Item - 2025.PH26.10

The Acting General Manager, Transportation Services recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the permanent closure of the portion of public laneway on a portion of 66–66Y Third Street (the “Closed Highway Lands”), as delineated as Part 2 on Attachment 2 to this report.

2. City Council enact a by‑law substantially in the form of the draft by-law included as Attachment 1 (Draft By‑law) to this report, subject to such modifications as required by the City Solicitor.

The northern portion of the existing parking lot at 66-66Y Third Street is dedicated as a public laneway through By-law 1991-0017. There is an existing public laneway immediately north of the site. The closure of the public laneway within the parking lot will have no impact on the existing laneway to the north of the site.

This report is required to facilitate the closure of a portion of the public laneway on a portion of 66-66Y Third Street, in accordance with the decision adopted by City Council on July 23 and 24, 2025, through Planning and Housing Committee report PH23.3 "Advancing Six Sites for the Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy”.

As part of the adoption of item PH23.3, City Council directed the General Manager, Transportation Services and any other appropriate staff to initiate the process, including all required investigations, confirmations and reports, to permanently close a portion of the public laneway on a portion of 66-66Y Third Street.

In accordance with direction from City Council, Transportation Services initiated the process to permanently close a portion of the public laneway on a portion of 66-66Y Third Street. Following all required investigations, Transportation Services has determined that it can be closed and recommends that City Council permanently close a portion of the public laneway at 66Y Third Street, as shown in the registered plan of survey as Part 2 on Attachment 2 and Attachment 3 of this report.

Once closed, the jurisdiction and operational responsibility for the former laneway lands will be transferred from Transportation Services to Toronto Shelter and Support Services (TSSS) to enable the construction and management of a new municipal shelter at 66–66Y Third Street. City Council approval is necessary whenever a part of a public laneway is proposed to be permanently closed. Given this closure is required to enable the development in the decision adopted by City Council on July 23 and 24, 2025, through Planning and Housing Committee report PH23.3, which recognized the new municipal shelter as a project of City-wide significance, this report has been submitted to the Planning and Housing Committee for consideration with recommendations for City Council approval.

There are no financial implications resulting from the recommendations in this report. The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the information as presented in the Financial Impact Section.