Minutes Confirmed on February 28, 2023

The Planning and Housing Committee received the item for information.

The Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Development Services, and the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services gave a presentation on Planning and Housing Committee Overview.

The Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Development Services and the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services will present an overview of the themes and major initiatives from Divisions that regularly report to the Planning and Housing Committee.

The Planning and Housing Committee:

1.  Requested the Chief of Staff, City Manager’s Office include both the original date the application was submitted and the original construction target date for each project as part of the Concept 2 Keys Dashboard in subsequent reports to the Planning and Housing Committee for the 2022-2026 term of Council.

Concept 2 Keys (C2K) is an innovative program that is changing how Planning and Development applications are reviewed at the City of Toronto. C2K is creating new application review teams comprised of staff from across City divisions to help create a more collaborative and coordinated relationship between applicants and the City. The goal is to improve the experience of applicants submitting development proposals and the processes used by City staff across divisions reviewing these applications.

At its meeting of July 5, 2022, the Planning and Housing Committee adopted Item PH35.6 "Concept 2 Keys (C2K) Dashboard: Status of Priority Development Applications" requesting the Chief of Staff, City Manager's Office to continue to report to each Planning and Housing Committee meeting in the 2022-2026 term of City Council with a Concept 2 Keys (C2K) Dashboard that lists all of the current projects being reviewed through C2K's Priority Development Review Stream (PDRS) and their project status. 

The purpose of this report is to provide a detailed status update of each priority development application currently being reviewed through C2K's Priority Development Review Stream (PDRS).

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council receive the report (January 4, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning for information.

This report sets out the use of delegated authority during City Council's recess during the 2022 municipal election to direct the Chief Planner to attend at Toronto Local Appeal Board Hearings on appeals of Committee of Adjustment decisions or to appeal a Committee of Adjustment decision on behalf of the City.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council include the following 6 properties on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register in accordance with the Listing Statement (Reasons for Inclusion) attached as Attachments 1 through 6 to the report (January 5, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

29 Linden Street

31 Linden Street

33 Maitland Street

33 Melrose Avenue (including the entrance address of 31 Melrose Avenue)

822 Richmond Street West

570 Sherbourne Street

This report recommends that City Council include six properties for their cultural heritage value on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register.

The six properties being recommended for inclusion on the Register are as follows:

29 Linden Street, Toronto Centre - Ward 13

31 Linden Street, Toronto Centre - Ward 13

33 Maitland Street, Toronto Centre - Ward 13

33 Melrose Avenue (including 31 Melrose Avenue), Eglinton-Lawrence - Ward 8

822 Richmond Street West, Spadina-Fort York - Ward 10

570 Sherbourne Street, Toronto Centre - Ward 13

On January 1, 2023, the Province's proposed amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act (the Act) through the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Bill 23) will come into effect.

A municipal heritage register under the Ontario Heritage Act may include properties that have not been designated but Council believes to be of "cultural heritage value or interest" and meet one or more of the provincial criteria for determining whether it is of cultural heritage value or interest. The recent amendments to the Act limit listing to a period of two years.

As of January 1, 2023, should a property be subject to an Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment and/or Draft Plan of Subdivision Application that would trigger a Prescribed Event, the property must be listed in the heritage register prior to the Prescribed Event occurring to designate a property. This requirement does not apply to a Prescribed Event that has occurred prior to January 1, 2023.

 A "Prescribed Event" is a point of time when the application for an Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment and/or Draft Plan of Subdivision Application has been deemed complete and the City Clerk provides notice of that complete application to the public in accordance with the Planning Act. 

The six properties were selected to allow Council to consider their inclusion on the Heritage Register prior to a Prescribed Event occurring, and, in the case of 33 Maitland Street, to help inform the review of a recently completed planning application. All of the recommended properties for inclusion on the City's Heritage Register have been researched and evaluated by staff using the criteria prescribed in Ontario Regulation 9/06 and all of the properties meet one or more of the provincial criteria for determining cultural heritage value or interest and are believed to be of cultural heritage value or interest.

