Minutes Confirmed on April 8, 2024

The Etobicoke York Community Council:

1. Adjourned the Public Meeting for the City-initiated Official Plan Amendment for the Jane Finch Secondary Plan until the June 3, 2024 meeting of the Etobicoke York Community Council, commencing at 9:30 a.m.

2. Requested the Director, Community Planning, Etobicoke York District, in consultation with staff of Economic Development and Culture, and the local ward councillor, conduct further public consultation, regarding:

a. maximizing economic opportunities and job growth within the entirety of the Jane Finch Secondary Plan area and a potential cluster of businesses and institutions centred on Finch Avenue West and Norfinch Drive / Oakdale Road; and

b. a review of the building heights throughout the Jane Finch Secondary Plan.
 

3. Requested the Director, Community Planning, Etobicoke York District, in consultation with staff of Economic Development and Culture, to report to Etobicoke York Community Council with the following:

a. existing and projected employment in the study area relative to residential growth; and

b. recommendations, as appropriate, on the policy framework within the proposed Jane Finch Secondary Plan.

The Etobicoke York Community Council commenced a statutory public meeting on February 26, 2024, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This report recommends that City Council adopt the recommended Jane Finch Secondary Plan and associated Urban Design Guidelines, to provide a comprehensive planning framework for the area around the intersection of Jane Street and Finch Avenue West.

This Official Plan Amendment (OPA) would leverage the significant public investment in new transit infrastructure through the Finch West Light Rail Transit (LRT) by directing development to appropriate locations, transforming the area to support walking, cycling and transit use, and identifying public realm improvements and community facilities necessary to meet the needs of existing and future residents and workers. It advances the vision of an inclusive, transit-supportive and climate-resilient complete community, with a strong mixed-use core where local-serving retail and service uses would continue to thrive. The Secondary Plan would facilitate the development of significant new housing, with policies that encourage a diversity of housing types, forms, tenures and affordability. The Secondary Plan centres equity with a focus on outcomes for Indigenous, Black and equity-deserving groups, including implementation policies that would minimize displacement of residents and businesses.

This report also recommends amendments to other Official Plan policies. These include extending the Avenues along the Finch West Light Rail Transit route, adjusting right-of-way widths for Jane Street and Finch Avenue West to support objectives for a complete street with a generous public realm, transit-priority measure and planned higher-order transit, redesignating certain lands close to Light Rail Transit stops to Mixed Use Areas and in one location to Apartment Neighbourhoods, and establishing locations for new streets to create developable blocks within the large mall, plaza and mixed-use sites in the study area. Two Site and Area Specific Policies are recommended for deletion to align plans for those sites with this updated policy context.

The Jane Finch Secondary Plan and Urban Design Guidelines are an outcome of the Jane Finch Initiative, which is an interdivisional three-phased project that began in 2020. A companion plan, the Jane Finch Community Development Plan, stewarded by Social Development Finance and Administration (SDFA) and Economic Development and Culture (EDC), is proceeding through Economic and Community Development Committee in the same City Council cycle. The Jane Finch Initiative was informed by a thorough public consultation process facilitated by the Jane/Finch Centre, concurrent review of development applications, and input of staff from various City Divisions, commenting agencies and key stakeholder organizations. Two previous reports to City Council presented various milestones of the planning study, the most recent being the adoption of the Ideas Report by City Council in May 2022. This staff report presents the results of the public consultation process for Phase 2 (on the Ideas Report) and for Phase 3 (on the proposed Secondary Plan and Urban Design Guidelines).

This recommended Official Plan Amendment is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (2020) and conforms to A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2020) and the Greenbelt Plan (2017).

The Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council amend Zoning By-law 569-2013 for the lands at 564-580 Evans Avenue substantially-in-accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment 5 to the report (February 7, 2024) from the Director, Community Planning, Etobicoke York District.

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. Before introducing the necessary Bill to City Council for enactment, City Council require that the owner:

a. Shall submit a revised Functional Servicing and Stormwater Management Report to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services; and

b. Shall make satisfactory arrangements with Engineering and Construction Services and enter into the appropriate agreement(s) with the City for the design and construction of any improvements to the municipal road infrastructure, should it be determined that upgrades to infrastructure are required to support this development according to the accepted Functional Servicing and Stormwater Management Report.

4. Prior to Site Plan Control approval, City Council require the owner to address:

a. The outcome of the peer review of the Compatibility and Mitigation Study (Air Quality, Dust, Odour, Noise and Vibration) prepared by SLR Consulting Canada Ltd., dated October 2020, including the recommendations contained in the peer reviewer's letter from Jade Acoustics Inc., dated July 23, 2021, to the satisfaction of the Interim Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning; and

b. Issues raised in the Urban Forestry memo, dated December 22, 2023, to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation.

