Item - 2016.EX17.1

Tracking Status

  • City Council adopted this item on October 5, 2016 with amendments.
  • This item was considered by Executive Committee on September 22, 2016 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on October 5, 2016.

EX17.1 - Rail Deck Park - Work Plan for Official Plan Amendments and an Implementation Strategy

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Amended
Ward:
20 - Trinity-Spadina

City Council Decision

City Council on October 5, 6 and 7, 2016, adopted the following:

 

1.  City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to initiate Official Plan Amendments for both the Railway Lands West and Railway Lands Central Secondary Plans, informed by community and stakeholder consultation, to provide a planning framework for park use over the rail corridor.

 

2.  City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to initiate amendments to the applicable Zoning By-laws as necessary to implement the Official Plan Amendments for both the Railway Lands West and Railway Lands Central Secondary Plans.

 

3.  City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Cluster B, in consultation with the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, to report back in 2017 with an Implementation Strategy for a major park space above the rail corridor between Bathurst Street and Blue Jays Way ("Rail Deck Park") which addresses the following:

 

a.  the feasibility and options for securing air rights above the rail corridor for the purposes of parkland development;

 

b.  Class 4 cost estimates and phasing options for development and construction of Rail Deck Park;

 

c.  funding options, with an emphasis on growth-related revenue sources that minimize debt-financing requirements for Rail Deck Park;

 

d. a partnership strategy to encourage corporate and community partners to participate in the planning and funding for the construction, programming, operations and maintenance of Rail Deck Park; and

 

e. an assessment of opportunities to create an implementation strategy to create new connections to Rail Deck Park, including the Green Line along the hydro lands and the northern and southern extensions of the West Toronto Railpath, for the purpose of creating an inter-connected network of parks, including feasibility and funding options.

 

4.  City Council approve a Rail Deck Park capital project with a project cost of $2.423 million to be created within the Corporate Initiatives Capital Program with cash flow approvals of $78,000 in 2016 and $2.345 million in 2017, funded through the following adjustments:

 

a.  $400,000 transfer of 2017 approved cash flow from the City Planning Growth Studies capital project, with $360,000 in Development Charge funding and the remaining $40,000 Capital from Current (CFC) funded;

 

b.  $1,200,000 funding from the Section 42 reserve fund (XR2209);

 

c.  $202,300 funding from Development Charges (XR2114); and

 

d.  $621,000 funding from the Alternative Parkland Dedication reserve fund - Ward 20 (XR2213).

 

5.  City Council request the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to review the eligible growth related funds for the funding requirements in Part 4 above, and to report back as part of the 2017 Budget process on necessary funding adjustments.

 

6.  City Council approve an increase to the 2016 Operating Budget of $78,000 gross and $0 net, and an increase of 7 temporary positions, fully funded from a contribution from the Rail Deck Park capital project, between the following City Programs:

 

a.  $41,000 gross and $0 net increase in City Planning's Operating Budget for 2016 part year funding of 4 new positions;

 

b.  $25,000 gross and $0 net increase in Legal Services' Operating Budget for 2016 part year funding of 2 new positions; and

 

c.  $12,000 gross and $0 net increase in Parks, Forestry and Recreation's Operating Budget for 2016 part year funding of 1 new position.

  

7. City Council request the City Manager to review opportunities to use staff within the existing complement of the Waterfront Secretariat, City Planning, Legal Services, and Parks, Forestry and Recreation to work with the consultant team to execute the proposed work plan for the Rail Deck Park.

 

8.  City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Cluster B and the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A, in consultation with the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, to ensure that the Rail Deck Park Implementation Strategy be developed consistent with the principles and directions of the Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan and that this be addressed as a part of the report to Council in 2017, and City Council direct such report to include the following:

 

a. information on deficiencies in parks in the suburbs;

 

b. the cost associated with these deficiencies;

 

c. communities that have undergone Official Plan Amendments to establish a park; and

 

d. a mechanism to fund parks that are ready to be built out in a similar fashion to the Rail Deck Park.