The listing of non-designated properties on the municipal heritage register under the Act also extends interim protection from demolition and provides an opportunity for City Council to determine whether the property warrants conservation through designation under the Act should a development or demolition application be submitted.

The recent amendments to the Act limit listing of non-designated properties to a period of two years.  If a listed property is not subject to a Notice of Intention to Designate within 2 years, on and after the second anniversary of the property being listed in the heritage register, the legislation deems the property be removed from the heritage register after a 2 year period and imposes a 5 year prohibition on re-including that property in the heritage register, if deemed to be removed.

Properties on the Heritage Register will be conserved and maintained in accordance with the Official Plan Heritage Policies. Heritage Impact Assessments (HIA) are required for development applications that affect listed properties.

At its meeting on January 6, 2023, the Toronto Preservation Board considered Item PB2.5 and made recommendations to City Council.

Summary from the report (December 30, 2022) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning:

This report recommends that City Council include six properties for their cultural heritage value on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register.

The six properties being recommended for inclusion on the Register are as follows:

29 Linden Street, Toronto Centre - Ward 13

31 Linden Street, Toronto Centre - Ward 13

33 Maitland Street, Toronto Centre - Ward 13

33 Melrose Avenue (including 31 Melrose Avenue), Eglinton-Lawrence - Ward 8

822 Richmond Street West, Spadina-Fort York - Ward 10

570 Sherbourne Street, Toronto Centre - Ward 13

On January 1, 2023, the Province's proposed amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act (the Act) through the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Bill 23) will come into effect.

A municipal heritage register under the Ontario Heritage Act may include properties that have not been designated but Council believes to be of "cultural heritage value or interest" and meet one or more of the provincial criteria for determining whether it is of cultural heritage value or interest. The recent amendments to the Act limit listing to a period of two years.

As of January 1, 2023, should a property be subject to an Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment and/or Draft Plan of Subdivision Application that would trigger a Prescribed Event, the property must be listed in the heritage register prior to the Prescribed Event occurring to designate a property. This requirement does not apply to a Prescribed Event that has occurred prior to January 1, 2023.

 A "Prescribed Event" is a point of time when the application for an Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment and/or Draft Plan of Subdivision Application has been deemed complete and the City Clerk provides notice of that complete application to the public in accordance with the Planning Act. 

The six properties were selected to allow Council to consider their inclusion on the Heritage Register prior to a Prescribed Event occurring, and, in the case of 33 Maitland Street, to help inform the review of a recently completed planning application. All of the recommended properties for inclusion on the City's Heritage Register have been researched and evaluated by staff using the criteria prescribed in Ontario Regulation 9/06 and all of the properties meet one or more of the provincial criteria for determining cultural heritage value or interest and are believed to be of cultural heritage value or interest.

The listing of non-designated properties on the municipal heritage register under the Act also extends interim protection from demolition and provides an opportunity for City Council to determine whether the property warrants conservation through designation under the Act should a development or demolition application be submitted.

The recent amendments to the Act limit listing of non-designated properties to a period of two years.  If a listed property is not subject to a Notice of Intention to Designate within 2 years, on and after the second anniversary of the property being listed in the heritage register, the legislation deems the property be removed from the heritage register after a 2 year period and imposes a 5 year prohibition on re-including that property in the heritage register, if deemed to be removed.

Properties on the Heritage Register will be conserved and maintained in accordance with the Official Plan Heritage Policies. Heritage Impact Assessments (HIA) are required for development applications that affect listed properties.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council state its intention to designate the property at 46 Spadina Avenue (including entrance addresses at 40, 42, and 44 Spadina Avenue) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance:  46 Spadina Avenue (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 3, to the report (January 5, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

2.  If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the property at 46 Spadina Avenue (including entrance addresses at 40, 42, and 44 Spadina Avenue) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value.

The property at 46 Spadina Avenue comprises a four-storey factory building that was constructed in 1907 and designed by the Toronto architectural firm of Horwood and Burke. Commissioned by Business Systems Limited, which manufactured business stationery and operated a business training school, the property served as the company's headquarters and factory for over half a century. In the late 20th century, the property was among the properties in the King-Spadina neighbourhood that became associated with the clothing manufacturing industry in Toronto′s Fashion District.

