Agenda

• O Canada
• Moment of Silence

• Declarations of Interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

This report is in response to City Council's request for a report on a new Protocol and Policy to clarify the constituency office renovations process so as to reduce costs for these renovations using competitive bids and to ensure Councillors sign off on all expenses.

Staff have developed a new Protocol and Process as included in Attachment 1. Staff strongly recommend that Councillors do not involve themselves directly in any purchasing transactions to avoid issues of fairness, conflict of interest and Code of Conduct.

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council approve Draw the Line: Toronto Ward Boundary Review Project Work Plan, Civic Engagement and Public Consultation Strategy attached as Appendix A to the report (May 12, 2014) from the City Manager.

2.         City Council authorize the use of funds in the amount of $800,050 from the Innovation Reserve Fund, Account XR1713 for 2014 to 2016 to cover the costs for the Toronto Ward Boundary Review.

3.         City Council increase the 2014 approved Operating Budget for the City Manager's Office by $0.368 million gross and $0 net to provide for the third party consultant to undertake 2014 research, civic engagement and public consultation activities for the Toronto Ward Boundary Review. 

At its meeting on June 11, 2013, City Council authorized the City Manager to retain a third party consultant to undertake a Ward Boundary Review for Toronto consistent with the Terms of Reference adopted by City Council.

Following a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, at its meeting on March 5, 2014, the Bid Committee authorized the award to conduct an independent, objective analysis and review of the City of Toronto's ward boundaries to the Canadian Urban Institute.

The purpose of this report is to transmit the consultant's work plan, Draw the Line: Toronto Ward Boundary Review Project Work Plan, Civic Engagement and Public Consultation Strategy, for City Council's consideration.  The work plan is consistent with the Terms of Reference adopted by City Council and applies judicially recognized principles, considers leading electoral and public policy research and advice and implements a two-step broad engagement and consultation strategy with the Toronto public, communities, key stakeholders, the Mayor and City Councillors. 

Toronto’s ward boundary review must follow an independent and unbiased process that includes substantial public consultation and complies with principles set out by the courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).  

The Executive Committee adopted the recommendation contained in the Confidential Attachment to Motion 1 by Councillor Shiner and requested the City Manager to report directly to City Council on this matter.

The purpose of this report is to seek City Council authority for the City of Toronto Economic Development Corporation formerly operated as TEDCO and now operating as Toronto Port Lands Company ("TPLC") to enter into an option agreement (the "Option Agreement") with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario ("LCBO") through its agent Infrastructure Ontario ("IO"). The Option Agreement would provide for the potential disposition of unused rail spurs as part of a consolidated property bounded by Queen's Quay East to the south, Freeland Street to the west, Lake Shore Boulevard East to the north, and a Loblaws retail store to the east. The two rail spurs are known municipally as 15 Freeland Street and 15 Cooper Street and bisect lands currently owned by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario and shown on Attachment 1.

Infrastructure Ontario, on behalf of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, has approached Toronto Port Lands Company to combine the Liquor Control Board of Ontario and Toronto Port Lands Company properties as part of a joint request for development proposals. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario/Infrastrucuture Ontario proposal contemplates redevelopment of the combined sites consistent with revitalization activities in the East Bayfront. If the Option Agreement is successful, the sale of the rail spur lands will result in revenue to Toronto Port Lands Company and the City of Toronto.

There is standing direction from City Council to Toronto Port Lands Company to transfer their lands in the East Bayfront to the City for waterfront revitalization. In order to proceed with the proposed Option Agreement, City Council must provide consent for Toronto Port Lands Company to enter into the Option Agreement and exempt these properties from being transferred to the City.

The rail spur lands consist of 0.24 hectares (0.6 acres) and have no active use other than current uses by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Toronto Port Lands Company staff have determined that the highest and best use of the rail spur lands, consistent with the objectives of waterfront revitalization, is to combine the lands into a joint sale with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. The lands are currently under review by the Lower Yonge Precinct Plan which when completed, will outline development and planning objectives for the site and overall area. Redevelopment of the lands would require the submission of planning application(s) to the City Planning Division and presentation to the Waterfront Design Review Panel.

In the event that a purchaser is not found for the development block, the lands will remain in the ownership of Toronto Port Lands Company.

This report provides an overview of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's (TRCA) Residential Rental Program, including the information on Toronto and Region Conservation Authority rental homes in the City of Toronto, current rental rates, vacancies and marketing strategies.

The report also provides information on Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's structure and funding partners, as well as a review and comparison of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's Conflict of Interest provisions with the City's Conflict of Interest provisions.

This report recommends the actions necessary to comply with the requirements of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) for holding the 2013 Annual General Meeting of the shareholder of Build Toronto Inc. including receipt of the 2013 Audited Financial Statements and appointment of the auditor for 2014. This report also transmits documents from Build Toronto Inc. to City Council disclosing the compensation of executive officers employed by the Corporation in 2013.

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council treat the portion of the Council meeting at which this report is considered as the 2013 Annual General Meeting of the Shareholder for Casa Loma Corporation by:

a.         receiving the 2013 Audited Financial Statements of Casa Loma Corporation in Attachment 1 to the report (May 12, 2014) from the City Manager;

b.         appointing KMPG LLP as the Auditor of Casa Loma Corporation for fiscal year 2014; and

c.         receiving Casa Loma Corporation's 2013 Annual Report in Attachment 2 to the report (May 12, 2014) from the City Manager.

2.         City Council direct the City Clerk to forward a copy of the Casa Loma Corporation 2013 Audited Annual Financial Statements in Attachment 1 to the report (May 12, 2014) from the City Manager to the Audit Committee for information.

3.         City Council receive the information in Confidential Attachment 3 to the report (May 12, 2014) from the City Manager and direct that it be kept confidential in its entirety for reasons of personal information about identified individuals.

This report recommends the actions necessary to comply with the requirements of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) for holding the Annual General Meeting of the Shareholder of City of Toronto Economic Development Corporation operating under the name of Toronto Port Lands Company (TPLC), including receipt of its Annual Report and Audited Annual Financial Statements for 2013, and appointment of the Auditor.

This report also transmits information from Toronto Port Lands Company to City Council disclosing the individual compensation of executive officers employed by the corporation in 2013.

This report recommends the actions necessary to comply with the requirements of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) for holding the 2013 Annual General Meeting of the shareholder of Lakeshore Arena Corporation (the Corporation) including receipt of the Audited Financial Statements, transmittal of the 2013 Annual Report and confirmation of appointment of the auditor for 2014.  This report also transmits the confidential disclosure of executive compensation paid by the Corporation in 2013.  Furthermore, this report, as a special shareholder matter, recommends that City Council reappoint the senior City staff on the board and authorize the recruitment of new tenant and citizen members to the board.  