 

9. City Council request the General Manager Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report to City Council on an update to the 2001 Parkland Acquisition Strategy to be considered at the same time as the Rail Deck Park Implementation Strategy.

Background Information (Committee)

(September 15, 2016) Report from the Deputy City Manager, Cluster B; the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A; and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer on Rail Deck Park: Work Plan for Official Plan Amendments and an Implementation Strategy
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-96269.pdf
(September 8, 2016) Report from the Deputy City Manager, Cluster B on Rail Deck Park - Work Plan for Official Plan Amendments and an Implementation Strategy - Notice of Pending Report
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-96299.pdf
(September 22, 2016) Presentation from the Deputy City Manager, Cluster B on Rail Deck Park
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-96501.pdf

Communications (Committee)

(September 9, 2016) Letter from Scott Mullin, Vice President, Community Relations, TD Bank (EX.Supp.EX17.1.1)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/comm/communicationfile-62745.pdf
(September 19, 2016) Letter from Ken Greenberg, Principal, Greenberg Consultants Inc. (EX.Supp.EX17.1.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/comm/communicationfile-62995.pdf
(September 20, 2016) Letter from Stephen Diamond, President and Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Corp (EX.Supp.EX17.1.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/comm/communicationfile-63000.pdf
(September 21, 2016) Letter from George Huggins, Director of Operations, Toronto Terminals Railway (EX.Supp.EX17.1.4)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/comm/communicationfile-63032.pdf

Communications (City Council)

(September 22, 2016) E-mail from Gary Pieters, President, CityPlace Residents' Association (CC.Main.EX17.1.5)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/cc/comm/communicationfile-63390.pdf
(September 30, 2016) Submission from Hamish Wilson (CC.Supp.EX17.1.6)
(September 15, 2016) Letter from S. Paul Mantini, Bennett Jones LLP, submitted by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning (CC.New.EX17.1.7)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/cc/comm/communicationfile-63519.pdf
(September 15, 2016) Letter from Sylvia Adriano, WeirFoulds LLP, submitted by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning (CC.New.EX17.1.8)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/cc/comm/communicationfile-63582.pdf

Motions (City Council)

1 - Motion to Amend Item moved by Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti (Carried)

That City Coucil amend Executive Commitee Recommendation 8 so that it now reads as follows:

 

8.  City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Cluster B and the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A, in consultation with the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, to ensure that the Rail Deck Park Implementation Strategy be developed consistent with the principles and directions of the Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan and that this be addressed as a part of the report to Council in 2017, and City Council direct such report to include the following:

 

a.  information on deficiencies in parks in the suburbs;

b.  the cost associated with these deficiencies;

c.  communities that have undergone Official Plan Amendments to establish a park; and

d.  a mechanism to fund parks that are ready to be built out in a similar fashion to the Rail Deck Park

 

Vote (Amend Item) Oct-05-2016 2:34 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - EX17.1 - Mammoliti - motion 1
Total members that voted Yes: 27 Members that voted Yes are Maria Augimeri, Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Christin Carmichael Greb, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, Vincent Crisanti, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Michelle Holland, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Giorgio Mammoliti, Pam McConnell, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson, John Tory
Total members that voted No: 11 Members that voted No are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Janet Davis, John Filion, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Gord Perks
Total members that were Absent: 6 Members that were absent are Shelley Carroll, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Ron Moeser, James Pasternak, Kristyn Wong-Tam

2 - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker (Carried)

That City Council request the General Manager Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report to Council on an update to the 2001 Parkland Acquisition Strategy  to be considered at the same time as the Rail Deck Park Implementation Strategy.


