Agenda

This meeting of City Council will be conducted with Members participating in person and remotely and the proceedings of City Council will be conducted publicly.

Notice to people writing to Council: The City of Toronto Act, 2006 and the City of Toronto Municipal Code authorize the City of Toronto to collect any personal information in your communication or presentation to City Council or its committees. The City collects this information to enable it to make informed decisions on the relevant issue(s). If you are submitting letters, faxes, e-mails, presentations or other communications to the City, you should be aware that your name and the fact that you communicated with the City will become part of the public record and will appear on the City’s website. The City will also make your communication and any personal information in it – such as your postal address, telephone number or e-mail address - available to the public, unless you expressly request the City to remove it.

Closed Meeting Requirements: If Council wants to meet in closed session (privately), a Member of Council must place a motion to do so and give the reason why Council has to meet privately (City of Toronto Act, 2006).

August 31, 2023

toronto.ca/council

This agenda and any supplementary materials submitted to the City Clerk can be found online at www.toronto.ca/council. Visit the website for access to all agendas, reports, decisions and minutes of City Council and its committees.

- O Canada

- Moment of Silence

Report of the Executive Committee from Meeting 7 on August 24, 2023

New Business submitted by City Officials.

Members of Council will declare interests under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

Members of Council may file petitions.

Various presentations and announcements will be made at the City Council meeting.

City Council will review the Order Paper.

The City Solicitor recommends that:

1. City Council adopt the recommendations contained in the Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor.
 

2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential recommendations contained in the Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor, if adopted by City Council.

3. City Council direct that all other information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the City Solicitor is to remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice which is subject to solicitor-client privilege.

On November 9, 2021, the City received Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications for 20 Broadoaks Drive and 11 Catford Road (the "Site") to permit infill development consisting of a 12-storey mixed-use building fronting on Keele Street, two residential towers of 18 and 30 storeys connected by a six-storey base building in the middle of the Site, and two four-storey residential townhouse blocks at the corner of Catford Road and Derrydown Drive. The existing apartment buildings on the Site would be retained. A Draft Plan of Condominium application was also submitted to establish a phased condominium corporation for the proposed development.

The applicant appealed City Council's neglect or failure to make a decision on the applications to the Ontario Land Tribunal on May 12, 2022 (the "Appeals").

The City Solicitor requires further direction for the upcoming Ontario Land Tribunal hearing, which is scheduled to commence on October 23, 2023. This matter is urgent as it is the last opportunity to get instruction from City Council in advance of established procedural exchange dates. This item cannot be deferred.

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1. City Council acknowledge the magnitude of the City's financial challenges amount to $46.5 billion and commit to exploring and implementing a wide range of solutions to address the fiscal gap.

2. City Council approve graduated Municipal Land Transfer Tax rates for high value residential properties containing at least one, and not more than two, single family residences, by introducing additional thresholds as follows:

a. direct the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer to implement graduated Municipal Land Transfer Tax rates effective for all transactions registered or upon which Municipal Land Transfer Tax otherwise becomes payable on or after January 1, 2024;

b. amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 760, Municipal Land Transfer Tax to reflect the changes detailed above; and

c. authorize the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer to amend the City's Collection Agreement with Teranet to allow Teranet to collect the Municipal Land Transfer Tax in accordance with these changes.

3. City Council amend Subsection 179-7D of the Toronto Municipal Code to delete the restrictions on the limited delegated authority currently provided to the Toronto Parking Authority and to delegate authority entirely to the Toronto Parking Authority to fix rates for on-street parking meters or parking machines, specifically to delete the words “such rates do not exceed $5.00 (inclusive of Harmonized Sales Tax) per hour and have been agreed to by the Ward Councillors for the Ward in which the parking meters or parking machines are located,” and impose a condition that the Toronto Parking Authority consult with “the Ward Councillor(s) for the Ward(s) in which the parking meters or parking machines are located” prior to the fixing of rates.

4. City Council direct the City Manager and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer to develop a multi-year approach for the remaining term of City Council when recommending property tax rates and policies.

