Item - 2014.TE34.92

City Council on August 25, 26, 27 and 28, 2014, adopted the following:

1.         City Council endorse the draft Public Realm Strategy, Attachment 1 to the report (August 5, 2014) and the Built Form Directions as outlined in the report (August 5, 2014) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District, and direct staff to apply the draft Public Realm Strategy and Built Form Directions in evaluating current and future development applications and public realm improvements and investment in the area. 

2.         City Council request the Acting General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to identify potential new parkland and proceed with on-site parkland dedications, off-site dedications and parkland acquisition in the East Precinct of King-Spadina on a priority basis.

3.         City Council endorse the following directions for the King-Spadina East Precinct to be used in reviewing current and future development applications:

a.         a downward gradation of tower heights from east to west from University Avenue towards Spadina Avenue.

b.         limiting heights approaching Queen Street West to prevent shadowing on the north sidewalk after 12:00 (noon) in the spring and fall equinoxes.

c.         employing the city-wide Tall Buildings Guidelines to evaluate towers, particularly with regard to tower spacing and tower floor plates.

d.         evaluating new development applications in the context of a block plan for the block on which they sit.

e.         seeking the inclusion of family-sized units in all new residential development.

f.          requiring the inclusion of employment uses in new residential development that replaces existing office uses, resulting in a net gain in employment, consistent with OPA 231. 

4.         City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to bring forward any required Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments arising from the East Precinct Built Form Study to a statutory public meeting under the Planning Act in 2015 after concluding on-going community consultations.

5.         City Council request the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District, to amend the study purpose to include the social value of buildings, in addition to built form and physical character.

6.         City Council request the Director, Urban Design, in the development of the design of the John Street Cultural Corridor, to take into account the different conditions of John Street north of Queen Street West, with its many residential uses and its connection to the Grange Park revitalization, in consultation with the Queen Street West BIA, area residents and the Ward Councillor.