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council approve up to $0.850 million in financial assistance for the capital repairs of a Toronto Community Housing property to provide transitional housing for young women who are victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking from the Homeless Initiative Reserve Fund (XR1104).

2.         City Council authorize the City to enter into a funding agreement with Toronto Community Housing or such other associated parties as the City deems appropriate, for the delivery and administration of the capital repair funding being provided from the City's Homeless Initiative Reserve Fund (XR1104), on terms and conditions determined by the Director, Affordable Housing Office, and in a form approved by the City Solicitor.

3.         City Council authorize the Director, Affordable Housing Office, to execute the funding agreement and any other agreements or documents required to give effect to the foregoing.

4.         City Council authorize the City Solicitor to execute any documents required to register security for the capital repair funding and to postpone, confirm the status of, and discharge the security when and if necessary.

5.         City Council approve a one-time increase in the 2014 approved Operating Budget for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration of $0.850 million gross $0 net to provide funding for this initiative.

This report provides information about anticipated impacts of recently surplused Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) school properties. Five TCDSB school properties have recently been offered for sale, four of which are currently operating schools which will be relocated to new facilities and one which is the sale of a portion of land attached to a school property. This report identifies potential impacts on local community access to green space and recreational and other community facilities.

This report also provides information on requested reassessments of City of Toronto interest in two Toronto District School Board (TDSB) school sites: the Vincent Massey site and the Lawrence-Midland Redevelopment site.

The purpose of this report is to request Council approval to amend the 2014 Parks, Forestry and Recreation’s Capital Budget and Plan for the construction of Berczy Park.

With the approval of this report, staff will have the funding required to complete construction of Berczy Park and adjacent Scott Street streetscape improvements in 2015 prior to the start of the 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.  The additional $4.507 million is requested, to be cash flowed in 2014 and 2015.  The additional funding is requested from Ward 28 Section 42 above 5%, Section 37, and Section 45 opportunities.

Through public and stakeholder consultation, it was requested that streetscape improvements to the portion of Scott Street adjacent to the park, between Front Street East and Wellington Street East, also be completed concurrently with Berczy Park.  It is cost and time effective to complete park improvements and streetscape improvements together.

This report requests authority to amend the Facilities Management and Real Estate's (FM&RE) 2014 Approved Capital Budget and 2015-2023 Capital Plan, by reallocating funding within approved budget and plan amounts to better meet program requirements.  The adjustment of funds will have a zero net impact corporately and will better align 2014 and future cash flows with Facilities Management and Real Estate's program requirements and anticipated spending.

The Executive Committee requested the Chair, Toronto Police Services Board to report to the Budget Committee explaining why there has been a drop in the number of tickets being issued.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval for an in-year capital budget adjustment to increase the 2014 Multi-Branch State of Good Repair capital project by $60,000 gross, $0 net, for the renovation of an additional 577 square feet of space at the Maryvale Branch. 

The Executive Committee requested the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration to report directly to Council on the service impact of the loss of Youth Employment Toronto and other youth employment services no longer funded by Employment and Social Development Canada.

The Audit Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council receive the letter (April 15, 2014) from Hilborn LLP, for information.

The Board of Directors of the Hummingbird (Sony) Centre for the Performing Arts, on May 23, 2014, further considered the report (April 24, 2024) from the Auditor General, headed "Review of the Redevelopment of the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts".

The Board forwarded one Recommendation to the Audit Committee for consideration.

In addition, the Board:

1.         Requested the Chief Executive Officer to submit the report requested in Recommendation 7 of the report (April 24, 2014) from the Auditor General to the Board for its next meeting on June 9, 2014.

2.         Requested the Chief Executive Officer to report to the next meeting of the Board on June 9, 2014, on all expenditures incurred in the $3.4 million Sony Centre Business Plan.

3.         Requested the Auditor General to report to the next meeting of the Board on June 9, 2014, if possible, on any other issues or matters he has identified which were outside of the scope of the redevelopment review of the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.

4.         Requested the developer of the L tower, Mr Alfredo Romano (Castlepoint), to assume, at his own expense, the cost of overseeing the construction of the public plaza, at no cost to the Sony Centre, and that he report back to the Board for its next meeting on June 9, 2014, on three quotes for the reconstruction of the public plaza.

5.         Deferred consideration of Motion 1 by Councillor McConnell until the next meeting of the Board on June 9, 2014:

"It is recommended that:

1.         All Board meeting dates, times, and locations be published on the City's website.

2.         All Board meetings be open and accessible to the public, except portions where closed session is required.

3.         All Board meeting agendas and reports be posted on the City's website one week before the scheduled meeting.

4.         All past Board agendas, reports, and meeting minutes from January 2007 to the present be posted on the City's website."

The Audit Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council receive the report (May 5, 2014) from the Auditor General for information.

The Audit Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council receive the report (April 17, 2014) from the Auditor General for information.

The Audit Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council request the Government of Ontario to review the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, 1990 to provide the City of Toronto with accommodation to allow for the direction of traffic to be conducted by a "peace officer" as is legal in the Province of British Columbia.

2.         City Council request the Government of Ontario to replace the term "police officer" with the term "peace officer" in section 134(1) of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, 1990 – Direction of traffic by police officer.

3.         City Council request the City Manager to engage in discussions with the Province as directed in Item AU10.16 - Toronto Police Service: Response to Recommendation Pertaining to the Vancouver Traffic Authority’s Program as an Alternative to Toronto’s Current Paid Duty System.

The Board of Health:

1.         Requested the Medical Officer of Health to continue to collaborate with the General Manager, Transportation Services and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning on key initiatives intended to improve road safety and encourage walking and cycling, including:

a.         the development of Complete Street Guidelines for the City of Toronto; and

b.         the review of transportation policies in the Official Plan.

2.         Requested the Medical Officer of Health to collaborate with the Executive Director, Social Development Finance and Administration to encourage consideration of active transportation as an investment priority through the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy 2020.

3.         Requested the Medical Officer of Health, in collaboration with the General Manager, Transportation Services, to explore ways to coordinate community input to indentify and implement local safety priorities and evaluate the resulting safety-traffic interventions.

4.         Encouraged the provincial government elect to reintroduce Bill 173, Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Keeping Ontario's Roads Safe Act) tabled on March 17, 2014.

