February 1, 2000
To: North York Community Council
From: Rob Dolan, Director, Community Planning, North District
Subject: Jane Finch Community Strategic Initiatives
Ward 7 - Black Creek
Purpose:
This report seeks direction for City staff to work with the Jane Finch community, Metropolitan Toronto Housing Authority
(MTHA) and other appropriate agencies in developing strategic initiatives to enhance the physical and social
infrastructures within the public realm of the Jane Finch community.
Financial Implications:
All costs associated with developing the new initiatives are included in the 2000 Operating Budget.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) the Director, Community Planning, North District, in consultation with appropriate City staff, Metropolitan Toronto
Housing Authority staff and community representatives, initiate a process to develop strategic initiatives in the Jane Finch
community in the manner described in this report.
Background:
July 21, 1999 'Think Tank' Meeting
In July 1999 Councillor Augimeri called a meeting to discuss ideas for improvements in the Jane Finch community. The
meeting was attended by staff from the Office of the Mayor, the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood
Services, senior City Planning and Parks and Recreation staff, and representatives from several community based
organizations, MTHA and Toronto Police Services (see minutes in Appendix 'A').
The meeting was in response to general community concerns, and in particular the June 1999 murder of three year old
Breanna Davy. The purpose was to discuss appropriate responses to these matters, and there was agreement that
Community Planning should take a lead role. Participants concurred that co-operative efforts involving Community
Planning staff, the communities and MTHA would be fitting to explore the possibilities of (i) a feasibility analysis to
improve the physical infrastructure on City and MTHA lands through a pilot project, (ii) an assessment of community
needs, and (iii) a "Peace Memorial" to honour victims like Breanna and also celebrate the champions of this multicultural
community.
The proposed strategic initiatives of this report are intended to address the first two endeavours. With respect to the
memorial, $150,000 has been allocated in the 2000 capital budget of Urban Development Services and a process is being
developed for community involvement in its development.
Commitments of Partners
In order to examine opportunities for co-operative improvements in the public realm of the Jane Finch community, staff
met with MTHA staff and requested clarification of their support. The MTHA Housing Authority Board has advised that it
supports MTHA staff working with City staff in these efforts (see Appendix 'B').
In Fall 1999 and January 2000 staff met with community representatives and MTHA staff to discuss means to engage the
communities in identifying planning issues relative to a pilot capital project involving an MTHA site. Schedule 1 is a map
illustrating the Jane Finch community and MTHA housing sites. Based on MTHA developments, there are seven defined
communities.
Policy and Research Division Report - Social Indicators and Priority Areas
The first background report to support the new Official Plan was prepared in 1999 and entitled Social Indicators and
Priority Areas. The report describes socio-economic conditions in the City, focusing on indicators of social vulnerability so
that planning may be tailored to the unique nature of various communities.
Indicators used in this study were the distribution of tenant households, households paying a large proportion of income on
shelter, lone-parent families, multiple family households, low income households, unemployment, social assistance and
adults lacking education. This analysis revealed the Jane Finch community as one of the ten highest ranking
socio-economic indicator priority areas in Toronto.
Previous Studies
A number of studies of the Jane Finch community have been conducted in the past. Staff will review available literature
and be mindful of the results of these analyses. Where these studies have, are or will result in action, staff will ensure that
proposed actions will complement other implementation efforts.
Project Rebirth was a report drafted in 1989 by Jane Finch residents and service providers which assessed physical and
social elements affecting quality-of-life in this community. The report advocated meaningful community participation and
partnerships amongst public and community based agencies, and included highlights of physical and social indicators in
the community.
The University Village Community Improvement Plan (CIP) was approved in 1990 by the City of North York and
submitted for provincial funding approval through PRIDE, the Program for Renewal, Improvement, Development and
Economic Revitilization. This CIP addressed the area of the Jane Finch community which is north of Finch Avenue and
east of Jane Street. The above mentioned Project Rebirth assessment was utilized in developing this plan. City and
Provincial approvals of the CIP resulted in enhancements in the City portion of the public realm with respect to physical
elements such as landscaping, lighting, trails, sidewalks and furnishings in the Driftwood Court, Driftwood Avenue and
Driftwood Park areas.