5. In accordance with the delegated approval under By-law 229-2000, as amended, City Council be advised that the Interim Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning intends to approve the Draft Plan of Subdivision as generally illustrated in Attachment 7 the report (February 7, 2024) from the Director, Community Planning, Etobicoke York District, subject to:

a. Approval conditions from various City divisions, except as otherwise noted, must be fulfilled prior to final approval and the release of the Plan of Subdivision for registration; and

b. Any such revisions to the proposed Plan of Subdivision or any such additional modified conditions as the Interim Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning may deem to be appropriate to address matters arising from the on-going technical review of this development must also be fulfilled prior to the final approval and release of the Plan of Subdivision for registration.

6. City Council direct that in accordance with Section 42 of the Planning Act, as a component of the registration of the Plan of Subdivision, the owner shall convey to the City an on-site parkland dedication, having a minimum size of 3,909 square metres, to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the City Solicitor.

7. City Council approve the acceptance of the on-site parkland dedication, subject to the owner transferring the parkland to the City free and clear, above and below grade, of all easements, encumbrances, and encroachments, in an acceptable environmental condition, and the owner may propose the exception of encumbrances of tie-backs, where such an encumbrance is deemed acceptable by the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the City Solicitor, and such an encumbrance will be subject to the payment of compensation to the City, in an amount as determined by the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management.

8. City Council approve a Development Charge credit against the Parks and Recreation component of the Development Charges for the design and construction by the owner of the Above Base Park Improvements to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and the Development Charge credit shall be in an amount that is the lesser of the cost to the owner of designing and constructing the Above Base Park Improvements, as approved by the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and the Parks and Recreation component of Development Charges payable for the development in accordance with the City's Development Charges By-law, as may be amended from time-to-time.

The Etobicoke York Community Council held a statutory public meeting on February 26, 2024, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This application proposes to amend Zoning By-law 569-2013 for the lands at 564-580 Evans Avenue to permit a residential development consisting of a nine-storey seniors residence, two blocks of three-storey townhouses and four tall buildings of 21, 29, 32 and 38 storeys on shared three-storey base buildings. The proposal has a total gross floor area of 100,841 square metres, a floor space index of 3.4 times the lot area, and 1,196 residential units. Also proposed are a new 4,129 square metre park and three new 20-metre-wide streets (one private and two public).

This report reviews and recommends approval of the application to amend the Zoning By-law.

A Draft Plan of Subdivision application has also been submitted to create the necessary blocks to support the proposed development. This report advises that the Interim Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning intends to approve the Draft Plan of Subdivision application to create the development blocks, proposed roads and park block.

The Etobicoke York Community Council:

1. Approved the request for a permit to remove one privately owned tree located at 31 Central Street and require the applicant to provide five replacement trees which can be achieved in a combination of on-site planting and cash-in-lieu of planting to the satisfaction of the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation.

This report requests that Etobicoke York Community Council deny the request for a permit to remove one privately owned tree located at 31 Central Street. The applicant indicates the reason for requesting removal of the tree is to mitigate the risk of a severe walnut allergy to a resident.

The black walnut tree (Juglans nigra) measures 56 cm in diameter. The City's Tree By-laws do not support the removal of this tree as it is healthy and maintainable. The permit was denied, and the applicant is appealing the decision. Community Council has delegated authority from City Council to make a final decision as to whether a permit may be issued when an applicant wishes to appeal the denial of a permit of a tree protected under the By-laws.

The Etobicoke York Community Council:

1. Approved the request for a permit to remove one privately owned tree located at 47 Westpoint Lane, and require the applicant to provide five replacement trees which can be achieved in a combination of on-site planting and cash-in-lieu of planting to the satisfaction of the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation.

This report requests that Etobicoke York Community Council deny the request for a permit to remove one privately owned tree located at 47 Westpoint Lane. The applicant indicates the reason for requesting removal of the tree is due to concerns with the tree's size and location, where the roots may cause damage to the foundation, plumbing, and concrete and stone pavers.

The littleleaf linden tree (Tilia cordata) measures 39 cm in diameter. The City's Tree By-laws do not support the removal of this tree as it is healthy and maintainable. The permit was denied and the applicant is appealing the decision. Community Council has delegated authority from City Council to make a final decision as to whether a permit may be issued when an applicant wishes to appeal the denial of a permit of a tree protected under the By-laws.

The Etobicoke York Community Council:

1. Directed the City Solicitor to prepare a by-law to alter the roadway for the installation of one speed hump on Kingsway Crescent between Bannon Avenue and Government Road, generally as shown on Attachment 2, Drawing TC-233 dated February 2024, attached to the report (February 7, 2024) from the Director, Traffic Management, Transportation Services.

