The Planning and Growth Management Committee directed that:

 

1.         the draft new zoning by-law be made available for public consultation through use of the internet at http://www.toronto.ca/zoning/;

 

2.         eight Open Houses be held (two at each of the four District offices) allowing the public an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments on the draft new  zoning by-law;

 

3.         information sessions for Councillors and their staff be held as soon as possible, and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, consult with each Councillor and attend Ward or Neighbourhood meetings at the Councillor’s request, at which time staff will identify the proposed new zoning provisions for the Ward and the differences between the former zoning and the proposed new zoning in the Ward and solicit further input on both the zoning and the definitions, subject to timing and funding considerations.

 

4.         the Planning and Growth Management Committee hold a public meeting at each of the Civic Centres, in the evening of the regular Community Council meeting dates, to which the Community Council members are to be invited; and that the Chief Planner and Executive Director make available, in print form at the Open Houses and the Planning and Growth Management Committee evening public meetings, as well as on the City’s website, a detailed comparison of the provisions of the draft new Zoning By-law in relation to the provisions of the current zoning by-law(s) applicable in each District;

 

5.         the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning conduct at least one Question and Answer style interactive consultation session in each of the Community Council districts;

 

6.         the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, report to the next meeting of the Planning and Growth Management Committee on May 6, 2009, on additional methods to inform the public, using the following methods:

 

            bus shelter ad space;

            TTC vehicles;

            TTC stations;

            Toronto Public Libraries; and

            Flyers which should be included in the water and property tax bills; 

 

7.         the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning confirm to the public within the consultation process that all areas that have been the subject of neighbourhood and community specific area zoning reviews will, under the draft Zoning By-law, maintain their current zoning provisions, and advise the public within that process where and how the draft Zoning By-law will alter the current zoning regulations in residential districts;

 

8.         the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee with a summary of the community consultation in relation to any proposed by-law prior to the holding of a Public Meeting subject to timing and funding considerations;

 

9.         the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, report in a timely fashion on addressing, for possible inclusion in the proposed Zoning By-law, provisions to implement environmental sustainability policy decisions made by City Council up to now or in the next four months.

 

10.       the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, consider the appropriateness of not listing places of worship in commercial residential zones as permitted uses, as part of the draft new zoning by-law approval process, such that a rezoning application would be required.

 

11.       the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning bring forward the results of the consultation process to the October 7, 2009 Planning and Growth Management meeting;

 

12.       the statutory meeting on the new Zoning By-law be held in November, 2009, so that the Zoning By-law is considered by City Council before the end of 2009. 

 

Mr. Gary Wright, Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and Mr. Joe D'Abramo, Director, Community Planning, gave a presentation to the Planning and Growth Management Committee regarding the Draft New Zoning By-law: Summary and Public Consultation Process.

 

The City of Toronto currently has 43 different zoning by-laws inherited from the six pre amalgamation municipalities.  The by-laws contain over 1 million words, over 13,260 regulations, over 10,000 site-specific amendments, 1550 definitions and 276 different zones. These by-laws are similar in content with respect to the land use concerns they regulate but display differences in their methods of approach and the values of the development standards they apply to some type of uses.

 

The purpose of this report is to summarize for the Committee the major features of the draft new zoning by-law and to request that public consultation begin at the end of April with the release of the online version of the draft new zoning by-law. It is also recommended that the Committee convene a special meeting in October, 2009 to consider the final recommended new Zoning By-law for the City.

 

Approach to Creating the Draft New Zoning By-law

 

The Zoning By-law Project (the "Project") is essentially a harmonization exercise with the principal emphasis of developing a common terminology, structure and set of defined zoning terms that apply across the City.  In terms of the development standards, the Project tries to respect the existing differences across the City. However, while continuing to accommodate the more important variations in standards, a 'best practices' approach was used to resolve a number of significant definitional issues such as: the height of buildings; the density of buildings, and how to calculate 'grade' on any given property. By incorporating the best elements of the existing municipal zoning by-laws, the draft new City zoning by-law represents the intent of its predecessors to the greatest extent possible.

 

Another achievement of the Project has been to 'house' the zoning by-law electronically and to have it publicly available online through the City's website. As a result, the zoning by-law will be managed and maintained by electronic means. It will be available to staff and the public through the City's website. The information displayed will be current up to the date of the last City Council meeting. Zoning and related property information may be searched by address, by viewing a map of the City or by directly perusing the text. 
 
