Previous news items and E-updates that have been sent out are listed here.
E-update 29 – February 22, 2021. City of Toronto Planning Study.
On December 16, 2020, City Council adopted Official Plan Amendment No. 482 (Protected Major Transit Station Areas) and endorsed Official Plan Amendment 483 (Keele Finch Secondary Plan). This is a significant milestone in the Study! Thanks for helping us reach this milestone and for your continued involvement and interest!
Official Plan Amendment No. 482 requires provincial approval under Section 17 of the Planning Act. The Amendment was submitted to the Province on December 29, 2020. As part of its approval process, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing posts the Amendment on the Environmental Registry for 30 days to get feedback from the public to inform its decision. The Province’s consultation closes on March 18, 2021.
We will be sure to send you another update after the Province has made its decision regarding the Official Plan Amendment. Until then, take care and be safe!
Know someone who might be interested in this Study? Help us spread awareness and knowledge by forwarding this message and by encouraging others to sign up for the email list. You can sign up on the website at http://www.toronto.ca/keelefinchplus.
On Twitter? Just use the hashtag #keelefinchplus. From time to time, we will post information from the Official City Planning account @CityPlanTO.
E-Update 28 – December 3, 2020. City of Toronto Planning Study.
We’re writing to let you know that the Final Report for the Keele Finch Plus Study will be presented to the Planning and Housing Committee on December 8. You can read the report and attachments here.
Thank you for your involvement and interest in the Study.
Know someone who might be interested in this Study? Help us spread awareness and knowledge by forwarding this message and by encouraging others to sign up for the email list. You can sign up on the website at http://www.toronto.ca/keelefinchplus.
On Twitter? Just use the hashtag #keelefinchplus. From time to time, we will post information from the Official City Planning account @CityPlanTO.
E-Update 27 – November 10, 2020. City of Toronto Planning Study.
Thank you to the over 100 people who attended the meeting yesterday! We appreciate your involvement and participation.
We encourage you to review the Secondary Plan and Protected Major Transit Station Areas Official Plan Amendments, and take the survey to let us know what you think. Please take the survey this week as the survey closes on November 16, 2020.
If you missed the presentation, you can view it here.
Thanks again for your participation, and for you interest in the Plans.
Know someone who might be interested in this Study? Help us spread awareness and knowledge by forwarding this message and by encouraging others to sign up for the email list. You can sign up on the website at http://www.toronto.ca/keelefinchplus.
On Twitter? Just use the hashtag #keelefinchplus. From time to time, we will post information from the Official City Planning account @CityPlanTO.
E-Update 26 – October 26, 2020. City of Toronto Planning Study.
We last emailed you about the Keele Finch Plus Study on March 12, 2020, and we hope you have all been keeping well since then.
Back in March, we let you know that the Keele Finch Plus Study was coming to a conclusion, and we had invited you to an Information Session to review the recommended Official Plan Amendments and to answer any questions you may have. That Information Session is now going forward as a virtual meeting, where you can observe and participate online or by telephone. The format of the meeting will include a presentation that outlines what the Official Plan Amendments do, including information about future building heights, public realm improvements (including parks), urban structure (e.g. the purpose and intent of each sub-area), mobility and transportation, and more. This is an opportunity for you to learn about the proposed Amendments, ask questions and provide comments.
Community Information Session November 9, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Register for the online WebEx meeting.
Details of how to join online, how to participate, and the code of conduct are available at
www.toronto.ca/cpconsultations
Alternatively, Join by Phone by calling 416-915-6530, and use code 133 178 2938.
You may join the meeting up to 10 minutes before it starts.
We encourage you to review Official Plan Amendment No. 482 (Protected Major Transit Station Areas) and Amendment No. 483 (Keele Finch Secondary Plan) in advance of the meeting.
We encourage you to view the materials online. However, if you cannot view these materials online, you may obtain a paper copy at either the Jane/Sheppard Library at 1906 Sheppard Avenue West (416-395-5966), or at the Grandravine Community Centre, at 23 Grandravine Drive (416-395-6171). Due to the current health emergency, please call in advance to arrange a time to pick up a copy.
There will also be an online survey with questions related to building heights and other key considerations, and where you can provide additional comments. Survey results will be documented in the final report on the Keele Finch Plus Study.
