Moving Forward in South Etobicoke

The Etobicoke Community Council recommends the adoption of the report (September 28, 1999) from the Director of Community Planning, West District, subject to:

(1)adding a second recommendation, as follows:

"(2)that the Action Plan be produced jointly by Planning staff and Economic Development Division staff in full partnership and consultation with the stakeholders and Steering Committee of the South Etobicoke Regeneration Project";

(2)adopting, in principle, the Terms of Reference for the Action Plan and the Secondary Plan, embodied in Appendix 1, and directing that they be reviewed with the stakeholders of the South Etobicoke Regeneration Project prior to finalization; and

(3)extending the boundary of the New Toronto Secondary Plan eastward to Dwight Avenue.

The Etobicoke Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having referred the communications (October 12, 1999) from Ms. Susan Keir, Principal, Keir Corp., on behalf of the South Etobicoke Industrial Employers Association, and (October 8, 1999) from Mr. Peter Milczyn, Chair, Lakeshore Planning Council, to the Director of Community Planning, West District, with a request that she submit a report thereon directly to Council for its meeting scheduled to be held on October 26, 1999, such report to include any additional recommendations deemed necessary.

The Etobicoke Community Council submits the following report (September 28, 1999) from the Director of Community Planning, West District:

Purpose:

This report presents a work program for two initiatives for South Etobicoke. The first is an Action Plan for implementing the outstanding recommendations and initiatives contained in the numerous reviews and secondary plans that have been done for South Etobicoke over the years.

The second work program item will involve the preparation of a Secondary Plan for the New Toronto reinvestment area that makes specific land use recommendations designed to resolve concerns raised by the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) as part of the Canadian General Tower (CGT) hearing and provides clear direction for the future re-use of lands within the context of the entire South Etobicoke area (see Map 1).

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funds are available as part of the 1999 Urban Planning and Development Services Department (UPDS) approved Operating Budget.

Recommendation:

That City Council endorse the work program set out in Appendices 1 and 2 and direct staff to retain a consultant(s) to undertake the secondary planning study for the New Toronto area of South Etobicoke.

Background:

South Etobicoke has been the subject of numerous reviews, studies and plans from east to west (see Map 2). These efforts have produced great successes such as the Waterfront Amenity Area, the Lakeshore Psychiatric Lands, the Long Branch Mainstreets program and significant residential development.

Since 1990, over 2,300 residential units have been added to South Etobicoke, with more than 8,000 additional units planned for the area. However, there are still many initiatives that have to be implemented in South Etobicoke.

In 1997, as an alternative to a comprehensive Secondary Plan for the New Toronto Employment Area, Etobicoke Council endorsed a Development Concept for the area. The New Toronto Employment Area comprises approximately 78 ha (191 ac) of industrial lands in South Etobicoke, located between Kipling Avenue and Islington Avenue, north of Birmingham Street and south of the Canadian National Railway (see Map 2, Area B).

Also in 1997, Etobicoke Community Council adopted a site specific Official Plan Amendment and rezoning to permit 154-unit residential development on the CGT lands. These amendments were referred to the Ontario Municipal Board by CGT, the South Etobicoke Industrial Employers Association and Canadian National Railways. A six-week hearing was held in 1998. The OMB released its decision on the CGT application in February 1999. In its decision, the OMB directed that a comprehensive review of the New Toronto Area be undertaken and that a secondary plan be prepared which establishes direction on land use compatibility and environmental issues.

The area is characterized by a mix of land uses with large tracts of empty industrial land interspersed with active industrial and commercial businesses. The area also contains a small residential pocket. The majority of this area is comprised of four large parcels, Arrowhead, Canadian General Tower, the CNR yards and the former Gilbey's distillery site. The Arrowhead and CGT sites comprise 22.0 ha (54.4 ac). The former Gilbey Site (3.9 ha or 9.8 ac) was sold to the Board of Education for the possible future expansion of Lakeshore Collegiate Institute. Since the OMB hearing in 1998, there has been no expression of interest on the CGT or Arrowhead lands and they remain vacant.

