The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1.         Attachment 1 of the report (April 29, 2010) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, be deleted and replaced with the Attachment 1 submitted by Councillor Vaughan, which amends Schedule A by adding the following:

"Chapter 6, Section 14 (Garrison Common North Secondary Plan) is amended by deleting Sections 9.2 and 9.3."

2.         City Council amend the Official Plan for the City of Toronto substantially in accordance with the draft Official Plan Amendment in Attachment 1 as amended above, appended to the report (April 29, 2010) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

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

The Planning and Growth Management Committee held a public meeting on May 19, 2010, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee requested staff from Economic Development and Culture and City Planning to work with Morgan Solar to assist in relocation and retention of the company in Toronto, including exploring possible assistance through tax grants and other City led initiatives.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1.         Attachment 1:  Draft Official Plan Amendment appended to the report (April 27, 2010) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, be amended by:

-           deleting Clause 4;

-           deleting Schedule "2";

so that Map 5, Surface Priority Network, is not amended with respect to Progress Avenue.

2.         City Council amend the Official Plan substantially in accordance with the revised Attachment 1:  Draft Official Plan Amendment appended to the report (April 27, 2010) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

3.         City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft official plan amendment as may be required.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee held a public meeting on May 19, 2010, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee:

1.         Directed the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to incorporate the following changes into the final version of the new Zoning By-law:

Industrial zone categories:

a.         Add a NEW Section 60.20.20.1 (2) to read:

Interpreting Permitted Manufacturing Uses in the E Zone

Despite regulation 1.20.2 (11) a manufacturing use is permitted generally in the E zone and regulations 60.20.20.10 (1) and 60.20.20.20 (1) lists specific manufacturing uses that are not permitted in the E zone.

b.         Add a NEW Section 60.30.20.1 (2) to read:

Interpreting Permitted Manufacturing Uses in the EH Zone

Despite regulation 1.20.2 (11) a manufacturing use is permitted generally in the EH zone and regulations 60.30.20.10 (1) and 60.30.20.20 (1) lists specific manufacturing uses that are not permitted in the EH zone.

c.         Revise Section 60.5.1.10 (3) to read:

Gross Floor Area Calculations for Manufacturing Uses in Employment Industrial Zones

Despite the definition of gross floor area in this By-law, for the purposes of calculating the floor space index for a lot in an Employment Industrial Zone category, the gross floor area of a building used for manufacturing use, does not include storage rooms or washroom in the basement, voids at the level of each floor, such as an atrium, mezzanine, stairwell, escalator, elevator, ventilation duct, utility shaft, utility areas used for the purposes of servicing the building, or structures associated with equipment, such as catwalks or service platforms.

d.         Revise Section 60.20.20.100 (2) to read:

Ancillary Office Condition in E Zone

In an E zone, the maximum interior floor area on a lot used for ancillary office to a manufacturing use is the lesser of:

49% of the interior floor area of the building; or

a floor space index of 0.5.

e.         Revise Section 60.30.20.100 to read:

Ancillary Office Condition in EH Zone

In an EH zone, the maximum interior floor area on a lot used for ancillary office to a manufacturing use is the lesser of:

10% of the interior floor area of the building; or

a floor space index of 0.1.

f.          Revise Section 60.20.20.100 (4) to read:

Ancillary Retail Store Condition (in E Zone)

In an E zone, an ancillary retail store is only permitted with a permitted manufacturing use and the interior floor area devoted to ancillary retail store does not exceed 20% of the total gross floor area of a permitted manufacturing use on the lot.

An ancillary retail store on a lot must be delineated by a floor-to-ceiling partition wall from the manufacturing use to prevent public access from these latter uses.

g.         Revise Section 60.10.20.30 (5) to read:

Ancillary Retail Store or Ancillary Eating Establishment Condition (in EL Zone)

In an EL zone, an ancillary retail store, ancillary eating establishment, or ancillary take-out eating establishment is only permitted with a permitted manufacturing use and the total interior floor area devoted to ancillary retail, ancillary eating establishment, or ancillary take-out eating establishment may not individually or in combination on a lot exceed 20% of the total gross floor area of a permitted manufacturing use on the lot.