Having a single zoning by-law brings numerous benefits to the City. Foremost is customer service and access to information. Inquiries can be easily and more readily answered. For design professionals who work throughout the City, experience with and knowledge of zoning regulations will be more readily transferrable. One zoning by-law with a common language will enable clearer interpretation that produces more consistent results. City-wide amendments will be easier to introduce and apply. The movement of staff between district offices will be facilitated by eliminating the arduous task of having to learn the nuances of a different zoning by-law. It also means greater efficiencies in the use of staff resources.  There should be greater effectiveness in sharing of information and experience with the by-law. In time, because the zoning by-law is electronically based, new efficiencies will be available as a result of technology improvements, both in hardware and software.

 

Key Features of the Draft New Zoning By-law

 

For most areas, especially neighbourhoods, the draft zoning by-law does not substantially alter the in-force standards but rather how they are expressed. The draft new zoning by-law contains all the content of the existing by-laws in a similar but nevertheless slightly different structure and organization. This results largely from adopting a 'best practices' approach but also because it was difficult to capture all the differences among the existing by-laws. The report describes some of the key organizational features of the draft new zoning by-law and how they differ from the existing by-laws.

 

New Standards and Provisions Added to the Draft New Zoning By-law

 

The draft zoning by-law includes some new standards that were requested as part of the Project mandate or are in response to issues that have developed since the Project's start. These matters include: new parking and loading standards; large format, stand-alone retail in Employment-Industrial Zones; zoning for Places of Worship; regulations for new 'tall' buildings; regulations for uses that store dangerous substances; and, the minimum height of buildings along Avenues and Main Streets.

 

Public Consultation Process

 

The recommended public consultation process for the draft new zoning by-law offers a variety of means, a variety of times and a variety of venues for both review and comment. The draft new zoning by-law will be available online as of the end of April. Visitors to the site will be able to review the new provisions, examine the provisions of all the existing zoning by-laws and comment directly to the Project Team through a pop-up form.

 

Residents and ratepayers associations, business associations and professional associations are encouraged to sign-up as stakeholders. This allows for interactive comment with the Project Team. Associations may join by going to http://www.toronto.ca/zoning/.  There are eight open houses proposed between May and early July. Information boards will display key features of the draft new zoning by-law and staff will be available to answer questions, receive comments and discuss issues. There will be laptops available for those who want to comment on the by-law at that time.

This report recommends that consideration of the Green Roof By-law be deferred to a public meeting scheduled for the May 6, 2009 meeting of the Planning and Growth Management Committee.

 

The proposed Toronto Green Roof By-law, enacted under the authority of Section 108 of the City of Toronto Act (COTA) requires green roofs on certain types of new buildings and regulates the design and construction of green roofs in Toronto. Toronto will become the only city in North America with a By-law that both requires green roofs and establishes the construction standards for them.

 

In October 2008, Toronto Building and City Planning reported on a draft proposal to require green roofs and to provide design requirements for green roofs and recommended a focused public consultation. This report provides an update on the public consultations that took place in November and December 2008 and February 2009. The results of the consultation process are reflected in the content of the draft Green Roof By-law for the City of Toronto and the proposed recommendations for consideration in this report.

This report recommends amendments to Chapter 693, Signs, of the Toronto Municipal Code implementing a harmonized, City-wide approach to permit first party project specific graphics and information on construction hoarding erected within the public right-of-way.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee at a Special Meeting on December 8, 2008, requested the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building and the Sign By-law Project Team to provide a second interim report on the status of the Sign By-law Project and to consider a series of motions adopted by the Committee prior to introducing a draft of the new Sign By-law.  This report is a response to the motions adopted by Committee Members and provides the results of Public Consultations held in January 2009 as well as Stakeholder Consultations held in January and March 2009.

 

The new Sign By-law is expected to be presented to the Planning and Growth Management Committee in June 2009.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that City Council:

 

1.         adopt a policy such that, if an applicant requests postponement of a hearing after public notice has been given, and if time permits, written notice of postponement be sent to all applicable residents and that notice of the new hearing date be issued at the expense of the applicant such that the direct cost of both mailings be recovered; and

 

2.         direct staff to notify the Ward Councillor of new applications for consent to create new lots, as soon as possible at the time of receipt.

 

This report responds to two outstanding issues regarding operations of the Committee of Adjustment.  The report addresses the Notice of Motion (MM.24.20) adopted by City Council at its meeting of September 24 and 25, 2008, regarding establishing a policy to impose costs to an applicant as it relates to a request for postponement after public notice has been given; and it responds to a request from Planning and Growth Management Committee, at its meeting of October 14, 2008 (PG 19.10), regarding additional resources required to achieve notification to Councillors on all severance applications at the time they are received.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee directed:

 

1.         the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to prepare Official Plan Amendments that would provide for the approved reconfiguration of the Six Points Interchange and provide for the proposed new north/south road linking Eva Road with Civic Centre Court, to be considered at a statutory public meeting to be held as part of the June 4, 2009 meeting of Planning and Growth Management Committee.

