Item - 2013.TE28.9

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1.         City Council adopt the Study, entitled "Besides the Tracks: Knitting the Rail Corridor Back to the Community", attached at Attachment 1 to the report (November 4, 2013) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

2.         City Council direct City Staff to use this framework to review development applications as well as infrastructure investment in the long-term for the lands within the Study Area.

3.         City Council request the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District, in consultation with appropriate City Divisions, to report back in the first quarter of 2014 on an implementation strategy, including quick hits to move forward with elements of the "Besides the Tracks" Study.

In March 2011, Toronto and East York Community Council requested City Planning to conduct a review of lands abutting the CN railway, which form the western boundary of Ward 18. The Study did not look at land use as this was being considered through the Municipal Comprehensive Review, but focused on opportunities to improve this area and better connect it to the surrounding neighbourhood. The result will help the City to proactively respond to any development proposals in the area and plan for the long-term investment and revitalization of these lands. The Study responds to a unique combination of factors including relatively large industrial sites lacking local infrastructure immediately bounded by stable neighbourhoods. In addition, the area is under increasing development pressures. 

City staff, the Ward Councillor and members of the community have worked together to develop a vision for new development and direct infrastructure investment within the Study Area. In addition, an inter-divisional staff team worked on the project and were involved in developing the recommendations. The Study outlines short-term and long-term recommendations pertaining to parks, the transportation network (including new roads, bikeways, parking and walkways), heritage buildings, urban design and community services and facilities.