December 16, 1998

To:Scarborough Community Council

From:Ted Tyndorf, MCIP, RPP.

Director-Community Planning, East District

Subject:PRELIMINARY EVALUATION REPORT

Zoning By-law Amendment Application SZ98038

Rowbry Holdings Ltd.

925 Warden Avenue

Part of Lot 10, Registered Plan 4087

Golden Mile Employment District

Scarborough Wexford

Purpose:

This report provides a preliminary evaluation of an application to rezone the property at the north-east corner of Warden Avenue and Ashtonbee Road from Industrial Zone (M) in order to permit the conversion of the existing building into a car dealership with associated vehicle service shop, offices and outdoor vehicle storage area.

Financial Implications:

None.

Recommendation:

That Scarborough Community Council convene a Public Meeting to consider this application targeted for the second quarter of 1999 with notice of the Public Meeting to be provided to all assessed persons within 120 metres (400 feet) of the property, subject to the applicant filing a formal Site Plan Control application for the proposed redevelopment.

Background:

The subject lands have been purchased by the Scarborough Lexus Toyota dealership located nearby on Eglinton Avenue to permit the expansion of the existing car dealership and vehicle service shop facilities. The company intends to use the Eglinton Avenue location for the sale of new vehicles and service operations. The subject site will be used for the resale of late model cars, accessory vehicle service and repair facilities, car storage facilities required for inventory purposes, and administration offices.

The existing 2 150 square metre (23,000 square foot) building on the property is intended to be renovated to accommodate the proposed uses. The building was formerly used for a manufacturing operation and administrative offices. At the present time, it is partially occupied by the Salvation Army for use as a distribution centre.

The development concept is illustrated on Figure 1. The indoor showroom and administration offices will be located along the Warden Avenue frontage of the building while the service and repair area will be accommodated at the rear of the site.

Surrounding land-uses include industrial operations to the north and east, and the Ashtonbee campus of Centennial College on the west side of Warden Avenue. To the south, across Ashtonbee Road, is the Drug Trading Company Ltd. head office building, warehouse and distribution facilities. A rezoning application to allow for the introduction of commercial uses on the Drug Trading property is currently under consideration by the City.

The subject site is designated General Industrial Uses with High Performance Standards and Special District Commercial in the Official Plan . In addition to traditional industrial uses, the Plan promotes use of the Golden Mile Employment District for a diversity of economic and employment opportunities as an impetus for its revitalization. The proposed development conforms to this policy direction.

Comments:

Potential Benefits

With careful attention to urban design, the proposed development has the potential to contribute positively to the reuse of an older industrial site and the ongoing rejuvenation of the Golden Mile Employment District. In addition, the car dealership will generate new employment opportunities and added assessment.

Potential Concerns

The design treatment for this development will be fundamental to its success particularly with regard to the Warden Avenue streetscape and the manner in which the vehicle display area is designed. Equally important will be the building facade treatment along Warden Avenue. The treatment of the Ashtonbee Road streetscape will also assume greater importance as traffic volumes increase on this road through other commercial redevelopments.

A Site Plan Control application will be required to ensure that the redevelopment of the property is consistent with the high level of design being achieved elsewhere in the Golden Mile. The applicant has been advised that the finalization of the Site Plan concept will be required prior to the rezoning application being brought forward to Council for a decision.

Contact Name:

Ms. Jayne Naiman

Scarborough Civic Centre

Telephone: (416) 396-7040

Fax: (416) 396-4265

E-mail: naiman@city.scarborough.on.ca

Ted Tyndorf, MCIP, RPP.

Director of Community Planning, East District

/jn