3 - Motion to Amend Item moved by Councillor Stephen Holyday (Lost)

That:

1.  City Council amend Executive Committee Recommendation 3 by adding the words "the first quarter of"  after the word "in" so that it now reads as follows:

 

3.  City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Cluster B, in consultation with the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, report back in the first quarter of 2017 with an Implementation Strategy for a major park space above the rail corridor between Bathurst Street and Blue Jays Way ("Rail Deck Park") which addresses the following:

 

 

2.  City Council amend Executive Committee Recommendation 3.c. by adding the words "or eliminate" so that the recommendation now reads as follows:

 

c. funding options, with an emphasis on growth-related revenue sources that minimize or eliminate debt-financing requirements for Rail Deck Park;

 

3. City Council amend Executive Committee Recommendation 3 by adding:

 

f. a go/no-go recommendation to continue the project based on findings to date, including feasibility and options for securing air rights above the rail corridor for the purposes of parkland development and funding options, with an emphasis on growth-related revenue sources that minimize debt-financing requirements for Rail Deck Park.

 

4. City Council amend Executive Committee Recommendation 4 by adding "applied in the following sequence" after the word "adjustments" so it now reads:

 

City Council approve a Rail Deck Park capital project with a project cost of $2.423 million be created within the Corporate Initiatives Capital Program with cash flow approvals of $78,000 in 2016 and $2.345 million in 2017, funded through the following adjustments applied in the following sequence:

Vote (Amend Item) Oct-05-2016 2:36 PM

Result: Lost Majority Required - EX17.1 - Holyday - motion 3
Total members that voted Yes: 17 Members that voted Yes are Christin Carmichael Greb, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Frank Di Giorgio, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Michelle Holland, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Giorgio Mammoliti, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, John Tory
Total members that voted No: 21 Members that voted No are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Joe Cressy, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Gord Perks, David Shiner, Michael Thompson
Total members that were Absent: 6 Members that were absent are Shelley Carroll, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Ron Moeser, James Pasternak, Kristyn Wong-Tam

4 - Motion to Defer Item moved by Councillor Michael Ford (Lost)

That consideration of the item be deferred until the January 31, February 1 and 2, 2017 meeting of City Council.

Vote (Defer Item) Oct-05-2016 2:09 PM

Result: Lost Majority Required - EX17.1 - motion 4 - Defer the item
Total members that voted Yes: 3 Members that voted Yes are Maria Augimeri, Michael Ford, Giorgio Mammoliti
Total members that voted No: 29 Members that voted No are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Christin Carmichael Greb, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson, John Tory
Total members that were Absent: 12 Members that were absent are Shelley Carroll, Josh Colle, Vincent Crisanti, Paula Fletcher, Michelle Holland, Jim Karygiannis, Norman Kelly, Ron Moeser, Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, Anthony Perruzza, Kristyn Wong-Tam

5 - Motion to Amend Item moved by Mayor John Tory (Carried)

That City Council delete Executive Committee Recommendation 4d

 

Recommendation to be deleted

 

d. $621,000 in Capital from Current (CFC) funding available from closed capital projects.

 

and insert the following new recommendation 4d.

 

d. $621,000 funding from the Alternative Parkland Dedication reserve fund - Ward 20 (XR2213)

Vote (Amend Item) Oct-05-2016 2:37 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - EX17.1 - Tory - motion 5
Total members that voted Yes: 38 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Christin Carmichael Greb, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Michelle Holland, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Giorgio Mammoliti, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson, John Tory
Total members that voted No: 0 Members that voted No are
Total members that were Absent: 6 Members that were absent are Shelley Carroll, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Ron Moeser, James Pasternak, Kristyn Wong-Tam

Motion to Adopt Item as Amended (Carried)

Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Oct-05-2016 2:38 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - EX17.1 - Adopt the item as amended
Total members that voted Yes: 38 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Christin Carmichael Greb, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Michelle Holland, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Giorgio Mammoliti, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson, John Tory
Total members that voted No: 0 Members that voted No are
Total members that were Absent: 6 Members that were absent are Shelley Carroll, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Ron Moeser, James Pasternak, Kristyn Wong-Tam

EX17.1 - Rail Deck Park - Work Plan for Official Plan Amendments and an Implementation Strategy

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Amended
Ward:
20 - Trinity-Spadina

Committee Recommendations

The Executive Committee recommends that:

 

1.  City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to initiate Official Plan Amendments for both the Railway Lands West and Railway Lands Central Secondary Plans, informed by community and stakeholder consultation, to provide a planning framework for park use over the rail corridor.

