Item - 2021.EY22.24

The Etobicoke York Community Council:

1. Requested the Director, Community Planning, Etobicoke York District report to the next meeting of Etobicoke York Community Council, April 19, 2021, with an update on the holding provision for 2200 Islington Avenue, including a complete list of the conditions required to lift the holding provision, and an update on the status of those conditions.

The Islington Avenue and Rexdale Boulevard re-development at 2200 Islington Avenue will include over 50,000m2 of retail space in 18 buildings. At a time where business activity and investments in our community have been hindered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the benefits of this exciting project could not come at a better time.

First and foremost, this project will bring hundreds of well-paying jobs to Etobicoke North in the retail, construction and consumer goods sectors. For residents that have been waiting years for this re-development, this project will connect them to a variety of businesses and services, including a Costco which will spur increased economic growth and investments in our community. Considering the overwhelming benefits of the 2200 Islington Avenue re-development, it is now more important than ever that the City of Toronto supports developments of this nature by expeditiously reviewing and processing these applications and ushering them through to completion.

The applicant has been working diligently with City staff to move this project to the next phase of construction, through the lifting of a holding provision on the site. Currently, the applicant has fulfilled most of the requirements for lifting the provision and will be in a place to have this completed shortly. The recommendation below would have Community Planning staff report on lifting the holding provision for the next meeting of Etobicoke York Community Council on April 19, 2021, with up-to-date information on the status of the requirements for lifting the provision and permitting the applicant to proceed with the next stage of the project. It is crucial that we consider lifting the holding provision to move this project to completion as the re-development is vital for our community in Etobicoke North.