Members of Council and Staff:  Please keep this agenda and the accompanying material until the City Council meeting dealing with these matters has ended.  The City Clerk’s Office will not provide additional copies.

Special Assistance for Members of the Public:  City staff can arrange for special assistance with some advance notice. If you need special assistance, please call 416-397-7768, TTY 416-338-0889 or e-mail pgmc@toronto.ca.

Closed Meeting Requirements:  If the Planning and Growth Management Committee wants to meet in closed session (privately), a member of the committee must make a motion to do so and give the reason why the Committee has to meet privately. (City of Toronto Act, 2006)

Notice to people writing or making presentations to the Planning and Growth Management Committee: The City of Toronto Act, 2006 and the City of Toronto Municipal Code authorize the City of Toronto to collect any personal information in your communication or presentation to City Council or its committees.

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

The City videotapes committee and community council meetings. If you make a presentation to a committee or community council, the City will be videotaping you and City staff may make the video tapes available to the public.

If you want to learn more about why and how the City collects your information, write to the City Clerk's Office, City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto ON M5H 2N2 or by calling 416-392-7340.

Declarations of Interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

Confirmation of Minutes - June 16, 2010

Speakers/Presentations – A Complete list will be distributed at the meeting

The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that:

1.         City Council amend the Official Plan substantially in accordance with the draft official plan amendment attached as Attachment 1 of the report (July 14, 2010) 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 draft official plan amendment as may be required.

This report brings forward an Official Plan Amendment to address instances where redevelopment proposals involving the reduction or elimination of existing commercial space in Mixed Use Areas may have a relatively large local impact, especially those for shopping centres upon which local residents have relied to meet their day-to-day convenience needs.

The proposed policy would require that these impacts be considered through the rezoning process, using criteria set out in the policy, with the possibility that some or all of the existing space be replaced or retained in the new development.

The proposed policy is a revision of an earlier proposal that was before Planning and Growth Committee in November 2009. Consultations on the revised proposal produced no comments.

The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division recommends that, in order to implement Council’s May 11 and 12, 2010 decision on item EX43.5:

1.         Council adopt the by-law in Attachment 1 adopting a Community Improvement Plan to assist the redevelopment of multiple properties destroyed by fire in commercial Heritage Conservation Districts.

2.         Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft by-law as may be required before introducing the necessary bill to Council for enactment.

The CIP provides for grants to offset a portion of the property taxes for new buildings replacing those destroyed by fire in situations where multiple properties are destroyed by fire in a commercial Heritage Conservation District (HCD) and when no criminal cause for the fire has been determined. Currently, the only properties meeting these criteria are the six properties at 611-625 Queen Street West that were destroyed by fire in
February 2008. To date, three of the affected properties have applied for building permits to replace the buildings destroyed by fire.

For the six affected properties, Council has approved providing a grant calculated as a percentage of their commercial taxes, based on the principle that if there had not been a fire, these properties would have been paying a commercial level of taxation of 60% of their commercial CVA taxes in 2010, escalating to 100% by 2015.  Hence, the approved grant for these properties will be 40% of their commercial CVA taxes if built and reassessed for the 2010 tax year, declining to 0% for 2015.  These grants will be limited only to the commercial portion of the new building, and will be limited to ground floor commercial floorspace in commercial units up to 400 m2.  As such, staff estimate the financial impact of providing phased-grants to the affected properties to replicate their level of taxation at $60,000 for 2010, or approximately $163,000 over a 5-year phase-in to 100% level of taxation, as reported to Council at its May 2010 meeting. 

These grants will be funded from the non-program tax deficiency account in the years they occur.

The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.

The City Planning Division recommends that:

1.         City Council amend the Official Plan substantially in accordance with the draft Official Plan Amendment attached as Attachment No. 4, to provide for a new structure plan and associated revised text description of the transportation infrastructure for the Emery Village Secondary Plan Area.

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

This City-initiated amendment is subject to the new provisions of the Planning Act and the City of Toronto Act, 2006.

This report recommends an amendment to the Emery Village Secondary Plan in the Official Plan to provide for the revised infrastructure network identified in the Emery Village Transportation Master Plan (Master Plan) approved by City Council in August 2009.

The Official Plan Amendment will enable the City to protect, and/or require property dedications for the infrastructure noted in the Master Plan through the development review process.

The Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building recommends that:

1.         City Council approve an amendment to Chapter 694, Signs, General, to adopt a Signage Master Plan for the property municipally known as 301 Front Street West, substantially in accordance with the administrative design features as set out in Appendix A to this report.

2.         City Council authorize the City Solicitor to prepare the necessary Bills for introduction in Council to implement the above recommendations, subject to such stylistic and technical changes to the draft bills as may be required.

3.         That PATH system signage proposed for the way-finding ground signs be secured under a separate Way-finding Agreement to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

This report reviews and makes recommendations on a request by Alison Pritchard-Kuncic of Canada Lands Company, on behalf of Ripley’s Entertainment Inc., to amend Chapter 694, Signs, General, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code, to implement a Signage Master Plan for development known as The Ripley’s Aquarium located on the property known municipally as 301 Front Street West and described on the map provided herein.  As part of the new sign regulations contained in Chapter 694, Signs, General, the City has introduced the ability for individuals to obtain site-specific amendments to implement a Signage Master Plan to set out specific regulations for the location, arrangement, type and design of signs at a specific location or area. 

Staff recommend approval of the requested amendment to Chapter 694 to introduce a Signage Master Plan for the property.  The proposal describes a comprehensive strategy consisting of way-finding, identification, branding and marketing signage to ensure the long-term viability of the proposed Aquarium development in support of  City Council’s direction realized at its most recent meeting on July 6, 7 & 8, 2010.

The Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building recommends that:

1.         City Council approve an amendment to Chapter 694, Signs, General, to adopt a site specific amendment for the property municipally known as 279-283 Yonge Street, substantially in accordance with the administrative design features as set out in Appendix A to this report.

2.         The City Solicitor be authorized to prepare the necessary Bills for introduction in Council to implement the above recommendations, subject to such stylistic and technical changes to the draft bills as may be required.

3.         The applicant be advised that prior to the issuance of a sign permit, the applicant enter into an Encroachment Agreement with Right-of-Way Management, Transportation Services, for any proposed signs encroaching into the public right-of-way.

This report reviews and makes recommendations on a request by David Monaghan of Kramer Design Associates, on behalf of Roch Capital Corporation, to amend Chapter 694, Signs, General, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code, to implement a site specific amendment for the property commonly known as the “Hard Rock Café” and municipally known as 279-283 Yonge Street.   

The application describes a proposal to erect a large format third party sign on the roof of the existing heritage designated building.  The proposed roof sign is intended to contain five sign faces, each of various dimensions and each utilizing various methods of sign copy display, along with an architectural lighting column.  The building itself is located at the south-easterly corner of Dundas Square and Yonge Street, immediately south of the public space known as Yonge-Dundas Square and located within the Dundas Square Special Sign District (DS-SSD).

Staff recommend approval of the application for a Sign By-law Amendment to introduce this site specific plan for the property municipally known as 279-283 Yonge Street.  The proposal is the subject of a concurrent report from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division with respect to the heritage issues related to this proposal.  The proposal is generally in keeping with the vision for the DS-SSD as described by Chapter 694, Signs, General.

The Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building recommends that:

1.         City Council approve an amendment to Chapter 694, Signs, General, to establish the premises municipally known as 861 Avenue Road as a C-Commercial Sign District by replacing Sign District Map Ward 22: St. Paul's of Schedule A, Maps, with the map attached as Appendix A.

2.         City Council authorize the City Solicitor to prepare the necessary Bills for introduction in Council to implement the above recommendations, subject to such stylistic and technical changes to the draft bills as may be required.

This report reviews and makes recommendations on a request by Crista Dominick of CTM Design Services, on behalf of Suncor Energy, to obtain an amendment to Schedule A, Maps, to Chapter 694, Signs, General, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code.  The recommendation is to amend Schedule A, Maps, to Chapter 694, Signs, General, by amending Sign District Map Ward 22: St. Paul's to designate the commercial property municipally known as 861 Avenue Road as a C-Commercial Sign District.
 
Staff recommend adopting the recommendations as the proposed amendment meets the intent and purpose of Chapter 694, Signs, General, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code.

The Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building recommends that:

1.         City Council approve an amendment to Chapter 694, Signs, General, to establish the premises municipally known as 30 Weston Road as a C-Commercial Sign District by replacing Sign District Map Ward 11: York South-Weston of Schedule A, Maps, with the map attached as Appendix A; and

2.         City Council authorize the City Solicitor to prepare the necessary Bills for introduction in Council to implement the above recommendation, subject to such stylistic and technical changes to the draft bills as may be required.

This report reviews and makes recommendations on a request by Ryan Moore of MHBC Planning Consultants, on behalf of Riotrin Properties (Weston) Inc. to obtain an amendment to Schedule A, Maps, to Chapter 694, Signs, General, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code.  The recommendation is to amend Schedule A, Maps, to Chapter 694, Signs, General, by amending Sign District Map Ward 11: York South-Weston to designate the property municipally known as 30 Weston Road as a C-Commercial Sign District.

Staff recommend adopting the recommendations as the proposed amendment meets the intent and purpose of Chapter 694, Signs, General, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code.

The Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building recommends that:

1.         City Council adopt the amendments to Chapter 363 of the Toronto Municipal Code in general accordance with the draft by-law attached as (Appendix A) to implement necessary technical and administrative changes to requirements for a complete building permit application, in response to changes in the Building Code Act and 2006 Ontario Building Code coming into effect in January, 2011 to:

a.         introduce a new requirement to obtain a zoning certificate prior to submission of a complete building permit application;

b.         remove provisions related to the Preliminary Applicable Law (PAL) review; and

c.         amend the fee structure Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 363-6 and 10.1 to reflect these changes.

This report proposes several Municipal Code amendments that are necessary due to changes to the Building Code Act introduced in the Good Government Act, 2009, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2011. The report recommends Council approval of amendments and additions to Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 363 that would:

-           Introduce necessary technical and administrative amendments resulting from changes made in the Building Code Act and 2006 Ontario Building Code related to complete building permit applications.

-           Require applicants for building permits to obtain a Zoning Certificate prior to submitting a building permit application in order for them to be considered a ‘complete’ application and discontinue the current Pre-Application Applicable Law review program (PAL).

Overall the  proposed changes will improve service delivery for complete building permit applications by reducing unforeseen delays and expenses for applicants.   In order for these amendments to be in place by the legislated timeframe, it is important that Council consider this matter at its August 25, 26, 2010 meeting.

The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that:

1.         City Council refuse the application as the proposal does not conform to the Official Plan.

2.         Should the Zoning By-law Amendment application be appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board, the City Solicitor and City staff be authorized to appear before the Ontario Municipal Board in support of Council’s refusal.

This application was made on September 3, 2009 and is subject to the new provisions of the Planning Act and the City of Toronto Act, 2006.

This application proposes to rezone the lands at 850-858 York Mills Road to permit what is described as a 15 storey 438 unit all-suites hotel with accessory retail, service commercial, restaurant and professional/medical office uses.

The Preliminary Report dated October 22, 2009 raised concerns that the proposed development was a seniors care/residential facility which is not permitted in Employment Areas, and requested the applicant to provide additional information to clarify the proposed use.  The applicant has not provided the requested information.

This report recommends refusal of the application.

The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division recommends that:

1.         City Council enact the proposed City-wide Zoning By-law in the form attached as Attachment 1 to the report dated August 5, 2010 from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division.

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

This “Final Report” on the City of Toronto’s new comprehensive Zoning By-law represents the concluding stage to an enormous and complex six-year planning project. The challenge has been to consolidate the City’s existing 43 zoning by-laws into a single zoning by-law with a common language and structure that applies to the whole City, while largely preserving the spirit and intent of the provisions of those by-laws that it supersedes. Most of the work on the new Zoning By-law, including the public consultation process, has been undertaken in-house by City staff. In some areas, where Council had approved changes to the existing zoning provisions, such as the development of new parking and loading standards, outside consultant advice was sought.

Throughout its term, the project has benefited from a wide range of public input and civic engagement. There have been countless meetings with residents, councillors, industrial landowners, development industry representatives, school boards and many other stakeholders. These meetings have given staff the opportunity to explain the proposed by-law at various stages of its development and to react to the public comments received. The City has invested over $6 million in the process of developing this by-law. It will regulate land use on almost 480,000 properties in the City of Toronto.

