Item - 2014.TE34.8

The Toronto and East York Community Council held a statutory public meeting on August 12, 2014, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

In July 2012, City Council directed staff to initiate a planning study focussing on built form and land use on both sides of Bathurst Street from Dupont to Queen Street. The study is now complete and this report recommends the adoption of a new Official Plan Site and Area Specific Policy (SASP) to guide development in the study area.

The recommended SASP defines the existing elements of the street that should be reinforced and enhanced, along with direction for areas of the street than can accommodate change. The draft policy reinforces the prevailing fine grain character of the street while providing more emphasis on public realm and streetscape, heritage, character of the street, intersections with Avenues and with Dupont Street, and transition to adjacent residential uses.

The initial Final Report on the study, which was approved by City Council at its meeting on July 8, 2014, recommended an amendment to former City of Toronto Zoning By-law 438-86, Section 12(2)270 to limit the total amount of non-residential gross floor area of any one retail establishment in the study area to 3,500 square metres, and limit the width of any single retail or service use on the ground floor to 12 metres. In addition, the report contained the draft Official Plan direction which forms the basis of this report. Lastly, the report recommended that the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District initiate a study of the properties around the Bathurst/Bloor intersection and that City Council authorize a Heritage Conservation District Study for the area on Markham Street known as Mirvish Village.