City Council included the subject property on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register in 2016. It is also a contributing property within the King-Spadina Heritage Conservation District (HCD). City Council designated the King-Spadina HCD and adopted the

King-Spadina HCD Plan under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act at its meeting of October 2, 2017. The HCD Plan is currently under appeal. Additionally, the subject property is adjacent to the listed property at 374-376 Wellington Street West.  

Staff have completed the Research and Evaluation Report for the property at 46 Spadina Avenue and determined that the property meets Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, on the basis of its design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual values. As such, the property is a significant built heritage resource.

In August 2022, the City received Site Plan Approval, Official Plan Amendment, and Zoning By-law Amendment applications related to proposed redevelopment of the subject property with a 28-storey mixed-use building, comprised of a 24-storey tower atop a 4-storey podium along Spadina Avenue and proposes to retain portions of the historic four-storey factory building.

A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is required for all development applications that affect listed and designated properties and will be considered when determining how a heritage property is to be conserved. ERA Architects prepared an HIA that was submitted in July 2022.

In June 2019, the More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019 (Bill 108) received Royal Assent. Schedule 11 of this Act included amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act. The Bill 108 Amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act came into force on July 1, 2021, which included a shift in Part IV designations related to certain Planning Act applications. Section 29(1.2) of the Ontario Heritage Act now restricts City Council's ability to give notice of its intention to designate a property under the Act to within 90 days after the City Clerk gives notice of a complete application.

The City Clerk issued a complete application notice on September 16, 2022.

The property owner provided a waiver to extend the 90-day timeline established under Bill 108 through March 31, 2023.  Council must make a decision at its February 7-9 meeting to provide sufficient time for City Clerk to issue a notice of the intention to designate before the waiver expires.

On November 28, 2022, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Bill 23) received Royal Assent. Schedule 6 of the More Homes Built Faster Act which amended the Ontario Heritage Act and came into effect on January 1, 2023.  

The application currently under review was deemed complete prior to Bill 23 changes to the Ontario Heritage Act coming into force, however, the Part IV designation must be in compliance with the Province's amended O. Reg. 9/06 under the Ontario Heritage Act, which is effect as of January 1, 2023. The revised regulation establishes nine provincial criteria for determining whether a property is of cultural heritage value or interest.

A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets two or more of the nine criteria.

Designation also enables City Council to review proposed alterations or demolitions to the property and enforce heritage property standards and maintenance. 

At its meeting on January 6, 2023, the Toronto Preservation Board considered Item PB2.1 and made recommendations to City Council.

Summary from the report (December 20, 2022) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning:

This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the property at 46 Spadina Avenue (including entrance addresses at 40, 42, and 44 Spadina Avenue) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value.

The property at 46 Spadina Avenue comprises a four-storey factory building that was constructed in 1907 and designed by the Toronto architectural firm of Horwood and Burke. Commissioned by Business Systems Limited, which manufactured business stationery and operated a business training school, the property served as the company's headquarters and factory for over half a century. In the late 20th century,

the property was among the properties in the King-Spadina neighbourhood that became associated with the clothing manufacturing industry in Toronto′s Fashion District.

City Council included the subject property on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register in 2016. It is also a contributing property within the King-Spadina Heritage Conservation District (HCD). City Council designated the King-Spadina HCD and adopted the King-Spadina HCD Plan under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act at its meeting of October 2, 2017. The HCD Plan is currently under appeal. Additionally, the subject property is adjacent to the listed property at 374-376 Wellington Street West.  

Staff have completed the Research and Evaluation Report for the property at 46 Spadina Avenue and determined that the property meets Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, on the basis of its design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual values. As such, the property is a significant built heritage resource.

In August 2022, the City received Site Plan Approval, Official Plan Amendment, and Zoning By-law Amendment applications related to proposed redevelopment of the subject property with a 28-storey mixed-use building, comprised of a 24-storey tower atop a 4-storey podium along Spadina Avenue.