 

2.  City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to initiate amendments to the applicable Zoning By-laws as necessary to implement the Official Plan Amendments for both the Railway Lands West and Railway Lands Central Secondary Plans.

 

3.  City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Cluster B, in consultation with the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, report back in 2017 with an Implementation Strategy for a major park space above the rail corridor between Bathurst Street and Blue Jays Way ("Rail Deck Park") which addresses the following:

 

a.  feasibility and options for securing air rights above the rail corridor for the purposes of parkland development;

 

b.  Class 4 cost estimates and phasing options for development and construction of Rail Deck Park;

 

c.  funding options, with an emphasis on growth-related revenue sources that minimize debt-financing requirements for Rail Deck Park;

 

d.  partnership strategy to encourage corporate and community partners to participate in the planning and funding for the construction, programming, operations and maintenance of Rail Deck Park; and

 

e.  assess opportunities to create an implementation strategy to create new connections to Rail Deck Park, including the Green Line along the hydro lands and the northern and southern extensions of the West Toronto Railpath, for the purpose of creating an inter-connected network of parks, including feasibility and funding options

 

4.  City Council approve a Rail Deck Park capital project with a project cost of $2.423 million be created within the Corporate Initiatives Capital Program with cash flow approvals of $78,000 in 2016 and $2.345 million in 2017, funded through the following adjustments:

 

a.  $400,000 transfer of 2017 approved cash flow from the City Planning Growth Studies capital project, with $360,000 in Development Charge funding and the remaining $40,000 Capital from Current (CFC) funded;

 

b.  $1,200,000 funding from the Section 42 reserve fund (XR2209);

 

c.  $202,300 funding from Development Charges (XR2114); and

 

d.  $621,000 in Capital from Current (CFC) funding available from closed capital projects.

 

5.  City Council request the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to review the eligible growth related funds for the funding requirements in Recommendation 4, and report back as part of the 2017 Budget process on necessary funding adjustments.

 

6.  City Council approve an increase to the 2016 Operating Budget of $78,000 gross and $0 net, and an increase of 7 temporary positions, fully funded from a contribution from the Rail Deck Park capital project, between the following City Programs:

 

a.  $41,000 gross and $0 net increase in City Planning's Operating Budget for 2016 part year funding of 4 new positions;

 

b.  $25,000 gross and $0 net increase in Legal Services' Operating Budget for 2016 part year funding of 2 new positions; and

 

c.  $12,000 gross and $0 net increase in Parks, Forestry and Recreation's Operating Budget for 2016 part year funding of 1 new position.

  

7. City Council request the City Manager to review opportunities to use staff within the existing complement of the Waterfront Secretariat, City Planning, Legal Services, and Parks Forestry and Recreation to work with the consultant team to execute the proposed work plan for the Rail Deck Park.

 

8.  City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Cluster B and the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A, in consultation with the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, to ensure that the Rail Deck Park Implementation Strategy be developed consistent with the principles and directions of the Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan and that this be addressed as a part of the report to Council in 2017.

Decision Advice and Other Information

The Deputy City Manager, Cluster B and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning gave a presentation on Rail Deck Park.

Origin

(September 15, 2016) Report from the Deputy City Manager, Cluster B; the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A; and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer

Summary

This report seeks Council direction to initiate planning for a significant new park over the rail corridor between Bathurst Street and Blue Jays Way called "Rail Deck Park." It outlines a proposed work plan, to be completed by the end of 2017, for (i) Official Plan Amendments to establish a park above the rail corridor and (ii) an Implementation Strategy for Rail Deck Park.