5. City Council direct City Officials to report back in advance of City Council's consideration of the Mayor's proposed 2024 Budget, as follows:

a. the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer with an implementation plan to introduce a land transfer tax on foreign buyers of residential property in the City including a recommended tax, collection and enforcement design, estimated revenues and required timelines for implementation by the end of 2024;

b. the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer on the development of a levy on commercial parking within the City with an implementation plan including a recommended tax, collection and enforcement design, estimated revenues and required timelines for implementation in 2025;

c. the City Manager to develop an implementation plan, estimated revenues and required implementation timelines to introduce a 911 levy dedicated to fund Next Generation 911 and associated costs;

d. the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO, on a review of all City-wide surplus and underutilized real estate assets with a recommended strategy for disposition or change in use as required, with priority consideration given to opportunities which may:

1. be leveraged to support affordable housing initiatives;

2. enhance the City's revenue generating potential and/or contribute to the City's goals of long-term financial sustainability; or

3. allow for joint ventures or partnerships which benefit the local community;

e. the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, as part of their review of the Imagination, Manufacturing, Innovation and Technology Financial Incentive Program, to evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of financial incentives provided under the program to date, and to recommend changes to the design, program objectives or eligibility criteria in consideration of immediate and longer-term financial and economic impacts, including options to restructure the Imagination, Manufacturing, Innovation and Technology Program through amendments to the Community Improvement Plan, or a dissolution of the Community Improvement Project area; and

f. the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and the City Solicitor, to complete all procedural and statutory requirements including undertaking a Development Charges Background Study, and bring forward an amendment to the development charges by-law that would remove the non-residential non-ground floor exemption, for City Council consideration, or at such a time that the Background Study is complete.

6. City Council direct the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to include, in the report on the Status of the Vacant Home Tax Implementation planned for the fourth quarter of 2023, an analysis of the feasibility of increasing the existing Vacant Home Tax rate from one percent tax of the current value assessment of the residential property on which the vacant unit is located to three percent.

7. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment and Climate to:

a. report by the fourth quarter of 2023, with a proposed by-law that would require existing buildings in Toronto to annually submit to the City of Toronto building-level performance data, including but not limited to emission data, energy data, water data, and building characteristic information; and

b. report in 2024, with a proposed by-law that would require existing buildings in Toronto to meet specific greenhouse gas emissions performance standards.

8. City Council request the Province of Ontario to authorize the City of Toronto under the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and/or required regulations, to be able to implement new revenue tools reflective of the City's responsibilities and contributions to the economy, including specifically a Municipal Sales Tax that applies to the purchase of goods and services in Toronto.

9. City Council direct the City Manager to continue advocacy efforts with other orders of government and, should authority be granted under the City of Toronto Act, 2006, to report back with a proposed implementation plan including recommended tax, collection and enforcement design, estimated revenues and timelines in 2024, on the introduction of a Municipal Sales Tax.

10. City Council inform the Province of Ontario that the City is unable to implement the previously announced 978 new long-term care home beds in the City in the absence of a revised funding model, currently planned for introduction in future years.

11. City Council direct the City Manager to continue discussions with the Province of Ontario and Metrolinx regarding the urgent need for funding transit operations and maintenance for Eglinton Crosstown (Line 5) and Finch West (Line 6) in recognition of the City’s immediate financial challenges.

12. City Council inform the Province of Ontario, that in the absence of a new funding model for transit operations in the City of Toronto commensurate with the scope and demands of the largest public transit system in Canada, the City will pause negotiation of further funding agreements for the Provincial Priority Transit Projects and any future provincial transit expansion projects.

13. City Council direct the City Manager to continue to advocate with the provincial and federal governments for a new fiscal framework that is commensurate with the complexity and scope of municipal services delivered by the City of Toronto, including those that are delivered as extensions of other orders of government or that benefit the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area region, and City Council inform the provincial and federal governments, in the absence of a new fiscal framework, the City will be required to reduce essential service levels and cancel capital projects, including those that contribute to intergovernmental priorities.

14. City Council request the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, as part of the report back on an implementation plan to review options for curbing real estate speculation, to include the feasibility of a land transfer tax, above the otherwise applicable rate, on buyers of residential resale property where the purchaser owns more than one (1) property within the City of Toronto at the time of purchase, with appropriate exemptions such as purchase for a direct family member.

15.  City Council request the Toronto Transit Commission to look at creative and imaginative ways to bring ridership back to the TTC by engaging the Arts and Culture Services unit of Economic Development and Culture, and the Toronto Arts Council.

