Item - 2022.PH33.4

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council amend the effective date of Section 3 of By-law 46-2022, pertaining to the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 415, Development of Land, to April 3, 2023, substantially in accordance with Attachment 1 to the report (April 1, 2022) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Chief of Staff, City Manager's Office;

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the amendment to the City of Toronto Municipal Code as may be required.

On February 3, 2022, City Council adopted an Official Plan Amendment and associated Municipal Code Amendment to establish mandatory pre-application consultation as a prerequisite to the submission of a complete development application in Toronto. Following an appeal period in which no appeals were received, the Official Plan Amendment came into full force and effect on March 8, 2022. The policy direction provided by the Official Plan Amendment will be implemented through the approved Municipal Code Amendment (By-law 46-2022), which includes an effective date of November 1, 2022.  

As the transformation of the City's development review process continues to roll out through the Concept 2 Keys (C2K) Office in 2022, implementation of mandatory pre-application consultation will be appropriately supported by a team-based structure with increased staffing levels and improved administrative and technology supports.

While administrative and technology improvements are on track to be in place for the approved November 1, 2022 effective date, ongoing consultation with staff and the development industry, and recent Council direction to "improve the continuity of service delivery as a core principle of the operating model," point to the need for an extended transition period to support operational readiness and consistent customer service city-wide, particularly in regards to staffing. For this reason, staff are recommending the Municipal Code Amendment effective date be amended to April 3, 2023.