Item - 2023.PH3.9

The Planning and Housing Committee:

1. Directed the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to undertake consultation and meet with key stakeholders regarding the proposed framework for the Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator tool and report back with final recommendations in the third quarter of 2023.

2. Directed the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning use the proposed framework for the Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator tool to assess any Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator requests in the interim and advance such requests for City Council approval where appropriate, until final recommendations are approved by City Council, following the report referenced in Recommendation 1 above.

Recent changes to the Planning Act now provide the opportunity for municipalities to specifically request that the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing issue a zoning order. This report proposes a framework for the use of this tool, which is referred to as the Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator ("CIHA") tool. This tool would expedite priority developments as it involves a process that is more streamlined than that associated with a typical zoning bylaw approval.

Key differences between a Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator Order and a zoning by-law amendment include:

• A Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator Order can include conditions imposed by the Minister, including the requirement to register an agreement on title to the land. This may allow Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator Orders to secure community benefits or other matters important for the orderly development of lands that may not otherwise be possible to secure under the existing legislative framework;
• The process for City Council to request a Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator Order does not have the same consultation requirements as Zoning By Law Amendments;
• A Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator Order does not need to conform with the Official Plan; and
• A Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator Order cannot be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal.

These differences would allow the City to expedite the approval process for developments that City Council has identified as key priorities, based on the benefits they will provide such as the creation of affordable and/or supportive housing. Priority projects that would qualify for the use of a Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator may also include critical infrastructure projects, or projects with significant economic generating purposes. The use of a Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator would eliminate appeals which often cause significant delays in approval processes, and in some circumstances can put project financing at risk resulting in the project not advancing.

The report provides an overview of the legislative context and applicable Provincial guidelines. The report also outlines how Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator Orders would compare to typical approval processes and provides a framework through which staff would consider recommending to Council that the City consider applying the use of Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerators, and outlines projects where Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerators would be appropriate.