The Executive Committee directed the City Manager to report directly to City Council on the following:

a. consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas to ensure that proposed new parking rates will take into account the parking requirements of main street retail and provide  the process for the consultation with the local Councillor in applying the new Toronto Parking Authority on-street parking rates and locations;

b. the current status of the City Council mandated consultations on the introduction of a storm water surcharge based on a property's impervious (hard surface) area and an estimate of the revenues from such a storm water charge; and

c. anticipated revenues if residential on street parking was to be extended to those areas of the City where there is considerable overnight parking on City streets with no permit and what steps would be taken to enable its introduction.

The City Manager and Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer gave a presentation on Stepping Up: The City's Long-Term Financial Plan.

Following the 2023 Budget Process, the City, with the support of an independent third-party, updated its financial model to assess the long-term fiscal risks anticipated in the next 10 years. This updated analysis was presented to City Council in March 2023 and indicated that the City faces a combined operating and capital pressure of $46.5 billion over 10 years, a pressure which has been created over decades. The analysis represented the City's first 10-year consolidated operating and capital financial model.

The purpose of this report is to provide an updated Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP) which identifies and considers immediate and long-term opportunities to address the City's fiscal challenges, including options to review operating expenditures, financial incentives, new and existing revenue tools, capital prioritization, asset transactions, and intergovernmental funding arrangements.

From the opportunities identified in Attachment 1, staff have assessed these and are recommending implementation or further exploration of a subset of options, some of which are expected to realize financial benefits as early as 2024. However, it's important to highlight that these actions alone will not be sufficient to address the City's fiscal risks in 2024 or over the next 10 years. It will require continued collaborative efforts with City Council and other orders of government to promote the long-term financial sustainability of the City, and to ensure the City continues to generate financial benefits for the Province and for Canada. Further, it's critical to note that, given the urgency of the financial challenges ahead, inaction is not an option at this time to address the City's financial sustainability and urgent 2024 financial needs.

As the economic engine of Canada, the City of Toronto currently delivers services, initiatives and projects that far exceed the traditional role of municipal government, and which substantially benefit the region and other orders of government. In addition, the City is faced with growing demands for services and infrastructure, for which the City is not able to capture the benefits of growth. This is unlike the provincial and federal governments whose funding tools are indexed with the growth of the economy, such as income and sales taxes. Rather, the City is unable to keep up with the costs of delivering both the upfront infrastructure requirements associated with growth, or the ongoing and sustained demand for services.

While the City has limited revenue tools and strategies available under the City of Toronto Act (COTA), the LTFP makes every effort to address the City's financial challenges on its own. However, ultimately, the City's existing revenues do not match the complexity or the level of expenditures incurred. As will be demonstrated in this report, without a new fiscal framework for municipalities or sustained long-term funding support commensurate with City responsibilities, the City will have no choice but to further consider reduction of service levels and cancellation of capital projects.

Pending Council's consideration and direction, staff will initiate additional review, analysis and implementation plans of identified options, and report back as indicated below. The LTFP can be leveraged to guide future decision-making by Council with a focus on long-term planning and financial sustainability.

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council direct the City Manager, in consultation with the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services, to work with all of the agencies, boards, corporations and divisions at the City of Toronto to assess preliminary cost estimates, to create a plan, and an implementation framework and timeline to achieve 25,000 new rent-controlled homes by: 

a.  increasing the affordable housing target by a minimum of 7,500 affordable homes, of which a minimum 2,500 are new rent-geared-to-income homes; and

b.  adding a new target for 17,500 rent-controlled homes.

2.  To support the above recommendation, City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services to report back in the fourth quarter of 2023 on:

a.  an effective alignment of resources, mandates, structure, and personnel of all City of Toronto agencies, boards, commissions, corporations and divisions, in particular Toronto Community Housing and CreateTO, that would enable the City of Toronto to build new public and community housing in collaboration with co-ops, non-profit housing providers, governmental organizations and other partners;

b.  current suitable parcels of City lands that are available for development purposes; and

c.  identification of housing-ready sites that are immediately available and suitable, including land owned by the City, co-ops, non-profit housing providers, governmental organizations and other partners.