 

Rail Deck Park is an ambitious civic infrastructure project. If fully realized, it will involve the development of approximately 8.5 hectares (21 acres) of new park and open space in the heart of Toronto. It has the potential to significantly alter the western area of Downtown by connecting neighbourhoods currently divided by the rail corridor. The park will serve as a city-wide asset accessible to all Torontonians. It will be a high-profile visitor attraction, comparable to large urban parks in other major cities. Based on precedent projects elsewhere in North America, Rail Deck Park is anticipated to generate economic, social and environmental benefits.

 

Downtown Toronto is currently home to approximately 250,000 residents, increasing to more than 830,000 when daytime employment and tourism-related populations are included. Downtown has grown strongly over the past twenty-five years and this growth is accelerating.  Between 1991 and 2016, Downtown grew by about 122,000 residents, with approximately 50,000 of that growth occurring in the past five years alone. By 2041, the Downtown population is projected to more than double from 2011 levels (increasing from 200,000 to 475,000 residents), representing a potential of 158,000 new residential units. Recent trends indicate that the Downtown could realize even more growth than anticipated.

 

Addressing the shortage of parks in the Downtown area is a priority infrastructure need, most recently identified in the City's "TOcore: Planning Downtown" study. Existing parks and open space in Downtown Toronto is increasingly strained by rapid residential and employment growth in the core. Downtown has been identified among the areas with the lowest levels of park provision in the city and expected growth will compound this issue over the coming decades. New parkland is required to support future development in the Downtown area. If this cannot be achieved, it may be necessary for the City to reconsider the pace and amount of future development in the Downtown. Balancing growth and infrastructure provision in the Downtown will be comprehensively addressed through TOcore.

 

The rail corridor is the last opportunity to secure space for a major park to serve the Downtown area. Through the advancement of the work plan described in this report, staff will identify options to enhance growth-oriented revenues so that local development activity can fund a significant portion of the Rail Deck Park project.

 

A cross-divisional project team will be tasked with implementing a proposed work plan for Rail Deck Park. A corporate structure will be established, involving a number of City divisions, to ensure long-term capacity and a comprehensive approach to project management. The Deputy City Manager, Cluster B will be the corporate lead for the project team and City Planning will provide project coordination support. As necessary, external consultants will be engaged to provide expertise for components of the work plan. This report identifies a budget of $2.423 million to support the first phase of work on the Rail Deck Park project in 2017.

 

Official Plan Amendments (OPAs) to the Railway Lands Central and Railway Lands West Secondary Plans will be initiated to support development of a park above the rail corridor. Consultations will be undertaken to solicit public input to the OPAs. Planning policies for the rail corridor will give consideration to enhanced transportation connectivity between adjacent neighbourhoods and the opportunity for a potential Regional Express Rail station at Spadina Avenue and Front Street and appropriate facilities to access the rail corridor.

 

The project team will also undertake development of a comprehensive Implementation Strategy for Rail Deck Park that includes real estate analysis and engagement with property owners; structural design and engineering analysis, including a design concept and phasing options; financial analysis, including detailed project costs and potential funding sources; and a partnership strategy to support community and corporate involvement in the development and funding of the park, including programming, operations and maintenance.

 

In order to determine the feasibility of the Rail Deck Park proposal, the Implementation Strategy will address project costs, appropriate funding options, permissions and/or agreements with property owners and various technical and design considerations.

 

This report provides initial information concerning comparable projects and development typologies to support discussion regarding potential costs. Further analysis will be undertaken through the Implementation Strategy which will support development of a Class 4 cost estimate (i.e., based on 10 percent or greater design). Any cost figures used prior to the completion of this due diligence work are for illustrative purposes only.

 

Given the significant development projected for the Downtown, growth-oriented revenues will be targeted as the primary funding source for Rail Deck Park. Through the Implementation Strategy, staff will analyze cash-in-lieu of parkland dedication ("Section 42") funds, Section 37 benefits, Development Charges as well as other options to support Rail Deck Park. The analysis will also consider partnership funding opportunities including donations and sponsorships and grant funding from other orders of government for capital and long-term programming, operations and maintenance costs.

