Item - 2021.PH22.4

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:  

1.  City Council endorse the February 25, 2021 letter from the Director, Community Planning, North York District, Attachment 3 to the report (March 30, 2021) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to the City of Vaughan's Committee of the Whole which identify the concerns with the application at 72 Steeles Avenue West and 7040-7054 Yonge Street, including height and density.

2. In the event that the City of Vaughan approves the applications at 72 Steeles Avenue West and 7040-7054 Yonge Street that is not substantially in conformity with the Council of Vaughan adopted Yonge Steeles Corridor Secondary Plan, City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report back to the Planning and Housing Committee on next steps.

3.  Should the applications at 72 Steeles Avenue West and 7040-7054 Yonge Street be appealed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, City Council direct the City Solicitor and appropriate City Staff to attend and seek party status to support the City's interests.

This report responds to applications filed in the City of Vaughan to amend the City of Vaughan Official Plan and the City of Vaughan Zoning By-law and a draft plan of subdivision which have been circulated to the City of Toronto in accordance with the requirements of the Planning Act given the proximity to the City of Toronto. The report identifies the concerns of City Planning staff and makes recommendations on future steps to protect the City's interests concerning the applications. The applications are on the north side of Steeles Avenue West and the west side of Yonge Street. The applications propose four buildings with heights of 56, 38, 44 and 60 storeys and 2620 residential units with retail on the ground floor. Overall the proposed development would have a floor space index ("FSI") of 12.82.

The Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Development for the City of Vaughan has written a report to the City of Vaughan's Committee of the Whole regarding each application outlining some preliminary concerns with the applications including the proposed heights and densities.