As always, you can contact us at any time with any questions you may have. Contact details are on the project website. Thanks again for your involvement over the years and we look forward to your participation on November 9th!
E-update 25 – March 12, 2020. Toronto City Planning Division.
We regret to inform you we are cancelling the March 16, 2020 Community Information Session and the Statutory Public Meeting at the Planning and Housing Committee’s March 23rd, 2020 meeting.
The Statutory Public Meeting at Planning and Housing Committee will be re-scheduled to a later date. Details will be provided when available.
A Community Meeting ahead of the Statutory Public Meeting will also be scheduled to present the recommended Official Plan Amendments in more detail. Details of this Community Meeting will likewise be provided when available.
Kindly forward this email to anyone you believe may be interested or if you forwarded the previous E-updates related to the two meetings to others.
We appreciate your continued interest in the Keele Finch Plus Study and look forward to seeing you at the future meetings!
E-update 24 – March 3, 2020. Toronto City Planning Division.
The Keele Finch Plus Study is coming to a conclusion with a Final Report (coming later in March) and recommendations for Official Plan Amendments, which are available now. Thank you for participating and contributing over the past few years.
The Final Report recommends adoption of two Official Plan Amendments for a Secondary Plan and Protected Major Transit Station Areas. The Amendments provide a balanced Official Plan framework to encourage growth, place-making and community building, leverage transit investment and provide for compatible land uses and built form. These Plans will become part of the City’s Official Plan.
We encourage you to read the report and Official Plan Amendments. A Statutory Public Meeting will be held on March 23, 2020 at City Hall at 9:30 a.m. (or as soon as possible thereafter) in Committee Room 1 on the second floor, where the Plans will be considered at the Planning and Housing Committee.
A Community Information Session in the Keele Finch area will be scheduled prior to the Public Meeting. This Information Session will provide an opportunity to review the proposed Official Plan Amendments and to ask questions about the proposed policies and any related information and material. Details will be provided soon.
E-update 23 – January 23, 2020. Toronto City Planning Division
The draft Keele Finch Secondary Plan is now available. The draft Secondary Plan is an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) that will, if approved by City Council, change the City’s Official Plan policies directing how the Keele-Finch area will grow and change in the future. This Plan was developed with your help and input. Thank you for helping us reach this milestone!
A related draft Official Plan Amendment (OPA) is also proposed regarding Protected Major Transit Station Areas in the Keele-Finch area. This OPA includes additional policies for directing change around the Finch West subway station, and the future Sentinel Road LRT stop. The Province would have final approval of this OPA.
You can review the draft OPAs on the project webpage and provide your comments through our online survey. Please submit comments through the online surveys no later than February 6, 2020.
Based on input from stakeholders, a consultant was procured to conduct a detailed noise, air quality and safety study around the Keele Street and Finch Avenue West intersection. The study provides direction to support and inform the Secondary Plan. The final consultant study is now available under Publications and Consultant Studies.
E-update 22 – September 26, 2019. Toronto City Planning Division
The May and June 2019 Consultation Summary is now available for download. Thank you to everyone who participated and provided feedback!
Comments, conversations and results of the May and June 2019 consultations are valuable inputs and will help shape and refine the policy directions as Staff prepare the draft Secondary Plan. Once the draft Secondary Plan is prepared, we will post it online, email you to let you know it’s online, and request your feedback on it. This will all take place prior to a final report being presented to the City of Toronto’s Planning and Housing committee.
Thank you for continuing to be involved!
E-update 21 – July 11, 2019. Toronto City Planning Division
The Community Open House materials are now available. This includes the display boards, presentation, policy direction highlight booklets and discussion guide. Review these at your leisure. Whether this is your first time reviewing them or you are reviewing again, please contact us if you have feedback, particularly on the policy directions. It would be helpful if you could provide your feedback by Friday, July 26th, 2019. We had asked for feedback by July 10, 2019 at the Open House, but are extending the commenting period based on feedback.
Thank you to all who attended and participated in the Community Open House on June 20. Despite the rain, it was a busy event with approximately 60 attendees.
The community came out to this event! University students and retirees attended, as well as renters and homeowners, business people, community organizations, developers, and people of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
A presentation was provided at 5:30 p.m. and repeated at 7:30 p.m. to ensure that as many people as possible were given the opportunity to attend. The presentation covered key background information, the reasons for the Study, work done to date, how feedback is used and an overview of the draft policy directions for the Secondary Plan. Those who stayed for the presentation were also given the opportunity to ask questions.