5.         Forwarded the report (May 8, 2014) from the Medical Officer of Health to:

a.         The Ontario Ministers of Health and Long-Term Care and Transportation;

b.         Metrolinx;

c.         The Canadian Diabetes Association, the Canadian Public Health Association, the Ontario Public Health Association, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Ontario Medical Association, the Ontario Public Health Association, the Toronto Cancer Prevention Coalition - Occupational and Environmental Health Working Group, the Urban Public Health Network;

d.         The Canadian Institute of Planners, the Canadian Urban Institute, the Ontario Professional Planners Institute;

e.         8-80 Cities, Civic Action, Clean Air Partnership, Cycle Toronto, the Toronto Cycling Think and Do Tank and Toronto Centre for Active Transportation; and

f.          The Dean of the University of Toronto, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, and the Dean of York University, Faculty of Physical Education.

In June 2013, an update to the Board of Health (BOH) was provided on the development of four Active Transportation Demonstration Projects to explore the feasibility, sustainability and potential impact of implementing recommendations made in the Road to Health report. Toronto Public Health (TPH) in collaboration with community partners engaged four neighbourhoods – Black Creek, Annex, North York and Cliffside – in the identification of community needs and preferences for pedestrian and cycling infrastructure changes and potential barriers to their implementation. This report outlines the findings from these four demonstration projects and highlights opportunities to further support active transportation in Toronto.

While the four neighbourhoods had unique sociodemographic characteristics, built forms and patterns of walking and cycling, several common themes emerged. Recurring community-identified safety concerns and constraints to active transportation included: real and perceived risks related to traffic speed and volumes, limitations in street design and accessibility, and limited network connections. Common challenges to making changes in support of active transportation included: competing interests and priorities, funding and implementing community-identified improvements, and engaging communities in active transportation decision-making. Overall, the findings from community engagement are well-supported by existing health evidence and practice-based examples from other jurisdictions.

Ongoing City of Toronto and provincial policies and plans provide key windows for expanding active transportation infrastructure and improving safety and accessibility for all street users in the city. The Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy could further support the City and communities through investments in locally-driven active transportation initiatives. Moving forward, TPH will continue to work with local partners to ensure that community-identified suggestions for local active transportation improvements are considered, and will continue to collaborate with other City divisions and stakeholders on key policies and plans to advance active transportation in Toronto.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council, in accordance with Section 195-15 of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 195 (Purchasing By-Law), grant the Medical Officer of Health authority to negotiate and enter into service agreements in a form acceptable to the City Solicitor with the following five proponents being the highest scoring proponents per geographic service area and meeting the requirements of Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 0513-13-7010, for a period of fifteen (15) months from January 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 with the option to renew for four (4) additional one (1) year periods at the sole discretion of the Medical Officer of Health and subject to 100% Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) funding, based on the terms in the RFP for the potential costs as stated below.

2.         City Council grant the Medical Officer of Health authority to negotiate with Ministry of Children and Youth Services to secure additional funds to support transition costs, and to negotiate any necessary modifications to the terms of the service agreements to support the transition, subject to additional Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) funding.

The Community Development and Recreation recommends that:

1.         City Council delegate authority to the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to accept donations of up to $600,000 from the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) Foundation in 2014 and to spend these donated funds to undertake various arena, outdoor rink, sports field and program enhancement projects, in accordance with the “Policy on Donations to the City for Community Benefits”.

2          City Council authorize the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to enter into an agreement with the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) Foundation to spend the donated funds on mutually identified refurbishment projects on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and in a form and content satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval from City Council to authorize the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to accept donations from the MLSE Foundation in 2014 for various Parks, Forestry and Recreation revitalization projects. Projects will include arena and outdoor artificial ice rink refurbishments, outdoor court refurbishments and other revitalization projects identified by the MLSE Foundation throughout the year subject to the approval of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and in accordance with the “Policy on Donations to the City for Community Benefits".

The goals and objectives of the MLSE Foundation are in keeping with Parks, Forestry and Recreation’s mandate to provide recreation opportunities and enhance and protect Toronto's public green spaces. These objectives are also aligned with strategic goals in the Parks Plan (adopted by City Council on May 7, 2013) and the Recreation Service Plan, (adopted by City Council on November 29, 2012).

This report recommends funding under the 2014 Service Development Investment Program (SDIP). Of the 17 applications received, 14 are recommended for funding in the amount $452,400.00.

SDIP provides multi-year project funding to coalitions and organizations that develop community capacity and build effective partnerships within Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs)  and across the city. SDIP is a unique funding program, offering opportunities for emerging groups and networks that may be high risk due to lack of a track record and robust infrastructure.

The City has a history of working collaboratively with local School Boards to ensure the sustainability of shared and valued assets such as school pools.  More recently, the Toronto School Boards Task Force agreed to seek opportunities to continue a collaborative partnership regarding other assets that fall under the jurisdiction and ownership of either the City or the Board, in order to maintain and enhance these spaces.

The City and the School Board also have a history of working with the Toronto Sports Council to develop an inventory of shared assets.  This existing partnership and available data can be utilized to identify the community recreation infrastructure that is most in need of investment.

Potential corporate and community partners have indicated that they are willing to work with the City and School Boards to enhance our shared recreation and play spaces. In light of these opportunities to enhance our public recreation spaces, I encourage members of the committee to adopt the following recommendations:

The Economic Development Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council request the Design Exchange (DX), through its Board of Directors and President, to submit a comprehensive strategic and business plan to the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture by July, 2014, describing the sustainability of the organization into the future and the value contribution to Toronto that together would be considered in a grant application.

2.         City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to prepare a business case, based on the information provided in the comprehensive strategic and business plan submitted by the Design Exchange (as requested in Recommendation 1 above), to be included in the 2015 budget submission for City Council, whether to consider providing annual support to the DX up to $200,000, and whether to designate DX as a Major Cultural Organization.

3.         City Council direct that funding in the amount of $100,000 continue to be held by the City in the DX Reserve Fund (XR3205) for capital expenditures or extraordinary maintenance and repairs for the term of the sublease; and

4.         City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to continue to work with the Design Exchange to provide assistance to support the DX to fulfill its Strategic Plan, to review DX's progress and to assist the DX Board in its efforts to secure other sources of funding.

The Economic Development Committee directed that the "Making Space for Culture" summary for each Ward be shared with that Ward Councillor as a separate document.

Tim Jones, President and CEO, Artscape gave a presentation.

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with information on the "Making Space for Culture" project and make summary documents available. The project was undertaken to address one of the key recommendations of the Creative Capital Gains report: "that the City ensure a supply of affordable, sustainable, cultural space."

All 44 Wards were mapped and consulted through public meetings and an online survey. Existing community cultural infrastructure was mapped and verified to provide baseline data to prioritize and guide decision-making around future investment in cultural infrastructure.  Phase One of the project, which comprised 20 Wards, was completed in the spring of 2013 and summarized in a report to City Council in December of 2013. Phase Two of the project, comprising 24 of 44 Wards was completed recently. The updated data is available online.