Recent Initiatives:

Since the Ontario Municipal Board decision, a number of recent initiatives have begun which will impact on the role of South Etobicoke within the new City.

One of the major efforts underway is the preparation of the City's new Official Plan. This exercise provides the first opportunity to examine the role of South Etobicoke within the wider context of the new City. The new Official Plan will develop a planning/policy framework to deal with the pressures for change being faced by the industrial/employment lands across the City, as well as a means to recognize the opportunities they offer for the City.

A joint initiative by the Urban Planning and Development Services Department and the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department will build on the work being done for the Official Plan by reviewing the City's economic competitiveness within the GTA and globally. A key focus of the study will be to analyze key economic "clusters" in the City in their global context. The study will examine specific clusters within the City, highlighting their linkages to other clusters, reviewing trends within these clusters and identifying key competitive factors influencing their location and expansion decisions. This work may assist in identifying key sectors that could be targeted for the South Etobicoke industrial/employment lands.

Economic Development has also identified South Etobicoke as an "Economic Revitalization Program Area". A South Etobicoke Regeneration Action Committee has been established to develop a South Etobicoke Regeneration Action Plan. This committee is comprised of businesses, community associations, not-for-profit organizations, agencies and government elected representatives and staff and residents. The regeneration project is being supported with Human Resources Development Canada funding. Drawing on the work that has already been done in South Etobicoke, the Action Plan will develop short-term strategies and actions to achieve key priorities for the area's waterfront, mainstreets, employment lands, and residential areas.

Another recent waterfront initiative is being coordinated through the Chief Administrator's Office, in conjunction with the City's departments and the Mayor's Office. An overall vision for the City's entire waterfront, including the South Etobicoke area, is being prepared. This vision will be used to direct public and private investment to create a dynamic waterfront area. The vision will also play a key role in the City's bid for the 2008 Olympics.

Work Program:

The Urban Planning and Development Services Department has developed a work program to address the above-noted efforts underway in South Etobicoke. A detailed work program for the preparation of a Secondary Plan is set out in Appendix No. 1 to this report. The work program sets out how the secondary plan review for this area is to be coordinated with other recent initiatives which are already underway.

Within the context of the overall work program, two specific initiatives have been identified as part of the first steps in preparing a Secondary Plan. The first effort will provide an Action Plan to allow staff to quickly move forward on the many recommendations and initiatives that have been identified for South Etobicoke in various studies over the years. This effort will be coordinated with the South Etobicoke Regeneration Action Committee. The second initiative will look to resolve a number of land use planning issues regarding the area's industrial/employment lands. The details of these proposals are presented below.

Recommendations and Initiatives Summary:

In preparing a work program for the secondary plan, a list was compiled of the numerous studies which have been completed for South Etobicoke over the past 15 years. These studies have produced an extensive list of recommendations to enhance the quality of life in South Etobicoke and make it a more vibrant community. Appendix No. 3 contains a list of the major studies. While the Waterfront Amenity Area, Lakeshore Psychiatric Lands, Long Branch Mainstreets program and significant residential activity are visible signs of the success of these efforts, there are still many recommendations waiting to be implemented. With many of the recommendations spread among various studies, there is no single document that serves as an overall inventory of the proposed improvements to South Etobicoke nor an action plan committing budget and timing.

As a first step to preparing a secondary plan, a summary of the recommendations from these studies will be prepared (Appendix No. 2). The recommendations cover a wide range of topics including main streets, industrial revitalization, parks and open space, residential intensification, culture and ecological restoration. The "Recommendations and Initiatives Summary" will group the various initiatives by themes, set out the status of the project, identify the players involved, priorities and any impediments to its implementation.

This review of past studies will assist other efforts underway in South Etobicoke. The inventory of outstanding initiatives may be incorporated into various work programs and will include the development of an action plan. This inventory will be coordinated with the efforts of the community based South Etobicoke Regeneration Action Committee. This inventory will also inform the City's strategic plan and future capital budgets.

