Former Scarborough Transportation Corridor
Lands Study - Phase 4 - Markham Road to Morningside Avenue
Draft Terms of Reference (W95014)
Guildwood and Scarborough Village Communities
Ward 13 - Scarborough Bluffs
The Scarborough Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report
(March 12, 1999) from the Director of Community Planning, East District, subject to
adding the words "such review to include an investigation by the Director of the existing
woodlots within this corridor and the potential application of the description "Woodlot"
within the Official Plan", so that the recommendation shall now read, as follows:
"It is recommended that the City Council direct the Director of Community Planning,
East District, in consultation with the staff of other appropriate City Departments, to
initiate an Official Plan and Zoning By-law review in accordance with the attached
Draft Terms of Reference, such review to include an investigation by the Director of the
existing woodlots within this corridor and the potential application of the description
"Woodlot" within the Official Plan."
The Scarborough Community Council submits the following report (March 12, 1999)
from the Director of Community Planning, East District:
Purpose:
To request Council's approval of the attached draft Terms of Reference to initiate an Official
Plan and Zoning By-law review for Section 5 of the former Scarborough Transportation
Corridor, which runs along the south side of the Canadian National Railway from Markham
Road to MorningsideAvenue, as shown on Figure 1.
Funding Sources:
This item is included in the 1999 Work Program for City Planning.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that City Council direct the Director of Community Planning, East District,
in consultation with the staff of other appropriate City Departments, to initiate an Official Plan
and Zoning By-law review in accordance with the Draft Terms of Reference.
Council Reference:
On October 3, 1995, the former Scarborough Council set priorities for a series of studies of
the former Scarborough Transportation Corridor lands, which were designated as Special
Study Area through Official Plan Amendment (OPA) No. 643 approved by the Province on
July 6, 1995. The recommendations directed the then Commissioner of Planning and
Buildings to "conduct a programme of land use and transportation studies to replace the
Special Study Area designation of the former Scarborough Transportation Corridor with
appropriate policies and designations, based on the following priorities:
first:Section 6 (Morningside Avenue to Highway 2A);
second:Section 2 (Clonmore Drive to St Clair Avenue, excluding Oakridge Employment
District);
third:Section 1 (Victoria Park Avenue to Clonmore Drive);
fourth:Section 3 (St Clair Avenue to Eglinton Avenue);
fifth:Section 5 (Markham Road to Morningside Avenue);
while continuing to process active development applications within these study areas, and
recognising that Section 4, the Centre Street Study, is nearing completion."
In October 1995, the former Metropolitan Toronto Council also resolved to "pursue the
construction of a continuous bicycling roadway between St Clair Avenue and Highway No.
2A".
Background:
Since 1992, City Planning staff have been working on land use studies for various sections of
the Corridor lands, which are illustrated on Figure 2. A summary of the progress to date
follows.
Accomplishments to Date:
(a)Official Plan Amendment (OPA) No. 956 for the Centre Street Study area was adopted
by Scarborough Council on May 14, 1996 and approved by the Province on October 4, 1996.
The amendment established various Residential, Mixed Use, Park, Open Space and
Community Facilities uses within the area, and provided for a bicycle and pedestrian trail
from MarkhamRoad west to Eglinton Avenue.
(b)On October 29, 1996, Scarborough Council adopted OPA No. 972 to complete the study
for Section 2 of the corridor. This amendment removed the Special Study Area designation
and introduced new Open Space, Neighbourhood Park and Institutional - Public Utilities
designations, as well as extending abutting residential and industrial uses to sections of the
corridor which affected existing developed properties. It was approved on February 11, 1997.
Zoning By-law changes accompanied this initiative.
(c)Planning issues for Section 6 in West Hill were resolved through City-initiated
amendments in conjunction with a private application for a draft plan of subdivision and a
re-zoning in the Manse Road/Highway 2A area. Through that process, a new public road
connection from Highway 2A to Lawrence Avenue was introduced, together with Low
Density Residential Uses, parkland along Coronation Drive and abutting Megan Park, and
extensive Open Space areas. The Open Space designation preserves important woodlots and
wetlands, and also provides a buffer between residential and industrial uses. As well, a bicycle
and pedestrian trail was indicated eastward from Morningside Avenue as far as Highway 2A.
These changes were effected through OPA's 983 and 987, approved by the Minister on
November 18 and 27, 1997, respectively. Again, there were implementing Zoning By-law
amendments, including a holding (H) zone for the residential use south of Lawrence Avenue.
(d)With respect to Section 3, for the portion east of Brimley Road OPA 1014 was adopted
by Toronto Council on November 26, and came into effect on December 30, 1998.
(Ministerial approval was delegated to the City in June 1998). It replaced the Special Study
Area and some residential and industrial uses with Park and with an Institutional - Public
Utilities designation on the Eglinton GO station property south of the CN Railway, and
introduced a bicycle and pedestrian trail policy. Zoning By-law amendments to implement the
new land uses were also adopted.
