The Bloor Corridor refers to the area along Bloor Street West, between Avenue Road and Christie/Grace Streets.

The City Planning Division has completed a Visioning Study for portion of the Bloor Corridor from Avenue Road to Bathurst Street (Phase I). The purpose of the study is to develop a shared vision for Bloor Street West for the next ten years, through consultation with area stakeholders including residents, businesses and landowners. The study will examine such matters as land use, built form, community services and facilities, transportation, heritage and urban design in developing a vision for the future evolution of the Corridor, as well as recommendations to achieve that vision.

The Visioning Study was be pursued in two phases:

• Phase I - Bloor Street West between Avenue Road and Bathurst Street;
• Phase II - Bloor Street West between Bathurst Street to Christie/Grace Streets.

What's New

Notice of Adoption – December 7, 2009
On December 7, 2009, City Council adopted Official Plan Amendment No. 98 by By-law 1260-2009. The documents, as adopted, can be viewed here:

• Official Plan Amendment No. 98 (By-law 1260-2009)
• Bloor Corridor Urban Design Guidelines: Avenue Road to Bathurst Street
• Notice of Adoption

Notice of Public Meeting - November 10, 2009
The City of Toronto proposed an amendment to the Official Plan to introduce area-specific policies for properties on Bloor Street West, between Avenue Road and Bathurst Street. The draft amendment is intended to implement a vision for the area as determined through the Bloor Corridor Visioning Study Phase 1 process, in consultation with the local community and area representatives. The City is also proposing draft Urban Design Guidelines to provide further direction for potential future development in the area.

DATE:  Tuesday, November 10, 2009
TIME:  10:00 am or as soon as possible thereafter
PLACE:  Committee Room 1, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 100 Queen Street West


• Meeting Notice
• Draft Official Plan Amendment
• Draft Urban Design Guidelines

If you require further information, please contact Melanie Melnyk, Planner, at 416-392-7554 or mmelnyk@toronto.ca.

Consultant's Report: Bloor Corridor Visioning Study (May 2008)

The City hired the consulting firm of of Office for Urbanism to undertake Phase I of the study and prepare recommendations. Office for Urbanism completed its final consultant's report on the Bloor Corridor Visioning Study in May 2008. Among its recommendations are: a vision statement for the Bloor Corridor; urban design principles; and a public realm framework for moving forward. This document forms the basis for area-specific policies and guidelines to help inform future development.

• Final Report (FULL - 9.3 MB PDF)
• Introduction (1.9 MB PDF)
• Part 1 (4.6 MB PDF)
• Part 2 (3.9 MB PDF)
• Part 3 (1.2 MB PDF)

(NOTE: You will need to have the latest version of the FREE Acrobat Reader to view PDF files linked on this page.)

• Background
• Study Area
• Objectives
• Study Process
• Community Consultation
• Community Consultation Meeting Materials

• City Staff Reports
• Contact Us

Background

The Bloor Corridor refers to the area along Bloor Street West, between Avenue Road and Christie/Grace Streets. This area, especially between Walmer Road and Avenue Road, has become the subject of development interest in recent years. The neighbouring community of Bloor-Yorkville to the east has already experienced a surge in condominium and hotel development, and that focus has been shifting westward to development parcels in the Bloor Corridor. There are several active development applications within the study area that seek intensification of residential uses with retail at grade.

At its meeting of July 19, 20, 21 and 26, 2005, Toronto City Council adopted a recommendation to initiate a community-based "Visioning Study" for this area. In particular, the study would look at Bloor Street West between Avenue Road and Christie Street, including the business communities of Koreatown BIA and Mirvish Village BIA.

Following further Council direction, consultation with area organizations and the Ward Councillors, the Visioning Study will be pursued in two phases: Phase I examining Bloor Street between Avenue Road and Bathurst Street; and Phase II, Bathurst Street to Christie/Grace Streets.

Office for Urbanism selected as lead consultant for Bloor Corridor Visioning Study
The project team also included:
Marshall Macklin Monaghan (Transportation)
Cushman & Wakefield LePage (Retail Market Analysis)
Michael Spaziani Architect (Architectural Expertise)

Study Area

The Bloor Corridor (Phase I) is the main street of various residential neighbourhoods and home to the Bloor-Annex Business Improvement Area as well as several cultural, educational and institutional facilities including the University of Toronto, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Royal Conservatory of Music, the Bata Shoe Museum and the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre. It is an established neighbourhood, retail destination and transportation thoroughfare that serves the needs of residents at the local, city-wide and regional level. In this area, Bloor Street links together several specialized shopping areas, commercial and institutional uses and stable, low-rise residential neighbourhoods.

The Phase I Study Area (see map below) includes properties fronting on the north and south sides of Bloor Street between Avenue Road and Bathurst Street.

Impacts of development within this study area on the broader communities bounded by Harbord Street/Hoskin Avenue, the Canadian Pacific Railway, Christie/Grace Streets and Avenue Road have also be considered (see the Neighbourhood Impact Area map show below). Parts of this area are also proposed to be reviewed in concurrent Heritage Conservation District studies, to be considered in tandem with the Bloor Corridor Visioning Study.

Objectives

• To consult with local residents and stakeholders;
• To develop a vision for the nature and use of the Bloor Corridor and establish principles for future development;
• To set reasonable expectations for "responsible intensification" along the Bloor corridor by examining appropriate areas for development;
• To develop an urban design concept for the Bloor Corridor;
• To establish performance criteria for issues such as heights, densities, built form and separation distances;
• To determine potential impacts on local community services & facilities, parking, traffic, bicycle circulation and transit;
• To protect stable low-rise residential neighbourhoods; and
• To identify opportunities for potential public realm improvements.

• general analysis of existing conditions
• identification of viable potential development sites
• review of planning documents and relevant studies
• meeting with City staff and relevant agencies
• "kick-off" public information meeting

• charette / "visioning" workshop
• consultation with Local Advisory Committee, broader community
• development and submission of concept plan
• presentation of draft vision to community

• further meetings with staff and LAC as necessary
• recommendations and implementation plan

• Introduction / What We Heard
• Opportunities and Constraints
• Draft Principles

• City Planning Report to Toronto East York Community Council, October 28, 2005
• City Planning Report to Toronto City Council, December 1, 2005
• City Planning Report to Toronto and East York Community Council, October 22, 2009
• City Planning Report to Toronto City Council, November 30, 2009