In June 2019, the More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019 (Bill 108) received Royal Assent. Schedule 11 of this Act included amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act. The Bill 108 Amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act came into force on July 1, 2021, which included a shift in Part IV designations related to certain Planning Act applications. Section 29(1.2) of the Ontario Heritage Act now restricts City Council's ability to give notice of its intention to designate a property under the Act to within 90 days after the City Clerk gives notice of a complete application.

On November 28, 2022, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Bill 23) received Royal Assent. Schedule 6 of the More Homes Built Faster Act amended prescribed event requirements under Section 29 (1.2) of the Ontario Heritage Act and will come into effect on January 1, 2023.

It is anticipated that on or after January 1, 2023, where a prescribed event is triggered, in order to designate a property under Section 29 of the Act, the property must have been included in the heritage register prior to the prescribed event being triggered.

Additionally, the Province has amended O. Reg. 9/06 under the Ontario Heritage Act, which is intended to come into effect on January 1, 2023. The revised regulation establishes nine provincial criteria for determining whether a property is of cultural heritage value or interest. A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets two or more of the nine criteria.

The City Clerk issued a complete application notice on September 16, 2022. The property owner provided a waiver to extend the 90-day timeline established under Bill 108 through March 31, 2023.

A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is required for all development applications that affect listed and designated properties and will be considered when determining how a heritage property is to be conserved. Designation also enables City Council to review proposed alterations or demolitions to the property and enforce heritage property standards and maintenance.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council state its intention to designate the properties at 72-78 Berkeley Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance; 72, 74, 76 & 78 Berkeley Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 3, to the report (January 5, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

2.  If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the four attached properties at 72, 74, 76 and 78 Berkeley Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for their cultural heritage value. 

Anchoring the northwest corner of Berkeley Street and Adelaide Street East at the north edge of the historic St. Lawrence neighbourhood, the properties at 72-78 Berkeley Street comprise a 2.5-storey row of four attached Bay-and-Gable type house-form buildings completed together in 1883.

Located in the King-Parliament Secondary Plan Area, which contains the original boundaries of the 1793 Town of York, these properties continue to anchor the northwest intersection of Berkeley Street and Adelaide Street East, where they maintain and support the character of the area as it represents the late-19th to early-20th century development of the neighbourhood, along with the workers' terrace housing at the southeast corner (55-79 Berkeley Street; 1872) and the former Berkeley Street Fire Hall No. 4 at the southwest corner (70 Berkeley Street; 1905). The subject properties also form part of a significant collection of surviving late-19th century residential buildings located along both sides of Berkeley Street, which defined the eastern boundary of the historic Town of York.

The subject properties were identified as having cultural heritage value through the King-Parliament Secondary Plan Review (2019) for their contribution to the area's Urban & Industrial Expansion (1850-1914) period of significance and were included on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register in December 2020.

A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is required for all development applications that affect listed and designated properties and will be considered when determining how a heritage property is to be conserved. Designation also enables City Council to review proposed alterations or demolitions to the property and enforce heritage property standards and maintenance. 

The current Zoning Bylaw Amendment development application (19 244188 STE 13 OZ) for the site known as 49 Ontario Street proposes construction of three buildings of 11, 39 and 44 storeys containing 1,099 square metres of retail, 15,206 square metres of office, and 64,373 square metres of residential with 1,094 dwelling units, a 581 square metre public park along Berkeley Street and conservation of the existing row houses at 72-78 Berkeley Street will contribute to the public realm design and re-establish and strengthen the historical significance of Berkeley Street.

A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) completed by ERA Architects Inc. and dated October 21, 2019 was submitted to support the application, as were two subsequent Heritage Impact Assessment Addendums dated April 16, 2021 and November 8, 2022, and a Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report dated February 11, 2022.

The planning application was submitted November 1, 2019 and deemed complete January 9, 2020.

On November 28, 2022, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Bill 23) received Royal Assent. Schedule 6 of the More Homes Built Faster Act amended prescribed event requirements under section 29(1.2) of the Ontario Heritage Act and came into effect on January 1, 2023.

The application currently under review was deemed complete prior to Bill 108 (July 1, 2021) and Bill 23 (January 1, 2023) changes to the Ontario Heritage Act coming into force, however, the Part IV designation must be in compliance with the Province's amended O. Reg. 9/06 under the Ontario Heritage Act, which is effect as of January 1, 2023. The revised regulation establishes nine provincial criteria for determining whether a property is of cultural heritage value or interest. A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets two or more of the nine criteria.

