Item - 2023.TE9.16

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council amend City of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013 for the lands at 90-94 Isabella Street in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment included as Attachment 5 to the revised report (November 14, 2023) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

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. Before introducing the necessary Bills to City Council for enactment, City Council require the owner to:

a. submit a Functional Servicing, Stormwater Management Report, Hydrogeological Report and the Hydrogeological Review Summary Form for review and acceptance to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services;

b. should it be determined that improvements to private infrastructure are required and acceptable to service the development, provide confirmation that the necessary agreements have been entered into, to satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services and the General Manager, Toronto Water;

c. should it be determined that upgrades to municipal infrastructure and road improvements are required to support the development according to the Transportation Impact Study, accepted by the General Manager, Transportation Services and the Functional Servicing Report, accepted by the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, enter into a Municipal Infrastructure Agreement to financially secure the construction of any improvements to municipal infrastructure, to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services;

d. enter into a Heritage Easement Agreement with the City for the properties at 90, 90A, 92 and 94 Isabella Street substantially in accordance with the plans and drawings dated June 26, 2023, prepared by Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc. and the Heritage Impact Assessment, dated September 25, 2023 prepared by GBCA Architects, all on file with the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning, subject to and in accordance with the Conservation Plan required in Recommendation 3.e. below, to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning, including execution of such agreement to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor;

e. provide a detailed Conservation Plan prepared by a qualified heritage consultant that is substantially in accordance with the conservation strategy set out in the Heritage Impact Assessment for the properties at 90, 90A, 92 and 94 Isabella Street prepared by GBCA Architects and dated September 25, 2023, to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning;

f. withdraw their objection to the designation of the property at 94 Isabella Street under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act; and

g. the owner has, registered on title, an agreement, or similar legal instrument, over 96 Isabella Street, including the City as a party, that ensures that the tower portion of the proposed residential building at 90-94 Isabella Street can achieve the equivalent of a 10-metre tower setback to the east, to contribute to achieving appropriate separation distance to the east, to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the City Solicitor.

The Toronto and East York Community Council held a statutory public meeting on November 15, 2023 and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This report reviews and recommends approval of the Zoning By-law Amendment application to permit the construction of a 220.6-metre (69-storey plus mechanical penthouse) residential building containing 831 units at 90-94 Isabella Street.

The site contains two Part IV-designated heritage buildings at 90-92 Isabella Street and 94 Isabella Street. The proposal involves the in-situ retention of the front portions of the existing heritage buildings to a depth of 10 metres and demolition of the rear portions of the buildings. 

A row of townhouses located at the rear of the site are not heritage-designated and are proposed to be demolished.