A key product of the study will be to identify those initiatives that are still relevant and can be implemented by various City departments over a relatively short time frame. Longer term initiatives will be itemized and the necessary action steps required to complete them will be identified, including estimates of funding, where possible.

Employment Lands in South Etobicoke:

Over the years, South Etobicoke has undergone significant changes as several of the area's major employers have closed down or relocated. This has left a number of major sites vacant and their potential future re-use an issue of considerable speculation and debate. The recent Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) refusal of a residential proposal for the Canadian General Tower (CGT) lands in South Etobicoke raised a number of key planning issues around the possible introduction of residential uses into the New Toronto Employment area. In its decision the OMB directed the City to prepare a secondary plan that would provide all parties with a detailed and comprehensive framework for future planning in the area.

As noted earlier, Urban Planning and Economic Development have engaged consultants to undertake an economic competitiveness study as part of the City's new Official Plan review. This study will look at key sectors of the Economy and their growth potential. The proposed study for South Etobicoke will build upon the current Official Plan review of City-wide industrial lands and the review of the City's economic competitiveness. The study should provide key information in determining the direction for future re-use of the New Toronto Lands.

Public Consultation:

The public consultation process will be a key part of the preparation of the Secondary Plan for New Toronto. All interested parties will be provided with opportunities throughout the process to provide their input into deciding the appropriate scenario for the re-use of lands in New Toronto. The South Etobicoke Regeneration Action Committee includes a number of key stakeholders in the area. This Committee will be included in the community consultation for the preparation of the New Toronto Secondary Plan. Efforts will be made to achieve consensus on the future direction of the lands.

Conclusion:

The recently allocated budget for planning studies in South Etobicoke provides the Urban Planning and Development Services Department with an opportunity to implement two key initiatives for South Etobicoke. The work program set out in Appendices summarizes the initiatives. The Action Plan will serve to synthesize the many recommendations and initiatives identified for South Etobicoke and set out a strategy for moving forward with them. The review of land uses within South Etobicoke and the preparation of a New Toronto Secondary Plan will assist in resolving the concerns identified by the Ontario Municipal Board regarding the CGT lands and provide overall direction for the re-use of employment/industrial lands in South Etobicoke.

Contact Name:

Mr. Perry Vagnini, Senior Planner

Community Planning, West District

Tel.: (416) 394-8236; Fax: (416) 394-6063

Map

Map

(Appendix 1)

Terms of Reference:

New Toronto Secondary Plan

Purpose:

To prepare a Secondary Plan that will guide the future re-use of lands in the New Toronto area (Map 2, Area B) by building on past and current City initiatives. The Secondary Plan will examine the New Toronto area within the wider context of South Etobicoke and identify the area's role within the new amalgamated City of Toronto. Initially, alternative land use scenarios will be prepared for the New Toronto area. Through a process of ongoing public consultation, a final land use scenario will be identified and considered for adoption.

The following Terms of Reference identify the specific tasks for the New Toronto Secondary Plan area. The project will be undertaken by outside consultants with staff acting as resource on the synthesis of work previously undertaken. The funds allocated to the Urban Planning and Development Services budget for studies for South Etobicoke would be used to secure an outside consultant(s) with a broad range of expertise to address the many issues in South Etobicoke. The consultant(s) should have, among other qualifications, experience in environmental issues and land use economics.

Public Consultation:

Prior to undertaking the New Toronto Secondary Plan, staff and the consultants should identify a comprehensive public participation process that allows all interested parties to have input into determining the appropriate land uses for the area. Emphasis should be placed on providing a forum that allows all parties to reach a consensus on issues.

The consultation process should allow the public and other interested parties to have several opportunities to comment on the proposed re-use of lands within New Toronto.

Phase 1 - Introduction/Overview:

(1)A general review of the New Toronto area will be undertaken and the area will be placed within the wider context of the South Etobicoke Community and the New City of Toronto.

(2)A review of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) decision on the Canadian General Tower (CGT) lands and the specific issues/concerns it raised will provide the context for the study.

