Item - 2012.EY13.3

Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that:

1.         City Council endorse the revitalization approach identified and outlined in the report (February 1, 2012) from the Director, Community Planning, Etobicoke York District and the Director, Community Resources, Social Development, Finance and Administration.

2.         City Council direct that further community consultation be undertaken in order to present and prioritize initiatives, next steps and engage residents, wherever possible in the implementation.  This community consultation may include workshops, a charette and stakeholder meetings regarding the opportunities represented by the proposed Eglinton Crosstown LRT in the Mount Dennis and Black Creek Drive area, with officials from City Planning, the Toronto Transit Commission and Metrolinx invited to participate.

3.         City Council confirm that Social Development, Finance and Administration (SDFA) be the division lead to oversee and coordinate an inter-divisional Project Management Team (PMT) to coordinate City programs and project/initiatives that will contribute to the revitalization of the Weston community.

The Weston community has become a focus of interest for examining opportunities to attract private investment and redevelopment due to Metrolinx's mandate to increase regional GO Train service, redevelop the existing GO Transit station in the area, and implement infrastructure for the Union Pearson Air Rail Link (ARL).  These infrastructure investments present a unique opportunity for revitalization of the community.

In an effort to revitalize the neighbourhood, City staff have identified the need to coordinate all of the City initiatives in the area.  The Weston 2021 Revitalization Strategy is a long-term neighbourhood approach aimed at guiding reinvestment, redevelopment and capital improvements.  This approach will build on existing community services and infrastructure development actions of City divisions and community partners.  This strategy focuses on the area bounded by Humber River to the west, Church Street to the north, Victoria Avenue to the south and Rosemount Avenue / Sam Frustaglio Drive to the east, in the Weston neighbourhood.

This report provides a summary and update on City and agency initiatives in the Weston community.  Further, it recommends that Council endorse the revitalization approach and the establishment of an inter-divisional implementation team to coordinate the revitalization initiatives in the community of Weston. 

This report has been written in consultation with the City Manager's Office and those City divisions that will be participating in the Weston 2021 Revitalization Strategy.