Share your ideas and thoughts on the St. Clair Avenue West and Bathurst Street area and Forest Hill Village through the interactive map. The map will be open for feedback from June 15 to August 31, 2025.

 

The St. Clair Avenue West and Bathurst Street Area Planning Framework and Forest Hill Village Urban Design Guidelines Review will update the existing Forest Hill Village Urban Design Guidelines (2015) and St. Clair Avenue West and Bathurst Street Planning Framework (2019) with consideration of recent changes to Provincial legislation and policies, updated Official Plan policies, and active development, to guide future growth in the St. Clair Avenue West and Bathurst Street, and Forest Hill Village areas.

Summary of Study

The St. Clair Avenue West and Bathurst Street area is a vibrant, transit-accessible community with a diverse mix of residential, commercial and institutional uses. The area includes a mix of single and semi-detached houses, low-rise walk-up apartment buildings, mid-rise and tall buildings and tower-in-the-park style purpose-built rental buildings. Newer developments are concentrated around the St. Clair Avenue West and Bathurst Street intersection and on Raglan Avenue, and development interest is spreading to the surrounding areas. A range of small, independent shops, restaurants and businesses that serve the local community and animate the street encompass the character of the area’s major streets. The area also features numerous parks and a complex ravine system.

Forest Hill Village is a mixed-use area along Spadina Road, adjacent to the St. Clair Avenue West and Bathurst Street area. Spanning between Montclair Avenue and Strathearn Boulevard, Spadina Road has a distinct main street character with a mix of commercial and residential uses. The surrounding residential neighbourhood consists of single and semi-detached houses, townhouses and walk-up apartment buildings.

Council directed the Development Review Division, in consultation with City Planning, to review of the St. Clair Avenue West and Bathurst Street Planning Framework (2019) and Forest Hill Village Urban Design Guidelines (2015) to renew the overall vision and ensure the framework and guidelines are relevant given changes to Provincial legislation and policies, updated Official Plan policies, and recently approved development. The proposed review of the Planning Framework will include a revised vision and goals, an updated public realm network plan and a review of the character areas and their corresponding objectives and directions.

Public consultation is anticipated to span from Q2-Q3 2025 and will include public sessions for residents to learn more and share their ideas, and targeted working meetings with key stakeholders in the community. Staff are targeting bringing forward a recommended final version of the St. Clair Avenue West, Bathurst Street and Forest Hill Village Planning Framework to Toronto and East York Community Council (TEYCC) in Q4 2025.

Approach and Guiding Principles

The Planning Framework has provided a guide to review development applications in the St. Clair Avenue West and Bathurst Street area since 2019. Since that time, the area has grown and evolved, and the challenges facing the City and the communities within the Framework area have shifted. The policy context has also changed to address these challenges.

The review and update of the Planning Framework will:

  • Ensure that growth is balanced and that a range of housing and uses are provided to support an inclusive and vibrant community;
  • Set priorities and guide development applications to reflect the area’s unique retail and streetscape character;
  • Preserve, enhance and animate the areas’ retail corridors; and
  • Identify additional areas for new open space and public realm improvements.

The Planning Framework Review will be based on the following principles:

  • Equity-Based Approach: The Planning Framework will align with the direction of the Official Plan to take an equity-based approach to planning decisions and directions. Future growth will support equity-deserving, marginalized and vulnerable populations, including equitable access to housing options and designing safe, sustainable and inclusive communities.
  • Building a Complete Community: The St. Clair Avenue West Bathurst Street Area and Forest Hill Village will be a place where all residents, regardless of age, income or ability, can live, work and thrive. The Planning Framework will support the full range of housing options, including unit types, size, tenures and affordability levels to meet the diverse needs of residents. Growth will be balanced with livability by supporting a mix of uses that provide opportunities for residents to meet their daily needs within the community, including shops and services, healthcare, recreation, education and parks and greenspace. The Planning Framework will ensure that the positive impacts of growth benefit the existing community.
  • High-Quality, Connected Public Realm: As the area evolves, new development will be required to contribute positively to the public realm. The Planning Framework will prioritize safe, accessible and inclusive streets and open spaces that support walking, cycling and community gathering. Streetscapes and parks will be designed to foster social connection, enhance local identity and create a sense of place for residents and visitors alike.
  • Prioritizing Local Retail: Main streets are a defining feature of the character of the area and vitality. The Planning Framework will ensure that development protects the character and strengthens retail streets by supporting adaptable commercial spaces, preventing displacement and integrating retail with public realm improvements. Retail uses will continue to serve as key anchors of social, economic and cultural life in the community.
  • Green and Sustainable: Council adopted TransformTO Net Zero Strategy in December 2021 to achieve net-zero emissions in Toronto by 2040. Development has a responsibility to help achieve the City’s sustainability goals and will support the transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient communities. New development will be expected to incorporate sustainable design, green infrastructure, and energy-efficient building practices that reduce emissions and environmental impact. Parks, open spaces and green streets will contribute to biodiversity, thermal comfort and overall environmental resilience.