(3)Etobicoke's Official Plan and past studies (e.g., Lakeshore Industrial Strategy Study/Lakeshore Overview Report) of the area and ongoing initiatives are to be reviewed by staff. The policies and recommendations/initiatives from these efforts will play a key role in revitalizing South Etobicoke and providing future direction for the re-use of lands in New Toronto. The work being done by staff in the "Recommendations and Initiatives Action Plan" will prove a useful resource for this phase of the study. (See Work Program, Appendix 2).

(4)Current initiatives underway in the City must also be reviewed by the consultant, as they may provide direction for revitalizing South Etobicoke and the New Toronto area or the re-use of employment/industrial lands. Key studies to be reviewed include (but are not limited to):

(a)The Industrial/Employment Land Needs Study (Official Plan) - This study will provide a planning/policy framework to determine how industrial lands across the new amalgamated City fit in with the overall vision for the City and should be available in the near future.

(b)The Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department and the Urban Planning and Development Services Department "Economic Competitiveness Study" - This study will provide an overview of the Toronto/GTA economy and identify the City's role in the global economy and its economic competitiveness and is anticipated shortly.

(c)Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department "South Etobicoke Regeneration Project" - The goal of this Project is to prepare a results oriented Action Plan that will assist in guiding limited public funds available for infrastructure and revitalization improvements in South Etobicoke.

(d)Olympic Bid - The City is currently preparing its bid for the 2008 Olympics. It is essential that the appropriate waterfront infrastructure be in place to demonstrate the City's commitment to securing the Olympics. This will provide an opportunity for the South Etobicoke waterfront to contribute to the Olympic bid and share in any infrastructure improvements.

(5)Key questions to be answered from this review of material and initiatives include:

(a)What type of investment is occurring in South Etobicoke and in the New Toronto area? Commercial, residential, industrial and retail?

(b)Do the New Toronto Employment Lands "fit in" with the overall vision for the New City of Toronto. What are the areas assets for new employment generating uses? What role do they play in City's industrial/employment structure?

(c)Can New Toronto be an appropriate location for any specific business sectors or clusters? Is new residential development required to sustain new industry?

Phase 2 - Review Existing Services/Facilities and Assets of South Etobicoke:

This section will produce a listing of the areas assets and shortcomings and will assist in determining proposed land uses for the New Toronto area that can be adequately accommodated. It will also assist in identifying where funds/efforts should be focussed within the New Toronto area. Specific areas to be reviewed include:

(1)Public Works and Emergency Services (roads, sewers, fire halls);

(2)Community facilities (schools, libraries, daycares); and

(3)Parks and Recreation facilities.

Phase 3 - Review Issues/Constraints for Land Uses:

This section of the report should identify any opportunities or impediments to land uses in the New Toronto area. The key issues raised by the OMB on the CGT lands should be identified. Some of the environmental issues reviewed should include among others:

(1)mitigation of railway noises at source and reception points;

(2)mitigation of air quality problems;

(3)remediation of contaminated sites;

(4)resolution of land use compatibility issues; and

(5)identify any servicing constraints within the area.

Phase 4 - Establish Objectives for the Areas:

Long-term land use objectives for the New Toronto area will be identified in this section of the study. The objectives will be shaped by the work that is underway by the Official Plan Team and the Economic Competitiveness Study. The information from these studies should identify the viability of the New Toronto lands to continue as employment generating lands or whether alternative land uses are more appropriate.

(1)Review findings of Official Plan team's work on industrial/employment lands to determine viability of lands to remain employment generating land.

(2)Review findings of Economic Development's "Economic Competitiveness" study to determine the possibility of attracting business sectors/clusters to New Toronto. (The consultant could also request the Economic Competitiveness Study's consultant to provide a specific analysis of South Etobicoke.)

(3)Based on these and other information from previous phases, identify the appropriate land uses for the New Toronto area.

Phase 5 - Identify Alternative Land Use Scenarios:

A number of possible development scenarios for the New Toronto area should be identified based on the objectives identified for the area in Phase 4 of the study.

(1)Prepare alternative land use scenarios. Identify the pros and cons of each scenario.

