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.
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.
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:
The Planning Framework Review will be based on the following principles:
St. Clair Avenue West and Bathurst Street Area Planning Framework Review (an Update) – Information Report – May 20, 2025
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.
On July 7, 2015, City Council adopted the Forest Hill Village Urban Design Guidelines as recommended by Community Council.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
A virtual consultation meeting and drop-in event have been scheduled to introduce the study, provide an overview of the existing planning framework and urban design guidelines and the approach to the updates. The same information will be presented at the virtual meeting and drop-in event. The drop-in event will allow more time for City staff to gather community input and answer questions.
Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Time: 6 – 8 p.m.
Information on how to participate in City virtual public engagement events can be found through the following link: Participate in City Virtual Engagement Events – City of Toronto
Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Wychwood Library, 1431 Bathurst Street, Toronto ON, M5R 3J2*
*This location is wheelchair/mobility device accessible. If you have a specific accessibility need or require other accommodation, please contact us.