Item - 2012.PG19.2

Tracking Status

PG19.2 - O'Connor Drive Avenue Study - Toronto and East York District and North York District - Final Report

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Amended
Wards:
31 - Beaches-East York, 34 - Don Valley East

City Council Decision

City Council on November 27, 28 and 29, 2012, adopted the following:

 

1.         City Council adopt the amended Official Plan Amendment (Attachment 1) attached to the report (November 22, 2012) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division (PG19.2a).

 

2.         City Council adopt the amended O'Connor Drive Avenue Study Urban Design Guidelines (Attachment 2) attached to the report (November 22, 2012) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division (PG19.2a).

 

3.         City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Official Plan Amendment and Urban Design Guidelines as may be required.

 

4.         City Council request the Director, Transportation Services, Toronto and East York District, to review and make recommendations for changes to:  a) existing parking by-laws for O'Connor Drive between Sandra Road and Northline Road to increase the availability of parking for local businesses; and b) traffic control measures at the intersection of St. Clair Avenue East and O'Connor Drive to facilitate safer pedestrian crossings; and report to the January 22, 2013 meeting of Toronto and East York Community Council, if required.

 

5.         City Council request the General Manager, Toronto Water to include in the Basement Flooding Protection Study Area #1 - Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study consideration of the impact on sanitary sewer flows and storm-water runoff from the redevelopment envisioned by the O'Connor Drive Avenue Study.

  

6.         City Council request the Manager, Business Improvement Area (BIA) Office to work with the local Councillor and area businesses to explore the possibility of establishing a Business Improvement Area for O'Connor Drive from Sandra Road to Northline Road.

 

7.         City Council request the City Manager, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division and other appropriate staff, to review and consider the acquisition of property on O'Connor Drive and St. Clair Avenue that is adjacent to City-owned lands for potential future city uses.

 

8.         City Council request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to consider improving the signage and trail connections to Taylor Creek Ravine at the O'Connor Viaduct near Glenwood Crescent, and at the south-west corner of Curity and O'Connor Drive.

City Council Decision Advice and Other Information

The Planning and Growth Management Committee requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division to make changes to the report and attachments, text and maps, to ensure that the intent of the Guidelines is clarified on the maps such that Westview Boulevard properties are clearly excluded from the mixed-use area fronting on O'Connor Drive; the Study Area is defined as O'Connor Drive between Sandra Road and Victoria Park Avenue; and submit a revised report to City Council containing those changes.  The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division subsequently submitted a supplementary report (PG19.2a).

Statutory - City of Toronto Act, 2006

Background Information (Committee)

(October 12, 2012) Report from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division on O'Connor Drive Avenue Study - Toronto and East York District and North York District - Final Report
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-51477.pdf

Background Information (City Council)

(November 22, 2012) Supplementary report from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning on O'Connor Drive Avenue Study - Toronto and East York District and Attachment 1 - Official Plan Amendment (PG19.2a)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-52460.pdf
Attachment 2 - Urban Design Guidelines to the supplementary report (November 22, 2012) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-52464.pdf

Communications (Committee)

(November 7, 2012) E-mail from Jason Park, Barristers and Solicitors, Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP (PG.New.PG19.2.1)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/pg/comm/communicationfile-33053.pdf
(November 8, 2012) E-mail from Joe Drew (PG.New.PG19.2.2)

Motions (City Council)

1 - Motion to Amend Item moved by Councillor Janet Davis (Carried)

That City Council delete Planning and Growth Management Committee Recommendations 1 and 2 and instead adopt the following new Recommendations 1 and 2 contained in the report (November 22, 2012) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division (PG19.2a):

 

1.         City Council adopt the amended Official Plan Amendment (Attachment 1) attached to the report from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division, dated November 22, 2012.

 

2.         City Council adopt the amended O'Connor Drive Avenue Study Urban Design Guidelines (Attachment 2) attached to the report from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division, dated November 22, 2012.

Vote (Amend Item) Nov-28-2012 8:07 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - PG19.2 - Davis - motion 1
Total members that voted Yes: 40 Members that voted Yes are Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Michelle Berardinetti, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Mike Del Grande, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, Paula Fletcher, Doug Ford, Rob Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Doug Holyday, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, John Parker, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Karen Stintz, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 0 Members that voted No are
Total members that were Absent: 5 Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, John Filion, Giorgio Mammoliti, Ron Moeser, Michael Thompson

Motion to Adopt Item as Amended (Carried)

Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Nov-28-2012 8:08 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - PG19.2 - Adopt the item as amended
Total members that voted Yes: 40 Members that voted Yes are Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Michelle Berardinetti, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Mike Del Grande, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, Paula Fletcher, Doug Ford, Rob Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Doug Holyday, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, John Parker, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Karen Stintz, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 0 Members that voted No are
Total members that were Absent: 5 Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, John Filion, Giorgio Mammoliti, Ron Moeser, Michael Thompson

PG19.2 - O'Connor Drive Avenue Study - Toronto and East York District and North York District - Final Report

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Amended
Wards:
31 - Beaches-East York, 34 - Don Valley East

Statutory - City of Toronto Act, 2006

Committee Recommendations

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

 

1.         City Council amend the Official Plan substantially in accordance with the draft Official Plan Amendment attached as Attachment 1 of the report (October 12, 2012) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division.

 

2.         City Council adopt the O'Connor Drive Avenue Urban Design Guidelines in accordance with Attachment 2 of the report (October 12, 2012) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division.

 

3.         City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Official Plan Amendment and Urban Design Guidelines as may be required.

 

4.         City Council request the Director of Transportation Services, Toronto and East York District, to review and make recommendations for changes to:  a) existing parking by-laws for O'Connor Drive between Sandra Road and Northline Road to increase the availability of parking for local businesses; and b) traffic control measures at the intersection of St. Clair Avenue East. and O'Connor Drive to facilitate safer pedestrian crossings; and report to the January 22, 2013 meeting of Toronto and East York Community Council, if required.

 

5.         City Council request the General Manager of Toronto Water to include in the Basement Flooding Protection Study Area #1 - Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study consideration of the impact on sanitary sewer flows and storm-water runoff from the redevelopment envisioned by the O'Connor Drive Avenue Study.

  

6.         City Council request the Manager of the Business Improvement Area (BIA) Office to work with the local Councillor and area businesses to explore the possibility of establishing a Business Improvement Area for O'Connor Drive from Sandra Road to Northline Road.

 

7.         City Council request the City Manager, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division and other appropriate staff, to review and consider the acquisition of property on O'Connor Drive and St. Clair Avenue that is adjacent to City-owned lands for potential future city uses.

 

8.         City Council request the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to consider improving the signage and trail connections to Taylor Creek Ravine at the O'Connor Viaduct near Glenwood Crescent, and at the south-west corner of Curity and O'Connor Drive.

 

9.         City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division to make changes to the report and attachments, text and maps, to ensure that the intent of the Guidelines is clarified on the maps such that Westview Boulevard properties are clearly excluded from the mixed-use area fronting on O'Connor Drive; the Study Area is defined as O'Connor Drive between Sandra Road and Victoria Park Avenue; and submit a revised report to City Council containing those changes.

Decision Advice and Other Information

The Planning and Growth Management Committee held a public meeting on November 8, 2012, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

Origin

(October 12, 2012) Report from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division

Summary

The portion of O’Connor Drive between Victoria Park in North York District and St. Clair Avenue East and Sandra Road in Toronto and East York District is identified as an Avenue in the Official Plan.  This report recommends adoption of an Official Plan Amendment and Urban Design Guidelines which will be used to guide public realm improvements and to assess future development proposals within the Avenue.

 

The Official Plan recognizes that each Avenue is different in terms of lot sizes and configuration, street width, existing uses, neighbouring uses, transit service and streetscape potential.  There is no one size fits all program for the Avenues, and thus, a framework for change is required to be tailored to suit the local conditions along the street.  The purpose of the O'Connor Drive Avenue Study is to identify a vision for the future development of the area, as well as its implementation.

 

The vision for O’Connor Drive is that it becomes a vibrant urban corridor that will provide more opportunities for people to live, work, and shop.  The urban design guidelines identify how new developments will fit harmoniously into the existing/planned context by ensuring that appropriate transitions in scale to adjacent uses occurs and that there are limited impacts.  The Guidelines are intended to foster the creation of a high quality, safe, urban environment with attractive streetscapes, pedestrian friendly open spaces and vibrant streets.  The Guidelines identify: where and how mid-rise, mixed-use buildings can be introduced; how the streetscape and pedestrian environment can be improved; where trees should be planted; and how use of the road allowance can be optimized  The benefits to new and established communities will be gradually implemented over time as development proceeds and opportunities present themselves.

 

This report recommends approval of a draft Official Plan Amendment to include area specific policies related to development in the O'Connor Drive Avenue Study area, defined as O'Connor Drive between St. Clair Avenue West and Victoria Park Avenue.  The proposed Official Plan policies are supported by Urban Design Guidelines that are also the subject of this report.  These policy documents represent the culmination of the O'Connor Drive Avenue Study.

Background Information

(October 12, 2012) Report from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division on O'Connor Drive Avenue Study - Toronto and East York District and North York District - Final Report
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-51477.pdf

Communications

(November 7, 2012) E-mail from Jason Park, Barristers and Solicitors, Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP (PG.New.PG19.2.1)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/pg/comm/communicationfile-33053.pdf
(November 8, 2012) E-mail from Joe Drew (PG.New.PG19.2.2)

Speakers

Joe Drew
Allen Gaw, President, Topham Park Homeowners Association

Motions

1 - Motion to Amend Item moved by Councillor Peter Milczyn (Carried)

Requested by Councillor Davis

 

That:

 

1.         City Council request the Director of Transportation Services, Toronto and East York District, to review and make recommendations for changes to:  a) existing parking by-laws for O'Connor Drive between Sandra Road and Northline Road to increase the availability of parking for local businesses; and b) traffic control measures at the intersection of St. Clair Avenue E. and O'Connor Drive to facilitate safer pedestrian crossings; and report to the January 22, 2013 meeting of Toronto and East York Community Council, if required.

 

2.         City Council request the General Manager of Toronto Water to include in the Basement Flooding Protection Study Area #1 - Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study consideration of the impact on sanitary sewer flows and storm-water runoff from the redevelopment envisioned by the O'Connor Drive Avenue Study.

 

3.         City Council request the Manager of the BIA Office to work with the local Councillor and area businesses to explore the possibility of establishing a Business Improvement Area for O'Connor Drive from Sandra Road to Northline Road.

 

4.         City Council request the City Manager, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division and other appropriate staff, to review and consider the acquisition of property on O'Connor Drive and St. Clair Avenue that is adjacent to City-owned lands for potential future city uses.

 

5.         City Council request the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to consider improving the signage and trail connections to Taylor Creek Ravine at the O'Connor Viaduct near Glenwood Crescent, and at the south-west corner of Curity and O'Connor Drive.

 

6.         City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division to make changes to the report and attachments, text and maps, to ensure that the intent of the Guidelines is clarified on the maps such that Westview Boulevard properties are clearly excluded from the mixed-use area fronting on O'Connor Drive; the Study Area is consistently defined as O'Connor Drive between Sandra Road and Victoria Park Avenue; and submit a revised report to City Council containing those changes.


2 - Motion to Adopt Item as Amended moved by Councillor Peter Milczyn (Carried)
Source: Toronto City Clerk at www.toronto.ca/council