Attendees were eager and interested in the policy directions presented and provided useful feedback. Most participants stayed for one of the two presentations and asked questions.
Attendees also had the opportunity to engage with City staff and other attendees during the Community Open House.
Participants were also given a Discussion Guide and eight Policy Direction Highlights booklets. The discussion guide provided background information on the study and the Policy Direction Highlights booklets provided draft policy directions for the Secondary Plan for attendees to reflect on.
Comments, conversations and results of the workshop are valuable inputs for the Study and will be summarized in a Consultation Summary. Please ensure you review the materials and help us develop the plan.
Thank you for attending!
E-update 20 – June 18, 2019. Toronto City Planning Division
Sending you a quick reminder about the Community Open House on Thursday, June 20, 2019. This is going to be an exciting event as we’ll be presenting proposed policy directions that will shape how the area evolves over the long term. Come to the meeting if you want to be among the first to view the policy directions! We’ll send you another email to let you know when they are posted online.
At this Community Open House, we’ll be seeking your input on the proposed policy directions for the area. Get involved and let us know what you think!
Here are the details:
Thursday June 20, 2019
Open House 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Presentation at 5:30 p.m. and repeated at 7:30 p.m.
James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic Secondary School
1440 Finch Avenue West. Cafeteria.
Free Parking. Transit nearby.
Please help us spread the word by passing this information on to anyone you know who might be interested.
See you then!
E-update 19 – June 10, 2019. Toronto City Planning Division
In July 2018, North York Community Council directed City staff to prepare a draft Secondary Plan based on directions and a preferred concept developed with public input.
We invite your input and participation to help shape draft policy directions which will be presented at a Community Open House on June 20th, 2019!
The Secondary Plan will be comprehensive and will set out long-term objectives, identify where development should occur and its intensity, provide direction on land use, building types and heights, and guide improvements to streets, parks and other public spaces among other matters.
Community Open House Event Details:
Date: Thursday, June 20, 2019
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Presentation at 5:30 p.m. and repeated at 7:30 p.m.
Place: James Cardinal McGuigan School. Cafeteria. 1440 Finch Ave. W. (just west of Keele Street). Note that transit is nearby and there is free parking at the school.
We look forward to seeing you there!
The Interim Report discusses the significant amount of work completed to date, and identifies directions and a preferred concept. The Report also recommends that a Secondary Plan be drafted and that consultation take place on the draft. The Report is under “Staff Reports” under the “Information & Reports” tab.
The Community Services and Facilities Profile is now available. See “December 2017 – Community Services and Facilities Profile” on the “Studies & Reports” tab.
Consultation materials presented at the September 28 consultation are online now. See “Event Materials” under the “Get Involved” tab.
Approximately 100 people attended the Open House and Public Workshop last night. Thank you for your participation! A summary, results and materials will be posted soon. Subscribe to the email list & we will let you know when this is posted.
E-update 18 – May 3, 2019. Toronto City Planning Division
We last wrote to you on June 27, 2018 informing you that the Interim Staff report was being considered by Community Council in July. The report and preferred concept were based on all work to date, including the work we completed with your input and assistance in 2016, 2017 and 2018. At its July meeting, Community Council endorsed the Interim Staff Report and directed staff to draft a Secondary Plan and to consult with the public on the draft.
We have since been working on a draft Secondary Plan and want to ensure we continue to consider and incorporate your feedback on the Plan. For that reason, we’re letting you know that we will be at Finch West Station on May 7, 2019 between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. as part of a Planners in Public Spaces event! You’re welcome to speak to a Planner about developing the Plan and you can add your thoughts. We’ll be at both entrances of the subway, and there’s no need to pay a fare to see us if you visit us at the west entrance.
We’ll use the input we hear on May 7 to help craft a more complete draft, which we expect to be able to share with you by the summer. Stay tuned for more updates and consultation events!
Planners in Public Spaces (PiPs) Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Time: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: Finch West Station (both East and West entrances – Note: fare payment not required to participate in PiPS event at the west entrance)
E-update 17 – June 27, 2018. Toronto City Planning Division
The Staff Report that is being presented to Community Council in July 2018 is now available on the Community Council agenda. The report is based on all work to date, including the work we completed with your input and assistance in 2017 and 2018.
