Item - 2007.PE11.3

Tracking Status

This item will be considered by Parks and Environment Committee on November 28, 2007. It will be considered by City Council on December 11, 2007, subject to the actions of the Parks and Environment Committee.

PE11.3 - Alternative Parkland Dedication By-law

Presentation

Consideration Type:: ACTION

Wards:: All

Origin

(November 14, 2007) Report from General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation

Recommendations

The General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation recommends that:

1. The City Solicitor be authorized to introduce a Bill to amend Municipal Code, Chapter 415, Development of Land, to provide for the Official Plan alternative parkland dedication rate of 0.4 hectares per 300 units that will be applied to proposals for residential development and for the residential portion of mixed use development in the parkland acquisition priority areas identified in Attachment 1 to this report and in accordance with Official Plan policies.

Summary

The City of Toronto Official Plan introduced a new city-wide alternative parkland dedication policy in 2005. Although in effect, the alternative parkland dedication policy has not been applied to date in accordance with a two year transition period implemented at the time of approval to permit residential development applications in the �pipeline� ample opportunity to reach the building permit stage and to fulfil park levy obligations under the Official Plan terms of the former municipalities. The two year transition period expires at the end of 2007 and this report recommends the adoption of an Alternative Parkland Dedication By-law for January 1, 2008 to enact the Official Plan policy.

The Alternative Parkland Dedication By-law will apply to residential development in the residential portion of mixed use development in areas of the City where parkland acquisition priority areas have been identified.

Financial Impact

The alternative Parkland Dedication By-law will have a financial impact through cash-in-lieu parkland dedication payments through the alternative rate structure. Details of this financial impact are being assessed and will be included in a report to the Parks and Environment Committee after the first quarter of 2008.

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

Background Information

(November 14, 2007) Report and Attachment 1 from General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation - Alternative Parkland Dedication By-law
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-8852.pdf
Attachment 1(a) - Parkland Acquisition Priority Areas
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-8925.pdf