(2)Identify initiatives needed to realize proposed land uses (e.g., improvements in infrastructure, other planning/financial economic development mechanisms and tools).

Phase 6 - Recommend Appropriate Land Use Plan:

Based on the input received from all interested parties and the result of the other ongoing initiatives in South Etobicoke, identify the preferred land uses for the New Toronto area.

Clearly articulate the pros and cons of the choice and demonstrate how it will build on other initiatives by contributing to the revitalization of South Etobicoke.

Demonstrate how the Plan will contribute to City's overall objectives for industrial/employment lands within the entire City.

Phase 7 - Presentation to Council:

Present the recommended land use scenario to Community Council.

Time Frame:

The study should take between eight to ten months to complete once the consultant(s) has been hired.

Product:

The study will produce a secondary plan that will provide clear direction for the re-use of lands in New Toronto and set out policies to resolve the land use planning issues identified by the OMB at the CGT hearing. The Plan will also identify the role of the New Toronto lands within the context of the newly amalgamated City of Toronto.

(Appendix 2)

Work Program, Recommendations

and Initiatives Action Plan

Purpose:

The numerous studies prepared for the South Etobicoke area over the last 15 years have produced an extensive list of recommendations aimed at creating a vibrant and healthy community. (See Map 2, Appendix 3). While the Waterfront Amenity, Lakeshore Psychiatric Lands, Long Branch Mainstreets project and substantial residential development are visible signs of the success of these efforts, there are still many outstanding recommendations waiting to be implemented. With most of the recommendations spread among various studies, there is not one document that serves as an overall inventory of the proposed improvements to South Etobicoke.

The following Terms of Reference will assist in developing an action plan for implementing these recommendations and initiatives for the South Etobicoke area. A key focus of the study will be to identify those initiatives that can be implemented by Urban Planning and Development Services (UPDS) and other City departments over a short time frame. Longer term initiatives will be itemized and the necessary action steps required to complete them will be identified, including estimates of funding, where possible. The recommendation and Initiatives Action Plan is an important piece of background research and synthesis to the Secondary Plan and will complement the efforts of the South Etobicoke Regeneration Action Plan Committee.

Scope of Work:

Phase 1 - Synthesis of Recommendations

(1)Review all relevant documents that have been prepared for the South Etobicoke area over the past ten years. Documents which were prepared prior to 1990 and set the background for later work may also need to be examined as part of this exercise.

(2)Develop a comprehensive list of all recommendations/strategies made within these studies. Recommendations are to be grouped into appropriate categories (i.e., environmental, parks, employment, mainstreets, etc.).

(3)Detailed summaries of the recommendations that have been implemented, or are currently in the process of being implemented, along with the cost of implementing them, are to be provided.

(4)Consult with other City departments and outside agencies/bodies (i.e., Province) on the success of the initiatives and identify any barriers/problems associated with their implementation.

(5)Recommendations/strategies that have not been implemented are to be identified. This section is to include a detailed explanation of why these recommendations have not been implemented (i.e., lack of funding, dependent on external agencies).

(6)Identify which of the recommendations is still achievable. Provide an explanation(s) as to why certain recommendations are no longer considered viable or relevant.

(7)Based on the review of past studies, current issues and Council's directions, identify those recommendations/issues that may need further study or "fine tuning".

(8)Detailed action steps, necessary for the implementation of the outstanding recommendations, are to be identified along with the estimated cost of implementation, where possible. An implementation timetable and responsibilities is to be developed showing the approximate time frames for the delivery of each initiative/recommendation.

(9)This section of the study will culminate with a "Report Card" on the recommendations and initiatives implemented to date. It will also provide a "blue print" for implementing all remaining initiatives /recommendations.

Phase 2 Urban Planning and Development Services Initiatives/Recommendations:

(1)From the work undertaken in Phase 1, a listing of the recommendations that can be undertaken primarily by UPDS is to be compiled.

(2)A work program for implementing these recommendations is to be drawn up showing the required manpower. Focus should be placed on identifying those issues that are "doable" within a six-month period to one year. The staff required to complete these recommendations along with any other costs should be identified.

