Item - 2023.SC8.2

The Scarborough Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council amend Zoning By-law 569-2013, as amended, for the lands at 3379 to 3385 Lawrence Avenue East substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment 5 to the report (October 2, 2023) from the Director, Community Planning, Scarborough District and Executive Director, Housing Secretariat.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Zoning By-law Amendment, as may be required.

3. City Council request that the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning explore securing through the Site Plan Control process for the proposed development, pursuant to Section 114 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, the Owner's obligation to:

a. Continue to provide and maintain the existing 48 rental dwelling units at 3379 Lawrence Avenue East as rental housing for a period of at least 20 years commencing from the date the Zoning By-law Amendment comes into full force and effect, with no application for demolition or conversion from residential rental use during the 20-year period, all to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning; and,

b. Undertake improvements to the existing rental building at 3379 Lawrence Avenue East, at its sole expense and at no cost to tenants, with such improvements and related timing for the improvements to be undertaken to be informed by a tenant survey and identified by the Owner to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning prior to Site Plan Approval for the development, including but not limited to a new 136 square metre indoor amenity space on the ground floor of the existing rental building.

c. Workout proper logistics on site during and post development to ensure: Wheel Trans pickup and drop off accessibility for the residents at the existing building and the new development; front lobby wheelchair accessibility; front lobby amenities accessibility; laundry room accessibility; visitors and support staff parking access; and emergency services accessibility, all to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

4. Prior to Site Plan Approval for the development, City Council require the Owner to develop a Construction Mitigation and Tenant Communication Plan, including an interim parking plan, to mitigate the impacts of construction of the development on tenants of the existing rental building, all to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

5. Subject to approval of an Open Door Application by the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, City Council exempt up to 37 new affordable housing units, representing a minimum of 30% of the new rental housing dwelling units to be developed on the lands currently known as 3379 to 3385 Lawrence Avenue East from taxation for municipal and school purposes for 40 years from first occupancy under the municipal capital facility agreement (“Contribution Agreement”) for the development.

6. City Council authorize the Controller to cancel or refund any taxes paid after the effective date of the exemption from taxation for municipal and school purposes, as set out in the municipal capital facility agreement (“Contribution Agreement”), referenced in Recommendation 5 above.

7. City Council authorize the City Solicitor and appropriate City staff to take such actions as are required to implement City Council's decision, including the execution and implementation of appropriate agreements.

The Scarborough Community Council held a statutory public meeting on October 19, 2023, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This application proposes to amend the Zoning By-law to permit the construction of a 10-storey apartment building at 3385 Lawrence Avenue East.

The new building would contain 123 rental units, of which 30% or approximately 37 dwelling units, would be affordable units. The proposal contemplates the removal of the existing place of worship located at 3385 Lawrence Avenue East while maintaining the existing six-storey apartment building containing 48 rental dwelling units located at 3379 Lawrence Avenue East. Should this redevelopment proposal be approved, new indoor amenity space will be added to the existing six-storey building for the current residents to use. The affordable units would be supported by the City's Open Door Affordable Rental Housing Program.

The proposed development is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (2020) and conforms with A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2020). The proposed development will provide much-needed affordable housing and residential intensification on a site adjacent to Cedarbrae Mall on a site with frequent bus service that makes connections to existing (Eglinton GO) and future (Lawrence East Subway) higher order transit stops. The proposal contributes positively to the public realm and is appropriately scaled for its existing and planned context.

This report recommends approval of the application to amend the Zoning By-law.