Other Related Studies:
The balance of Section 3 from Brimley Road to St Clair Avenue is still under study in a
Working Group context, with the Public Meeting to be continued on June 23, 1999 at 7:30
p.m.
For the new parkland around McCowan Road, staff of Economic Development, Culture and
Tourism are working on park and trail designs and assisting with the Children's Safety Village
project.
Corporate Services and Community Services staff are investigating the potential for Corridor
lands, among others, to be declared surplus and sold or to be retained for housing
opportunities. The new Property Management Committee was expected to consider some of
these matters at its inaugural meeting on March 8, 1999.
Comments:
While the original priority setting ranked Section 1 ahead of Section 5, planning enquiries and
the efforts of Corporate Services to determine which City lands may be surplus in this area,
have combined to raise the priority of Section 5 to be considered next.
West of Kingston Road, the Section 5 lands comprise deep lots (over 100 feet) along Dunelm
Street and Dale Avenue, with a patchwork of City and private ownership. The land use
context is entirely residential, low density for the most part with apartment buildings south of
the Corridor at both Markham and Kingston Roads. East of Kingston Road the lands are
almost wholly owned by the City and are occupied by the Guildwood GO Station with its
associated parking lot, some grassy and wooded areas, five private homes east of Poplar Road
and one large residential lot fronting on Morningside Avenue.
Conclusions:
Through the 1995 direction, Council has expressed its desire for land use planning in this area
to be clarified through a comprehensive study. With the assistance of all relevant City
departments, the Ward Councillors, and interested members of the public, and building on the
extensive departmental expertise achieved through the earlier phases, another excellent result
can be achieved.
Contact Name:
Carolyn Johnson, MCIP, RPP
Program Co-ordinator, Transportation Division
(416)-396-5376
(416)-396-4265 Fax Number
cjohnson@city.scarborough.on.ca
PHASE 4 TERMS OF REFERENCE
OFFICIAL PLAN AND ZONING REVIEW
MARKHAM ROAD TO MORNINGSIDE AVENUE
INTRODUCTION
Phase 4 comprises the lands along the south side of the CNR designated as Special Study Area
and their immediate surroundings, lying east of Markham Road, and extending as far as
MorningsideAvenue, as shown on the attached Context Map (Figure 1). It includes portions of
the Scarborough Village and Guildwood Communities.
As shown on the appended Secondary Plans, the abutting land use designations include Low
Density Residential (RL), High Density Residential (RH), Park and Open Space Uses.
APPROACH
Existing uses will be inventoried in the field, and opportunities for new streets will be
examined. The new uses proposed as part of the 1984 study conducted by the former City of
Scarborough will be reviewed in the current context. The possibility of accommodating a
bicycling route will be investigated. The recommendations of the study will facilitate and
encourage appropriate levels of development in suitable locations, and address the issue of
integrating new uses with established single family housing. A detailed review of suitable land
uses and some preliminary site planning may be required. A zoning review will also be
conducted.
In conjunction with the Department of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, options
for park uses will be explored, particularly for the City-owned property, while Housing staff
will be canvassed for interest in developing new homes on portions of the Corridor.
With the assistance of the Works and Environment Department, natural features will be
inventoried to identify environmental functions, linkages, constraints and opportunities. Staff
will also determine the availability, operation and capacities of any existing sanitary and
stormwater sewer systems servicing the area, determine any infrastructure deficiencies, and
develop a plan for the management of stormwater runoff from proposed and existing
development. Data to be collected may include flood line records, and sewer capacity and
flow monitoring.
The consultative process will require input from a wide variety of City departments and
agencies; from the District and Separate School Boards; and from local Councillors and
residents of the affected communities.
The Director of Community Planning will provide overall direction for the study. Staffing and
funding will be provided through the departmental work program allocations.
PROCESS AND TIMING
(1)The study commencement will be publicized and explained at an introductory
Community Information Meeting in the Spring, when public input and involvement will be
invited. In association with the Ward Councillors, a Working Group will be established with
volunteers from the audience and appropriate staff.
(2)A discussion paper will be prepared in the Summer outlining the public input and the
data inventory, and the resultant issues and options. Timing will be dependent on the
ecological survey, which will be affected by the weather. This paper will be circulated to
departments, agencies and the public.
(3)A preliminary report will be submitted to Scarborough Community Council. Reports may
be required for consideration by other Committees as well. These reports will be prepared in
the Summer and Fall.
(4)A draft Official Plan Amendment and supporting report will be prepared, and the
statutory process for a City-initiated OPA under the Planning Act will be followed. It should
be possible to bring the draft OPA, and zoning by-law amendment if required, to Council by
the end of 1999.