Most importantly, the new Zoning By-law is web-based. Residents and businesses will be able to access all the zoning information through a computer from the convenience of their homes or offices. It will enable a more efficient and effective City operation so that Planning, Building and Municipal, Licensing and Standards staff will have one by-law to work with rather than 43. Cities bring forward new comprehensive zoning by-laws very infrequently (the original former City of Toronto by-law was adopted in June 10, 1952). The City adopted its new Official Plan in 2002 (approved by the Ontario Municipal Board in 2006) and enacting the new comprehensive Zoning By-law is a necessary step to complete the consolidation of the City’s land use planning regime.  

The purpose of this report is twofold; to bring forward and recommend for adoption the latest draft of the proposed new comprehensive Zoning By-law, dated July 29, 2010, and further to explain the differences in the changes that have been made to the previous version of the draft Zoning By-law, dated May 27, 2010. The first draft of the new comprehensive Zoning By-law was released in May 2009. An Open House is scheduled for August 11, 2010, between 2:00 and 8:00 p.m.

This report contains several Attachments outlining in greater detail the changes made to the draft Zoning By-law since May 27, 2010. The Attachments also include a listing of properties that have been left out of the draft Zoning By-law because a site plan application has been submitted but is not yet approved.

There is no financial impact beyond what has already been approved in the current year’s budget.

The Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee:

1.         Advises the Planning and Growth Management Committee that the Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee endorses the proposals put forward by the Toronto Cyclists Union in their letter (April 6, 2010) from A. Milliken Heisey, Barristers & Solicitors, Papazian/Heisey/Meyers.

The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division recommends that the Recommendations in the August 5, 2010 Final Report be replaced with the following revised Recommendations:

1.         City Council enact the proposed City-wide Zoning By-law substantially in the form attached as Attachment 1 to the report dated August 5, 2010, as amended by the modifications set out in Attachment 1, entitled "Requested By-law Modifications" attached to the report dated August 16, 2010, from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division.

2.         City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft City‑wide Zoning By‑law as may be required.

3.         City Council determine that no further notice is to be given in respect of the proposed by‑law. 

This supplementary report requests that modifications be made to the draft Zoning By‑law. The modifications are appended to this report as Attachment 1 and are grouped into categories for ease of reference. The types of requested modifications include: corrections to the text of the general regulations, corrections that address consistency between the zoning map labels and the text references, corrections and changes to the Exceptions part of the Bylaw, proposed additions to Chapters 950, Prevailing Bylaws, and Chapter 955, Prevailing Bylaw Sections, recommended zoning changes and corrections to specific properties, properties that should be added to the Bylaw and, properties that should be removed from the Bylaw. The report recommends that Council determine that the proposed draft Zoning Bylaw, together with these modifications, be enacted without further notice.

The Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building recommends that:

1.         City Council approve an amendment to Chapter 694, Signs, General, to adopt a site specific amendment for the property municipally known as 14 Strachan Avenue, substantially in accordance with the administrative design features as set out in Appendix A of the report (August 13, 2010) from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building.

2.         City Council authorize the City Solicitor to prepare the necessary Bills for introduction in Council to implement the above recommendations, subject to such stylistic and technical changes to the draft bills as may be required.

3.         City Council direct the builder to undertake to provide in any new Purchase and Sale Agreements for any residential units to be located on the lands known as 14 and 20 Strachan Avenue, 39 and 51 East Liberty Street and 19 Western Battery Road a written "Buyer Beware" notice to all the future buyers of the residential units stating that an illuminated third party ground sign of such size and height is located to the south of these buildings.

This report reviews and makes recommendations on a request by Bill Dalton of IBI Group, on behalf of 863880 Ontario Limited c/o David Moscovitz, for a site specific amendment to Chapter 694, Signs, General, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code to permit for the erection of a ground sign on the premises municipally known as 14 Strachan Avenue, on the following conditions: the permit for the erection and display of the sign is non-renewable and shall expire on March 31, 2018, and that the existing roof sign located approximately 80 metres to the west on the same premises is removed.

The proposed amendment will result in the elimination of a large format third party roof sign from the Gardiner Corridor.  The proposal will also result in the eventual removal of a large format third party ground sign, furthering the objectives of Chapter 694, with respect to the protection of panoramic views of the City’s skyline, and will ensure that signage will reflect the increasingly residential nature of the area upon conclusion of the redevelopment of the area.

Staff recommend approval of the application for a Sign By-law amendment in general accordance with the specific permission previously contemplated by City staff and approved by City Council.

