Item - 2014.TE30.54
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Toronto and East York Community Council on February 25, 2014 and was adopted without amendment.
TE30.54 - Preliminary Report - Queen Street East Visioning Study (Coxwell Avenue to Nursewood Road) - City Initiated Official Plan Amendment
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Ward:
- 32 - Beaches-East York
Community Council Decision
The Toronto and East York Community Council directed that:
1. Staff be requested to report back in the second quarter of 2014 to Toronto and East York Community Council on the merits of a site and area specific policy for Queen Street East between Coxwell Avenue and Nursewood Avenue, and recommendations for an Official Plan Amendment, if appropriate.
2. Notice for the public meeting be given in accordance with the regulations under the Planning Act.
Origin
Summary
At its meeting of November 27, 2012, City Council adopted new Urban Design Guidelines for Queen Street East between Coxwell Avenue and Nursewood Road. Subsequently at its meeting of May 10, 2013, City Council adopted area specific Zoning By-law 607-2013 to implement aspects of the Council adopted Urban Design Guidelines into the Zoning By-law.
At the time of the adoption of the Urban Design Guidelines, the City Planning Division had already received and was processing two Rezoning applications within the portion of Queen Street East covered by the Guidelines. Both of these applicants appealed their applications to the Ontario Municipal Board.
On December 11, 2013, the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) issued its decision on the appeal for the property at 1884 Queen Street East. The decision cites numerous factors for allowing the appeal, including the timing of the application in relation to the introduction of the Urban Design Guidelines. In its decision to allow the appeal, the OMB also stated that, "The Board notes the absence of any official plan policy directive to 'maintain the existing character of this portion of Queen Street East'."
City Planning is considering bringing forward an Area Specific Official Plan Amendment (OPA) which would reinforce the key findings that came out of the Queen Street East Visioning Study and the provisions of the Urban Design Guidelines. This would ensure that the Urban Design Guidelines remain an effective tool for implementing the Official Plan and that going forward, the City will have a greater ability to rely on those Guidelines in the context of appeals to the Ontario Municipal Board.
It is expected that a final report on the matter will be before Toronto and East York Community Council in the second quarter of 2014.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-66821.pdf
Communications
(February 24, 2014) E-mail from Jan Hykamp, President, Greater Beach Neighbourhood Association (TE.Supp.TE30.54.2)
(February 24, 2014) E-mail from Barbara Huth (TE.Supp.TE30.54.3)