3.   City Council, as Shareholder, request the Board of Directors of Toronto Community Housing Corporation to work with the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services to undertake the development of complete communities on Toronto Community Housing Corporation lands and properties through revitalization, redevelopment or stand-alone developments on existing sites; and create a model that includes staff and Toronto Community Housing Corporation Board members to initiate and carry out this work.

We are facing an unprecedented housing crisis. Each year, more of our friends and neighbours are losing their homes or finding it impossible to afford a place to live. Newly-arrived refugees find themselves in shelters, church basements, or sleeping on the street. Seniors are forced to work beyond retirement age or watch their rent take up a greater share of their fixed incomes. Families are facing exploding mortgage prices that push their finances under water. Young people are having trouble starting a family and some are forced to move out of the city. People experiencing intimate partner violence can’t afford to move to safety. Employers struggle to hire workers who can afford to live in the city. 

While thousands of new homes are built in the city every year, it is not enough to address the affordability crisis we’re facing.  We must act with urgency and a renewed determination to make sure everyone can find a place to call home. 

As Mayor, I have committed to building 25,000 more homes above what the City is already planning. This is my top priority. Today, I am asking staff to take the necessary actions to start making this commitment reality. 

With the right tools and resources in place, we can build new affordable housing, create stronger and more caring communities, and ensure a better quality of life for all residents.

Together, we can build the affordable housing people need and deserve. With this motion we take the first step.

The City Manager recommends that:

1. City Council appoint David Jollimore as the Interim Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services for the City of Toronto, for a period effective October 6, 2023 until November 5, 2023, and appoint Patrick Matozzo as the Interim Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services for the City of Toronto, for a period effective November 6, 2023 until December 3, 2023.

The purpose of this report is to recommend to City Council the appointment of an Interim Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services.

This is an urgent matter as the current Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services, Josie Scioli, will retire from the City of Toronto effective October 6, 2023 and interim appointments must be in place before the next Council meeting, currently scheduled for October 11, 12 and 13, 2023.

The City Manager and the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services recommend that:

1. City Council request the Federal Government to fund and implement a regional response in municipalities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and beyond that provide adequate shelter and support for refugee claimants, including:

a. the full reimbursements to the City of Toronto for the estimated $200 million in expected 2023 costs to support the refugee claimants in Toronto's shelter system, inclusive of the $97 million in funding already announced through the Interim Housing Assistance Program;

b. an ongoing commitment of Interim Housing Assistance Program funding to address the estimated $250 million annual costs for refugees in 2024 and commit to future funding until the demand for shelter returns to sustainable levels;

c. increase the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit allocations in municipalities across Ontario to allow refugee claimants to improve access to housing throughout the province, including $6.67 million to Toronto and a prorated amount to other municipalities;

d. fund the Canadian Red Cross and Toronto-based representatives of the Ontario Coalition for Refugee Claimants to establish and manage a reception centre for refugee claimants who arrive in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area;

e. secure and fund the operation of all-season mobile health units to create capacity for up to 200 spaces; and

f. identify and purchase/retrofit existing hotels and other suitable buildings to provide accommodation to refugees.

2. City Council increase the 2023 Operating Budget for Shelter, Support, and Housing Administration by $0.750 million gross and $0 net fully funded by a one-time draw from the Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund and authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support, and Housing Administration to:

a. provide further compensation of up to $750,000 to churches or community organizations selected by the General Manager, Shelter, Support, and Housing Administration for expenses incurred towards providing temporary shelter to refugee claimants; and

b. enter into agreements with the churches and community organizations selected by the General Manager, Shelter, Support, and Housing Administration to distribute the compensation on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Shelter, Support, and Housing Administration.

The City's shelter system is full and has no additional capacity to support people experiencing homelessness. The number of refugee claimants in the City of Toronto's shelter system has dramatically increased to 3,300 (with almost 1,200 more supported outside the shelter system), and the proportion of the refugee claimant occupancy continues to grow. Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA) projects there could be as many as 4,500 refugee claimants in the City's shelter system by the end of the year, which would equal 50 percent of the City's total shelter space.

Despite over a year of discussions with our intergovernmental partners, the funds provided to date are not enough to support our shelter demands and, in fact, do not come close to covering costs already spent. This has put the City of Toronto in an ongoing financial situation that is unsustainable.

