The purpose of this report is to update the members of the Planning and Growth Management Committee on the progress of the Mid-Rise Buildings Action Plan and to initiate the public consultation process.

The two primary components of the Action Plan are:

-           Staff consultation with the Mid-Rise Buildings Interdivisional Team, currently being undertaken by City Planning; and

-           the Avenues and Mid-Rise Buildings Study currently being undertaken by the consultant team of  Brook McIlroy Planning + Urban Design/Pace Architects together with Quadrangle Architects. The Executive Summary, draft Mid-Rise Buildings Performance Standards and a summary of completed Avenue Studies from this study is attached.

Public consultation will form an essential part of the Avenues and Mid-Rise Buildings Study. Planning Staff recognize the importance of providing the public with meaningful opportunities to learn about the Study, ask questions and provide comment and will be hosting City-wide consultation sessions once the full Consultant Study is complete and available on the internet by the late summer, 2009.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee received the item for information.

This report responds to City Council's May 25, 26 and 27, 2009 direction that City Planning staff provide an interpretation of the Employment Areas policies of the Official Plan as they apply to lands known municipally as 1100-1150 Caledonia Road and report to North York Community Council and Planning and Growth Management Committee with respect to the interpretation of the applicable policy. City Planning staff, in consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and the City Solicitor are of the opinion that Policy 4.6.3 would apply to an application proposing major retail uses on these lands.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1.          City Council approve the recommendations of the Scarborough-Malvern LRT Transit Project Assessment Study and authorize submission of the Environmental Project Report (EPR) to the Ministry of the Environment.

2.          City Council request Metrolinx to investigate the possibility of relocating the GO Transit Station at Kingston Road closer to the proposed Scarborough Malvern line.

At its meeting on Wednesday, August 26, 2009, the Commission considered the report entitled, "Request for Approval of the Scarborough-Malvern LRT Environmental Assessment Study" and forwarded to the Planning and Growth Management Committee for consideration of the Commission's request.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee received the item for information.

At its meeting on Thursday, May 28, 2009, the Commission adopted the recommendations contained in the report entitled "Transit City Light Rail Program: Sheppard East LRT Connection at Don Mills Station" and forwarded it to Planning and Growth Management Committee for information.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee referred Councillor Thompson's communication and motion dated September 16, 2009, and Councillor Milczyn's proposed amendment to that motion to include “Other Higher Order Transit lines in the Metrolinx Regional Plan", to the Chief Planner for consideration and report to the Committee as soon as possible.

Motion from Councillor Thompson requesting that the Chief Planner work with TTC staff and other project partners in developing a public consultation process for an amendment to the Official Plan for incorporating the corridor known as the Downtown Relief Line (DRL) into the High Order Transit Corridors of the Official Plan.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee referred Councillor Di Giorgio's communication dated September 16, 2009 to the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, for consideration and report to the Committee, in consultation with Legal staff, as soon as possible.

Motion from Councillor Di Giorgio requesting that the Chief Planning Official in consultation with Legal Staff bring forward a report to the next Planning and Growth Management Committee that explores suitable amendments to the Official Plan that facilitate and permit the Toronto Housing Charter opportunities for all residents of the City.