Item - 2025.PH20.1

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council amend City of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013 for the lands municipally known as 7-9 Wardlaw Crescent substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment included as Attachment 5 to the report (March 27, 2025) from the Executive Director, Development Review.

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. City Council direct the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, in collaboration with the local Councillor, to support the integration of the new homes at 7-9 Wardlaw Crescent and promote community cohesion and safety by taking the following actions:
 

a. work with the housing provider and nearby shelter operator, Salvation Army and the Toronto Shelter and Support Services Division to establish a joint Community Liaison Committee;
 

b. work with the Community Liaison Committee and community stakeholders to conduct a community safety assessment and bring forward recommendations to relevant City Divisions, the housing provider of 7-9 Wardlaw Crescent, and consider recommendations in determining final building design, greenspace and landscaping.
 

4. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, to consider feedback received through the community engagement process and explore opportunities to improve parking access and road safety in the vicinity of 7-9 Wardlaw Crescent and progress necessary improvements, in consultation with the local Councillor.

The Planning and Housing Committee held a statutory public meeting on April 10, 2025, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This report reviews and recommends approval of a City-initiated Zoning By-law Amendment to permit a four-storey (15-metre, excluding mechanical penthouse) residential apartment building with 51 new affordable rental dwelling units with wrap-around supports at 7-9 Wardlaw Crescent in the Rexdale neighbourhood.

This project will support the City in delivering a full range of housing opportunities, aligned with the objectives of the Official Plan. It also supports the delivery of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan ("HousingTO Plan") target of approving 65,000 rent-controlled homes, including 18,000 supportive homes, within complete communities. Further, this project builds upon significant and successful City experience in leading or supporting the creation of new affordable and supportive housing, with twenty-five developments completed or underway in thirteen wards across Toronto since 2020.

Approval of the recommendations in this report will enable the City to move quickly to start construction on this project in summer 2025, with completion in fall 2026 to ensure 51 residents in need of permanent, affordable housing with supports have a safe place to call home. This includes people from equity-deserving groups such as seniors, youth, refugees/newcomers, and people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

This supplementary report provides additional information for Planning and Housing Committee about the community engagement process undertaken related to the new supportive housing development at 7-9 Wardlaw Crescent. Attachment 1 to this supplementary report contains the Community Engagement Summary report prepared by the City’s engagement consultant, summarizing the engagement activities, what was heard, and feedback provided.