April 28, 1999
To:Urban Environment and Development Committee
From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services
Subject:Approval under the Cemeteries Act (Revised) for a columbarium conservatory in
Mount Pleasant Cemetery, 1250 Bayview Avenue, North Toronto (Ward 22)
Purpose:
To approve the construction of a one-storey columbarium niche conservatory within the
existing Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended:
1.That City Council approve the columbarium niche conservatory and pass the following
resolution:
That the construction of a columbarium enclosed by a glass conservatory at 1250 Bayview
Avenue be approved for the following reasons:
-the Zoning By-law permits a columbarium at this location;
-the columbarium is surrounded by a cemetery use and buffered from the adjacent
residential community; and
-no urban design issues are required to be addressed.
2.That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare a Notice of Decision indicating Council's
decision on this matter and submit it to the City Clerk for publication in a local paper.
Background:
On January 19, 1999, an application for an Order in Council to permit the construction of a
columbarium within Mount Pleasant Cemetery was submitted to the City for consideration.
Prior to applying for the consent of the Registrar required under the Cemeteries Act (Revised),
to increase the capacity of the cemetery, the applicant must obtain approval from the
municipality. An Order in Council to approve the development is required to register this
development with the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations, Cemeteries
Regulations Branch.
A public meeting was held in the community on April 12, 1999, to discuss this proposal and
future development plans of the cemetery. No objection or issues were raised at the meeting.
Comments:
The proposal involves the construction of a 123 square metre columbarium conservatory
enclosed in a glass structure. The proposed structure is centrally located within the cemetery
and is situated approximately 200 m from Mount Pleasant Road, 184 m from the residential
property line on Merton Street, and 194 m from the residential property line on Moore
Avenue.
In considering this request for approval, the principal factor to be considered, as required by
the Cemeteries Act, is the public interest. In this case no issues were raised at the public
meeting and there appears to be no identified impact. Based on the foregoing, the proposal can
be supported.
The applicant has indicated that a building permit in early spring is required to get the footings
for the structure in the ground in order to meet the opening scheduled for early August. In
view of the fact that the cemetery straddles two Community Council boundaries (both the
former City of Toronto and East York), I have forwarded this report to UEDC in order to
expedite the matter for the applicant.
Conclusions:
An application has been submitted to the City for approval of the construction of a
columbarium niche conservatory in the centre of Mount Pleasant Cemetery between Mount
Pleasant Road and Bayview Avenue. It is recommended that this proposal be approved.
Contact Name:Denise Graham
Community Planning, South District
Telephone:392-0871
Fax:392-1330
E-Mail:dgraham1@toronto.ca
Reviewed by:
Paul J. BedfordVirginia M. West
Executive Director and Chief PlannerCommissioner of
City Planning DivisionUrban Planning and Development Services
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