Sale of Density from 29 Lorraine Drive to

15-27 Lorraine Drive, File No. 98

(North York Centre - Ward 10)

The Corporate Services Committee submits the following communication (April 24, 1998) from Councillor Norman Gardner, North York Centre, without recommendation; and reports having requested the Commissioner of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism; and the City Solicitor to submit a report thereon to the meeting of Council scheduled to be held on May 13, 1998:

 Normally I would not write to you with a request to have an item Awalked onto@ the Committee=s agenda, unless I felt that it was urgent, however, I received a call from the applicant concerning the above matter.

 The problem arose as a result of a technical problem in transferring the attached report to staff of the Corporate and Human Resources Department. As a result, receipt of the report did not meet the deadline for inclusion into the April 27, 1998 agenda.

 The matter concerns Symphony Square, a development located within my ward. The former City of North York purchased the property at 29 Lorraine Drive as part of a parks acquisition program. Symphony Square has made an offer to purchase the density from 29 Lorraine Drive, and have it transferred to their development located across the street at 15-27 Lorraine Drive.

 The offer is conditional upon receiving approval from City of Toronto Council by May 20, 1998. From what I have been advised, the applicant is in the process of constructing the development, and the actual plans for the development must be finalized by May 20, in order to be able to continue the construction process. I have also been advised by the applicant, that by not resolving the issue within this time frame may lead to the construction process being stalled for a six-month period, and the possible layoff of construction staff.

 My staff have spoken to the Parks Department at North York Civic Centre about this matter. The sale and transfer of density is permitted within North York=s City Centre Secondary Plan. The Parks Department have given their approval to the transfer of this density which is confirmed by the attached letter. If the transfer of this density is not approved within the necessary time frame, the applicant may have the option of purchasing other density from a non-municipally owned site, thereby leaving the City with surplus density.

 I would appreciate if you could allow this item to be dealt with by the Committee at its April 27, 1998 meeting.

 The Corporate Services Committee reports, for the information of Council, having also had before it:

(i)an unsigned report (April 9, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services respecting the sale of Density from 29 Lorraine Drive to 15-27 Lorraine Drive, File No. 98 (North York Centre - Ward 10); and

 (ii)a communication (April 24, 1998) from the Deputy Commissioner, Parks and Recreation, North York, in full support of the sale of density from 29 Lorraine Drive.