Item - 2021.PH23.6

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council endorse in principle amending the zoning regulations for 75 Tandridge Crescent to permit the construction of the modular housing proposal by way of a request to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to make a Minister's Zoning Order, pursuant to Section 47 of the Planning Act, and request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report directly to the July City Council meeting on the final recommended proposal and the relief to the zoning by-law required to permit the proposed development.

The Planning and Housing Committee:

1. Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, to conduct community consultation meetings to obtain feedback on the modular housing proposal for 75 Tandridge Crescent.

The Executive Director, Housing Secretariat and the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration gave a presentation on Modular Supportive Housing –a Rapid and Dignified Response to Homelessness (Items PH23.3, PH23.4, PH23.5 and PH23.6).

This report for presents a proposed modular housing development for 75 Tandridge Crescent, outlines the proposed community engagement process and recommends that City Council endorse, in principle, the use of a Minister's Zoning Order to provide any necessary relief from the in force zoning by-law regulations to permit the proposal.  This proposed development will advance under the Federal Rapid Housing Initiative and is one of several modular housing developments proposed to advance in 2021.

The 75 Tandridge Crescent property is owned by Toronto Community Housing and is currently developed with a ten-storey apartment building.  There is an existing surface parking lot, driveway, basketball court and outdoor play area on the west side of the site.  The north end of the west side of the site is proposed to be redeveloped with a five-storey, approximately 113 unit modular rental apartment building. The driveway, basketball court and outdoor play area would be relocated and replaced on site as part of the development and the location determined in consultation with the neighbours and Toronto Community Housing Corporation.

The City is committed to working with the local community to provide accurate and timely information about the project and to respond to questions and collect community feedback and input, including ideas on how to support and integrate the new residents into the neighbourhood.  There will be a number of opportunities for residents to learn more about the new homes with the supports to be planned to support the new residents.  Community meetings are proposed in May and June to provide information on the proposal and present site and building design concepts for community input and feedback.  The first virtual community engagement meeting is scheduled for May 18, 2021.  Corporate Real Estate Management (CREM) division is currently preparing a Site Plan Approval application submission for the site in conjunction with the retained building and architectural firm.

At its meeting of October 27, 2020 City Council adopted Item MM25.32 - Implementation of the Federal Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) authorizing staff to: enter into an agreement with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to secure the City's allocation of $203.3 million through this program; and, identify projects that can be made available for occupancy within twelve (12) months, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI).  City Council also approved approximately $59 million in pre-approved City Open Door incentives to support the creation of up to 800 affordable rental units under the program, to maximize the RHI opportunity and exceed the minimum unit requirement set out under the RHI.

The lands are designated and zoned to permit apartment residential uses.  Based on the conceptual site plan prepared for the site, relief to the existing zoning provisions will be required.  The required relief will be finalized following community feedback and completion of detailed building and site design.

In response to the urgent need for providing affordable and supportive homes to the city's most vulnerable residents who are experiencing homelessness, and following the City Council's request to prioritize building and planning approvals for these projects,  this report recommends that City Council endorse in principle the use of a Minister's Zoning Order to provide the necessary relief from the in force zoning by-law regulations in order to permit the construction of modular housing at this site.  The Planning Act gives the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing the power, by order, in respect of any lands in Ontario, to exercise any of the powers conferred on Council to zone lands and modify the zoning regulations for a given site.  A Minister's Zoning Order would enable the City to more quickly implement the modular housing proposals.