The report recommends that a Secondary Plan be developed for the study area, and to consult with you on a draft of the Secondary Plan. A Secondary Plan establishes local development policies to guide growth and change in a defined area of the city. The draft is recommended to be based on directions (see page 29) and a preferred concept that was developed based on your input on the three options and technical evaluation.
Thank you for helping us achieve this milestone!
E-update 16 – May 30, 2018. Toronto City Planning Division
A Staff Report is being presented to Community Council in July 2018. The report is based on all work to date, including the work we completed with your input and assistance in 2017 and 2018.
The report recommends that a Secondary Plan be developed for the study area, and to consult with you on a draft of the Secondary Plan. The draft is recommended to be based on a preferred concept that was developed based on your input on the three options and technical evaluation.
The report will be available in advance of the public meeting. We will send a link to the report when it’s available.
Based on input from stakeholders, a consultant was procured to conduct a detailed noise and air quality evaluation around the Keele Street and Finch Avenue West intersection. The evaluation will result in a more robust land use direction for key areas that will be reflected in the Secondary Plan for the area.
If it is discovered that there are noise or air quality concerns, it may be necessary to require mitigation measures for future ‘sensitive uses’ (e.g. residences).
E-update 15 – February 27, 2018. Toronto City Planning Division
We last wrote to you on October 17, 2017. Since that time, we have been pouring over the comments and feedback we received at the September 28 public consultation. We’ve also had further discussions with stakeholders, students, business people, land owners and many others about Keele Finch Plus. Input from the consultations, plus input from our further discussions and technical assessment will help lead us to a preferred option.
The Community Services and Facilities Profile was completed in December 2017, and published in January 2018. The goal of the Profile work was to provide a comprehensive inventory of existing community services and facilities serving the Study Area, including current service levels, utilization rates and capital plans. Read more about it on the Study website or download a copy.
The York University and Downsview Neighbourhood Cycling Connections Project is well underway. This project is parallel but separate from Keele Finch Plus. Consultations are taking place this week and you can find more details about them here.
E-update 14 – October 17, 2017. Toronto City Planning Division
It was a busy event with approximately 100 attendees! Thank you all who attended and assisted in the Open House and Public Workshop on September 28th. Attendees were eager and interested in the options presented and provided useful feedback. Most participants stayed involved to the end of the workshop activities.
Participants viewing display boards and discussing the public realm concept plan.
The community came out to this event! University students and retirees attended, as well as renters and homeowners, business people, community organizations, developers, and people of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Participants worked at tables with the assistance of a facilitator. Most were as engaged as this group, leaning right into their work!
A presentation was provided and covered the reasons for the Study, work done to date (including results of the March 2017 public meeting), how feedback is used and an overview of the day’s workshop activities.
A short presentation was given to provide the context for the Study and set the stage for the workshop.
There was a wealth of feedback and useful information gained from the event. Comments, conversations and results of the workshop are valuable inputs for the Study and are summarized in the Consultation Summary.
We went through every comment sheet, every comment made and the results of each completed workshop from the September 28th event. Thank you for sharing your insight and knowledge with us! We have summarized results into a Consultation Summary.
This is one example of a completed workshop exercise.
In general, there was great interest at the consultation where participants were clearly eager to learn about the options and to be involved in making their community even better. The focus of comments and conversation was on community building, which made for healthy and useful discussion. Read more by downloading the Consultation Summary.
The Open House and Public Workshop materials are now available online. This includes the display panels, presentation, workshop materials and discussion guide. Review these at your leisure. Whether this is your first time reviewing them or you are reviewing again, please contact us if you have feedback. It would be helpful if you could provide your feedback by Monday, October 23rd.
Know someone who might be interested in this Study? Help us spread awareness and knowledge by forwarding this message and by encouraging others to sign up for the email list. You can sign up on the website at http://www.toronto.ca/keelefinchplus.
On Twitter? Just use the hashtag #keelefinchplus. From time to time, we will post information from the Official City Planning account @CityPlanTo.
For previous news items, view the archive.
Note that the City’s website was transitioned to a new web platform during the Study, and this page does not contain all previous e-updates. If you would like a copy of any of the previous e-updates, please contact Matt Armstrong at matt.armstrong@toronto.ca or by phone at 416-392-3521.