The City of Toronto has already taken significant actions to address this severe crisis, including: expanding capacity by 250 beds at local hotels through a contract with Canadian Red Cross in response to MM8.29; cost sharing with the provincial government an expansion to the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) for up to 1,350 households; activating the Refugee Capacity Plan to coordinate City staff, resources, and community partnerships, including new interdivisional tables and an updated DonateTO Website; and strengthening intergovernmental advocacy and regional engagement.

Despite these actions, current demand for shelter space is so high that every night the City is unable to provide shelter to hundreds of people (both refugee and non-refugees) requesting a space.

In response to the recent increase in refugee claimants, community churches have stepped up and made space available for recently arrived refugee claimants. This report recommends providing up to $750,000 to churches and community organizations for expenses incurred towards providing temporary shelter to refugee claimants. This recommendation is in addition to the $150,000 in emergency funding that was authorized for release to three churches last week.

Through the ongoing work of staff, the City of Toronto has identified options that could immediately be actioned by the Federal government to assist refugee claimants in their critical immediate shelter and housing needs. Without the Federal contribution to the solutions identified, refugee claimants will have no place to go once they leave temporary accommodations such as the churches. Further, many of these newcomers will find themselves on the street as the City shelters are full. Increasing shelter options will require looking at opportunities outside of Toronto and as such the action on these options should be coordinated and funded by the Federal government. Moving forward on additional shelter options is especially important as we approach the winter months.

Finally, it is important to contextualize this report as a response to the current crisis driven by the latest surge in refugee claimant arrivals, which impact not only Toronto, but has expanded into neighbouring municipalities and is showing signs of continued growth.

The City's homelessness service system works but it is at capacity. Right now, the pressures being placed on the system far exceed anything experienced previously due to an inability to meet unprecedented demand and an increasingly disproportionate share of care required throughout the region.

Councillor Dianne Saxe, seconded by Councillor Chris Moise, recommends that:

1. City Council amend its previous decision on Item 2023.CC8.23 by adding the following parts:

1. City Council adopt the recommendations contained in the Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (May 26, 2023) from the City Solicitor.

2. City Council authorize the public release of the confidential recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (May 26, 2023) from the City Solicitor, if adopted by City Council.

3. City Council direct that all other information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (May 26, 2023) from the City Solicitor is to remain confidential at the discretion of the City Solicitor, as it contains advice which is subject to solicitor-client privilege.

At its meeting on July 19 and 20, 2023, City Council adopted Item CC8.23 and accepted a with-prejudice offer to settle an Ontario Land Tribunal appeal concerning 906 Yonge Street and 25 McMurrich Street in Ward 11. By inadvertence, certain confidential recommendations with respect to an application to alter on-site heritage resources were omitted from the approval. This is the first opportunity to reopen the approval to consider them. The matter will be returning to the Ontario Land Tribunal on September 26, 2023 and further instruction is needed.

REQUIRES RE-OPENING:

Item 2023.CC8.23 (July 19 and 20, 2023 City Council meeting) only as it pertains to the confidential instructions to staff made public on July 7, 2023.

Councillor Shelley Carroll, seconded by Councillor Gord Perks, recommends that:

1. City Council reopen Item PH5.3 and replace Attachment 3 to Motion 1 by Councillor Shelley Carroll with the document attached to this motion as Attachment 1.

2. City Council delete and replace Part 7 of its decision with the following:

City Council amend Attachment 1 (Official Plan Amendment 653) of the supplementary report (June 29, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning in accordance with Attachment 3 to Motion 1 by Councillor Shelley Carroll, as follows:

a. converting the lands municipally known in 2022 as 160 Queens Plate Drive from General Employment Areas to Regeneration Areas by removing the lands from Official Plan Map 2, Urban Structure;

b. re-designating the lands from General Employment Areas to Regeneration Areas; and

c. adding Site and Area Specific Policy 855 to apply to the lands.

At its meeting July 19, 2023, Toronto City Council adopted Item PH5.3 approving recommended Official Plan Amendment 653 respecting requests to convert employment lands to other uses. Official Plan Amendment 653 also adopted a number of site and area specific policies. As part of the Municipal Comprehensive Review conducted pursuant to Section 26 of the Planning Act, Official Plan Amendment 653 will be subject to approval and potential modification by the Minister of Municipal Affairs once the bill is adopted by City Council.