    St. Clair Avenue West and Bathurst Street Area Planning Framework Review (an Update) – Information Report – May 20, 2025

    Decision History

    On February 19, 2014, City Council requested City Planning to prepare urban design guidelines for Forest Hill Village along Spadina Road between Montclair Avenue and Thelma Avenue, and report back to TEYCC. City Council directed City Planning staff to develop appropriate design guidelines to maintain the small-town character of the area and determine the appropriate urban character, materials and building rhythm, and articulation to be used on future developments/renovation within the study area.

    Council Decision

    On July 7, 2015, City Council adopted the Forest Hill Village Urban Design Guidelines as recommended by Community Council.

    Council Decision

    On July 7, 2015, City Council requested City Planning to initiate a review of Official Plan policies for the lands along both sides of Raglan Avenue between St. Clair Avenue West and Claxton Boulevard, lands on the west side of Bathurst Street between Vaughan Road and Claxton Boulevard, and the lands along Vaughan Road between Bathurst and Maplewood Avenue providing recommended amendments with respect to height, density, built form, public lanes, community benefits under Section 37 of the Planning Act, and any other related matters pertaining to the evaluation of new development.

    Council Decision

    On January 30, 2019, City Council directed City Planning to modify the Official Plan Policy for the Raglan Avenue/Vaughan Road area, by expanding the study boundary and focusing on built form, land use and community services.

    Council Decision

    On July 16, 2019, City Council adopted the St. Clair West and Bathurst Street Planning Framework and directed City staff to apply the Planning Framework during the review of current and future development applications.

    Council Decision

    On February 5, 2025, City Council requested the Development Review Division, in consultation with City Planning, to review the Forest Hill Village Urban Design Guidelines (2015) and the St. Clair Avenue West and Bathurst Street Planning Framework (2019), in light of recent Provincial legislation and policies for intensification around higher order transit stations, updated Official Plan policies, and development activity, and to support the unique retail and streetscape character of Forest Hill Village. Council further requested Development Review to work with the Ward Councillor to undertake a corresponding community consultation process and report back on next steps to TEYCC in Q3 2025.

    Council Decision

    The community consultation process will help shape the updated vision, goals and objectives to ensure that the revised Planning Framework reflects the needs and aspirations of residents, businesses and stakeholders.

    Consultation will focus on:

    • Confirming and updating the Planning Framework boundaries, vision and goals;
    • Reassessing the objectives of the existing Character Areas;
    • Receiving feedback on the new boundaries and expanded Framework Area; and
    • Identifying opportunities for public realm improvements, including new connections, streetscapes, gathering spaces, and green infrastructure.

    Community consultation activities will take place from Q2 to Q3 2025 and will include an interactive virtual mapping tool, in-person and virtual community consultation meetings, pop-up booths in community events, and targeted discussions with key stakeholders, including residents, businesses, landowners, developers and community organizations.

    Consultation updates for the review will be posted on the project website and other communication tools including social media posts and newsletters. Staff are intending to bring a final recommended version of the St. Clair Avenue West-Bathurst Street Area and Forest Hill Village Planning Framework to TEYCC by Q4 2025.

    Input is now being gathered to inform the St. Clair Avenue West and Bathurst Street Planning Framework Update. Trends, issues, and opportunities identified during this phase will inform updates to the revised Planning Framework. This interactive mapping activity is an opportunity to share your ideas and thoughts on the St. Clair Avenue West and Bathurst Street area and Forest Hill Village. The map will be open for feedback from June 15 to August 31, 2025.

    Access the interactive map.