Item - 2010.EX45.15
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on July 6, 7 and 8, 2010 without amendments.
- This item was considered by Executive Committee on June 14, 2010 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on July 6, 7 and 8, 2010.
EX45.15 - Lower Don Lands Project
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- 28 - Toronto Centre-Rosedale, 30 - Toronto-Danforth
City Council Decision
City Council on July 6, 7 and 8, 2010, adopted the following:
1. City Council support the preferred alternative of the Don Mouth Naturalization and Port Lands Flood Protection Environmental Assessment and its submission to the Minister of the Environment for approval.
2. City Council endorse the Lower Don Lands Framework Plan (May 2010) to guide the revitalization of the Lower Don Lands.
3. City Council authorize Waterfront Toronto to put the Lower Don Lands Class EA Infrastructure Master Plan (May 2010) in the public record in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environment Assessment.
4. City Council endorse the Keating Channel Precinct Plan (May 2010) as it relates to lands west of and including Cherry Street.
5. City Council authorize Waterfront Toronto to put the Keating Channel Precinct Class EA Environmental Study Report (May 2010), as it relates to lands west of and including Cherry Street, in the public record in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment while addressing the need for the lowering of Cherry Street North of the CN rail underpass, or an appropriate alternative design, be determined following the Class EA at the detailed design phase.
6. City Council defer approval of the Keating Channel Precinct Plan and Keating Channel Class EA Environmental Study Report as they relate to lands east of Cherry Street until the Gardiner/Lake Shore Boulevard Reconfiguration EA is further advanced.
7. City Council request Waterfront Toronto to submit to the Waterfront Project Director, a Business and Implementation Plan for the Lower Don Lands with priority for Phase 1 (Don River Mouth), addressing capital costs, revenue and expenditures, funding, project phasing and land management, to be brought forward for Council consideration.
8. City Council request the Chief Planner and/or the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, in consultation with the Waterfront Secretariat, through planning approvals and permit issuance, to ensure that the proposed corridors of the Lower Don River and infrastructure in the Lower Don Lands are protected from encroachment by development.
9. City Council endorse the Affordable Housing Strategy outlined in the Keating Channel Precinct Plan.
10. City Council request Waterfront Toronto to prepare plans and guidelines for urban design, parks and public space, heritage and public art to inform the development of precincts in the Lower Don Lands, in consultation with relevant City divisions and agencies.
11. City Council authorize and direct the appropriate City officials to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Background Information (Committee)
Communications (Committee)
(June 14, 2010) Letter from Mr. Dennis Findlay, Waterfront Action (EX.New.EX45.15.2)
(June 14, 2010) Letter from Mr. Stanley Makuch, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP (EX.New.EX45.15.3)
(June 14, 2010) Submission from Mr. Dalton C. Shipway (EX.New.EX45.15.4)
(June 14, 2010) Submission from Ms. Julie Beddoes, Vice President External, Gooderham & Worts Neighbourhood Association (EX.New.EX45.15.5)
Communications (City Council)
Motions (City Council)
That, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 27, Council Procedures, Council reconsider Item EX45.15. (This procedural motion requires a two-thirds vote to carry.)
Vote (Reconsider Item) Jul-06-2010 12:36 PM
| Result: Carried | Two-Thirds Required - EX45.15 - Minnan-Wong - reconsider Item |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 23 | Members that voted Yes are Brian Ashton, Sandra Bussin (Chair), Raymond Cho, Janet Davis, Frank Di Giorgio, Mike Feldman, Rob Ford, Suzan Hall, Doug Holyday, Cliff Jenkins, Norman Kelly, Chin Lee, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Howard Moscoe, Frances Nunziata, John Parker, David Shiner, Karen Stintz, Michael Thompson |
| Total members that voted No: 5 | Members that voted No are Paula Fletcher, Pam McConnell, Gord Perks, Kyle Rae, Adam Vaughan |
| Total members that were Absent: 17 | Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Shelley Carroll, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Mike Del Grande, John Filion, Adam Giambrone, Mark Grimes, A.A. Heaps, Giorgio Mammoliti, David Miller, Case Ootes, Cesar Palacio, Joe Pantalone, Anthony Perruzza, Bill Saundercook, Michael Walker |
That:
1. Recommendation 7 of the Executive Committee be amended to read as follows:
7. City Council request Waterfront Toronto to submit to Council, a Business and Implementation Plan for the Lower Don Lands with priority for Phase 1 (Don River Mouth), addressing capital costs, revenue and expenditures, funding, project phasing and land management.
2. No further funding of consultants and studies be undertaken until the funding sources and Business and Implementation Plan are approved by Council.