The Jane Finch Streetscape Plan is a current project designed to enhance the streetscapes of two arterials, Jane Street and
Finch Avenue. Project implementation began in 1999 and a second phase is scheduled to occur in 2000. The efforts address
the physical infrastructure on two public rights of way.
The proposed initiatives would build upon successes such as the University Village CIP and the Jane Finch Streetscape
Plan, extending the public realm from a 'City only' focus to include MTHA sites. The new efforts would also address the
social fabric of the community, building on studies such as Project Rebirth and upon existing City and community based
services.
Comments:
Staff have developed a strategic approach based on consultation with area Councillors, community representatives and
MTHA staff.
Engaging the Community
Integral to the development of any initiatives is meaningful community consultation. These interactions would allow staff,
community participants and MTHA staff to thoughtfully consider the nature and extent of the existing physical
infrastructure, and develop strategic initiatives for further enhancements. A community based approach to conducting a
needs assessment of the social infrastructure would enable participants to reflect upon City and community based successes
to date, and then build on present services through social infrastructure enhancements.
Dual Focus
Development of new initiatives would include a focus upon improvements to (i) the physical infrastructure and (ii) the
social infrastructure, and would co-ordinate efficient use of limited funds that are, and may be allocated.
Physical Infrastructure Enhancements
Opportunities to enhance the physical infrastructure would be analyzed in terms of structural, design, safety, access and
compatibility improvements on City and MTHA owned lands. The communities would be invited by staff to identify issues
and potential solutions. In addition to working co-operatively with the communities, it is intended that MTHA and other
City staff be consulted for professional support and expertise, including staff of Community and Neighbourhood Services,
Works and Emergency Services, and Parks and Recreation. Using community based criteria, a pilot project would be
selected. Depending upon the nature and location of the proposed pilot capital project, implementation would involve
either the City or MTHA, or a partnership of both parties. A pilot project will be recommended to Community Council and
the MTHA Board for approval in the third quarter of 2000, with implementation targeted for 2001.
The success of a pilot project could result in additional physical infrastructure enhancements being proposed which utilize
the nature and/or process of community participation of the pilot.
Social Infrastructure Enhancements
Since the Social Indicators and Priority Areas Report denotes the Jane Finch community as a high priority area, staff
believe that a complementary focus on enhancing the social infrastructure is crucial. An examination of existing social
services would be a natural extension of the needs assessment described above as a consensus point at the July 1999 'Think
Tank' meeting. This approach would allow the process to extend beyond the physical to other important aspects which are
integral to the social fabric of the communities.
In assessing future community needs, the approach taken would stress building upon the work and efforts already
undertaken in the community. The process would involve a review of previous studies and present services in order to
assist in highlighting both the success of past and current initiatives, as well as any gap in services and those challenges
facing both public and community based agencies. More particularly, the process would review previous studies, consult
with key community service agencies, prepare demographic information of the community and develop a scan of City
initiatives, services and grants. The result of this process would be the identification of (i) strengths within the community
that can be built upon, (ii) any gaps in services presently provided, (iii) future social infrastructure needs and (iv) a
framework for future actions.
Staff recommendations in this regard would be targeted in the fourth quarter of 2000 or first quarter of 2001, with
implementation by appropriate departments to follow at suitable intervals.
Conclusions:
Community Planning staff seek Community Council direction to initiative a process to engage the Jane Finch community,
consult with MTHA and appropriate City staff to develop strategic initiatives. The initiatives would explore both physical
and social infrastructure enhancements. A "Peace Memorial" is being developed with the community to both honour
victims of violence like Breanna Davy and celebrate community heroes. As well, the potential for developing a pilot capital
project within the City and/or MTHA portion of the public realm is being proposed as a short term initiative. Finally, it is
proposed that social infrastructure enhancements be considered by staff, the community and service providers to build
upon present services.
Contact:
Gerry Rogalski, Planner
North York Civic Centre
Telephone: (416) 395-7104
Fax: (416) 395-7155
Email: grogals@toronto.ca
Rob Dolan,
Director, Community Planning, North District
List of Attachments:
Schedules
1 Jane Finch Community Map
Appendices
A Jul-21-99 Minutes - Jane Finch 'Think Tank' Meeting
B Nov-29-99 Metropolitan Toronto Housing Authority correspondence
