Item - 2022.PH34.19

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council request the Chief Planning and Executive Director, City Planning to report in the first quarter of 2023 on the feasibility of building affordable housing and retail above the Allen Road as bridging is being constructed. The report should also include possibility of building housing above the Allen Road from Lawrence Avenue West to Eglinton Avenue West as a future possible affordable housing site and retail site in any future bridging opportunities.

Given the unprecedented number of developments occurring in the Marlee area, there is an urgent need to provide affordable housing and social infrastructure for the thousands of new residents that will be moving into the area. The City should explore all possible housing opportunities, especially on publicly owned lands located within a ten minute walk to three subway stations in the area.

In December 2021, City Council adopted my recommendation (see item IE26.24: Reviewing a Pedestrian-Cycling Bridge Over Allen Road) requesting staff to study the feasibility of building a bridge over the Allen Road to connect the York Beltline Trail and Kay Gardner Beltline Trail.

With this study now underway, I would also request that the study include the possibility of incorporating affordable housing and retail on future bridging over the Allen Road.

As an example, staff may refer to the "Cap at Union Station" project in Columbus, Ohio (see Attachment 1) which connects neighbourhoods and provides retail opportunities. Similarly, the future bridging over the Allen Road can provide pedestrian and cycling opportunities and can be used as a possible affordable housing site with retail opportunities.