City Planning Staff is undertaking an area study of the Highland Creek Village between Lawson Road and Military Trail. The proposed boundary of the study area is indicated on the map:
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Background
The Community of Highland Creek is located in east Toronto between Highway 401 and Highway 2A, east of Morningside Avenue. It is comprised predominantly of low-rise residential uses and open space with a core commercial area along Old Kingston Road and Highway 2A, between Lawson Road and Military Trail. This core commercial area, known as Highland Creek Village, is designated 'Mixed Use Areas' by the City of Toronto Official Plan. Mixed Use Areas are generally intended to accommodate the majority of new multi-family residential, commercial, and institutional uses.
In the 1850's, Highland Creek was the largest residential and business centre in the former Township of Scarborough, containing a school, Presbyterian, Catholic, and Methodist churches, and a number of general stores, blacksmith shops and hotels. Highland Creek remained generally unchanged until the 1950's, when the present day neighbourhood was developed.
Highland Creek Village, as it exists today, is sparsely developed and comprised of one and two-storey commercial buildings, parking areas, and vacant lots. However, there are currently four development proposals before the City of Toronto within the boundary of this Mixed Use area.
To assist in the review of current and future proposed developments in the Highland Creek Village, the City Planning Division proposes that a framework be developed to provide guidance for the overall development of the area including the coordination of public realm improvements. This framework will be established through an Area Study.
Study Purpose
The purpose of this Area Study is to develop a vision for Highland Creek Village and establish parameters for development, redevelopment and revitalization, including appropriate heights and densities, locations of parks, transportation and community and social service infrastructure needs and opportunities.
The Area Study will be undertaken by City Staff with assistance from a volunteer working group composed of Highland Creek residents and business owners. It will examine existing constraints and challenges, opportunities for improvements, and impacts of new development, while having consideration for:
- Land use;
- Physical form (buildings, open spaces, streetscape);
- Community services and facilities;
- Heritage character;
- Parking;
- Environment and natural heritage features; and,
- Economic reinvestment opportunities.
Study Process
This study is targeted to be completed by the early 2012. Following the conclusion of the study, a report will be brought forward to Scarborough Community Council providing details of the study and recommendations to guide the consideration of individual development proposals within the study area through amendments to the Highland Creek Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law.
What's new
Meeting 4 - Establishing The Vision
The Highland Creek Village Area Study's fourth Working Group meeting took place on October 12, 2011. A presentation on Community Services in and around the Study area was made by Staff. City Staff also presented their initial conclusions from the Study regarding Land Use, Parking, Building Heights and area characteristics and discussed these items with the Working Group Members.
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Area Mapping
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Community Consultation and Working Group Meetings
City Planning staff will be holding approximately (5) five working group meetings and a design charrette over the course of the study. In addition to the working group meetings, a larger format Community Consultation meeting will take place towards the conclusion of the study.
Notice of Study (PDF) - Issued February 1, 2011
Design Charrette Notice (PDF) - Issued June 29, 2011
Meeting Content
Meeting 1 - Welcome to the Highland Creek Village Area Study
The Highland Creek Village Area Study's first working group meeting took place on March 31st 2011.
Meeting 2 - Guiding Principles, Traffic and Transportation
The Highland Creek Village Area Study's second working group meeting took place on May 4th, 2011. Discussion centred on principles to guide the direction of the study, as well as Transportation and Parking within the Village.
In addition to the concepts presented by Staff in the above presentation, the Working Group members drafted the following concepts to reconfigure the transportation network in and around Highland Creek Village.
In order to focus our review and discussion throughout the study and ensure the conclusions at which we arrive are based on a consistent vision, City Staff and the Working Group have established a list of Guiding Principles.
Meeting 3 - Urban Design
The Highland Creek Village Area Study's third working group meeting took place on June 21st, 2011. Discussion centred on Urban design within the Village. Xue Pei, a Senior Urban Designer with the City of Toronto, gave a presentation on building standards and examples of good urban design from around the City.
Highland Creek Village Design Charrette
The Highland Creek Village Area Study Design Charrette took place on July 16th, 2011 at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus.
Among the attendees were residents, business owners and landowners within Highland Creek. They worked together in 5 groups to develop visions for Highland Creek Village with pictures and 3d modelling tools. Each group's vision is shown below.
Meeting 4 - Establishing The Vision
The Highland Creek Village Area Study's fourth Working Group meeting took place on October 12, 2011. A presentation on Community Services in and around the Study area was made by Staff. City Staff also presented their initial conclusions from the Study regarding Land Use, Parking, Building Heights and area characteristics and discussed these items with the Working Group Members.
Follow Us on Twitter! @HCvillage
Development Applications within the Study Area
At this time, four (4) development proposals within Highland Creek Village are being reviewed by City staff:
Links to other City Planning Documents
Contact us
To add your name to our mailing list, submit comments, request information, or join the Highland Creek Village Area Study Working Group, please contact:
Graig Uens, Planner
Community Planning Division, Scarborough District
Phone: 416-396-4203
Fax: 416-396-4265
E-mail: guens@toronto.ca
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