Welcome to the City of Toronto’s engagement webpage on Transit-Oriented Communities (TOCs) – a Provincial program led by Infrastructure Ontario and/or Metrolinx to deliver mixed-use developments that are connected to, integrated with or nearby major transit stations including subway, LRT and GO/Smart Track stations.
The City of Toronto is working to shape the TOCs put forward by Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx, to advance the City’s planning vision for growth around transit. As the Province continues to advance TOC proposals, the City will engage with the public to help shape the City’s input into the review of TOCs. Be sure to visit this page regularly for opportunities to provide direct input to the City.
For more information, project updates and details of the current Provincial TOC proposals, please visit Infrastructure Ontario’s engagement page.
The Provincial TOC program is focused on unlocking mixed-use high-density development opportunities connected to, integrated with or nearby to, new major transit stations. This includes stations along the new subway and LRT corridors, as well as GO/Smart Track stations. TOC development will be delivered by private sector partners.
The City and the Province share objectives related to the development of TOCs, as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding on the TOC program (the “MOU on TOC”) entered into by the two parties, effective February 14, 2020.
The shared objectives are:
The Province, through Infrastructure Ontario, leads the work to define the basic parameters for TOC proposals, and is responsible for all negotiations with private sector partners. Infrastructure Ontario works closely with City officials in defining the nature of the TOC proposals and in identifying any associated community benefits and amenities. Infrastructure Ontario also leads public engagement related to each of its TOC proposals.
We want to hear your thoughts on the Transit-Oriented Communities (TOCs) proposals across the City. You can contribute by reaching out to City Planning staff. Send questions or comments to TransitCommunities@toronto.ca. Your input can help shape the City’s comments on specific TOCs, as well as the Gerrard-Carlaw North TOC.
City Council has considered a number of reports on the City’s engagement on TOCs generally, and specific TOC proposals. Through these reports, City Council has provided direction to City staff on specific elements to negotiate related to specific TOCs. City Council has also directed staff to provide preliminary reports on all new TOC proposals and to conduct City-led public consultations on them.
The first open house for the Gerrard-Carlaw South TOC was held on February 13, 2024. If you missed the meeting, you can watch the video recording or read the summary below, which includes comments and questions from the community as well as corresponding responses by the City.
The first open house for the Eastern TOC was held on February 15, 2024. If you missed the meeting, you can watch the video recording or read the summary below, which includes comments and questions from the community as well as corresponding responses by the City.
The second open house for the Gerrard-Carlaw North TOC was held on March 30, 2022. If you missed the meeting, you can watch the video recording or view the presentation. Read the summary, which includes comments and questions from the community as well as corresponding responses by the City.
The first open house for the Gerrard-Carlaw North TOC was held on November 29, 2022. If you missed the meeting, you can watch the video recording or read the summary, which includes comments and questions from the community as well as corresponding responses by the City.
The first open house for the Gerrard Carlaw North TOC was held on February 13, 2024. The tables below provide the comments and questions that were posted at the meeting which were addressed to the City and the City responses to these items.
| Theme | Open House Question | City Response |
| 1 | Is this CARLAW SOUTH site subject to the same Affordable Housing mandates as the Infrastructure Ontario ‘Provincial Affordable Housing Lands Program’ (PAHLP) that was used on earlier surplus lands projects like the WEST DON LANDS..?