This report seeks Council approval on the recommended funding allocations for the six non-profit organizations that have applied for municipal support through the Local Arts Service Organizations (LASOs) Program.

The arts are an integral part of a healthy culture, nourishing creativity and providing social and economic benefit. Community arts provide significant value to both communities and artists. The LASOs are community-based arts and cultural organizations that are essential to a vibrant community arts infrastructure for the City and are an important building block for healthy and cohesive communities. As incorporated charitable organizations dedicated to community engagement through the arts, the existing four LASOs have sound financial management systems, governance structures, and solid, sustainable community outreach arts programming, activities and events.  Public funding is necessary as the organizations are not fully self-supporting through private donations and self-generated income.

Two newer LASOs, North York Arts (formed in 2011) and East End Arts (formed in 2013) are emerging as local arts catalysts in their respective geographic areas per Recommendation 2.3 "Establish Local Arts Service Organizations in North York and East York" in the Creative Capital Gains: An Action Plan for Toronto, adopted by Council in 2011. Currently being incubated by the Toronto Arts Foundation, an incorporated (1995) non-profit charitable organization which aims to connect every Toronto neighbourhood with the transformative social economic benefits of the arts, the two new LASOs are part of the 2014 Local Arts Service Organization grant program.

Allocation recommendations presented in this report are based on the review by Cultural Services staff and an external peer advisory panel.  Cultural Services staff manage the program and reviewed the grant applications with due diligence and in compliance with the City of Toronto’s Community Grants Policy adopted by Council at its July 16, 2013 meeting,

A total of $1,333,410 is included in the Economic Development and Culture 2014 Approved Operating Budget to fund the six Local Service Arts Organizations.

This report recommends that City Council approve funding allocations for eleven not-for-profit organizations that have applied for municipal support through the Major Cultural Organizations Program operated by Cultural Services, Economic Development and Culture. Major Cultural Organizations deliver unique artistic programming that strengthens the richness and diversity of Toronto's cultural sector.  They contribute to Toronto's reputation as a leading cultural capital, drive cultural tourism, demonstrate leadership in community education and outreach, create volunteer opportunities, and they support other community arts and cultural organizations. These organizations have significant cultural, social, and economic impact; help Toronto's culture sector create jobs and wealth; attract visitors; and make Toronto an internationally recognized cultural destination.

The report recommends allocations to: the Art Gallery of Ontario; Canada's National Ballet School; Canadian Opera Company; Festival Management Committee (Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto); George R. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art; National Ballet of Canada; Pride Toronto, Toronto Artscape Inc.; Toronto Festival of Arts, Culture and Creativity (Luminato); Toronto International Film Festival Group; and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for a total of $7,394,960.00.  The total program fund for these allocations is based on the 2014 City Operating Budget approved on January 29, 2014.

The Economic Development Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council designate, based on the poll results respecting the intention to designate Ossington Avenue Business Improvement Area (BIA), the area described by Attachment  No. 1 to the report (May 8, 2014) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, as the Ossington Avenue Business Improvement Area (BIA), under Chapter 19 of the Toronto Municipal Code.

2.         City Council direct the City Solicitor to submit a by-law to designate the area described in Attachment No. 1 in this report as the Ossington Avenue Business Improvement Area.

3.         City Council approve those amendments necessary to Schedule "A" of Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas, to include the Ossington Avenue Business Improvement Area (BIA).

The purpose of this report is to recommend that the area shown on Attachment No. 1 be designated as the Ossington Avenue Business Improvement Area (BIA).  This will be the City's seventy-eighth BIA.

In accordance with Chapter 19 of the City of Toronto Municipal Code ("Chapter 19"), the City Clerk conducted a poll to determine if there is sufficient support to designate Ossington Avenue, between Queen Street West and Dundas Street West, as a BIA.

The City received a sufficient number of ballots to validate the poll and the majority of accepted ballots were in favour of establishing a BIA.  Accordingly, it is recommended that City Council pass a by-law to designate the area described by the map in Attachment No. 1 as the Ossington Avenue Business Improvement Area (BIA).  Subject to Council's approval, this will be the City's seventy-eighth BIA.

The purpose of this report is to provide the Government Management Committee with the annual report on the Toronto Police Service’s (TPS) Parking Enforcement Unit – 2013 estimated tag issuance.

This report recommends amendments to Schedule A of the Financial Control By-law (re:  Chapter 71 "Financial Control", Toronto Municipal Code) based on a recent review of the Schedule which was conducted in consultation with City Divisions.  Schedule A identifies purchases where payments can be processed without a Purchase Order or Sole Source Request form as these goods and services can only be obtained from one source (e.g. utilities, TTC tokens, postage, land registry fees, etc.) or are mandated by legislation.

Schedule A was added to the Financial Control Bylaw in 2004 based on a recommendation from the Auditor General requesting that staff "develop a list of sole source goods and services (e.g. TTC tokens, utilities, etc.) that can be processed without completing a sole (single) source request form".  In 2007, Schedule A was revised based on experience gained since its implementation in 2004.  A recent review of the Schedule was completed in 2013/2014, in consultation with City Divisions. This report recommends amendments to Schedule A based on the most recent review.

The City of Toronto Consolidated Green Fleet Plan 2014-2018 (Consolidated Plan) provides an overview of the City of Toronto’s objectives in addressing environmental impact with strategies that aim to reduce hazardous emissions from City's vehicle and equipment fleet operations.

We are pleased to announce that this plan is the product of cooperation between the five major City Fleets. Three of the five fleets working together under this Consolidated Plan are managed by City of Toronto Divisions: Fleet Services Division (Centrally Managed Fleet), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Toronto Fire Services (TFS). Two of the five fleets are managed by City Agencies: Toronto Police Service (TPS) and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). The Consolidated Plan benefits from the assistance of the Environment and Energy Division (EED), and was reviewed and approved by each of the five City Fleets.

The Consolidated Plan presents objectives, strategies, and measures that balance operational needs, financial considerations, and Council's strategic goal of environmental sustainability. Our goal looking forward through to 2018 is to choose vehicles, equipment, fuels, and practices that consume less fuel and emit less greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollution, meet the City Fleets' operational requirements, are sustainable, and are economically viable. This new Consolidated Plan sets realistic objectives that will measure our progress toward the established goal, and recommends specific measurable strategies on how we will accomplish these objectives. The Consolidate Plan will continue to reduce GHGs while not creating additional costs.