The General Manager of Transportation Services recommends that:

1.         The amendments to City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 441, Fees and Charges, and to City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 693, Signs be adopted substantially in the form set out in Attachment 1, subject to such minor stylistic and substantive changes as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the General Manager of Transportation Services or the City Solicitor.

2.         Staff be directed to take any necessary actions to implement and otherwise put into effect the above recommendations.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee of June 16, 2010 requested the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with appropriate staff to report back to the Planning and Growth Management Committee on:

1.         An appeal mechanism that would allow local Community Councils to over-ride staff approval for hoarding advertising; and,

2.         A fee structure to ensure full cost recovery for inspection and processing costs associated with this policy.

This report recommends amendments to Chapter 693, Signs, of the Toronto Municipal Code implementing a harmonized, City-wide approach to regulate the display of first party signs on construction hoarding erected within the public right-of-way.

The Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building recommends that:

1.         City Council amend Section 693-6(A) of City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 694, Signs, General, by adding (9) to exclude certain non-illuminated signs on hospitals from the requirements to obtain a permit, substantially in accordance with the Administrative Design attached as Appendix A to the report (August 3, 2010) from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building.

2.         City Council authorize the City Solicitor be authorized to prepare the necessary Bills for introduction in Council to implement the above recommendations, subject to such stylistic and technical changes to the draft bills as may be required.

Toronto Building estimates a non-material loss of revenues from sign permit fees associated with exempting these sign types, as recommended.  There are approximately one to two sign permit applications received per year for these large-format “banners” associated with charitable and/or fundraising activities, constituting approximately one half of one percent of the total estimated annual sign permit revenues collected by Toronto Building.

The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that:

1.         City Council adopt the Site Plan Control By-law substantially in accordance with the draft Site Plan Control By-law attached as Attachment 1 to the report (July 15, 2010) 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 draft Site Plan Control By-law as may be required.

Section 114 of the City of Toronto Act provides two additional Site Plan Control powers dealing with exterior design and sustainability of buildings, as well as sustainable design elements in the public right-of-way adjacent to a development site.  The Act requires provisions in the Official Plan and a Site Plan Control By-law to use these powers.

Official Plan Amendment No. 66 incorporated policies, unshaded text and sidebars into the Official Plan with respect to these additional Site Plan Control powers.  City Council directed the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to bring forward the required Site Plan Control By-law amendment once Official Plan Amendment No. 66 came into effect.  The Ontario Municipal Board approved Official Plan Amendment No. 66, as modified, in April 2010.

This report recommends a Site Plan Control By-law containing exterior design and sustainability provisions applicable to development subject to Site Plan Control.  A by-law must be enacted by City Council in order to use these additional Site Plan Control powers.

The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that:

1.         City Council approve the final Percent for Public Art Program Guidelines, attached to the report (July 27, 2010) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, for implementation by City Staff.

The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that:

1.         City Council endorse this study approach, to be pursued as part of City Planning’s 2011 work plan, and 2011 Capital Budget submission.

The purpose of this report is to seek direction from City Council on the Yonge-Eglinton Urban Design Study, as directed by City Council at its meeting on January 26 and 27, 2010.  The study will be prepared by City Planning Staff assisted by consultants and will involve public consultation, which will commence in 2011.  A staff working group is being established with representatives from Community Planning, Urban Design, Urban Forestry, Transportation Planning and Parks and Recreation. 

The study area will include all lands referred to as Area A in City of Toronto By-law 623-2010.  The area may expand following consultation with area residents and councillors.  The study will complement the work that has previously been done for the Yonge-Eglinton Focused Review Study completed in 2009 and endorsed by Council. 

The study will examine existing conditions and work with area residents to develop a vision for the Centre in accordance with the City of Toronto’s Official Plan. 

The study will include, but will not be limited to the following elements as directed by City Council:

-           Parks, Open Spaces and Natural Features
-           Street Network
-           Pedestrian & Bicycle Circulation
-           Transit Circulation
-           Vehicular Circulation
-           Built-Form
-           Character and Identity
-           Street Frontages and Character
-           Gateways and Landmark Features
-           Revitalization Areas

The study will be considered for the 2011 Capital Budget. The estimated cost of hiring consultants to assist with this work is $125,000.  City Planning does not have sufficient staff resources to do this work without consulting assistance.