 

2.         that Notice for the statutory public meeting under the Planning Act be given according to the regulations under the Planning Act.

 

3.         Staff to schedule a Public Information Meeting, together with the affected Ward Councillors, to present the draft Official Plan Amendments prior to the statutory public meetings under the Planning Act.

This report seeks Council's authorization for the preparation of City-initiated Official Plan Amendments to provide for the approved reconfiguration of the Six Points Interchange and a proposed new mid-block north/south public road linking Eva Road with Civic Centre Court.

 

The Official Plan amendments will enable the City to protect for, and/or acquire property for, the road works noted above through the development review process, and to allow construction of the projects to commence in a timely manner upon the procurement of funding.

On June 16, 2006 the Provincial Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe came into effect under the authority of the Places to Grow Act,2005 (the Act). Under the Act, municipalities within the Greater Golden Horseshoe are required to bring their respective Official Plans into conformity with the Growth Plan by June 2009. In order to bring the Official Plan into conformity, policy amendments to the Official Plan are required (Attachment 1).

 

At its meeting of February 4, 2009, Planning and Growth Management Committee directed staff to consult with interested parties and members of the public regarding the City's proposed actions to bring the Official Plan into conformity with the Growth Plan.
This report provides a summary of the results of the consultation process and seeks Planning and Growth Management Committee's direction to give notice on the attached proposed Official Plan Amendment.

This report recommends an Avenue Study be undertaken on Sheppard Avenue East between the former Hydro Corridor lands to Bay Mills Road/Aragon Avenue and that an Avenue Study/Land Use Review be undertaken for St. Clair Avenue West between Scarlett Road and Keele Street.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee received the report for information.

The attachment to this report contains the "Building Permit Fees 2008 Annual Report" for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2008.

 

Under the Building Code Statute Law Amendment Act, the City is required to report on the 2008 budget year outlining how new revenues collected have been used to cover the direct and indirect costs of administering and enforcing the Building Code Act and the Building Code.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee received the report for information.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee requested that the General Manager, Toronto Water, in consultation with the Chief Building Official, report to the Committee on the costs of a free home plumbing inspection program for residential owners engaged in minor home plumbing projects.  This report outlines that there is no evidence that the cost of obtaining a building permit has any effect on minimizing the number of cross connections of sanitary flows to storm sewers.  Moreover, within the Ontario Building Code Act and City of Toronto Act, there are legal limitations to providing free plumbing permits. The continued monitoring of the storm outfalls by Toronto Water is still the most appropriate and effective method of locating and minimizing cross connections.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee deferred this item until its meeting on May 6, 2009.

Despite the significant legislative independence and latitude gained by the City of Toronto as a result of the new City of Toronto Act, there remain some areas in which the City of Toronto should be able to exercise more autonomy.

 

One of these areas is the Ontario Building Code.  As by far the largest urban area in Ontario, the City of Toronto faces unique challenges and has unique opportunities (such as the opportunities and challenges that result from density) that can only be realized through certain Building Code provisions tailored to Toronto's needs.  Greener building standards and code provisions that deal with reducing noise between semi-detached buildings and row houses are just some examples of the many areas that Toronto residents' interests and balancing of priorities may not always align entirely with other municipalities in Ontario.

 

A mechanism for City Council to amend by by-law or recommend to the Minister, Toronto-specific Building Code amendments and adjustments would be of great benefit for addressing these unique challenges and seizing these opportunities.

 

(Submitted to City Council on January 27 and 28, 2009 as MM30.7)

The Planning and Growth Management Committee directed the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to add the requirement to display a municipal number to the checklist of items that must be considered when processing a development and/or site plan application.

The Toronto Municipal Code requires that every home and business in the City must display a municipal number.  The Chief Surveyor estimates that 3-5 percent of the homes and businesses are not in conformity with the by-laws.

 

Last year City Council approved a pilot project to ensure that every house and business in the City was properly numbered and the pilot project is going well.  The working group will be reporting on this matter later this year.

 

When an applicant submits a development or site plan application, they are presented with a checklist of matters that they must address during the application process.  It would be a simple matter to add the municipal number requirements to that checklist so that all future homes and buildings will be numbered in conformity with the by-law.

 

(Submitted to City Council on January 27 and 28, 2009 as MM30.3)

 

The Planning and Growth Management Committee received the item for information.

Administrative Inquiry from Councillor Walker and Answer from the Deputy City Manager, Cluster "B". 

The Planning and Growth Management Committee received the item for information.

Administrative Inquiry from Councillor Michael Walker, Ward 22, St. Paul's, and the Answer from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning about the new City Corporation Build Toronto.