Item - 2012.PG17.8
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by the Planning and Growth Management Committee on September 13, 2012. The Committee received the item for information only. No further action will be taken on this item.
PG17.8 - Rental Replacement in Mid-Rise Developments on the Avenues - Official Plan Review
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Received
- Wards:
- All
Committee Decision
The Planning and Growth Management Committee received the item for information.
Origin
Summary
As part of the 5 Year Official Plan Review, City Council requested staff to review the feasibility of replacing rental housing in new mid-rise development on sites along the City’s Avenues that have existing residential rental housing. The Official Plan identifies Avenues as one area where growth of new housing and jobs should be directed. Many segments of the Avenues are characterized by low-rise buildings with retail on the ground floor and residential units above. There are also many low-rise rental apartments along the Avenues. The purpose of the study was to examine whether the Official Plan rental replacement policies – which require the replacement of existing rental housing where there are six or more units – may be impeding redevelopment of the Avenues.
The study, prepared by the team of N. Barry Lyon consultants and DTAH architects, looked at six test sites across the City. Copies of the full report will be available at the meeting and posted to the City's Official Plan Review website, www.toronto.ca/opreview. Using massing envelopes and a comprehensive financial analysis for each site, the consultant’s study found that market conditions were the greatest impediment to building mid-rise along the Avenues, with or without the requirement to replace existing rental housing. The study found that the Official Plan rental replacement policies were not a substantive constraint to redevelopment along the Avenues.
The study reinforces the continued need to preserve and maintain affordable rental housing in the City and clearly articulates that the Official Plan rental replacement policies are not an excessive encumbrance on redevelopment on the Avenues and do not inhibit development from taking place.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-49732.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/pg/comm/communicationfile-31540.pdf