Item - 2014.TE29.3

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1.         City Council authorize staff to attend the Ontario Municipal Board hearing to oppose the application at 484 Spadina Avenue in its current form and authorize the City Solicitor and any other appropriate City staff to take such actions as necessary to give effect to the recommendations of this report.

2.         City Council authorize staff to continue discussions with the applicant concerning appropriate heights and massing for this development site including appropriate public benefits that would be provided for the increased height and density that may be approved for the site pursuant to Section 37 of the Planning Act if an agreement can be reached.

3.         City Council authorize the City Solicitor and necessary City staff to take such necessary steps, as required, to implement the foregoing.

This application proposes to redevelop the lands at 484 Spadina Avenue with a 22-storey mixed use building consisting of non-residential uses within the first two storeys of the building, with residential units above.

The proposal in its current form is not supportable.  The proposal does not promote a harmonious fit with the existing neighbourhood context and is not consistent with the relevant Official Plan Policies.

The applicant appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board on October 22, 2013 on the basis of Council's failure to enact the requested amendment within the timelines prescribed by the Planning Act.  At the time of writing of this report, a hearing date had not been set.

The purpose of this report is to request direction from City Council regarding the pending Ontario Municipal Board hearing on the application for a Zoning By-law Amendment.