This report provides the outcomes of both the Green Fleet Plan 2008-2011 for the Centrally Managed Fleet, and the Green Fleet Plan for TTC, Police, Fire and EMS 2008 2011. It also addresses Council's direction June 11-13, 2013, in response to the Auditor General's recommendation, that the Director, Fleet Services Division conduct a review of the City's green fleet vehicles and report to Council on the progress on the City's Green Fleet Plan.

As part of the previous Plans, the five City Fleets have undertaken numerous pilot projects involving new and emerging green vehicle technologies. Some of these technologies have been successful and have been adopted by City Fleets. Other technologies have been unable to adequately reduce emissions in the fleet environment and further investment cannot be justified. The Consolidated Plan builds on the collective experience of City Fleets, and lessons learned from previous plans, to cost-effectively achieve our shared goal.

The Government Management Committee:

1.         Requested the Acting General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to review the current ice allocation at the Don Mills Civitan Arena, and based on the outcome of the review, to report directly to the June 10, 2014 City Council meeting on a suitable accommodation plan to be implemented within other facilities in the event the replacement arena is not built before the current Don Mills Civitan Arena is no longer available for use as an ice arena.

The purpose of this report is to provide information on the results of the Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) No. 9119-13-5004 for the design, construction administration and operational management of a multi-pad ice arena to replace the Don Mills Civitan Arena and to request authority to issue a request for proposals (RFP) to design, build and operate a two pad ice arena located at the City-owned site at the northwest corner of York Mills Rd and the Don Valley Parkway.

The purpose of this information report is to provide supplemental information resulting from the public meeting held on December 5th to discuss the selection of a site for the new Don Mills Civitan Arena, including the Toronto District School Board's disposal of the Don Mills Middle School site.

The public meeting was attended by approximately 75 people. The questions, comments and discussions arising appeared to involve three main themes:

•           Retention of the Don Mills Middle School Field as green space;

•           Locating the New Civitan Arena at the Don Mills Middle School site; and

•           Locating the new Civitan Arena at one of the chosen City-owned sites.

The Licensing and Standards Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council amend Chapter 27, Council Procedures to reflect the delegation of final decision making authority to Community Councils to:

a.         designate areas of the road as Mobile Vending Zones or Restricted Zones in accordance with Chapter 740, Street Vending; and

b.         designate, at the request of the local ward Councillor, a particular street vending location for entrepreneurs introducing new products, or variations of products, as identified by the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture.

City Council at its April 1, 2 and 3, 2014 meeting approved a new Street Food Vending Program.

The Program includes delegation to Community Councils to designate Mobile Vending Zones or Restricted Zones, and the designation of vending locations for entrepreneurs introducing new products as identified by the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture.

This report submits the companion amendments to Chapter 27, Council Procedures to reflect this delegation to Community Councils. Notice of the amendments has been given.

The Executive Director of Municipal Licensing and Standards was consulted in the preparation of this report.

The Licensing and Standards Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council approve the list of grant applications for the StART Partnership program and StART Restoration and Education program, as outlined in Appendix A to the report (May 7, 2014) from the General Manager, Transportation Services.

StreetARToronto (StART) was launched in 2012 as a public/private partnership program and a central feature of Council's new Graffiti Management Plan, a proactive approach to eliminating graffiti vandalism while supporting street art that adds character and visual interest to city streets. StART is funded yearly as a Community Partnership and Investment Program (CPIP) with a grant of $375,890.00 from the former Graffiti Transformation Program. It is administered by the Public Realm Section in Transportation Services, which also has carriage of coordination and implementation of many parts of the Graffiti Management Plan. StART is part of the City's Clean Toronto Together Campaign, which links citizens with city government to keep Toronto streets clean and free of posters and graffiti vandalism. This report recommends funding for 19 projects delivered by community-based organizations in 2014 under the StART Partnership and StART Restoration and Education (RE-StART) Programs.

At its March 19, 2013 meeting, the Licensing and Standards Committee requested staff to report back on the feasibility of licensing wildlife control operators. Committee expressed concern that without regulation, individuals performing wildlife control activities pose a risk to both consumers (e.g. disease and fraud) and wildlife (e.g. injury and death).

A review of relevant legislation indicates that there are provincial laws in place to protect wild animals and residents of Toronto from unqualified wildlife removal companies. These laws are enforced by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) and Ministry of Consumer Services.

Stakeholder consultations and research revealed some concerns with the activities of wildlife control operators, although the issues cannot be generalized to the entire industry.

Accordingly, this report recommends referring the matter to the Province of Ontario for consideration because it is the level of government with direct responsibility for wildlife management and the regulation of wildlife control activities such as hunting and trapping.

Referral to the provincial government is also advisable because a municipal licensing by-law for wildlife control operators could be declared invalid by the courts for conflicting with existing provincial legislation, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 (the "Act").  Although the Act establishes a licensing regime for persons that hunt or trap wildlife, it also provides an exemption to this licensing requirement. The Act allows a person to harass, capture or kill wildlife without a licence where the person reasonably believes that wildlife is damaging or is about to damage that person's property. The Act extends this exemption to persons in the business of removing nuisance wildlife for the same purpose.

Municipal Licensing and Standards through Toronto Animal Services will provide resources on its website to educate the public on what rules govern wildlife control and what factors to consider when hiring a wildlife control operator.

Legal Services was consulted in the preparation of this report.

This report provides legal advice with respect to LS27.2, the Feasibility of Licensing Wildlife Control Operators.

At its meeting of March 18, 2014, Licensing and Standards Committee deferred consideration of the report from the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, headed "Feasibility of Licensing Wildlife Control Operators" to its next meeting, and requested a further report on a motion to license wildlife control operators.

As indicated in the previous report, issues of wildlife management appropriately reside with the Province of Ontario. However, if City Council directs Municipal Licensing and Standards (ML&S) to develop a licensing system for wildlife control operators, staff will need to do further work to develop such a program and report back on amendments to Municipal Code Chapter 545, Licensing, and on the resulting financial implications to ML&S' operating and capital budgets through the 2015 budget process.

This report outlines the steps necessary and preliminary financial estimates to undertake a licensing system for wildlife control operators in the City of Toronto.

The Licensing and Standards Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council recommend that the period for election signs be three weeks before the election date.

The following gave a presentation to the Parks and Environment Committee on the Lower Don Trail - Access, Environment and Art Master Plan:

-           Garth Armour, Manager, Horticulture and Greenhouse Operations, Parks, Forestry and Recreation;

-           Rob Richardson, Manager, Partnership Development, Parks, Forestry and Recreation; and

-           Julia Murnaghan, Project Manager, Parks Development and Capital Projects, Parks, Forestry and Recreation.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval from City Council to enter into an Agreement with Evergreen to allow Evergreen to raise third-party funding, split 50-50 between the City and Evergreen for capital improvements, temporary art installations, special events, heritage interpretation, and nature educational programming on the Lower Don Trail, as well as for community engagement and public awareness campaigns that build support for the Lower Don revitalization.

