Item - 2009.TE29.2

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends:

1.         City Council amend the Official Plan substantially in accordance with the draft Official Plan Amendment attached as Attachment No. 11 to the report dated October 22, 2009 from the Director, Policy and Research and the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

2.         City Council amend Zoning By-law 438-86 of the former City of Toronto substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment No. 12.

3.         City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Official Plan Amendment and draft Zoning By-law Amendment as may be required.

4.         City Council adopt the Urban Design Guidelines for Bloor Street West between Keele Street and the rail corridor, and Dundas Street West between Glenlake Avenue and Boustead Avenue as provided in Section 6 of the Bloor-Dundas ‘Avenue’ Study - Final Consultant Report dated September 2009, attached as Attachment No. 9.

5.         City Council request Heritage Preservation Services to review the following properties, 1691 Bloor Street West (Redeemer Lutheran Church), 1573 Bloor Street West (Lithuanian Community House) and 2454, 2466, 2480 Dundas Street West (warehouse buildings), and report back to the Toronto Preservation Board and Toronto and East York Community Council on whether these properties should be included on the City’s Inventory of Heritage Properties. 

6.         City Council adopt the recommendations contained in the Community Services and Facilities Assessment set out in Attachment 10.

7.         City Council request Transportation Services and Technical Services to examine the opportunity to improve the public realm at the northwest corner of Roncesvalles Avenue and Boustead Avenue as identified in Section 5.4.3 of the Bloor-Dundas ‘Avenue’ Study - Final Consultant Report dated September 2009, as part of the Roncesvalles Avenue streetscape improvements.

8.         City Council adopt, in principle, the two preferred short-term options for the Bloor Street West Right-of-Way prepared for the Study Area in Attachment No. 7, and request Transportation Services to bring forward an implementation report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.

9.         City Council request Transportation Services to examine the three preferred long-term options for the Bloor Street West Right-of-Way identified in Section 5.4.2.1 of the Bloor-Dundas ‘Avenue’ Study - Final Consultant Report dated September 2009, as part of its study of the feasibility of a bikeway on Bloor Street and Danforth Avenue, as directed by City Council on October 22 and 23, 2007.

10.       City Council request Transportation Services to investigate and consider measures, such as signals, to facilitate pedestrian crossings of Bloor Street West in proximity to Dorval Road.

11.       City Council request Transportation Services to install zebra crosswalk markings at the Bloor Street West and Dundas Street West intersection to facilitate pedestrian movements to the TTC’s Dundas West Station.

12.       City Council request the Toronto Transit Commission to examine its directional signage to improve pedestrian movements to the Dundas West and Keele subway stations from the Bloor - Dundas and Bloor - Keele intersections, respectively.

13.       City Council request the Toronto Transit Commission to investigate the feasibility of a new entrance to the Dundas West Station on the east side of the Dundas Street West right-of-way as part of any proposed transit improvements in the area.

14.       City Council request Parks, Recreation and Forestry staff, in consultation with the Ward Councillor, to investigate and report back to Toronto and East York Community Council on the possibility of entering into an agreement with the Toronto Catholic School Board for greater public recreational use of the playing field at Bishop Marrocco - Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School.

These City-initiated amendments are subject to the new provisions of the Planning Act and the City of Toronto Act, 2006.

This report recommends approval of amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law 438-86, and adoption of Urban Design Guidelines to implement the findings and recommendations of the Bloor-Dundas ‘Avenue’ Study.  The report also provides recommendations and an implementation strategy to help advance the revitalization of Bloor Street West and Dundas Street West within the Study Area.

The proposed zoning by-law amendments are intended to facilitate intensification in a mid-rise form characterized by a defined building base/podium with active at-grade non-residential uses that will strengthen the main street function of Bloor Street West and Dundas Street West.  Proposed built form requirements including setbacks, upper level step-backs and maximum heights are intended to create a balance between new development along the Avenues (Bloor Street West and Dundas Street West) and the adjacent low-rise Neighbourhoods.

The proposed Official Plan Amendment applies to a large block of land on the east side of Dundas Street West, south of Bloor Street West.  The lands are currently occupied by a grocery store and a mix of uses and a large surface parking area.  During the Avenue Study a number of principles of development were identified for these lands.  The proposed amendment brings forward these principles into a Site and Area Specific Policy to guide future development proposals for these lands.

Overall, the recommendations and implementation strategy in this report support the Avenue policies in the Official Plan and build on the findings of the Bloor Street Visioning Initiative adopted by City Council in Spring 2008.  Together they will assist in creating opportunities for new housing and jobs and an improved public realm, all of which will contribute to a more vibrant community in the Bloor Street West and Dundas Street West area.

The recommendations in this report have no financial impact.