(3)Phase 2 will produce an "Action Plan" for the implementation of the recommendations/initiatives specific to UPDS.

Method/Approach:

The study will be required to:

(1)review all relevant studies/documents, planning reports, Council directions etc., prepared for the South Etobicoke area over the last 10 years; earlier documents which lay the background work may also have to be reviewed;

(2)liaise with key people from the various City departments who have been involved in the past studies and the implementation of the recommendations; the local Councillors and key members of the community are to be consulted as well and apprised of the study's progress;

(3)liaise with the Official Plan team for the purpose of determining how the remaining initiatives and additional recommended studies "fit in" with the new Official Plan's vision for the City; and

(4)liaise with external agencies that have initiatives underway (or planned initiatives) in South Etobicoke and to assess the opportunities to undertake joint ventures.

Product:

At the end of this initiative UPDS will have a summary of the initiatives/recommendation implemented in South Etobicoke to date. In addition, UPDS will have an action plan to move forward on the outstanding initiatives. As an action document, it will clearly identify a set of specific initiatives that UPDS can implement over the next six months to a year along with the manpower/cost to implement them. The Action Plan will also assist other departments in the planning and implementation of their work programs. The products will be prepared in consultation with the South Etobicoke Regeneration Action Committee. Their input will be sought to assist in prioritizing items and identifying actions.

Timeline:

The study should be completed within the first quarter of 2000.

_________

The Etobicoke Community Council also submits the following communication (October 12, 1999) from Ms. Susan Keir, Principal, Keir Corp., on behalf of the South Etobicoke Industrial Employers Association:

Further to South Etobicoke Industrial Employers Association's (SEIEA) letter of October 7, 1999, in the event that Item No. 14 on the agenda cannot be deferred, we note the following issues:

(1)Secondary Plan area needs to be enlarged;

(2)overlapping studies;

(3)relevance of previous studies;

(4)residential re-examination;

(5)balanced approach; and

(6)refining Terms of Reference to move forward in South Etobicoke.

The boundaries of the proposed Secondary Plan area for the New Toronto Employment lands do not, in SEIEA's opinion, comprise an appropriate planning area. The study area does not include all of the New Toronto employment lands which extend as far east as Royal York Road south of the railway tracks. For purposes of this study, it may also be appropriate to include lands north of the railway to see how the larger contiguous industrial area functions as a whole and within the context of the new City. To examine the area in a piecemeal fashion does not recognize the reality of the interconnectedness of the economics and land use elements that make up the area.

The planning framework must consider a larger area in which to develop comprehensive land use strategies, policies and criteria for evaluating development proposals that may arise outside of the current study boundaries. The existing Official Plan for the former City of Etobicoke, which is legally in effect, provides a planning framework to evaluate planning applications to change employment lands to non-employment uses. Lack of a comprehensive strategy and framework for evaluating land use changes will result in an application-driven planning response.

We find there is considerable overlap between the proposed staff action plan and the South Etobicoke Regeneration Project, funded by HRDC and managed by the City's economic development staff. We agree with the staff report that this effort should be coordinated with the South Etobicoke Regeneration Action Committee. As much of the Committee's work will be completed by the end of the year, the resultant Action Plan will be useful to the City's Secondary Plan process. It is our suggestion that the South Etobicoke Regeneration Action Committee, or some part of the Committee, act as an advisory group to both the City's Action Plan and the Secondary Plan and that this be formalized in the Terms of Reference.

Many communities use this as an effective form of stakeholder input as part of a broader public consultation process.

There appears to be undue and improper reliance on the findings of the many studies in South Etobicoke over the past 15 years, especially the development concept, as a first step to preparing a Secondary Plan. We would caution that the relevance of many of these studies is questionable given the passage of time, changing economic and social circumstances and the results of the OMB decision. The Terms of Reference lack specific reference to the grounds for refusal of residential use on the CGT lands, which should be addressed in the secondary plan's generation and evaluation of land use alternatives.

