STAFF REPORT

November 16, 1999

To: Scarborough Community Council

From: Ted Tyndorf

Director of Community Planning, East District

Subject: AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE NOTICE

Zoning By-law Amendment Resulting from

Interim Control By-law 643-1999

SC-W19980019

255 Blantyre Avenue

Birchcliff Community

Scarborough Bluffs

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to obtain Council authorization to issue Notice of a Public Meeting to consider a proposed Zoning By-law Amendment applying to 255 Blantyre Avenue. Currently, there is an Interim Control By-law on this property prohibiting the development of a senior citizens' home or nursing home during the effective period of the By-law. The recommended zoning standards result from negotiations between the owner, the Blantyre Community Association and City Planning staff.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

None.

Recommendation:

That Scarborough Community Council direct staff to issue Notice of a Public Meeting to be held at the January 18, 2000 meeting of Scarborough Community Council, with notice to be provided to all owners within 120 metres (400 feet) of the property and to the Blantyre Community Association.

Background:

On October 30, 1998, Toronto Council enacted Interim Control By-law 817-1998 applying to 12 church sites zoned Limited Institutional in the Birchcliff and Clairlea Communities. In addition to permission for Places of Worship, the zoning of these sites permitted Senior Citizens' Homes and Nursing Homes. Of concern was the virtual absence of zoning controls on these properties including height restrictions, most setbacks and parking requirements.

An in-depth planning review was subsequently conducted which resulted in recommendations for all properties affected by the Interim Control By-law with the exception of 255 Blantyre Avenue. The staff recommendations were adopted by Council and the zoning for these properties is now in effect. In the case of two properties, the zoning permission for Nursing Homes and Senior Citizens' Homes was removed altogether. For the remaining properties, where the continuation of permissions for Nursing Homes and Senior Citizens' Homes was deemed appropriate, the zoning now contains a prescribed building envelope for all permitted uses as well as a parking standard of 0.3 parking spaces per nursing home bed or senior citizens' home unit.

The zoning for 255 Blantyre Avenue was processed separately as it was necessary to await the outcome of an Ontario Municipal Board appeal on the Interim Control By-law by the owner. The Board Decision, when rendered, upheld the Interim Control By-law. The planning process which followed has been concluded. We are now in a position to recommend removal of Interim Control replacing it with appropriate zoning for this site.

Comments:

The recommended building envelope for this site reflecting the various setback requirements, maximum coverage and height limit is illustrated on Figure 1. The recommended zoning consists of the following standards:

- Minimum 6 metres (20 feet) streetyard building setback;

- Minimum 8 metres (26 feet) building setback from an abutting Single-Family Residential Zone;

- Maximum 15 metres (49 feet) building height including mechanical and stairwell penthouses;

- Maximum 3 storeys excluding basements and rooftop mechanical and stairwell penthouses;

- Maximum building coverage 45% of the lot area;

- Maximum 75 Nursing Home beds and Senior Citizens' Home units;

- Minimum 0.3 parking spaces per Nursing Home bed and/or Senior Citizens' Home unit with a minimum of 4 surface parking spaces to be provided.

The above standards were presented to the community by the executive of the Blantyre Community Association at a meeting on November 2, 1999. While support for these standards was not unanimous, the executive indicated their support as did other members of the local community. Furthermore, staff are satisfied that the proposed standards are consistent with the approach used for the zoning of the other Limited Institutional properties which were affected by the Interim Control By-law.

Conclusions:

The recommendations contained herein result from an intensive consultation process with the owner and the Blantyre Community Association over the past 2 years. The proposed zoning will ensure housing opportunities serving the elderly population continue to be available on this site and that the new facility is developed in a manner which complements the surrounding neighbourhood.

Contact:

Ms. Jayne Naiman, Senior Planner

Community Planning, East District

Scarborough Civic Centre

Telephone Number: (416) 396-7040

Fax Number: (416) 396-4265

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

Ted Tyndorf, MCIP, RPP

Director of Community Planning, East District

JN/

List of Attachments:

Figure 1 - Recommended Maximum Builidng Envelope