An ancillary retail store, ancillary eating establishment or ancillary take-out eating establishment individually or in combination on a lot must be delineated by a floor-to-ceiling partition wall from the manufacturing use to prevent public access from these ancillary uses.

h.         Revise Section 60.5.75. 1 (1) by removing the words “cogeneration energy device”.

i.          Revise Section 60.5.80.1 (1) by removing the words “an atrium” and adding the works “and associated voids” after the words “utility areas”.

j.          Revise Section 60.5.80.1 by adding a new section the same as  60.5.80.1 that addresses the Calculation of Loading Spaces.

k.         Remove Sections 60.10.20.1, 60.20.20.1, 60.30.20.1, 60.40.20.1, 60.50.20.1,  50.10.20.1 150.200, 150.200.20 as they reference chemical separation distances.

l.          Revise Sections 60.10.80.200 (1)(B), 60.20.80.200 (1)(B), 60.30.80.200 (1)(B) and 60.40.80.200 (1)(B) by adding the words “as per the land uses listed in Table 200.5.10.10” after the words “change in use”.

m.        Nightclubs not be permitted in buildings that abut properties zoned for residential use including mixed use buildings

2.         Directed that the changes to the draft new Zoning By-law as discussed in the report (May 14, 2010) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning be incorporated into the final version of the By-law.

3.         For a trial three-year period in PA1 (Downtown and Central Waterfront), the minimum vehicle parking requirement for new developments may be reduced at a rate of 1 vehicle parking space for every 5 bicycle parking spaces provided in excess of the minimum required amount of bicycle parking by up to a maximum of 20% of the minimum number of required vehicle parking spaces.

4.         Requested the General Manager of Transportation Services, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee on the proposal to introduce payment in lieu for bicycle parking in the City’s mixed-use growth areas as defined by Parking Policy Areas 1, 2, 3, and 4.

5.         Directed the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to continue working with Toronto Industry Network, South Etobicoke Industrial Employers Association and other industry representatives to resolve issues and bring forward any recommended changes in time for the June 16, 2010 statutory public meeting.

6.         Directed that the decision of Planning and Growth Management to roll Fraternity and Sorority Houses into the rooming House Licensing regime be forwarded to Licensing staff and ask staff to report to the Licensing and Standards Committee to enact this change.

7.         Referred the submission from the Canadian Petroleum Products Institute to the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning with the request that he report back on revisions to Section 150.80.20(2) of the Draft By-law that would consider locating stacking lanes in front yards or exterior side yards where the sites are larger than 1,350 square metres or are located in areas without residential or other sensitive land uses.

8.         Directed that the next draft of the New Zoning By-law to be released on May 27, 2010 be prepared in both clear text and text with revisions noted.

9.         Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee in the fall of 2011 on updating the City's Harmonized Zoning By-law, taking into account any relevant changes to provincial policy, legislation or regulations, and make any further recommendations concerning distancing issues for residential land uses.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee directed that:

1.         No Avenue Studies be undertaken in 2010.

2.         The Chief Planner report to the  Planning and Growth Management Committee in the first quarter of 2011 recommending which Avenue studies should be undertaken in 2011.

3.         No Avenue study be undertaken on Weston Road between Humber Boulevard and Ray Avenue at this time.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee:

1.         deferred consideration of the item until its meeting on June 16, 2010;

2.         referred the following motion 2 by Councillor Filion to the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, for consideration and report to that meeting:

"2.        Prior to further consideration of this report:

a.         Staff be directed to show concern for the stability of neighbourhoods and protections existing in the Official Plan, not only the width of adjoining roads.

b.         Recommendation 5 of the report (May 4, 2010) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, be deleted and be replaced with the following:

5.         in accordance with the motion (PG26.2 - Recommendation 12) adopted by City Council on September 30 and October 1, 2009, in relation to the St. Clair Avenue West (between Bathurst and Keele) Avenue Study,  that the Chief Planner be directed as follows:

a.         Enhancement Zones only be considered as a local solution after being approved for consideration by Community Council following a Community Council process to determine that sufficient community consultation has occurred and the community is in support; and

b.         in the absence of such community support, the 45 degree angular plane from the rear property line adjacent to a neighbourhood shall determine the maximum height of the building."

The purpose of this report is to update the Planning and Growth Management Committee on the status of the ‘Avenues and Mid-Rise Building Action Plan’.

The Action Plan consists of a number of components to encourage the reurbanization of Toronto’s Avenues.  It includes the Avenues & Mid-Rise Buildings Study prepared by Brook Mcllroy Planning + Urban Design/Pace Architects with E.R.A. Architects, Quadrangle Architects Limited and Urban Marketing Collaborative, and consultations with members of the Mid-Rise Buildings Interdivisional Team, various stakeholders and the public. This report provides updates on these initiatives and makes recommendations related to implementation.