The Terms of Reference imply a re-examination of Residential use in the New Toronto Industrial Area. We do not agree that this should be a land use option for consideration given the OMB decision and the requirement for an Employment Area Secondary Plan.

There is a heavy reliance on public consultation and consensus in the proposed Secondary Plan process. Given the difficulty in achieving consensus to date, staff should rely on expert planning and environmental advice to determine appropriate and compatible land uses for the area.

The generation and evaluation of land use alternatives does not include the determination of evaluation criteria. Land use compatibility should be a priority among these criteria. The criteria should also include, among other things, the fiscal and economic impacts of the loss of employment lands on such things as the mill rate and employment targets and mix. The consultants should have expertise in fiscal analysis, in addition to land economics as stated in the staff report.

We trust our comments can be incorporated into the Terms of Reference. The considerable public expenditure to undertake this study should be wisely invested in the most qualified consulting team to develop a comprehensive secondary plan for the New Toronto Employment Area, so that the area's existing residents can continue to thrive along with new economic activity.

The Etobicoke Community Council also submits the following communication (October 8, 1999) from Mr. Peter Milczyn, Chair, Lakeshore Planning Council:

The Lakeshore Planning Council was originally established as a community based organization to review the inclusiveness, efficacy, and thoroughness of the planning process in Etobicoke, and South Etobicoke (the Lakeshore) in particular. Over the years we have had the opportunity to work with, and sometimes against, the then City of Etobicoke on major planning and development exercises in our community.

We hope that the planning initiatives currently underway in South Etobicoke will finally lead to the implementation of an overall vision for our community. A vision which will guide the City, and us into the 21st century.

We have reviewed Ms. Bricker's report to Etobicoke Community Council dated September 28, 1999. We are pleased to see that a workplan is being established to move ahead on a number of important issues in South Etobicoke.

We would however like to pass along our concerns and recommendations to Etobicoke Community Council. The Lakeshore Planning Council at its meeting of October 7, 1999, made the following recommendations:

(1)We are totally supportive of the initiatives being undertaken in South Etobicoke by the City and its agencies. We support the South Etobicoke Regeneration Project, the development of an Action Plan, and the preparation of a Secondary Plan for New Toronto Industrial Lands. However, we want to ensure that full public/community consultation be guaranteed within each of these initiatives.

(2)All of these initiatives are interrelated, and as such we want the City to develop a clear, integrated timetable and strategy showing how each of these plans ties into the other. All public/community consultation must be designed in such a way so as to guarantee that there will be no confusion, duplication, or contradiction in the goals and objectives of each consultation.

(3)The Lakeshore Planning Council wishes to be a member of the Steering Committee overseeing the development of the New Toronto Secondary Plan. We also request a voice in the selection of the consultant that will be retained to undertake the New Toronto Secondary Plan.

(4)We believe that it is imperative that the City, or its consultants, prepare an Economic Competitiveness Study for South Etobicoke and New Toronto, in particular, to help determine the direction in which the Secondary Plan exercise should proceed. We wish to be involved in the consultation process for this study.

We applaud the efforts being made to revitalize the Lakeshore community and we look forward to working with you to ensure a fruitful outcome.

_______

The Etobicoke Community Council reports, for the information of Council, also having had before it, a communication (October 7, 1999) from Ms. Susan Keir, Principal, Keir Corp., on behalf of the South Etobicoke Industrial Employers Association, advising, for reasons outlined therein, that Members of the Association have not had sufficient time to review and respond to the proposals in the staff report; and requesting deferral of this item until the next meeting.

The following persons appeared before the Etobicoke Community Council in connection with the foregoing matter:

-Mr. B. S. Onyschuk, Smith Lyons, on behalf of Ivaco Inc.;

-Ms. Susan Keir, Principal, Keir Corp., on behalf of the South Etobicoke Industrial Employers Association; and

-Mr. Alan Heisey, Solicitor for CN Rail.

(A copy of Appendix 3, referred to in the foregoing report, was forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda for the Etobicoke Community Council meeting of October 13, 1999, and a copy of each is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)