The objective is to partner with Evergreen to further the high-level vision set out in the City's Lower Don Trail Master Plan: Access, Environment and Art, published in September 2013.

This report also seeks for City Council to authorize the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to accept and contribute third-party funds raised through Phase 1 of the Lower Don campaign to Lower Don capital plan accounts, subject to the budget process.

Evergreen is a national non-profit organization that inspires action to green cities. The goals and objectives of Evergreen are in keeping with Parks, Forestry and Recreation’s mandate to provide recreation opportunities and enhance and protect Toronto's public green spaces. They are also in keeping with the Parks Plan, adopted by Council on May 7, 2013; the Recreation Service Plan, adopted Nov. 29, 2012, and the Natural Environment Trail Management Strategy, published June 2013.

This report seeks authority for a golf marketing incentive in response to the 2012 Auditor General's report that recommended integrating standard industry practices into City golf operations, including increased marketing/promotion, responsiveness to golfer expectations, and a flexible fee structure.

Parks, Forestry and Recreation (PFR) is proposing a marketing incentive to improve golf course usage during underutilized periods and to encourage new/repeat participation. The incentive is for adult, 18-hole, weekday rounds, and includes: a 12-round package at the cost of 10-rounds at all five city-owned golf courses; a 2-round coupon at the cost of 1-round for courses with a higher percentage of available tee times; and a 4-round coupon for the cost of 3-rounds for off-peak times.

City Council at its meeting on July 16, 2013, directed the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report back on the feasibility of a criteria-based exemption by permit, from the requirements of Section 27 of City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks to allow temporary permitted parking in areas within parks that are not designated for parking. This report provides a list of criteria to determine possible exemptions as part of the special event permit guidelines.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council amend City of Toronto Zoning By-law No. 569-2013; former City of Toronto By-law 438-86; former City of North York By-law 7625; former City of York By-law 1-83; former Borough of East York By-laws 6752 and 1916; former City of Etobicoke Zoning Code; and, former City of Scarborough Zoning By-laws 10076, 12797, 8786, 9350, 9174, 9396, 8978, 9364, 9508, 10048, 9676, 10827, 9089, 9276, 12466, 14402, 12181, 17677, 11883, 9366, 9812, 15907, 10010, 16762, 10717, 12360, 950-2005, 9511, 10327, 9510, substantially in accordance with the draft zoning by-law amendments included in Attachment 1 of the report (December 20, 2013) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

2.         City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to each Zoning By-law amendment as may be required.

At the February 28, 2013 meeting of Planning and Growth Management Committee Chief Planner and Executive Director of City Planning reported on the findings of the report entitled 'Opinion on the Provisions of Group Homes in the City-wide Zoning By-law of the City of Toronto' by Dr. Sandeep Agrawal, a land use planning expert with knowledge of the interaction between planning and human rights issues. Dr. Agrawal was retained to conduct a review and provide advice to City Council on the land use planning and human rights issues related to the definition of "Group Home" and the 250 metre mandatory separation distance between group homes in the then draft, now enacted, City-wide Zoning by-law. The expert found that the definitions and separation distances applicable to group homes were in his opinion not supportable and recommended removing them. Staff was requested to review these findings and prepare their own report providing advice with respect to questions raised by the Committee in light of the findings of the expert.

At the October 22, 2013 meeting of Planning and Growth Management Committee Chief Planner and Executive Director of City Planning reported that City Planning staff had review the matter further and had additional discussions with several Provincial Ministry representatives to determine whether there is any substantive requirement or planning reason for separating Group Homes and whether there is any basis for requiring a minimum number of occupants in a Group Home. Based upon these discussions and the finding of Dr. Agrawal, City Planning Staff concluded that there is no planning justification to include a separation distances for Group Homes in a zoning by-law. It was also concluded that there is no reason for a zoning by-law to require a minimum number of occupants in a Group Home.

This report responds to that Planning and Growth Management Committee's direction to the Chief Planner and Executive Director of City Planning (PG27.6) to hold a public open house to obtain public input on the proposed changes to Group Homes in the zoning by-law and prepare a final report and draft by-law for the purpose of a statutory public meeting at the January 13, 2014, meeting of the Planning and Growth Management Committee.

This report responds to Planning and Growth Management Committee's direction to the Chief Planner and Executive Director of City Planning (PG30.2) to "conduct further Community consultation" and report back to Planning and Growth Management Committee at its meeting of April 10, 2014. As space in the various districts of the City could not be secured until the first two weeks of April, the matter is being brought back as a continuation of the January 13, 2014 Statutory Public Meeting at the May 29, 2014 meeting of Planning and Growth Management Committee.

A series of four open house meetings on the proposed changes to group home regulations were held between April 7 and April 15, 2014, between the hours of 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm. One open house meeting was held in each district. A copy of the notification of the meetings was provided to each councillor and the advertisement was placed in the Toronto Star newspaper.

Through the course of the four open house meetings a total of 26 members of the public and various organizations attended. Of those, a total of 15 were also associated with 'The Dream Team', Ontario Human Rights Commission, a Group Home advocacy association or a councillor's office.

Those who attended the meeting, while having questions on the topic, expressed no opposition to eliminating the separation distance between group homes or to the removal of the minimum 3 person requirement for a group home.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that: 

1.         City Council amend the Official Plan for lands in the vicinity of the intersection of Bermondsey Road and O'Connor Drive substantially in accordance with the proposed Official Plan Amendment attached as Attachment No. 4 to the report (April 23, 2014) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

2.         City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the proposed Official Plan Amendment as may be required.

This report proposes a City-initiated Official Plan Amendment in response to Council's direction on December 16-18, 2013 to review Site and Area Specific Policies 145, 146 and 233 that apply in the Bermondsey O'Connor area, consider the appropriateness of continuing the uses permitted by these policies, and consider removing those uses not consistent with the new Employment Areas designations.

Staff reviewed the three Site and Area Specific Policies, examined the Bermondsey O'Connor area and consulted with the public. Staff recommend that Site and Area Specific Policies 145 and 146 be removed from the Official Plan to delete permissions for institutional and residential uses.  Further, staff recommend that Site and Area Specific Policy 233 be amended to remove permissions for institutional uses and places of worship, and that small and medium scale retail uses only be permitted on lands fronting Bermondsey Road, north of Northline Road and south of Sunrise Avenue.

That Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council enact amendments to Zoning By-law 569-2013 substantially in accordance with Attachment 1 and Attachment 2 to the report (May 2, 2014) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning; and 

2.         City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the amendments to Zoning By-law 569-2013 as may be required.

