Item - 2023.PH5.1

The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, recommends that:

1. City Council adopt the Official Plan Amendment 660 substantially in accordance with Attachment 2 to the report (June 19, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

2. City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 415, Development of Land, and Chapter 169, City Officials, substantially in accordance with Attachment 3 to the report (June 19, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

3. City Council delegate by-law making authority to the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and their designate for the purposes of Removal of a Holding ("H") Symbol in accordance with Recommendation 2 above.

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

5. City Council authorize the City Clerk, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the City Solicitor, to review and update the City's practices for collecting and maintaining contact information for persons and organizations to facilitate the implementation of Official Plan Amendment 660 with respect to the giving of notice by email.

6. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to notify the local Councillor when an application to lift a Holding ("H") Symbol has been deemed complete.

The Planning and Housing Committee held a statutory public meeting on July 5, 2023, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

The recommended Official Plan Amendment (OPA 660) and amendments to Municipal Code Chapters 415 and 169 recommended in this report establish new policy tools that enable the City to better address recent changes to Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA) decision-making timelines in the Planning Act under Bill 109, the More Homes for Everyone Act, 2022.

OPA 660 identifies four types of minor zoning by-laws that Council may choose to delegate to a committee or City official, including: Removal of a Holding ("H") Symbol, Temporary Use by-laws, amendments to incorporate lands into Zoning By-law 569-2013, and enactment of housekeeping/technical by-law amendments to the city-wide Zoning By-law. While OPA 660 establishes policy direction for all four types, at this time, staff are recommending that Council delegate Removal of a Holding ("H") Symbol to the Chief Planner.

OPA 660 also addresses alternative measures for informing and obtaining the views of the public regarding minor zoning by-laws, including streamlined notice and public meeting requirements.

The anticipated benefits of OPA 660 include reduced processing times for minor zoning by-laws that are routine and/or technical in nature. As such, application fees for certain minor zoning by-law applications may decrease. The recommended amendments also support a focus on high-value, complex zoning by-law matters at Community Councils and City Council by delegating authority for follow-on processes (e.g., removing a Holding ("H") Symbol) and housekeeping/technical matters to staff.