Item - 2024.EC11.1

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1. City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services to create a collaborative, cross-divisional working group, with an assigned lead, to be accountable for co-ordinating various City Divisions in delivering the Mount Dennis Community for All Action Plan.

2. City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services support the Learning Enrichment Foundation in co-hosting a one-day Mount Dennis for All Symposium ("Symposium") in 2024 focusing on anti-displacement strategies, which will include experts in implementing anti-displacement measures.

3. City Council authorize the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services to negotiate and enter into, on behalf of the City of Toronto, any funding agreements with the Learning Enrichment Foundation to provide one-time funding in the amount of up to $35,000 to support the planning and co-hosting of the Symposium and the production of a report on the Symposium results, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services, in a form approved by the City Solicitor.

4. City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services to work with Divisional staff leads to provide an inventory of existing municipal services and assets in Mount Dennis, built upon the Picture Mount Dennis Community Services and Facilities Study, available at the time of the Symposium. 

5. City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services and Divisional staff leads to work with the local City Councillor, the Learning Enrichment Foundation, and the community of Mount Dennis to develop an “Equity Score Card” to measure the impact of new development in the community and to set goals and targets to support achieving positive equity outcomes, and provide an activity report to the Economic and Community Development Committee in the fourth quarter of 2024.

6. City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services and Divisional staff leads to work with the local community to prioritize and achieve positive investments needed from federal, provincial and municipal governments and report with an update to the Economic and Community Development Committee in the fourth quarter of 2024.

7. City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services to report in the fourth quarter of 2024 on progress made in implementing the Mount Dennis for All Action Plan and make any additional recommendations required for its effective implementation.

The purpose of this report is to outline the proposed development, activation, and reporting timeline for the Mount Dennis Community for All Action Plan.

The Mount Dennis area is a residential and mixed-use community in Toronto.  Mount Dennis is a welcoming community where long-time residents have welcomed new immigrants to Toronto, providing opportunity and affordable rental and ownership housing. 

At the same time Mount Dennis is set to become one of the most transit-connected neighbourhoods in Toronto. When the Eglinton Crosstown LRT is complete, Mount Dennis will be the western terminus station and a key interconnection point between the subway and commuter rail systems, providing access to the Kitchener GO Line and UP Express. Ultimately, the population of Mount Dennis is projected to more than double over the next 20 years.

Transit expansion in the area is also expected to result in an increased number of development projects which will increase much needed housing supply but which has also been causing concerns among local residents and organizations regarding the future of their community and the potential residential, commercial, and employment displacement.

In recent years, the City has completed a significant amount of study work including the Mount Dennis Secondary Plan, the Picture Mount Dennis Planning Framework, and the Mount Dennis Economic Development Study. The result has been the development of a comprehensive vision and planning framework based on the input from area residents, businesses, local services, non-profit organizations, and Indigenous partners.

In 2022, City Council has requested staff to develop a responsive community focused plan for the Mount Dennis area. Building on the established planning framework, the "Community for All Action Plan" will propose specific actions, strategies and quantifiable targets for preserving and building new affordable housing, improving social and economic outcomes including upgraded infrastructure, enhanced community and social services, retaining and expanding local businesses, and cultivating high-quality parks and outdoor amenities.

In addition, City Council also requested the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to provide biannual reports on the development and implementation of a Mount Dennis Community for All Action Plan.  This report represents the inaugural update report to be considered by the Economic and Community Development Committee.