Item - 2023.PH8.22

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council request that the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing enact an Enhanced Minister’s Zoning Order (EMZO) pursuant to section 47 of the Planning Act to permit a grocery store on the lands at 100 Thorncliffe Park Drive, following the displacement of the grocery store at 2 Thorncliffe Park Drive, as a result of Metrolinx’s expropriation of lands to facilitate the construction of the Ontario Line’s required  Maintenance Storage Facility (MSF).

2. City Council authorize the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and his representative, to enter into an agreement under Section 47 (4.3) of the Planning Act with the owner(s) of the land located at 100 Thorncliffe Park Drive, and such agreement shall be registered on title to the lands to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and the City Solicitor. Such agreements may include providing for necessary road widening and infrastructure improvements.

3. City Council authorize and direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and his representative, to amend and release any registered agreement, execute any necessary undertaking(s), and other required processes to give effect to the approval of the plans and drawings for the development at 100 Thorncliffe Park Drive.

4. City Council request that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing undertake a review of the Enhanced Minister’s Zoning Order (EMZO) in two years from its issuance and if reasonable progress on the proposed development has not occurred, then the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing consider rescinding it after consultation with the City.

5. City Council request the Chief Building Official, Toronto Building, and their representative to work with the owner(s) of the land located at 100 Thorncliffe Park Drive to ensure they are aware of all the required plans to obtain all necessary building permits.

Iqbal Foods has been a fixture in the Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park communities for more than 30 years, providing access to culturally-necessary foods that are not available elsewhere in the area. This business is also a vital part of the Halal food supply chain, providing 80% of Ontario’s supply of Halal food products that meet the strictest religious requirements.

Iqbal Foods’ long standing retail and meat processing facility at 2 Thorncliffe Park Drive has been expropriated to allow Metrolinx to build a maintenance and storage facility for the Ontario Line. Metrolinx says this location must be vacated by April 2024. Iqbal Foods has secured a new location nearby at 100 Thorncliffe Park Drive, where it has entered into a lease with the landowner.

While the current Core Employment Areas designation in the Official Plan supports Iqbal Foods’ processing facility, the retail use for the grocery store  requires an Official Plan and zoning by-law amendment. As the Municipal Comprehensive Review has now passed, the zoning can only be amended by an order of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. An Enhanced Minister’s Zoning Order would bypass the required City approvals process and allow the landowner to apply for and obtain building permits to facilitate the relocation and construction works.