This staff report is about a matter that Community Council has delegated authority from City Council to make a final decision.

Etobicoke York Community Council, at its meeting on January 19, 2024, authorized the installation of traffic calming (speed humps) on Kingsway Crescent between Bannon Avenue and Government Road. In addition, they requested the Manager, Traffic Operations to report back to the February 26, 2024, meeting of the Etobicoke York Community Council with the number and location of speed humps.

The Etobicoke York Community Council:  

1.  Authorized the installation of speed bumps in the public lane south of Eglinton Avenue West, west of Scott Road, at the locations shown on Attachment 1, DWG TC-232, dated January 2024 attached to the report (February 7, 2024) from the Director, Traffic Management, Transportation Services.

This staff report is about a matter that Community Council has delegated authority from City Council to make a final decision.

Transportation Services is recommending the installation of speed bumps in the public lane south of Eglinton Avenue, west of Scott Road.

The Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the amendments to parking regulations required to establish new on-street paid parking on Weston Road in Ward 5, as set out in Attachments 2 and 3, to the report (February 7, 2024) from the Director, Traffic Management, Transportation Services.

As the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates a transit service on Weston Road, City Council approval of this report is required.

Transportation Services is requesting approval for the installation of on-street paid parking on Weston Road in Ward 5. Transportation Services and the Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) staff have identified new pay-and display parking spaces in this ward that will support the local community and area businesses by encouraging a regular turnover in the on-street parking supply. The proposed parking changes will replace the existing unpaid three-hour (statutory City wide maximum) and the maximum one hour parking that is currently in effect.  The proposed changes will not impact the flow of traffic and will encourage parking turnover.

While this report seeks City approval for the installation in one Ward, this is an ongoing initiative, and Transportation Services and Toronto Parking Authority will continue to review and report on potential new on-street paid parking opportunities throughout the City of Toronto.

This report also seeks to amend the rush hour parking on Weston Road to support higher priority transit as a part of the future RapidTO corridor.

The Etobicoke York Community Council:

1. Deferred consideration of the item until the April 8, 2024 meeting of the Etobicoke York Community Council.

As the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates a transit service on Longbourne Drive, City Council approval of this report is required. 

Transportation Services is recommending that overnight on-street permit parking be introduced on Longbourne Drive, between Willowridge Road and Redgrave Drive from 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., on an area named basis, within newly created Permit Parking Area 11.

Residents requested the implementation of overnight on-street permit parking on Longbourne Drive to accommodate their long-term parking needs.

The Etobicoke York Community Council:

1.  Rescinded the existing parking for a maximum period of 10 minutes from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, on the east side of Morgan Avenue, between a point 40 metres south of The Queensway and a point 74 metres further south.

2. Designated a school bus loading zone in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., daily, on the east side of Morgan Avenue, between a point 40 metres south of The Queensway and a point 74 metres further south.

3. Rescinded the existing school bus loading zone in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., daily, on the west side of Penhurst Avenue, between a point 27.5 metres south of The Queensway and a point 97 metres further south.

4. Authorized parking for a maximum period of 10 minutes from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, on the west side of Penhurst Avenue, between a point 35 metres south of The Queensway and a point 89 metres further south.

This staff report is about a matter that Community Council has delegated authority from City Council to make a final decision.

Transportation Services is recommending that the existing maximum 10 minutes parking regulation on the east side of Morgan Avenue, be replaced with a school bus loading zone. In addition, Transportation Services is recommending that the existing school bus loading zone on the west side of Penhurst Avenue be replaced with a maximum 10 minutes parking regulation.

The proposed amendments will relocate the school bus loading zone closer to the main doors of the school to reflect their current operations. Short-term parking will be provided on Penhurst Avenue to facilitate pick-up and drop-off of school children at St. Louis Catholic School.

The Etobicoke York Community Council:

1. Rescinded the existing compulsory stop control for eastbound traffic on Tarragona Boulevard at Gunns Road.

2. Authorized a compulsory stop control for northbound traffic on Gunns Road (west-branch) at Tarragona Boulevard/Gunns Road (east-west branch).

3. Rescinded the existing maximum one hour parking regulation in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, on the east side of Gunns Road between Tarragona Boulevard and the south end of Gunns Road.

This staff report is about a matter that Community Council has delegated authority from City Council to make a final decision.

Transportation Services is requesting approval to install a stop control for northbound traffic on Gunns Road (west branch) at Tarragona Avenue/Gunns Road (east-west branch) and to remove the existing eastbound stop control at this intersection. Based on the assessment undertaken, the removal of the existing eastbound stop control and installation of the northbound stop control is recommended and will more clearly define right-of-way, enhancing traffic management and safety for all road users.

