Settlement Report - Official Plan and Zoning By-law

Amendments - East Bayfront (Downtown and Don River)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (June 10, 1998) from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services.

The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having requested:

(1)the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism and the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services, in consultation with TABIA, to report on the cumulative impact of big box retail development on the Toronto Community's retail strips; and

(2)the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to report to the Toronto Community Council, at its meeting to be held on July 22, 1998 on the communication (June 23, 1998) from Mr. Nicholas T. Macos.

The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (June 10, 1998) from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services:

Purpose:

To recommend actions that will resolve some of the issues raised by the appellants to By-law No. 1997-0183 (Official Plan Amendment No. 87) and Zoning By-law No. 1997-0184 - East Bayfront.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not Applicable.

Recommendations:

(1)That the curbside parking regulations on Richardson Street be amended to improve traffic circulation in the vicinity of 215 Lake Shore Boulevard East as follows:

(a)adjustment to the one hour maximum parking regulation from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., daily, on both sides of Richardson Street from Queens Quay East to Lake Shore Boulevard East, to apply:

(i)on the west side of Richardson Street from Lake Shore Boulevard East to Queens Quay East;

(ii)on the east side of Richardson Street from Queens Quay East to a point 46.0 metres north;

(iii)on the east side of Richardson Street from a point 100.1 metres north of Queens Quay East to Lake Shore Boulevard East;

(b)That parking be prohibited at anytime on the east side of Richardson Street from a point 46.0 metres north of Queens Quay East to a point 54.1 metres further north; and

(2)That appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect to recommendation number 1, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that may be required to authorize the work and amend the appropriate schedules of Chapter 400 of the Municipal Code accordingly.

(3)That City Solicitor be requested to submit a draft by-law, in consultation with the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services to amend Zoning By-law 438-86 as amended by By-law 1997-0184 to require a parking standard of 1 parking space for every 18 square metres of floor area for entertainment facilities.

Background:

In 1997 the former City of Toronto passed Official Plan and Zoning amendments for the East Bayfront to create and promote a stable business environment by permitting a wider range of potential uses. Notices of appeal to By-law No. 1997-0183 (Official Plan Amendment No. 87) and Zoning By-law No.1997-0184 were received from 1227803 Ontario Limited and 1147390 Ontario Limited in May, 1997. The issues identified by the appellants were:

-The proposed zoning changes were being made without due regard to the traffic and parking problems which redevelopment will generate.

-The City should adopt zoning standards so to avoid the concentration of a specific use.

-The City should require parking and impact studies for all new development.

-Shared parking among entertainment, amusement and restaurant uses should not be permitted by the City.

-The City should not allow retail stores up to 4500 square metres in size east of Jarvis Street.

-The City should undertake improvements to the Cherry St./Lakeshore Blvd. East corridor prior to any new commercial development.

-The definition of "entertainment facility" should specifically exclude a "casino" to be consistent with the definition of entertainment facilities on Polson Quay.

At the initial Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) prehearing on the appeals (February 24, 1998), City staff advised the OMB that some of the issues raised by the appellants could be resolved prior to a full hearing of the Board. The two notable issues which could be resolved are the need for revised on-street parking restrictions along sections Richardson Street and a parking standard for entertainment facilities.

Comments:

City Works staff have advised that they are prepared to undertake adjustments to the signage in the vicinity of the intersection of Richardson Street/Lake Shore Boulevard East which will improve turning movements for vehicles exiting the property at 215 Lake Shore Boulevard East (Federal Express). These improvements were discussed with a representative of Federal Express on-site and are acceptable. Recommendations 1 and 2 give effect to these changes.

City Works and City Planning staff are also prepared to recommend that a parking standard of 1 space for every 18 square metres of floor area be applied to entertainment facilities in East Bayfront. This is the standard that the City recommended for entertainment facilities on Polson Quay in the Port Industrial District. The "Docks" restaurant, located at 11 Polson Street, has a site-specific parking requirement of 450 parking spaces. That requirement, and the specific direction that the spaces be provided on the property at 20 Polson Street was established by the Ontario Municipal Board at a hearing that concluded in April, 1997.

City planning staff will work with the appellants to try and resolve other issues prior to the commencement of the full OMB hearing.

Conclusion:

The recommendations in this report address some of the concerns raised by the appellants of By-law 0183-1997 (OPA 87) and By-law 0184-1997. These recommended changes will be presented to the OMB at a prehearing conference scheduled for August 4 and 5, 1998.

Contact Name:

Blair Martin

Telephone 416 392-1317

Fax 416 392-1330

e-mail: bmartin@city.toronto.on.ca

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The Toronto Community Council reports for the information of Council, having also had before it during consideration of the foregoing matter, a communication (June 23, 1998) from Mr. Nicholas T. Macos, Barrister & Solicitor, a copy of which is on file in the office of the City Clerk.