ontario Municipal Board by the applicant on the grounds that the City had failed to hold the statutory public meeting on the matter. A pre-hearing date has been set by the Municipal Board for August 17, 1998.

In April of 1998, the applicant revised his plan to, among other things, increase the number of residential units and reduce the amount of parkland. On April 27, 1998 a public meeting was held in the neighbourhood to present the revised plans to the local residents. The residents (approximately 300 persons in attendance) were unanimously opposed to the increase in density and parkland reduction. A recommendation was made by the local Member of Parliament for negotiations to occur between the owner and the former owner, Canada Lands Company, for additional parkland to be provided. At the time of this writing negotiations are on-going.

In order for Planning staff and the City Solicitor to have a position for the pre-hearing, Community Council will have to consider this matter. I will therefore submit a full status report directly to Community Council on any decisions that have to be made as a result of the above discussions and negotiations.

Contact Name:

Tim Burkholder

City Planning Division, East Section

Tele: 392-0411

Fax: 392-1330

Email:tburholder@.city.toronto.on.ca

The Toronto Community Council reports for the information of Council, also having had before it the following communications, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk:

-(July 21, 1998) from Mr. Wayne Clutterbuck; and

-(July 21, 1998) from Ms. Lisa Cestnik.