As part of the process of enacting the new City-wide Zoning By-law, a Transition Protocol was established with criteria to determine which properties would be left out of new Zoning By-law. One category in the Protocol refers to sites with complete applications for a zoning by-law amendment. Another involves lands with complete applications for site plan approval. Due to the time required to produce the Zoning By-law Map for the May 7-10, 2013 meeting of City Council, staff were unable to remove sites that had submitted complete applications just prior to the City-wide Zoning By-law enactment on May 9, 2013.

This report proposes amendments to remove lands from Zoning By-law 569- 2013 that had complete applications and met the Transition Protocol criteria, but were not removed prior to Council enactment. In addition, the correction of a number of minor typographical errors and corrections to zoning labels and zoning boundaries is also being recommended through this amending by-law. The amendments proposed will address 12 appeals to By-law 569-2013.

The Planning Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council amend City of Toronto Zoning By-law No. 569-2013 by changing some of the Residential Apartment Commercial (RAC) zoning requirements and applying the RAC zone to selected apartment building sites  substantially in accordance with the draft zoning by-law amendments included in Attachment 2 of the report (May 2, 2014) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning; and 

2.         City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft zoning by-law amendments included in Attachment 2 of the report (May 2, 2014) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning as may be required.

The new Residential Apartment Commercial (RAC) zone will permit a number of small-scale commercial and community uses on apartment building sites, providing opportunities for new ventures which will contribute to the vibrancy and diversity of apartment neighbourhoods.

The new uses may include, for example, small shops, food markets, cafes, learning centres, barbershops, doctor's offices, community centres and places of worship. The RAC zone requires the apartment site to have at least 100 units in order to have these uses and each shop is limited in size. As well, the total maximum amount of floor area devoted to non-residential uses is restricted in order to ensure these uses remain oriented to the local area. In this manner, the RAC zone regulations allow the flexibility for these uses and services to occur, thereby improving the neighbourhood conveniences, while ensuring they remain compatible with the primary residential uses.

This report outlines the results of the public consultation on the final recommended areas for application of the RAC zoning and proposed amendments to the City-wide Zoning By-law pertaining to the RAC zone.

This report outlines the process staff will use to encourage the use of the newly available Residential Apartment Commercial zoning to support achieving more complete communities in the 7 pilot areas identified by City Council at its meeting of April 3 and 4, 2013.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that: 

1.         City Council refuse the request to add an area-specific amendment to Schedule B, Signage Master Plans and Area-Specific Amendments, Chapter 694, Signs, General, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code to allow the display of one illuminated third party ground sign containing four sign faces, two of which would each display 5.9 square metres of electronic readograph sign copy and the other two of which would each display 2.1 square metres of static copy, located in the public right-of-way to the north of the premises municipally known as 1675 Lake Shore Boulevard East.

This report reviews and recommends refusal of an application for an amendment to the Sign Bylaw, Chapter 694, Signs General of the City of Toronto Municipal Code (Chapter 694) made on behalf of Tuggs Incorporated ("Tuggs") to permit the continued display of a third party ground sign displaying static and electronic readograph sign copy.

The sign is approximately 3.5 metres tall, and has a total sign face area of 16.0 square metres (eight square metres per side). The sign is erected on the public right-of-way and is located approximately three metres north of the northern property line for 1675 Lake Shore Boulevard East.  The sign is proposed to be used primarily to identify the Boardwalk Café. As the sign is located on the public right-of-way adjacent to 1675 Lake Shore Boulevard East, the proposed sign is defined as a third party sign under Chapter 694.

Staff recommend refusal of this application due to the size of the sign, the proportion of sign face area displaying electronic readograph sign copy and the impact that the sign has had, and would continue to have, on nearby properties as well as the visual impact that the sign structure has on Lake Shore Boulevard East.

Staff from Parks, Forestry and Recreation and Legal Services have been consulted in the preparation of this report.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to submit the Final Report on 6 Lloyd Avenue to Etobicoke York Community Council on August 12, 2014 after the applicant submits all outstanding material required for a complete application.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee:

1.         Directed staff, provided the applicant submits all outstanding materials required for a complete application, to schedule a community consultation meeting for the lands at 6 Lloyd Avenue together with the Ward Councillor before the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing issues a decision on Official Plan Amendment 231.

2.         Directed that notice for the community consultation meeting be given to landowners and residents within 120 metres of the site.

3.         Directed that notice for the public meeting under the Planning Act be given according to the regulations of the Planning Act.

This application proposes to amend the Official Plan by redesignating the northern two-thirds of the lands from Employment Areas to Mixed Use Areas and creating a new Site and Area Specific Policy over the entire site to permit residential uses and commercial/offices uses at 6 Lloyd Avenue.  The southern one-third of the site is proposed to remain designated Employment Areas.  The submitted application does not include appropriate plans and drawings and other required material for a complete application.

This report provides preliminary information on the above-noted application and seeks Planning and Growth Management Committee's directions on further processing of the application and on the community consultation process.

This report recommends that the Chief Planner schedule a community consultation meeting and submit the Final Report for 6 Lloyd Avenue to Planning and Growth Management Committee after the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing issues a decision on Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 231, subject to the applicant submitting all required information in a timely manner.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council approve the final Terms of Reference and Public Consultation Plan presented in Appendix A and Appendix B of the report (May 15, 2014) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to guide the next phases (Phases 1B to 4) of the Relief Line Project Assessment. With this approval the City and Toronto Transit Commission will jointly proceed with the Relief Line Project Assessment.

This report recommends a final Terms of Reference and Public Consultation Plan for the Relief Line Project Assessment, a study to determine the station locations and route alignment for a new rapid transit line that would connect Downtown Toronto to the Bloor-Danforth Subway (Line 2) east of the Don River. With this approval the City and TTC will jointly proceed with the Relief Line Project Assessment.

This project is required to accommodate current and future ridership demands on the Yonge Line (Line 1), increase capacity and relieve crowding at the Bloor/Yonge interchange station and, provide new transit capacity to relieve overcrowding on the surface transit network.

The Relief Line Project Assessment encompasses the environmental assessment work that must be completed in advance of initiating a Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) for this project. 

At the December 4, 2013 meeting of Planning and Growth Management Committee, staff received authority to commence Phase 1A of this work, to consult with the public on the draft study Terms of Reference and a proposed Public Consultation Plan. This consultation has been completed in coordination with the Metrolinx Yonge Relief Network Study (YRNS) which is underway concurrently to relieve crowding on the Yonge Subway Line through a review of broader regional solutions.

A summary of  public feedback from the March and April 2014 public consultation is presented along with a final Terms of Reference (Appendix A) and Public Consultation Plan (Appendix B).  The report recommends approval of these guiding documents.

