Item - 2020.NY14.2

The North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council refuse the application to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-laws applicable to 2 Sandfield Road for the following reasons:

a. the proposal is not in keeping with the building type and built form character of the geographic neighbourhood, and does not conform to the policies of the Toronto Official Plan; and

b. the approval of the proposal would create a negative condition and context that would undermine the stable geographic neighbourhood character.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor, together with City Planning and other appropriate staff, to appear before the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal in support of City Council's decision to refuse the application, in the event the application is appealed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.

3. City Council direct City staff to continue discussions with the applicant to address issues identified in the report (February 24, 2020) from the Acting Director, Community Planning, North York District.

This combined application proposes to amend Official Plan policies and Zoning By-laws applicable to the lands at 2 Sandfield Road to permit a seven-unit townhouse block fronting York Mills Road. The proposed townhouse block would be three storeys in height with a total gross floor area of 2,066.6 square metres (including the basement) and a floor space index of 1.3 times the area of the lot. Vehicular access would be provided from Sandfield Road. The existing detached dwelling fronting Sandfield Road would be demolished.

The proposed building type and orientation, lot pattern and zoning provisions are not in keeping with the character of the neighbourhood, or the policies of the Official Plan. The proposal would not respect and reinforce the existing physical character of the geographic neighbourhood. This report reviews and recommends refusal of the application to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law.

This report also seeks City Council's direction for the City Solicitor, together with the appropriate City staff, to attend the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal hearing to oppose the application in the event that it is appealed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.