There are no financial implications for this study at this time.

The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that:

1.         City Council direct staff to report back to Toronto City Council with a completed Policies and Terms of Reference and for Designating HCDs in Toronto after scheduling community consultations for interested parties, and the public at large, to obtain their comments and feedback regarding the draft document.

The Toronto Preservation Board recommended to the Planning and Growth Management Committee that:

1.         City Council direct staff to report back to Toronto City Council with a completed Policies and Terms of Reference and for Designating HCDs in Toronto after scheduling community consultations for interested parties, and the public at large, to obtain their comments and feedback regarding the draft document.

2.         City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to expand the notification guidelines to include adjacent property owners, neighbouring resident groups and Local Business Improvement Associations.

The Toronto Preservation Board on July 29, 2010, considered the following:

1.         Report (July 16, 2010) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, respecting Draft Policies and Terms of Reference for Designating Heritage Conservation Districts in Toronto; and

2.         Communication (July 29, 2010) from Richard Longley, Harbord Village Heritage Conservation District.

The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that:

1.          City Council approve the alterations to the heritage property at 279-283 Yonge Street, substantially in accordance with Drawings W1.0-1, W2.0-2a, W2.00-3a, W2.0-4a and W2.0-6a dated June 11, 2010, W2.0-1 dated August 15, 2006,  W2.0-2, W2.0-3 and W2.0-4 dated September 21, 2009, all prepared by Kramer Design Associates, date stamped received by Heritage Preservation Services June 6, 2010, and on file with the Manager, Heritage Preservation Services; and the  Heritage Impact Assessment, “279–283 Yonge Street, Signage Proposal Review / Heritage Impact Assessment, January 27, 2008 revised October 5 2009, June 15 2010” (HIA), prepared by ERA Architects Inc., date stamped received by Heritage Preservation Services June 6, 2010 on file with the Manager, Heritage Preservation Services, subject to the following conditions:

a.         Prior to the issuance of a sign permit for roof-top signs on the heritage property located at 279-283 Yonge Street, including a permit for the demolition/removal of existing signs and erection of new signs, the owner shall provide the following to the satisfaction of the Manger, Heritage Preservation Services:

i.          sign permit construction drawings;

ii.         final signage plan, heritage interpretation plan and lighting plan for the exterior of the heritage building;

iii.        heritage conservation drawings and specifications for heritage conservation work to implement the conservation plan referenced in the Heritage Impact Assessment, to be prepared by a qualified heritage consultant;

iv.        Letter of Credit, in a form and an amount satisfactory to the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division, to secure all work included in the Heritage Impact Assessment;

b.         Prior to the release of the Letter of Credit, the owner shall provide the following to the satisfaction of the Manager, Heritage Preservation Services:

i.          a notice of substantial completion for the heritage conservation work, signed by the Heritage Consultant;

ii.         implementation of the heritage interpretation plan.

2.         Such approval be conditional on the necessary amendment to Chapter 694, Signs, General, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code being approved by City Council.

This report recommends that City Council approve the proposed alterations to the heritage property at 279-283 Yonge Street subject to the applicant satisfying certain conservation related conditions as well as obtaining a site-specific amendment to Chapter 694, Signs, General, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code.

The application describes a proposal to erect large format third party signs on the roof of the building. The proposed roof sign replaces an existing roof sign, and is intended to contain five sign faces, each of various dimensions and each utilizing various methods of sign copy display, along with an architectural light column.  The building itself is located at the south-easterly corner of Dundas Square and Yonge Street, framing the southern boundary of Yonge-Dundas Square.

While roof signs are generally prohibited under Chapter 694, Signs, General, and third party signs are prohibited on all heritage properties within the city, the subject property is located within the Yonge-Dundas Special Sign District, where Chapter 694 permits the erection and display of certain roof signs. In addition, City Council at its meeting of April 29, 30, 2009 approved the adoption, in principle, of portions of the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area (DYBIA)’s “Signage Vision for the Downtown Yonge Strip,” which included the guideline that third party signs were allowable on some heritage properties within the vision area so long as commitments were made to the long term conservation of the property.

This report recommends that City Council approve the application with conditions for heritage conservation work and heritage interpretation of the property.