During the meeting, Council adopted a number of motions to amend Official Plan Amendment 653 as it related to certain lands, including an omnibus motion by Councillor Shelley Carroll that included Attachments 1, 2 and 3 (https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-238500.pdf).

Staff has discovered that an incorrect Attachment 3 (respecting 3710 Chesswood Drive which was deferred to be considered at the October Council meeting) was included in the motion materials and circulated. The correct Attachment 3 (respecting 160 Queens Plate Drive) was inadvertently omitted and was erroneously referred to as “Attachment 1” in Part 7 of Council’s decision. The omitted pages detailed the part of the motion that redesignated the lands at 160 Queens Plate Drive from General Employment Areas to Regeneration Areas and applied new Site and Area Specific Policy 855 to the lands, as set out in Part 7 of Council’s decision.

To adopt the contents of Site and Area Specific Policy 855 and redesignate the 160 Queens Plate Drive lands as part of Official Plan Amendment 653, further action is required to adopt the version of Attachment 3 corresponding to Council’s intended decision.

“Attachment 1” to this motion includes Site and Area Specific Policy 855 and other amendments to the Official Plan respecting 160 Queens Plate Drive that will supersede and replace “Attachment 3” to the July 19 motion.

This is an urgent matter because the details of the Official Plan Amendment must be corrected in order for the bill to be finalized, adopted and forwarded to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for a decision as the approval authority. The Minister’s 120-day review period cannot commence until Council submits a complete application package.

Reason for Urgency:

This is an urgent matter because the details of Official Plan Amendment 653, including Site and Area Specific Policy 855, must be corrected in order for the bill to be adopted and the Official Plan Amendment forwarded to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for a decision as the approval authority. These Council-adopted land use redesignations may affect other ongoing litigation involving the City where the designation of the same lands is at issue, as well as the Minister’s ongoing review of Official Plan Amendment 591 and 644.

REQUIRES RE-OPENING:

Item 2023.PH5.3 (July 19 and 20, 2023 City Council meeting) only as it pertains to 160 Queens Plate Drive.

Councillor Chris Moise, seconded by Councillor Dianne Saxe, recommends that:

1. City Council amend its previous decision on Item 2022.TE31.11 by:
 

a. amending Part 2 to replace the words “for the demolition of the seven (7) existing rental dwelling units located at 83-97 River Street and 2-4 Labatt Avenue” with “for the demolition of the four (4) existing rental dwelling units located at 91, 93, 95, and 97 River Street” so that Part 2 reads as follows:
 

2. City Council authorize the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to issue Preliminary Approval of the Rental Housing Demolition Permit under Chapter 667 of the Toronto Municipal Code pursuant to Section 111 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 for the demolition of the four (4) existing rental dwelling units located at 91, 93, 95, and 97 River Street after all the following have occurred:

a. all conditions in Part 1 above have been fully satisfied and secured;

b. the Zoning By-law Amendment(s) have come into full force and effect;

c. the issuance of the Notice of Approval Conditions for site plan approval by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning\or their designate, pursuant to Section 114 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, or as otherwise authorized by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning;

d. the issuance of excavation and shoring permits (conditional or full permit) for the approved development on the site;

e. the owner has confirmed, in writing, that all existing rental dwelling units proposed to be demolished are vacant; and

f. the execution and registration of an agreement pursuant to Section 37 of the Planning Act securing Parts 1.a. through 1.l. above.

b. amending Part 3 and Part 4 to add “or Part 6 below, as applicable” after the words “referred to in Part 2 above”, so that they read as follows:

3. City Council authorize the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to issue a Rental Housing Demolition Permit under Chapter 667 of the Toronto Municipal Code after the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning has given Preliminary Approval referred to in Part 2 above or Part 6 below, as applicable.

