Item - 2024.PH11.2

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council adopt Official Plan Amendment 718 substantially-in-accordance with Attachment 1 to the report (March 18, 2024) from the Interim Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the recommended Official Plan Amendment 718 as may be required.

The Planning and Housing Committee:

1.  Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to provide a presentation to the Housing Rights Advisory Committee by the end of the second quarter of 2024 on the new Chapter One of the Official Plan.

2. Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to develop a work plan to continue annual meetings with the Community Leaders Circle as a method to monitor and evaluate progress toward addressing the priorities and achieving the vision and principles contained in Official Plan Amendment 718.

3.  Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning apply additional considerations of increasing housing supply and choice when implementing the Chapter 1 priorities, vision and principles in future local area studies and Official Plan and zoning updates, all in support of advancing the City’s Housing Action Plan and commitments associated with the Federal housing Accelerator Fund application, and other applicable housing targets.

The Planning and Housing Committee held a statutory public meeting on April 5, 2024, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

Chapter One of the Official Plan sets out aspirational and vision-based statements that inform how the city will grow for the next 30 years. These statements reflect the shared values of Torontonians, expressed in a way to guide development, and are the foundation for the other chapters in the Plan. The Official Plan is Toronto’s roadmap for growth and Chapter One is the compass that helps inform our choices. Chapter One seeks to balance the needs of todays residents without compromising the needs of future generations of Torontonians. The current Chapter One was adopted by Council in 2002 as part of the City’s first post-amalgamation Official Plan and similar to other Chapters of the Official Plan requires updating to reflect the changing vision for the city.

This report recommends replacing the current Chapter One with a new Chapter One that focuses on advancing reconciliation, a Vision to 2051, and Principles for a successful and inclusive city. The recommended Chapter One will serve as a statement of values that will inform future amendments to the Plan. An emphasis on inclusion, access, and equity will ensure that these values become embedded in future decisions.

This report recommends adoption of Official Plan Amendment 718 informed by the engagement program held as part of the Municipal Comprehensive Review and Growth Plan Conformity Exercise, known as “Our Plan Toronto”. The recommended Official Plan Amendment is considered under Planning Act Section 17.