Item - 2021.NY24.2

North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council amend Zoning By-law 1916, as amended, for the lands at 154 Wicksteed Avenue substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment No. 5 to this report (March 15, 2021) from the Acting Director, Community Planning, North York District.

2. City Council amend City of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013, as amended, for the lands at 154 Wicksteed Avenue substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment No. 6 to this report (March 15, 2021) from the Acting Director, Community Planning, North York District.

3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Zoning By-law Amendments as may be required.

4. City Council require the owner to make an application for and provide a cash Payment-in-Lieu of parking into the Municipal Parking Fund of any parking shortfall to a maximum of 4 parking spaces below the provision of 71 parking spaces on-site.

North York Community Council held a statutory public meeting on May 21, 2021 and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This application proposes to construct a six-storey (23.7 metres) office building containing 7,073 square metres of gross floor area, with two levels of underground parking for 67 vehicles at 154 Wicksteed Avenue. A ground floor bicycle room with 31 long-term bicycle parking spaces and shower facilities is also proposed. The building would contain a 125 square metres of restaurant or retail space at grade and 6,948 square metres of office space. Vehicular access is proposed to be provided from Wicksteed Avenue to the vehicle parking garage, and from Wicksteed Avenue and Clarke Street to the loading spaces.

The proposed development is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (2020) and conforms with A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2020). The application conforms to the provisions of the Official Plan and the Core Employment Areas designation policies.

This report reviews and recommends approval of the application to amend the Zoning By-law. The application introduces new office employment uses on a site designated Core Employment Areas in the Official Plan. The proposed uses and built form are compatible with the surrounding employment uses and will strengthen the long term viability of the employment area.