Staff have completed the Research and Evaluation Report for the properties at 72-78 Berkeley Street and determined that they meet Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act under all three categories of design, associative and contextual value. As such, the properties are significant built heritage resources.

At its meeting on January 6, 2023, the Toronto Preservation Board considered Item PB2.2 and made recommendations to City Council.

Summary from the report (December 23, 2022) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning:

This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the four attached properties at 72, 74, 76 and 78 Berkeley Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for their cultural heritage value. 

Anchoring the northwest corner of Berkeley Street and Adelaide Street East at the north edge of the historic St. Lawrence neighbourhood, the properties at 72-78 Berkeley Street comprise a 2.5-storey row of four attached Bay-and-Gable type house-form buildings completed together in 1883.

Located in the King-Parliament Secondary Plan Area, which contains the original boundaries of the 1793 Town of York, these properties continue to anchor the northwest intersection of Berkeley Street and Adelaide Street East, where they maintain and support the character of the area as it represents the late-19th to early-20th century development of the neighbourhood, along with the workers' terrace housing at the southeast corner (55-79 Berkeley Street; 1872) and the former Berkeley Street Fire Hall No. 4 at the southwest corner (70 Berkeley Street; 1905). The subject properties also form part of a significant collection of surviving late-19th century residential buildings located along both sides of Berkeley Street, which defined the eastern boundary of the historic Town of York.

The subject properties were identified as having cultural heritage value through the King-Parliament Secondary Plan Review (2019) for their contribution to the area's Urban & Industrial Expansion (1850-1914) period of significance and were included on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register in December 2020.

Staff have completed the Research and Evaluation Report for the properties at 72-78 Berkeley Street and determined that they meet Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act under all three categories of design, associative and contextual value. As such, the properties are significant built heritage resources.

In June 2019, the More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019 (Bill 108) received Royal Assent. Schedule 11 of this Act included amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act. The Bill 108 Amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act came into force on July 1, 2021, which included a shift in Part IV designations related to certain Planning Act applications. Section 29(1.2) of the Ontario Heritage Act now restricts City Council's ability to give notice of its intention to designate a property under the Act to within 90 days after the City Clerk gives notice of a complete application.

On November 28, 2022, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Bill 23) received Royal Assent. Schedule 6 of the More Homes Built Faster Act amended prescribed event requirements under section 29(1.2) of the Ontario Heritage Act and came into effect on January 1, 2023.

On or after January 1, 2023, where a prescribed event is triggered, in order to designate a property under Section 29 of the Act, and the property must have been included in the heritage register prior to the prescribed event being triggered. The application currently under review was deemed complete prior to the new legislation coming into force. This designation report precedes by a cycle the final report on the development application by Community Planning that is anticipated to come forward in February 2023. The current Zoning Bylaw Amendment development application for the site known as 49 Ontario Street proposes construction of three buildings of 11, 39 and 44 storeys containing 1,099 square metres of retail, 15,206 square metres of office, and 64,373 square metres of residential with 1,094 dwelling units, a 581 square metre public park along Berkeley Street and conservation of the existing row houses at 72-78 Berkeley Street (19 244188 STE 13 OZ).

Additionally, the Province has amended O. Reg. 9/06 under the Ontario Heritage Act, which is intended to come into effect on January 1, 2023. The revised regulation establishes nine provincial criteria for determining whether a property is of cultural heritage value or interest. A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets two or more of the nine criteria.

A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) completed by ERA Architects Inc. and dated October 21, 2019 was submitted to support the application, as were two subsequent Heritage Impact Assessment Addendums dated April 16, 2021 and November 8, 2022, and a Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report dated February 11, 2022. A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is required for all development applications that affect listed and designated properties and will be considered when determining how a heritage property is to be conserved. Designation also enables City Council to review proposed alterations or demolitions to the property and enforce heritage property standards and maintenance.