 

The Implementation Strategy will be developed with substantial public and stakeholder involvement. In addition to engaging with the rail companies and other parties with property interests in the rail corridor, input will be gathered from local resident associations, Business Improvement Areas, parks users, adjacent landowners and the broader public. The project team will seek out new ideas for the design and operations of Rail Deck Park through workshops, stakeholder and special interest group engagement, town hall forums and other tactics. A key focus will be bringing together the broad range of stakeholders, from potential corporate sponsors, foundations and other philanthropic organizations to design experts and community groups to advance Rail Deck Park as a partnership-based city building project.

 

Staff will report back to City Council in 2017 with an update and for approval of the proposed Official Plan Amendments and the Rail Deck Park Implementation Strategy.

Background Information

(September 15, 2016) Report from the Deputy City Manager, Cluster B; the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A; and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer on Rail Deck Park: Work Plan for Official Plan Amendments and an Implementation Strategy
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-96269.pdf
(September 8, 2016) Report from the Deputy City Manager, Cluster B on Rail Deck Park - Work Plan for Official Plan Amendments and an Implementation Strategy - Notice of Pending Report
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-96299.pdf
(September 22, 2016) Presentation from the Deputy City Manager, Cluster B on Rail Deck Park
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-96501.pdf

Communications

(September 9, 2016) Letter from Scott Mullin, Vice President, Community Relations, TD Bank (EX.Supp.EX17.1.1)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/comm/communicationfile-62745.pdf
(September 19, 2016) Letter from Ken Greenberg, Principal, Greenberg Consultants Inc. (EX.Supp.EX17.1.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/comm/communicationfile-62995.pdf
(September 20, 2016) Letter from Stephen Diamond, President and Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Corp (EX.Supp.EX17.1.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/comm/communicationfile-63000.pdf
(September 21, 2016) Letter from George Huggins, Director of Operations, Toronto Terminals Railway (EX.Supp.EX17.1.4)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/comm/communicationfile-63032.pdf

Speakers

Dave Harvey, Park People
Janice Solomon, Toronto Entertainment District BIA
Hamish Wilson
Andrea McKittrick, CityPlace Fort York BIA
Lucy Cameron, Diamond Corp
Councillor Joe Cressy
Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker
Councillor Pam McConnell

Motions

1 - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Ana Bailão (Carried)

1. That City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Cluster B and the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A, in consultation with the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, to ensure that the Rail Deck Park Implementation Strategy be developed consistent with the principles and directions of the Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan and that this be addressed as a part of the report to Council in 2017.

 

2. That a new part be added to recommendation 3 as follows:

 

e. Assess opportunities to create an implementation strategy to create new connections to Rail Deck Park, including the Green Line along the hydro lands and the northern and southern extensions of the West Toronto Railpath, for the purpose of creating an inter-connected network of parks, including feasibility and funding options

Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Sep-22-2016

Result: Carried Majority Required
Total members that voted Yes: 12 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Gary Crawford, Michelle Holland, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson, John Tory (Chair)
Total members that voted No: 0 Members that voted No are
Total members that were Absent: 1 Members that were absent are Frank Di Giorgio

2 - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Jaye Robinson (Carried)

That the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer review the eligible growth related funds for the funding requirements in Recommendation 4, and report back as part of the 2017 Budget process on necessary funding adjustments.


3 - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Jaye Robinson (Carried)

That City Council request the City Manager to review opportunities to use staff within the existing complement of the Waterfront Secretariat, City Planning, Legal Services, and Parks Forestry and Recreation to work with the consultant team to execute the proposed work plan for the Rail Deck Park.


4 - Motion to Adopt Item as Amended moved by Mayor John Tory (Carried)

Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Sep-22-2016

Result: Carried Majority Required
Total members that voted Yes: 12 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Gary Crawford, Michelle Holland, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson, John Tory (Chair)
Total members that voted No: 0 Members that voted No are
Total members that were Absent: 1 Members that were absent are Frank Di Giorgio
Source: Toronto City Clerk at www.toronto.ca/council