Item - 2025.GG23.26

The General Government Committee recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the initiation of expropriation proceedings for the full fee simple interest in all of the laneway located east of the property municipally known as 129 Peter Street (the "Property"), as set out in Appendix A to the report (June 27, 2025) from the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, for the purposes of supporting the ongoing operation of Streets to Homes Assessment and Referral Centre, if the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, deems it necessary or appropriate to proceed in that manner.

2. City Council grant authority to serve and publish the Notices of Application for Approval to Expropriate the Property, to forward to the Ontario Land Tribunal any requests for inquiries received, to attend the hearing(s) to present the City of Toronto's position, and to report the Ontario Land Tribunal's recommendations to City Council for its consideration.

This report seeks authority to initiate expropriation proceedings for the full fee simple interest in all of the laneway located east of the property municipally known as 129 Peter Street (the “Property”) to support the ongoing operation of Streets to Homes Assessment and Referral Centre. Streets to Homes Assessment and Referral Centre is a 24 / 7 walk-in support hub for individuals experiencing homelessness. The Property is required to provide essential space for secure garbage storage, access to utility meters and vents, and ensuring safe passage for staff.

This is Stage 1 of the expropriation process. Should City Council adopt the recommendations in this report, staff will serve and publish the Notice of Application for Approval to Expropriate Land on each registered owner. Owners, as defined in the Expropriations Act (the "Act"), will have 30 days to request a hearing into whether the City's proposed taking is fair, sound, and reasonably necessary.

Staff will report back to City Council with a Stage 2 report, providing details on property values and other costs, and if a hearing is requested, the report of the Ontario Land Tribunal. The proposed expropriation would only be effected after adoption by City Council, as approving authority, of the Stage 2 report, by registration of an expropriation plan, which would then be followed by the service of notices as required by the Act.

Before the City can take possession of the expropriated property, offers of compensation based on appraisal reports must be served on each registered owner.