Item - 2020.TE19.6

The Toronto and East York Community Council adjourned the public meeting for 968 O'Connor Drive - Zoning Amendment Application - Final Report, until the February 2021 meeting at 10:00 a.m.

The Toronto and East York Community Council held a statutory public meeting on October 15, 2020 and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This application proposes to amend Zoning By-law 6752 of the former Borough of East York and City-Wide Zoning By-law 569-2013 to permit a 10-storey mixed-use building at 968 O'Connor Drive. The subject property is located at the north-west corner of O'Connor Drive and Curity Avenue, and is currently a vacant lot.

The proposed development would have 126 residential units (including four two-storey townhouses integrated into the ground and mezzanine levels of the building along Curity Avenue), 383 square metres of at-grade retail fronting onto O'Connor Drive, 131 bicycle parking spaces, and indoor and outdoor residential amenity space. 103 below-grade vehicular parking spaces would be provided in a three-level underground parking garage.  The residential component is proposed to have condominium tenure.

The proposal is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (2020) and conforms with A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2020). It is consistent with the Mixed Use Areas and Avenues policies of the City of Toronto Official Plan, generally complies with the City's Avenues and Midrise Building Guidelines, and appropriately accounts for its proximity to nearby industrial uses. A site-specific Class 4 designation is recommended at this property pursuant to applicable MOECC Guideline NPC-300, as described later in the report.

The proposal is also consistent with Site and Area Specific Policy 400, which provides an area-specific development framework for the O'Connor Drive Avenue Study Area, where the subject property forms part of a "Main Streets Area". It represents an appropriate and desirable redevelopment of a vacant lot that is compatible with its surrounding context, meets the intent of the Official Plan, and will contribute to the vision of O'Connor Drive becoming a vibrant urban corridor that provides opportunities for people to live, work and shop.

This report reviews and recommends approval of the application to amend the applicable zoning by-laws, subject to conditions that should be satisfied prior to introducing the necessary bills to City Council for enactment.