The Toronto Preservation Board recommends that:

1.          City Council approve the alterations to the heritage property at 279-283 Yonge Street, substantially in accordance with Drawings W1.0-1, W2.0-2a, W2.00-3a, W2.0-4a and W2.0-6a dated June 11, 2010, W2.0-1 dated August 15, 2006,  W2.0-2, W2.0-3 and W2.0-4 dated September 21, 2009, all prepared by Kramer Design Associates, date stamped received by Heritage Preservation Services June 6, 2010, and on file with the Manager, Heritage Preservation Services; and the  Heritage Impact Assessment, “279–283 Yonge Street, Signage Proposal Review / Heritage Impact Assessment, January 27, 2008 revised October 5 2009, June 15 2010” (HIA), prepared by ERA Architects Inc., date stamped received by Heritage Preservation Services June 6, 2010 on file with the Manager, Heritage Preservation Services, subject to the following conditions:

a.         Prior to the issuance of a sign permit for roof-top signs on the heritage property located at 279-283 Yonge Street, including a permit for the demolition/removal of existing signs and erection of new signs, the owner shall provide the following to the satisfaction of the Manger, Heritage Preservation Services:

i.          sign permit construction drawings;

ii.         final signage plan, heritage interpretation plan and lighting plan for the exterior of the heritage building;

iii.        heritage conservation drawings and specifications for heritage conservation work to implement the conservation plan referenced in the Heritage Impact Assessment, to be prepared by a qualified heritage consultant;

iv.        Letter of Credit, in a form and an amount satisfactory to the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division, to secure all work included in the Heritage Impact Assessment;

b.         Prior to the release of the Letter of Credit, the owner shall provide the following to the satisfaction of the Manager, Heritage Preservation Services:

i.          a notice of substantial completion for the heritage conservation work, signed by the Heritage Consultant;

ii.         implementation of the heritage interpretation plan.

2.         Such approval be conditional on the necessary amendment to Chapter 694, Signs, General, of the City of Toronto Municipal Code being approved by City Council.

The Chief Planner and Executive Director of City Planning Division recommends that:

1.         Council direct staff to continue discussions with Vaughan staff to ensure that the draft Vaughan Official Plan will provide certainty to the City of Toronto that development in the Steeles corridor and in the Yonge-Steeles Secondary Plan will not have an adverse impact on the City’s services and infrastructure.

2.         Council direct staff to report further on the outcome of these discussions and recommendations for any further action the City may need to take.

The City of Vaughan has requested comments on a draft new Official Plan for the City.

The Plan provides for extensive development on the north side of Steeles Avenue and also in the Yonge corridor north of Steeles Avenue. This development is premised on extending the Spadina subway to Highway 7, extending the Yonge subway or providing other rapid transit on Yonge Street up to Highway 7 and providing higher order transit along Steeles Avenue. While the Spadina extension is fully committed, the Yonge extension has not yet received any funding commitment and is not high priority for the City and the TTC; and the higher order transit on Steeles is even less of a priority.

Until there is a commitment to funding transit improvements in the Yonge and Steeles Corridors, Toronto needs assurance that development in these corridors will not have an adverse impact on Toronto’s services and infrastructure. Staff have presented these concerns to Vaughan staff and had initial discussions towards their resolution. This report recommends that staff continue discussions with Vaughan staff to ensure that the new Vaughan Official Plan addresses these issues to Toronto’s satisfaction.

The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that:

1.         The Planning and Growth Management Committee receive the report’s findings and advise Council of these findings with the intention of having Council determine next steps to follow with regard to making a decision as to whether to proceed with implementing a local appeal body for Committee of Adjustment minor variance and consent decisions.

At its meeting of June 5, 2008, the Planning and Growth Management Committee directed the establishment of a Councillor-Staff Working Group to develop the structure for an appeal body or panel to hear appeals of Committee of Adjustment decisions on minor variance and consent applications and to report back to the PGM Committee.

Several Working Group meetings were held and an analysis of best practices conducted by City Planning in conjunction with other city staff, including staff from Legal Services, the City Manager’s Office and Facilities Management, in consideration of this matter.

The purpose of this report is to provide the PGM Committee with an overview of cost and staffing implications associated with establishing and operating a local appeal panel to hear appeals of Committee of Adjustment decisions that would be suitable for further examination and implementation by the incoming Council.

