Item - 2012.PG18.3

The Planning and Growth Management Committee:

1.         Directed Planning staff working on the Eglinton Planning Study to provide comments on all applications in the corridor as they come forward during the study period.

This report is intended to provide an update on the progress of the Eglinton Planning Study and to brief City Council on the anticipated deliverables and timing.

Metrolinx is building the Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, which will run from Black Creek Drive/Weston Road and Eglinton Avenue to Sheppard Avenue and Markham Road.  This investment in LRT provides a rare opportunity to create a truly transit-supportive, urbanized Avenue stretching across the centre of the City.

The Planning Study will deal primarily with Eglinton Avenue from Jane Street to Kennedy Road.  A vision for the future of this part of Eglinton Avenue is being developed by a dedicated Study Team.  The Team has begun an extensive process involving public consultation, research, and interdivisional collaboration.

The Team will generate a fresh urban design and land use plan for Eglinton Avenue which respects and provides for all users: pedestrians, cars, shoppers, bikes, trucks, businesses, visitors and residents.

The Study will point the way to a safe and comfortable environment served by well-planned LRT stations for citizens at all stages of life.  It will guide future decisions about public and private development and investment.  It will lay out the steps required to achieve this vision while remaining sensitive to the diversity of Eglinton's history, character, culture, geography and businesses.

A Final Report with recommendations for implementation will be presented to City Council in the first quarter of 2014.