Toronto's Avenues are an integral part of the urban fabric.  Avenues serve as social and commercial centres and are intimately linked to the identity and vitality of the neighbourhoods that surround them.  They are also part of Toronto's Official Plan growth management strategy and therefore it is important to anticipate and set the stage for an appropriate, typically mid-rise, form of development.  In the City of Toronto, mid-rise buildings are defined in relation to the adjacent street or Avenue and can rise no taller than the street ‘right-of-way’, which is generally between 4 and 11 storeys.

The Official Plan vision for Toronto's Avenues is one of vibrant, tree-lines streets, wide sun-lit sidewalks, framed by well designed and contextually sensitive mid-rise buildings that support an active street life by providing a variety of retail and community uses at the ground floor level.  Mid-rise buildings are an integral part of the City’s past, present and future built form and they also help to achieve the growth targets while enhancing and revitalizing existing neighbourhoods.

The implementation of the Avenues’ vision has been dependant on individual Avenues Studies, sixteen of which have been completed across the city to date. Even with new as-of-right zoning in those areas, there has been a slow response from the development community. A faster and more pro-active ‘Action Plan’ was deemed appropriate to put new housing and jobs close to existing transit and infrastructure.  This report, the Consultant study, the ongoing work of the Mid-Rise Building Interdivisional Team, and other related city initiatives together form the ‘Action Plan’.

The consultant’s Avenues & Mid-Rise Building Study provides guidance about the future built form of the Avenues through suggested Performance Standards which will provide the foundation for new zoning regulations and urban design guidelines for mid-rise buildings that respect individual characteristics.

This report recommends that staff use the Mid-Rise Performance Standards in reviewing proposals for a two year monitoring period. During the monitoring period, an implementation strategy will be developed which will include a review of existing zoning, the statutory 5 year review of the Official Plan, and the new Urban Design Handbook, in order to incorporate the Performance Standards in guidelines, policies or new as-of-right zoning.

By the end of the two year monitoring period, staff will report back to the Planning and Growth Management Committee on the effectiveness of the Performance Standards and potential implementation measures as appropriate and necessary.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee:

1.         Directed the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to schedule community consultation with interested representatives from stakeholder groups, such as the Toronto Industry Network and the South Etobicoke Industrial Employers Association, and the public at-large to obtain their comments on Employment Areas policies and the proposed Official Plan Amendment in Attachment 1 of the report (May 3, 2010) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

2.         Directed that notice of the public meeting under the Planning Act be given in accordance with the regulations under the Planning Act.

3.         Authorized and directed the appropriate City Officials to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee:

1.         Directed that notice of public meeting under the Planning Act be given in accordance with the regulations under the Planning Act with the public meeting targeted for the August meeting of Planning and Growth Management Committee.

2.         Directed that the proposed Official Plan Amendment be substantially the same as that in Attachment 1 of the report (May 4, 2010) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council postpone the Heritage Tax Rebate Program for the 2010 tax year until such time as a full review of the program is completed and presented to Council and any changes to the program can be implemented.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council authorize the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the City Solicitor to:

a.         send staff to Ontario Municipal Board hearings on matters of concern to the City; and

b.         request the Ontario Municipal Board to postpone scheduling hearings of matters of concern to members of City Council, to allow City Council to consider and take a position on those matters as needed, during the period between September 2010 and December 2010 when Council is not meeting due to the Municipal Election.

2.         City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to submit a status report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee and to each Community Council on the use of delegated authority during the election period.

3.         City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to consult with City Councillors on any Ontario Municipal Board attendance, and that individual Councillors who wish to have the City initiate an appeal, support or oppose an appeal or request a deferral, may formally file requests with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning on matters that are time sensitive.

4.         City Council authorize and direct the appropriate City officials to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee deferred the item to the June 16, 2010 meeting to give Notice of Public Meeting.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee of April 14, 2009 requested the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with appropriate staff to report further on:

1.         definition of hoarding specifying that it must be a continuous enclosure;

2.         a provision which regulates the timing of the erection of construction hoarding in relation to the applicant obtaining demolition and building permits, so that hoarding cannot be erected prematurely or remain when no construction activity is taking place; and

3.         information on the market value of first party advertising on hoarding, to assist the Committee and Council in the event that it wishes to increase revenue for the use of City property for first party advertising on construction hoarding.

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 attachment to this report contains the "Building Permit Fees 2009 Annual Report" for the 12‑month period ending December 31, 2009.

Under the Building Code Statute Law Amendment Act, the City is required to report on the 2009 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.