Item - 2025.TE21.16

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council amend the Official Plan for the lands at 309-349 George Street substantially in accordance with the draft Official Plan Amendment included as Attachment 7 to the report (March 18, 2025) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

2. City Council amend City of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013 for the lands at 309-349 George Street substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment included as Attachment 8 to the report (March 18, 2025) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments as may be required.

The Toronto and East York Community Council held a statutory public meeting on April 3, 2025 and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This report reviews and recommends approval of a City-initiated Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment to permit a 10-storey (52-metre, excluding mechanical penthouse) building with a mix of institutional uses, including 180 municipal shelter beds, 124 long-term care beds, 70 new affordable rental dwelling units with supports and a 2,269 square-metre community hub at 309-349 George Street.

The proposal is part of a broader initiative to revitalize George Street and is a core project of the Downtown East Action Plan which advances several initiatives to address the barriers and needs of community members from equity-deserving groups who have a history of accessing services in this area.

This proposal modifies and replaces an Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment that was approved by City Council in 2017. The current development site at 309-349 George Street is about two-thirds the size of the original site which ran from 295-349 George Street. The current proposal increases the permitted height by 15 metres. Staff are exploring development opportunities on the southern portion of the block at 295-305 George Street, to be brought forward as a second phase at a later date.

A separate report from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, on the proposed heritage conservation of the designated heritage properties known as the Robert Armstrong Houses (309-311 George Street) and the Allan School (349 George Street) will be considered by City Council in conjunction with this report.