The Planning and Housing Committee:

1. Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning in consultation with the City Solicitor and any other relevant divisions, report to Planning and Housing Committee on April 27, 2023 on the feasibility of applying the Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator tool to Housing Now sites, along with other priority affordable housing projects, including but not limited to the Quayside project.

On May 11, 2022, City Council expressed general support for the policies underpinning the Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator (CIHA) tool. On December 19, 2022, the Town of Bowmanville used the CHIA to expedite approval of an 84-unit affordable housing project.

I'd like to request that City Planning, along with City Legal and any other relevant divisions, explore the feasibility of utilizing this new tool created by the Province of Ontario to expedite zonings and approvals for priority affordable housing projects, including but not limited to:

• Housing Now sites;
• Rapid Housing Initiative;
• Modular Housing Initiative;
• Toronto Community Housing Corporation sites;
• Affordable rental housing;
• Co-op and non-profit housing; and
• Permanently affordable ownership units.

The Planning and Housing Committee:

1. Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the City Solicitor and any other relevant divisions, report to Planning and Housing Committee on April 27, 2023 on a new approach to securing affordable units within new developments, and other critical infrastructure needed to support new housing and create complete communities.

Last year, the Government of Ontario passed Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022. While the intent of the Bill is to deliver more housing faster, this legislation limits the City's ability to:

- Secure new affordable housing units through our inclusionary zoning policy;

- Fund our affordable housing programs;

- Fund community infrastructure to support growth;

- Acquire and secure parkland and open space; among other impacts.

The City of Toronto is committed to delivering more housing for more people, but this cannot be done absent the infrastructure to support complete communities or the ability to secure affordable units. As a City, we must ensure that we are utilizing every tool at our disposal to meet our housing goals and ensure that Toronto remains affordable for future generations.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council reiterate its request to the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada to support the creation of new housing opportunities for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness by identifying and dedicating surplus lands within Toronto for new affordable rental and supportive housing.

2. City Council, as Shareholder, direct the Board of Directors of Toronto Community Housing Corporation to provide the President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Community Housing Corporation, with authority to enter into lease arrangements with the City of Toronto for a term of 50 years less a day, for sites deemed appropriate by City staff, and following consultation with the President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Community Housing, to create new supportive housing.

3. City Council, as Shareholder, direct the Board of Directors of Toronto Community Housing Corporation to request the President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Community Housing Corporation to engage with the Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation, City and CreateTO staff as appropriate, and provide the City Manager and Executive Director, Housing Secretariat with a list of at least four potential, suitable sites that could be intensified to create new modular or other forms of supportive housing by no later than February 21, 2023.

4. City Council request the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to report back to the Planning and Housing Committee by July 5, 2023, with details of the City funding allocations through RHI Phase 3, a list of proposed projects, and to seek any required authorities to advance such projects.

The Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) is a federal capital funding program which aims to create new affordable rental housing within an expedited time frame for people experiencing or those at risk of homelessness. This program has been critical in scaling up the supply of deeply affordable homes primarily through modular construction, acquisitions and/or conversions.

In November 2022, the federal government announced the third phase of RHI which will allocate: $500 million nationally to municipalities under the Cities Stream; and $1 billion nationally via an applications-based process to provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous governing bodies and organizations, and non-profit organizations. Eligible projects must be delivered within 18 months and the City is required to submit an investment plan to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) by March 15, 2023 with a list of potential projects for funding consideration.

In order to meet the March 15, 2023 timeline, staff are reviewing a number of City-owned sites which might be appropriate to building modular homes, and potential acquisition opportunities including a few existing shelter hotel sites. As part of these efforts, it is critical that public lands owned by City agencies, boards and corporations, including Toronto Community Housing Corporation, be explored. It is also pivotal that the federal and provincial governments invest their surplus land holdings in order to scale up housing supply in Toronto.

Announcements

The Chair acknowledged that the Planning and Housing Committee was meeting on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Chair also acknowledged that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.

The Chair introduced and welcomed Planning and Housing Committee members.

Where the Members of the Planning and Housing Committee listed in the attendance for this meeting participated remotely, they were counted for quorum as permitted by Section 189(4.2) of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, and City Council's Procedures.