April 12, 1999

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject:Preliminary Report on Application No. 199010 for 350 Russell Hill Road (304 Lonsdale Road) to amend Zoning By-law 438-86 to permit the establishment of a Columbarium within Grace Church on-the-Hill (Midtown - Ward 23)

Purpose:

To permit the construction of a columbarium containing approximately 300 niches within an existing church building at 350 Russell Hill Road.

Source of Funds:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

1.That I be requested to hold a public meeting in the area to discuss the application and to notify tenants and owners within 120 metres of the site and local resident and business associations of the meeting.

2.The owner be advised that, prior to final Council approval of this project, the owner may be required to submit a Noise Impact Statement in accordance with City Council's requirements. The owner will be further advised of these requirements, as they relate to this project.

Background:

Approval from City Council, under the Cemeteries Act (Revised), is required to establish a columbarium. The site under consideration is located at the northwest corner of Russell Hill Road and Lonsdale Road.

Proposal:

Grace Anglican Church on-the-Hill has applied to the City to establish a columbarium containing approximately 300 niches within the existing church building at 350 Russell Hill Road. Council approval is required as well as a Zoning By-law amendment to permit this use at this location.

Comments:

A columbarium under the Cemeteries Act (Revised) means a structure designed for the purpose of interring cremated human remains in sealed compartments. In the past, some churches have permitted congregations to have burial spaces within a church building. Although this has not been a common practice in the former City of Toronto, it is not unheard of. Currently, a request to consider establishing a columbarium within the existing church building has been put forward by the Rector and Wardens of Grace Church on-the-Hill.

The Cemeteries Act, requires an applicant to obtain Council's approval and the consent of the Registrar in order to establish a new columbarium. In addition, following any approval by Council and the Registrar, a proposal of this nature would require a rezoning to permit this use at this location.

In an R zone a place of worship and accessary uses to a place of worship are permitted as-of-right. However, the Zoning By-law at the present time only permits a columbarium in the ten identified locations where existing cemeteries are. Either a general zoning by-law amendment would be required to permit columbarium as an accessary use for places of worship in residential zones or a site specific amendment is needed to permit this columbarium at this location.

There appears to be little impact on the adjacent residential neighbourhood as a result of this proposal as there will be no increase in the church floor area or exterior alterations.

Conclusions:

This application should be discussed with the community.

Contact Name:Denise Graham

City Planning, East Section

Telephone: 392-0871

Fax:392-1330

E-Mail:dgraham1@toronto.ca

Beate Bowron

Director, Community Planning, South District

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APPLICATION DATA SHEET

Confirmed Municipal Address:350 Russell Hill Road

PLANNING CONTROLS (For verification refer to Chief Building Official)

Official Plan Designation:	LDRA	Site Specific Provision:	No
Zoning District:	R1 Z0.35	Historical Status:	No
Height Limit (m):	11.0	Site Plan Control:	Yes

PROJECT INFORMATION

Site Area:	3651.6 m2		Height:	Storeys:
Frontage:				Metres:
Depth:
				Indoor		Outdoor
Ground Floor:			Parking Spaces:
Residential GFA:			Loading Docks:
Non-Residential GFA:			(number, type)
Total GFA:

DENSITY
Residential Density:	Non-Residential Density:	Total Density: