Item - 2015.PG4.2

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council amend draft policy 6.7 in Attachment 1, Draft Official Plan Amendment, to the report (April 17, 2015) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning by amending sub-policy (b) and adding a new sub-policy (c) as follows and renumbering all subsequent sub-policies: 

(b) A minimum 5 metre setback at grade and above established grade from the property line will be provided on all Greenway street frontages in Mixed Use Areas and Apartment Neighbourhoods.

(c) A minimum 7.5 metre setback at grade and above established grade from the property line will be provided on both sides of Erskine Avenue between Yonge Street and Mount Pleasant Road."

2.  City Council amend the Official Plan, as amended, substantially in accordance with the draft Official Plan Amendment, attached to the report (April 17, 2015) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, as Attachment 1 .

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

4.  City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the General Managers of Transportation Services, Toronto Water, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Economic Development and Culture and Children’s Services, as well as other applicable divisions and agencies, to undertake further review of the Yonge-Eglinton Secondary Plan in accordance with the planning priorities identified in the report (April 17, 2015) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, use the robust and high standard of public consultation used throughout the Midtown in Focus process and bring forward a Proposals Report in early 2016 to the Planning and Growth Management Committee on the emerging directions.

5.  City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the General Managers of Transportation Services, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Toronto Water, Real Estate Services, Engineering and Construction Services, Finance and Economic Development and Culture, as well as other applicable divisions and agencies, to bring forward a report in early 2016 to the Planning and Growth Management Committee outlining the proposed Implementation Strategy for the Midtown in Focus Parks, Open Space and Streetscape Plan, specifically as it relates to 'quick hit' projects that are able to be implemented in the near term and potential funding sources. 

At its August 2014 meeting, City Council adopted the Midtown in Focus Parks, Open Space and Streetscape Plan for the Yonge-Eglinton area (Midtown in Focus Plan) and supported the strategies and initiatives identified in the Plan to inform the priorities for local capital investment, assist in obtaining and directing Section 37 funds for community improvements, identify a parkland acquisition strategy and guide the review of development applications.  To advance implementation of the Plan, City Council requested that the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, prepare draft amendments to the Yonge-Eglinton Secondary Plan to implement the Midtown in Focus Plan and its objectives.

This report summarizes the proposed amendments to the Secondary Plan (refer to Attachment 1).  The proposed amendments integrate the Council-adopted Midtown in Focus Plan into the existing planning framework of the Yonge-Eglinton Secondary Plan.  An enhanced policy framework is necessary to secure the Midtown in Focus vision of more liveable, walkable and memorable public spaces across the Yonge-Eglinton area. 

This report also outlines the scope of work for an additional phase of planning activity to be initiated in 2015 and reported out in 2016 that will further enhance the existing planning framework for the Yonge-Eglinton area.