Item - 2011.TE5.53

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1.         Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with other Divisions as required, to carry out an area study for the lands abutting the CN railway that forms the western boundary of Ward 18 (generally defined in the map attached to the letter dated March 3, 2011, from Councillor Bailão), which will:

-           Review the transportation network, including the potential for reconfiguration and expansion of the public road network.

-           Review potential improvements to the pedestrian and bicycle network, including the expansion of, and connections to, the West Toronto Rail Path.

-           Identify potential locations for new parks and open spaces and/or the expansion of existing parks and open spaces.

-           Identify deficiencies in community services in the area.

-           Identify incentives to encourage employment uses in the areas identified as Employment Areas within the study area.

-           Be complementary to the Municipal Comprehensive Review now underway as part of the 5-year Official Plan review.

2.         Requested City Planning staff, together with the Ward Councillor's office, to consult with the community, including landowners and other stakeholder groups as part of this study.

3.         Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report back to the Toronto and East York Community Council in one year on the area study for the lands abutting the CN railway that forms the western boundary of Ward 18.

City Planning staff have started the 5-year review of the Official Plan including a Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) of all Employment Lands. A number of these Employment Lands are adjacent to the rail corridor that forms the western boundary of Ward 18. These lands continue to support employment, including the Nestlé plant with over 475 employees. To complement the MCR, it is important that the City consider the physical and community infrastructure of the area along with the potential to better connect these lands to the surrounding area.

This will allow City staff to respond proactively to any proposals in the area and plan for long term investment in, and revitalization of, these lands. I am therefore requesting that the Chief Planner initiate an area study that addresses these objectives.