4. City Council authorize the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to issue a Residential Demolition Permit under Section 33 of the Planning Act and Chapter 363 of the Toronto Municipal Code for 83-97 River Street and 2-4 Labatt Avenue after the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning has given Preliminary Approval referred to in Part 2 above or Part 6 below, as applicable, which may be included in the Rental Housing Demolition Permit under Chapter 667 pursuant to section 6.2 of Chapter 363, on condition that:

a. the owner removes all debris and rubble from the site immediately after demolition;

b. the owner erects solid construction hoarding to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building;

c. the owner erects the proposed mixed-use building on the site no later than four (4) years from the date that the demolition of such building commences, subject to the timeframe being extended to the discretion of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning; and

d. should the owner fail to complete the proposed mixed-use building within the time specified in Part 4.c. above, the City Clerk shall be entitled to enter on the collector’s roll, as with municipal property taxes, an amount equal to the sum of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) per dwelling unit for which a demolition permit is issued, and that such amount shall, until payment, be a lien or charge upon the land for which the Residential Demolition Permit is issued.

c. adding a new Part 6 as follows:

1. City Council authorize the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to issue Preliminary Approval of the Rental Housing Demolition Permit under Chapter 667 of the Toronto Municipal Code pursuant to Section 111 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, for the demolition of three (3) existing rental dwelling units located at 83 and 89 River Street after all the following have occurred:

a. all conditions in Part 1 above have been fully satisfied and secured;

b. the Zoning By-law Amendment(s) have come into full force and effect;

c. the issuance of the Notice of Approval Conditions for site plan approval by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning or their designate, pursuant to Section 114 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, or as otherwise authorized by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning;

d. the owner has confirmed, in writing, that all existing rental dwelling units proposed to be demolished are vacant; and

e. the execution and registration of an agreement pursuant to Section 37 of the Planning Act securing Parts 1.a. through 1.l. above.

At its meeting on March 9, 2022, Toronto City Council adopted Item TE31.11 approving a Rental Housing Demolition Application to demolish 7 rental dwelling units located at 83-97 River and 2-4 Labatt Avenue, which included conditions that must be met prior to issuance of the rental housing demolition permit and residential demolition permit.

All tenants on the site have since relocated and the dwelling units at 83, 85, 87 and 89 River Street are currently vacant.

Due to health and safety concerns, the applicant would like to demolish the dwelling units located at 83, 85, 87 and 89 River Street and the a non-residential building at 2-4 Labatt Avenue, before a building permit for a replacement building permit is issued.

This motion is urgent as it will enable the earlier demolition of these buildings, which pose health and safety concerns, subject to conditions.

Councillor Dianne Saxe, seconded by Councillor Moise, recommends that:

1. City Council grant a temporary exemption from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024 to Mokaben Inc. and By The Way Café operating at 400 Bloor Street West from any restrictions on the location and use of their existing patio that may be created by Chapter 742, Section 10.12A, Section 10.8A(2), Section 9.7A(2) or Section 10.9A(1) or Chapter 693, Section 17B(1) of the Toronto Municipal Code.

Mokaben Inc. and By The Way Café have operated a sidewalk patio at 400 Bloor Street West for many years in the same location, long predating the City’s sidewalk patio guidelines. This is a valuable local institution with significant local support, which does not adversely affect pedestrian access, and should be permitted to continue.

Councillor Anthony Perruzza, seconded by Councillor James Pasternak, recommends that:

1. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to evaluate a property listed on the Heritage Register, at 3100 Weston Road, for designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, and report to the Toronto Preservation Board and the Planning and Housing Committee.

The property at 3100 Weston road includes the Carmine Stefano Community Centre, formerly Saint Basil-The-Great College School, the Rivermede house and the Marian Shrine of Gratitude, as well as a parking lot and several soccer fields, all located steps away from the banks of the Humber River.

The Rivermede house, built in 1928 served as the picturesque summer home of the Gardiner family. In 1961 the Basilian Fathers acquired the property and built Saint Basil-The-Great College School, including with sports fields and a pool, formerly used by those visiting the Rivermede estate. In the years following, the pool was filled in to create the Marian Shrine of Gratitude, a unique place for prayer, reflection, and healing. It has touched the lives of thousands of Torontonians for nearly two decades. In 1998 the high school was relocated nearby and since then the former school has been leased by the City of Toronto for the Carmine Stefano Community Centre.

This site has been the centre of the community for over 80 years, as a reprieve from City life, place for spiritual and educational growth and recreation. With this motion I am asking staff to consider the immense heritage value of all aspects of the property at 3100 Weston Road.

City Council will introduce General Bills and Confirming Bills.