There are no immediate financial implications associated with this report. However, there would be future year financial impacts, in the event that Council chose to proceed with establishing and operating a local appeal body for Committee of Adjustment decisions, including different financial implications related to Council choosing either complete or partial cost recovery through local appeal body application fees.

Further to the findings in this report, the one-time start-up costs of establishing a local appeal body would be in the order of $261,050. Gross operating costs are estimated to be $1,866,452 per year (2010 dollars). The gross operating costs include $287,250 in panel members remuneration; $656,752 in support staff salaries and benefits; $147,000 for legal counsel; $532,000 for the office operating expenses, including rent and $243,450 in contingency costs. Full cost recovery of the operating costs would be achieved through application fees of $6,200 per application, based on the receipt of at least 300 appeal applications per year. Council could also give consideration to having these application fees incorporate the $261,050 in start-up costs of establishing a local appeal body.

In the event that Council chose to proceed with establishing this appeal body, all cost estimates would be reviewed and considered as part of the 2011 (or future year) operating budget process.

The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.

The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning recommends that:

1.         City Council approve awards for the 2010 Toronto Heritage Grant Program for the 12 heritage properties in the City of Toronto, as set out below, to assist in funding the scope of restoration work generally described in Attachment No. 1 of the report (July 12, 2010) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Toronto Heritage Grant Program previously approved by City Council:

a.         76 Amelia Street, house, $7,250;

b.         1 Austin Terrace, museum, $15,250;

c.         114 Bedford Road, house, $10,000;

d.         21 Elm Avenue, house, $10,000;

e.         2 Gloucester Street, commercial building, $25,000;

f.          44 King Street West, institutional building, $27,500;

g.         6 Laurier Avenue, house, $2,500;

h.         100 McCaul Street, institutional, $25,000;

i.          56 Queen Street East, institutional, $30,000;

j.          32 Spruce Street, house, $5,000;

k.         7 Winchester Street, house, $10,000; and

l.          80 Winchester Street, institutional building, $42,500.

2.         The use of the grant awards outlined in Recommendation 1 of the report (July 12, 2010) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, be limited to only the proposed restoration work approved by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division, and that issuing of the grant award be subject to the grant recipient satisfying all conditions as set out in the Letter of Understanding between the City and the grant recipient.

The Toronto Preservation Board recommended to the Planning and Growth Management Committee that:

1.         City Council approve awards for the 2010 Toronto Heritage Grant Program for the 12 heritage properties in the City of Toronto, as set out below, to assist in funding the scope of restoration work generally described in Attachment No. 1 of the report (July 12, 2010) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Toronto Heritage Grant Program previously approved by City Council:

a.         76 Amelia Street, house, $7,250;
b.         1 Austin Terrace, museum, $15,250;
c.         114 Bedford Road, house, $10,000;
d.         21 Elm Avenue, house, $10,000;
e.         2 Gloucester Street, commercial building, $25,000;
f.          44 King Street West, institutional building, $27,500;
g.         6 Laurier Avenue, house, $2,500;
h.         100 McCaul Street, institutional, $25,000;
i.          56 Queen Street East, institutional, $30,000;
j.          32 Spruce Street, house, $5,000;
k.         7 Winchester Street, house, $10,000; and
l.          80 Winchester Street, institutional building, $42,500.

2.         The use of the grant awards outlined in Recommendation 1 of the report (July 12, 2010) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, be limited to only the proposed restoration work approved by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and that issuing of the grant award be subject to the grant recipient satisfying all conditions as set out in the Letter of Understanding between the City and the grant recipient.

The Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building recommends:

1.         That authority be granted for the introduction of a Bill revising the list of appointed Inspectors under the Building Code Act, 1992.

North York Community Council, at its meeting on August 17, 2010:

1.         Referred the following recommendations to the Planning and Growth Management Committee:

a.         that the City Planning Division, in collaboration with Heritage Toronto, undertake a comprehensive audit of all places of worship within the City of Toronto;

b.         that this audit be based on a dialogue with the faith community;

c.         that faith groups be asked to list all places of worship within their denomination and work with the City Planning Division and Heritage Toronto to determine which buildings merit designation and in what order of priority;

d.         that once that list is established it can become a planning framework for both the City and the religious denominations themselves, that can better assist in the preservation of important heritage structures than the present system.

2.         Requested the Planning and Growth Management Committee to consider the above-noted recommendations at its meeting on August 19, 2010.