Item - 2025.MM28.36
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on March 26 and 27, 2025 without amendments.
MM28.36 - Addressing Vacant Storefronts - by Councillor Josh Matlow, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on March 26 and 27, 2025, adopted the following:
1. City Council request the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and any other applicable City Divisions, to report to the Economic and Community Development Committee by the fourth quarter of 2025 on policy options to compel landowners to tenant vacant storefronts.
2. City Council request the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to report on existing property standards applicable to vacant properties, and steps taken by staff to enforce them, and the efficacy of implementing tougher standards.
3. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to review opportunities to animate and beautify vacant storefronts in collaboration with local Business Improvement Areas and Resident Associations, and to report on the feasibility of a tax reduction program for property owners that host pop-ups and art installations.
Background Information (City Council)
Communications (City Council)
Motions (City Council)
Speaker Nunziata advised Council that the provisions of Chapter 27, Council Procedures, require that Motion MM28.36 be referred to the Economic and Community Development Committee. A two-thirds vote of the Council Members present is required to waive referral.
Adoption of Recommendations 1 and 3 only:
1. City Council request the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and any other applicable City Divisions, to report to the Economic and Community Development Committee by the fourth quarter of 2025 on policy options to compel landowners to tenant vacant storefronts.
3. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to review opportunities to animate and beautify vacant storefronts in collaboration with local Business Improvement Areas and Resident Associations, and to report on the feasibility of a tax reduction program for property owners that host pop-ups and art installations.
Vote (Adopt Item) Mar-27-2025 5:59 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - MM28.36 - Parts 1 and 3 only |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 22 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Brad Bradford, Alejandra Bravo, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Lily Cheng, Rachel Chernos Lin, Mike Colle, Vincent Crisanti, Paula Fletcher, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Dianne Saxe, Michael Thompson |
| Total members that voted No: 1 | Members that voted No are Stephen Holyday |
| Total members that were Absent: 3 | Members that were absent are Olivia Chow, Parthi Kandavel, Jennifer McKelvie |
Adoption of balance of the item.
Councillor Holyday, rising on a Point of Order, requested that Council vote separately on Recommendations 1 and 3.