Provincial Affordable Housing Lands Program (infrastructureontario.ca) |
The Provincial Transit Oriented Communities program is separate from the PAHLP program. Affordable housing targets have not yet been established in the TOC program. |
| 2 | What is the commitment to affordable housing on this site? When will be know? | Council has provided direction to City Staff to maximize the amount of affordable housing provided in the TOC program. The Council adopted HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan provides guidance and standards for City Staff in securing affordable housing. The City is committed to maximizing the amount of affordable housing to be provided in the proposal, and the ultimate quantum will be determined in collaboration with Infrastructure Ontario and the future Development partners across the TOC sites. |
| 3 | Why are the requirements for 2 and 3 bedroom units so low? This is clearly a very family oriented neighbourhood and 183 units out of 569 is not substantial. With the changing workforce one bedroom units aren’t even suited to a couple, let alone a family and somehow we keep allowing developments with tons of one bedroom units. | The City encourages a full range of unit sizes in our approach to affordable housing and understands the need for family appropriate units. Our Growing Up Guidelines provides a minimum target for larger unit sizes in general for all new developments, including two-bedroom and three-bedroom units. The TOC program has thus far generally complied with the Growing Up guidelines in terms of the number of larger sized units provided. The floor area of individual units will be determined at the site plan stage. |
| 4 | Given that this development has somewhat of a focus on families, can you share the min/max sq.ft for the buildings? The smaller square footage in newer 2+ bedroom condos is less than ideal even for small families. | The City encourages a full range of unit sizes in our approach to affordable housing and understands the need for family appropriate units. Our Growing Up Guidelines provides a minimum target for larger unit sizes in general for all new developments, including two-bedroom and three-bedroom units. The TOC program has thus far generally complied with the Growing Up guidelines in terms of the number of larger sized units provided. The floor area of individual units will be determined at the site plan stage. |
| 5 | Regarding housing, there are very many aging people in homes in the broader neighbourhood who would move into smaller homes if they were suitable and if they make financial sense to move to. We would appreciate it if you would keep in mind the so many older people who live in Riverdale, Greektown, Leslieville etc. who want to downsize now or in a few years when designing the new homes. | The City is committed to addressing the unique housing needs of Toronto’s senior population. The Council adopted HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan provides guidance and standards for meeting the diverse needs of senior housing and securing affordable housing. |
| 6 | Responding to Ms. (redacted) re the aging population and downsizing, the concern is the units themselves as well as the on-going costs. Moving from a paid-in-full home to a place with a high monthly rent or condo maintenance fee is not financially feasible for many, so they don’t leave their houses. Are there solutions bieng planned to resolve this. Also, the units need to be designed to accommodate elderly needs. Thank you. | The City is committed to addressing the unique housing needs of Toronto’s senior population. The Council adopted HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan provides guidance and standards for meeting the diverse needs of senior housing and securing affordable housing. |
| Theme | Open House Question | City Response |
| 7 | Question, where do all these new residents go to school? | As part of the first submission review, school boards have reviewed the TOC submissions and are aware of them as they manage enrolment. Demographics change over time in neighbourhoods, especially in older established areas of cities. School boards know this and often include clauses in new developments to note that enrolment is managed across the school system. |
| 8 | Has there been any study on impact to local schools? In terms of the new residential units | As part of the first submission review, school boards have reviewed the TOC submissions and are aware of them as they manage enrolment. Demographics change over time in neighbourhoods, especially in older established areas of cities. School boards know this and often include clauses in new developments to note that enrolment is managed across the school system. |
| 9 | All the schools are already at capacity, Morse for instance after the last build at Queen+Logan available to the public, as often is under supported in public parks today? | As part of the first submission review, school boards have reviewed the TOC submissions and are aware of them as they manage enrolment. Demographics change over time in neighbourhoods, especially in older established areas of cities. School boards know this and often include clauses in new developments to note that enrolment is managed across the school system. |
| Theme | Open House Question | City Response |
| 10 | What are height limits zoned for this site? | The site is subject to Former City of Toronto By-law 438-86 and is zoned as I2-D3. The maximum height is 18.0 m. Infrastructure Ontario’s proposal intends to amend the height limits for the site to facilitate the proposed development. |
| 11 | There is no Infrastructure Ontario street-facing public information signage on this CARLAW SOUTH site as there would be on a normal City managed rezoning process.
Will IO be providing prominent street-facing informational signage on this CARLAW SOUTH site for residents who are not attending this evening’s event? |
While Infrastructure Ontario is exempt from providing development proposal signage at TOC locations, the City has requested signage at all TOC locations. |
| Theme | Open House Question | City Response |
| 12 | Will the existing sewage system in the area support this increase in residents? | A servicing study was submitted as part of the TOC proposal. The City is reviewing this study. All new developments in the City must demonstrate that there is servicing capacity to accommodate the development, including downstream capacity, and enter into agreements with the City to upgrade the necessary infrastructure if needed. |
| Theme | Open House Question | City Response |
| 13 | Has construction of the Ontario Line already start here? When is the projected completion date for the Gerrard- Carlaw South Station? | Please visit Metrolinx.com/OntarioLine for more information or contact the Ontario Line Community Engagement team at 416-202-5100 or by email at OntarioLine@metrolinx.com. |
The first open house for the Eastern TOC was held on February 15, 2024. The tables below provide the comments and questions that were posted at the meeting which were addressed to the City and the City responses to these items.