This report summarizes the results of the public consultations on implementing a Local Appeal Body (LAB) for the City of Toronto to hear appeals of minor variance and consent applications.  The report also provides principles, informed by the consultation, to guide LAB implementation in the event Council decides to implement a LAB.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee on:

a.         amendments to the Site Plan Control By-law to require site plan approval on all changes of use on properties along arterial roads for interior alterations of less than 1000 square metres;  and

b.         the enforcement of Site Plan Control and how it can be made more effective.

This report recommends amendments to the City-wide Site Plan Control By-law (Municipal Code, Chapter 415 - Development of Land, Article V, Site Plan Control). The proposed amendments provide additional clarity for staff and applicants on the application, interpretation and enforcement of the By-law.

5.         City Council direct that contra-flow bicycle lanes be given priority status for winter clearing.

6.         City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, to advertise snow removal guidelines in local newspapers at the beginning and throughout the winter season, including that where sidewalk snow clearance occurs the level of service for sidewalk snow clearance of 8 cm of snow accumulation in December and March and 5 cm of snow accumulation in January and February and that it is the responsibility of home owners to clear snow from sidewalks that front their properties at any other time.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee requested the General Manager, Transportation Services, to:

1.         Undertake a review of the current criteria for mechanical sidewalk snow clearing to determine if any changes could be made to increase the number of streets receiving this service and report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee in the Spring of 2015.

2.         Consult with Councillors and other stakeholder groups for recommendations for additional streets that should be reviewed for inclusion in the mechanical sidewalk snow clearing program.

The purpose of this report is to provide further information on winter maintenance levels of service following the report provided to Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on November 20, 2013, entitled, "Confirmation of Levels of Service for Roadway and Roadside Winter Maintenance Services".

The report proposes the creation of levels of service for winter maintenance on cycling facilities, the addition of specified streets to the mechanical driveway windrow opening and sidewalk clearing programs, and changes to the Snow and Ice Removal By-law that will enhance winter maintenance for people with disabilities in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

The purpose of this report is to provide supplementary information on winter maintenance levels of service following the report provided to Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on April 9, 2014 entitled, "Confirmation of Levels of Service for Winter Maintenance of Bikeways, Windrow Opening, Sidewalks and AODA Compliance".

The report provides clarification on matters related to sidewalk snow clearing standards and equipment specifications in other jurisdictions, Transportation Services' plan for compliance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) legislation, a conceptual plan for the expansion of the mechanical sidewalk clearing program, and how desired pavement conditions may be achieved on cycle tracks and priority lanes.

The purpose of this report is to obtain authority to convert one traffic lane in each direction on St. Dennis Drive to bicycle lanes (on both sides) and on-street parking (on one side), from Don Mills Road to Linkwood Lane.

The need for changes to St. Dennis Drive was identified in a staff report on "City Initiatives for Reducing Pedestrian Collisions and Improving Traffic Safety" that was received by the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee in May 2013 (PW23.12). In that report, the intersection of St. Dennis Drive and Deauville Lane was ranked second city-wide in terms of collision rates between pedestrians and motor-vehicles.

Through a community consultation process and in consultation with the Ward Councillor, Transportation staff are recommending a “road diet” to address the pedestrian safety concerns at the intersection of St. Dennis Drive and Deauville Lane. The road diet, which involves re-purposing one lane of traffic in each direction, will also provide additional community benefits, including new on-street parking spaces and buffered bicycle lanes along St. Dennis Drive. The existing traffic volume on St. Dennis Drive can be accommodated in two traffic lanes without a significant impact on transit service or traffic operations.

The Waterfront Trail stretches over 1400 kilometres along the shores of Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair and the Niagara, Detroit and St. Lawrence Rivers.  It connects 68 communities and over 405 parks and natural areas.  The majority of the Waterfront Trail through the Scarborough area is on quiet residential streets south of Kingston Road.  In a few locations, a continuous Waterfront Trail cannot be maintained due to the geography and/or private property which precludes the provision of an uninterrupted route.  In these areas, Waterfront Trail users must use Kingston Road to connect with the next section of the trail.

One of the goals of the Bikeway Trails Implementation Plan, adopted by Council in 2012, is to close these gaps as opportunities become available to do so.  Such an opportunity presents itself as Kingston Road, between Wood Glen Road and Haig Avenue, will be reconstructed in 2014 as part of the planned capital work by Toronto Water and Transportation Services.  The capital work provides an opportunity to address a 475-metre gap in the Scarborough section of the Waterfront Trail.  The purpose of this report is to obtain authority to install an eastbound bicycle lane on the south side of Kingston Road, between Wood Glen Road and Haig Avenue. The bicycle lane would be installed when the street is restriped following reconstruction later this year.  Some lightly used on-street parking and a left-turn lane would be removed, while the four existing through traffic lanes on Kingston Road (two in each direction) would be maintained.

The proposal for a bicycle lane on the south side of Kingston Road to close this gap for eastbound cyclists using the Waterfront Trail has been developed in consultation with the community and the Ward Councillor.

The Harbord-Hoskin corridor is the second busiest cycling route in the City with two-way cycling volumes ranging from 3,500 to 3,900 bicycles per day. During the peak periods, cyclists often represent about 40 percent of the total vehicular traffic. The existing Harbord-Hoskin bicycle lanes provide important cycling connections between west-end neighbourhoods and key parts of the City's downtown cycling network.

This report presents the results of the comprehensive design and consultation process to develop separated bicycle lanes and makes recommendations to provide a continuous bikeway on Harbord Street/Hoskin Avenue between Ossington Avenue and Queen’s Park Crescent West.

The Harbord-Hoskin bicycle lanes upgrades, if approved by Council, will be implemented in the summer/fall 2014. When the reconstruction of Wellesley Street, from Yonge Street to Queen’s Park Crescent West, is completed in the late fall 2014, there will be continuous bicycle lanes and cycle tracks extending from Ossington Avenue to Parliament Street along the Harbord-Hoskin-Wellesley corridor.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council endorse Project 12 (Wellington Street and Simcoe Street Redesign and Two-Way Conversion) of the Downtown Transportation Operations Study implementation plan.

2.         City Council rescind the one-way regulation on Wellington Street West from Blue Jays Way to John Street.

3.         City Council rescind the one-way regulation on Simcoe Street from Front Street West to Wellington Street West.

4.         City Council approve the amendments to traffic and parking regulations outlined in Attachments 3 and 4 attached to the report (April 24, 2014) from the General Manager, Transportation Services, entitled "Wellington Street West and Simcoe Street Redesign and Two-way Conversion".