The Etobicoke York Community Council:

1. In accordance with the City's Public Appointments Policy, appointed the following nominee to the Weston Village Business Improvement Area Board of Management set out below at the pleasure of Etobicoke York Community Council, and for a term expiring at the end of the term of Council or as soon thereafter as successors are appointed:

 Repasch, Jonathan

Etobicoke York Community Council has delegated authority to appoint and remove directors from the boards of Businesses Improvement Areas (BIAs) that fall within its geographic boundaries.

The purpose of this report is to make changes to the Weston Village Businesses Improvement Areas Board of Management, in accordance with the requirement of City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas.

The Etobicoke York Community Council:

1. Approved a special permit to the Rotary Club for their 2024 Canada Day event, and allow the placement of signage in accordance with the conditions listed in attachment 2 to the letter (February 5, 2024) from Councillor Stephen Holyday.

The Rotary Club Canada Day Ribfest is an event that is held in Centennial Park in conjunction with City of Toronto Canada Day celebrations. The event is from June 28 from 3:00pm – 10:00pm, June 29 from 11:00am - 10:00pm, June 30 from 11:00am - 10:00pm and July 1 from 11:00am – 9:00pm at Centennial Park. I fully endorse the plans to hold this event again, as was done in previous years.

Municipal Code Chapter 693 outlines the requirements for signs being used to advertise charitable, non-profit and community events, and does not permit variance or appeal to the criteria which regulate temporary signage.

The approval conditions ensure that there is a responsive procedure to address any signs which have generated a complaint, and ensure all signs are maintained and removed to the satisfaction of City Staff.

The Etobicoke York Community Council:

1.  Requested the Director, Traffic Management, Transportation Services, to investigate the feasibility of reducing the speed limit to 40km/h on Burnhamthorpe Road between Dundas Street West and Kipling Avenue, and report back to the April 8, 2024 meeting of Etobicoke York Community Council.

In response to safety concerns raised by residents on Burnhamthorpe Road, including a town hall that was attended by 100 plus residents. I request that Transportation Services staff conduct a study of traffic calming measures on Burnhamthorpe Road between Dundas Street West and Kipling Avenue to determine the feasibility of reducing the speed limit to 40km/h, and with consideration of any other appropriate measures.

The Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to take the necessary steps to preserve City Council's right of appeal to the Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB) concerning the 8 Yorkleigh Avenue Committee of Adjustment Decision until such time Council may consider the options.

The Etobicoke York Community Council: 

1. Requested the City Solicitor to report directly to the March 20, 2024 meeting of City Council regarding the history, information, circumstances, analysis, and options to City Council on the recent Committee of Adjustment decision to grant a severance of 8 Yorkleigh Avenue.

On February 8, 2024, the Committee of Adjustment (the "Committee") approved applications brought by the owner of 8 Yorkleigh Avenue for a proposal to sever the lot and construct a new dwelling on each of the new lots, and for three minor variances from City-wide Zoning By-law 569-2013 in respect of one of the new lots (the "Application"). A copy of the Committee's decision on the Application is attached as Attachment 1.

Applications for a similar proposal were brought by the owner on two previous occasions. The first proposal was heard by the Committee on August 13, 2020 and was refused. A copy of the Committee’s decisions in respect of the first proposal is attached as Attachment 2.

The second proposal was heard by the Committee on July 13, 2021 and was approved.  However, a neighbourhood resident appealed the Committee’s approval to the TLAB and the TLAB subsequently refused the associated applications in a decision issued on August 19, 2022. A copy of the TLAB decision is attached as Attachment 3.

The owner subsequently appealed the TLAB’s decision to the Ontario Divisional Court. In a decision issued on February 16, 2023, the Divisional Court upheld the TLAB decision. The Divisional Court’s decision is attached as Attachment 4.

It should be noted that on June 4, 2021, City Planning produced a report for consideration at Etobicoke York Community Council that surveyed options for protecting “Estate Lots” in Etobicoke Neighbourhoods. This report is attached as Attachment 5.

This motion will direct the City Solicitor to report directly to the March 20, 2024 City Council regarding the history, information, circumstances, analysis, and options to Council on the Committee’s recent decision to grant a severance in respect of 8 Yorkleigh Avenue.

This motion will also give the City Solicitor authority to take the necessary steps to preserve Council's right of appeal to the TLAB concerning the Committee’s recent decision to grant a severance in respect of 8 Yorkleigh Avenue until such time Council may consider the options.

General Bills

Etobicoke York Community Council enacted By-laws 185-2024 to 187-2024.

Confirmatory Bill

Etobicoke York Community Council passed a Confirmatory Bill as By-law 188-2024.

Etobicoke York Community Council will introduce bills.

Announcements

The Chair acknowledged that the Etobicoke York Community Council 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.

Where the Members of the Etobicoke York Community Council 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.