Vote (Amend Item) Jul-07-2010 5:12 PM
| Result: Lost | Majority Required - EX45.15 - Minnan-Wong - Motion 1, Part 1 only |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 14 | Members that voted Yes are Raymond Cho, Frank Di Giorgio, Mike Feldman, Rob Ford, Doug Holyday, Cliff Jenkins, Chin Lee, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Peter Milczyn, Denzil Minnan-Wong, John Parker, David Shiner, Karen Stintz, Michael Walker |
| Total members that voted No: 21 | Members that voted No are Brian Ashton, Maria Augimeri, Sandra Bussin (Chair), Shelley Carroll, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Suzan Hall, A.A. Heaps, Norman Kelly, Pam McConnell, Joe Mihevc, David Miller, Ron Moeser, Howard Moscoe, Frances Nunziata, Joe Pantalone, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Kyle Rae, Michael Thompson, Adam Vaughan |
| Total members that were Absent: 10 | Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, Mike Del Grande, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Adam Giambrone, Mark Grimes, Giorgio Mammoliti, Case Ootes, Cesar Palacio, Bill Saundercook |
Vote (Amend Item) Jul-07-2010 5:14 PM
| Result: Lost | Majority Required - EX45.15 - Minnan-Wong - Motion 1, Part 2 only |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 10 | Members that voted Yes are Frank Di Giorgio, Rob Ford, Doug Holyday, Cliff Jenkins, Gloria Lindsay Luby, David Miller, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata, John Parker, Karen Stintz |
| Total members that voted No: 25 | Members that voted No are Brian Ashton, Maria Augimeri, Sandra Bussin (Chair), Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Mike Feldman, Suzan Hall, A.A. Heaps, Norman Kelly, Chin Lee, Pam McConnell, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Ron Moeser, Howard Moscoe, Joe Pantalone, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Kyle Rae, David Shiner, Michael Thompson, Adam Vaughan, Michael Walker |
| Total members that were Absent: 10 | Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, Mike Del Grande, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Adam Giambrone, Mark Grimes, Giorgio Mammoliti, Case Ootes, Cesar Palacio, Bill Saundercook |
EX45.15 - Lower Don Lands Project
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- 28 - Toronto Centre-Rosedale, 30 - Toronto-Danforth
Committee Recommendations
The Executive Committee recommends that:
1. City Council support the preferred alternative of the Don Mouth Naturalization and Port Lands Flood Protection Environmental Assessment and its submission to the Minister of the Environment for approval.
2. City Council endorse the Lower Don Lands Framework Plan (May 2010) to guide the revitalization of the Lower Don Lands.
3. City Council authorize Waterfront Toronto to put the Lower Don Lands Class EA Infrastructure Master Plan (May 2010) in the public record in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environment Assessment.
4. City Council endorse the Keating Channel Precinct Plan (May 2010) as it relates to lands west of and including Cherry Street.
5. City Council authorize Waterfront Toronto to put the Keating Channel Precinct Class EA Environmental Study Report (May 2010), as it relates to lands west of and including Cherry Street, in the public record in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment while addressing the need for the lowering of Cherry Street North of the CN rail underpass, or an appropriate alternative design, be determined following the Class EA at the detailed design phase.
6. City Council Defer approval of the Keating Channel Precinct Plan and Keating Channel Class EA Environmental Study Report as they relate to lands east of Cherry Street until the Gardiner/Lake Shore Boulevard Reconfiguration EA is further advanced.
7. City Council request Waterfront Toronto to submit to the Waterfront Project Director, a Business and Implementation Plan for the Lower Don Lands with priority for Phase 1 (Don River Mouth), addressing capital costs, revenue and expenditures, funding, project phasing and land management, to be brought forward for Council consideration.
8. City Council request the Chief Planner and/or the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, in consultation with the Waterfront Secretariat, through planning approvals and permit issuance, to ensure that the proposed corridors of the Lower Don River and infrastructure in the Lower Don Lands are protected from encroachment by development.
9. City Council endorse the Affordable Housing Strategy outlined in the Keating Channel Precinct Plan.
10. City Council Request Waterfront Toronto to prepare plans and guidelines for urban design, parks and public space, heritage and public art to inform the development of precincts in the Lower Don Lands, in consultation with relevant City divisions and agencies.
11. City Council authorize and direct the appropriate City officials to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The following persons provided a presentation to the Executive Committee respecting the Lower Don Lands Project:
- Mr. Mark Wilson, Chair of the Board, Waterfront Toronto.
- Mr. Christopher Glaisek, Vice President, Planning & Design, Waterfront Toronto.