| Theme | Open House Question | City Response |
| 1 | Good evening! On the Engage IO website it says that the proposed development at the Eastern Ave TOC will deliver approximately 142 residential units, including affordable housing? How much affordable housing is planned for this TOC and at what depth of affordability? | The City is committed to maximizing the amount of affordable housing to be provided as part of this proposal. The Council adopted HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan provides guidance and standards for City Staff in securing affordable housing. The number of affordable units to be delivered at the Eastern TOC is not yet determined. |
| 2 | This question is for the City of Toronto: If the Eastern Avenue TOC is not undergoing a zoning by-law amendment and it is subject to inclusionary zoning policies, does that mean this TOC site is not subject to a Ministerial Zoning Order? If it is under a MZO, does that affect the affordable housing approach taken by the City? | All of the TOCs are eligible for approval via a Ministers Zoning Order (MZO). If the TOC receives an MZO, this does not affect the affordable housing approach taken by the City. The future developer of the TOC will be subject to the Community Benefits Charge By-law. Funds received from this charge may be used to secure affordable housing. Inclusionary zoning would apply at the time of zoning. If the City’s Inclusionary Zoning By-law is not in force at the time that zoning for the TOC occurs, it would not apply. |
| 3 | Please remember to include a % of accessible housing as well!!! | Noted. |
| 4 | 70% of the units being 1 bedroom seems too high to address the housing crisis. Where does the city stand on unit breakdowns? | The City encourages a full range of unit sizes in our approach to affordable housing and understands the need for family appropriate units. Our Growing Up Guidelines provides a minimum target for larger unit sizes in general for all new developments, including two-bedroom and three-bedroom units. The TOC program has thus far generally complied with the Growing Up guidelines. |
| Theme | Open House Question | City Response |
| 5 | What site specific community benefits are being considered for this site? Will this project include a Community Benefits Agreement? | The future TOC developer will be subject to the Community Benefits Charge By-law. Visit the link to learn more about the City of Toronto Community Benefits Charge By-law.
Infrastructure Ontario in consultation with the City and community is still determining which community benefits may be considered on site. Community benefits related to jobs and training opportunities, if contemplated, will be up to the TOC development partner to provide. |
| Theme | Open House Question | City Response |
| 6 | Can a developer that partners in this project amend or change the current design (including but not limited to the height, mass & density) once they have officially been designated and/or during any part of the City approval process (including at the OLT)? | If the future development partner seeks to amend any aspect of an approved zoning envelope, they will be able to submit a formal Zoning By-law Amendment or Minor Variance application to the City for review and approval. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing also has power to amend an approved zoning envelope through a Ministers Zoning Order. The proposed TOC will be subject to Site Plan Control that may result in further refinements of the proposal. |
| 7 | Are the setbacks set in place for this development or is it possible to change them if decided later in the future to increase the supply of units (especially family sized units)? | If the future development partner seeks to amend any aspect of an approved zoning envelope, they will be able to submit a formal Zoning By-law Amendment or Minor Variance application to the City for review and approval. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing also has power to amend an approved zoning envelope through a Ministers Zoning Order. The proposed TOC will be subject to Site Plan Control that may result in further refinements of the proposal. |
| 8 | I noticed the angular planes, which I figure are because of the City’s mid rise guidelines. I was wondering if you knew how many units, especially how many potential affordable unis, were lost due to that aesthetic restriction rather than if architects were given more freedom to create better floor plans? | The City is committed to working with Infrastructure Ontario in balancing multiple objectives and considerations on this site, including neighbourhood transition, shadow impacts, and affordable housing. Angular planes serve to help manage the impact of new developments of a larger scale to adjacent properties. Through the review of the TOC proposal this impact and its mitigation will be assessed in relation to the City’s other priorities, including affordable housing. |
Use the following map to find transit-oriented community proposals.
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