- Mr. Brian Denney, Chief Administrative Officer, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
Copies of the following related documents respecting the Lower Don Lands Project and referred to in the report (May 31, 2010) from Richard Butts, Deputy City Manager, were distributed to all Members of the Executive Committee and select City Officials only, are on file in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, and are also available at the following link:
http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/lowerdonlands:
Master Plan and Keating Channel Precinct ESR Main Report.
Keating Channel Precinct Plan - May 2010.
Lower Don Lands Framework Plan - May 2010.
Origin
Summary
The purpose of this report is to seek Council support for plans by Waterfront Toronto (WT) and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to revitalize the Lower Don Lands, renaturalize the Lower Don River and flood protect the Port Lands.
The subject area is shown in the key map. The Lower Don Lands is a large brownfield in the north-west Port Lands. Land ownership is primarily public with private ownership pockets in the Keating Channel Precinct and on Polson Quay. Currently, the Don River flows into Keating Channel before discharging into the Inner Harbour.
The ‘big move’ driving the design is a dramatic new river estuary extending further south into the center of the new district (see Attachment 1). The new river valley removes surrounding lands from flood risk, creates new natural habitat, greenery and parks and gives shape to the character of adjacent waterfront communities.
When implemented, the plans will help establish Toronto as a leader in developing sustainable urban communities and the restoration of natural landscapes. These projects are also critical to opening up the rest of the vast Port Lands to revitalization. The transformation of the Lower Don Lands is a long-term initiative that is estimated to take place over the next 30 years.
The vision for the new district is contained in the Lower Don Lands Framework Plan (Attachment 4). The plan sets out a new structure for the area based on the new river. It integrates vibrant new neighbourhood precincts, water’s edge green space and innovative infrastructure and services. The plan is flexible enough to accommodate a variety of uses and activities including a Port Lands sports centre now under consideration by Council.
The Keating Channel Precinct Plan (Attachment 5) provides a more finely grained community design and service and infrastructure plan for the area immediately east of East Bayfront. Following the development of the West Don Lands and East Bayfront, it is anticipated that this will be the first new community to be developed in the Lower Don Lands.
The various associated Environmental Assessments (EAs) addressed in this report, and a proposed Official Plan Amendment being brought forward concurrently by City Planning, are planning prerequisites for implementation of the Lower Don Lands project. The long-term success of the new urban estuary depends on proceeding with critical infrastructure early in the area’s development in order to provide essential flood protection, parkland and establish basic municipal servicing. Similarly, the early introduction of transit will be critical.
Although revitalization of the Lower Don Lands poses complex technical and financial challenges, the results of this planning exercise demonstrate the exceptional city building potential of this district. Council’s endorsement of the Framework Plan, Keating Channel Precinct Plan and associated EAs, together with the planning approvals being brought forward by City Planning, will establish the planning vision for the Lower Don Lands. Attention can then be turned to maintaining the momentum of the project, by Waterfront Toronto seeking funding to initiate detailed design and other preparatory work for the Don River Mouth.
Background Information
Communications
(June 14, 2010) Letter from Mr. Dennis Findlay, Waterfront Action (EX.New.EX45.15.2)
(June 14, 2010) Letter from Mr. Stanley Makuch, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP (EX.New.EX45.15.3)
(June 14, 2010) Submission from Mr. Dalton C. Shipway (EX.New.EX45.15.4)
(June 14, 2010) Submission from Ms. Julie Beddoes, Vice President External, Gooderham & Worts Neighbourhood Association (EX.New.EX45.15.5)
Speakers
Mr. Dalton C. Shipway, Task Force to Bring Back the Don (Submission Filed)
Mr. Tom Hopkins, Member, Don Watershed Regeneration Council
Mr. John Wilson, Chair, Task Force to Bring Back the Don
Mr. Stan Makuch, Cassels Brock
Ms. Julie Beddoes, Vice President External, Gooderham & Worts Neighbourhood Association (Submission Filed)
Ms. Sylvia Pellman, St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Assoc.
Mr. Dennis Findlay, Chair, WaterfrontAction (Submission Filed)
Mr. Adrian Litavski, Johnston Litavski
Motions
That the Executive Committee recommend that City Council adopt the recommendations in the report subject to amending Recommendation 5 contained in the report (May 31, 2010) from the Deputy City Manager, by adding thereto the following words “while addressing the need for the lowering of Cherry Street North of the CN rail underpass, or an appropriate alternative design, be determined following the Class EA at the detailed design phase” so that the recommendation now reads as follows:
“5. Authorize Waterfront Toronto to put the Keating Channel Precinct Class EA Environmental Study Report (May 2010), as it relates to lands west of and including Cherry Street, in the public record in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment while addressing the need for the lowering of Cherry Street North of the CN rail underpass, or an appropriate alternative design, be determined following the Class EA at the detailed design phase.”