Item - 2016.EY18.8

Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to update the existing planning framework for the Sherway Area by replacing the current Sherway Area Site and Area Specific policies with a Draft Secondary Plan for the area based on the key findings of the City-initiated Sherway Area Study, as summarized in the report (October 27, 2016) from the Director, Community Planning, Etobicoke York District.  Further, that the Draft Secondary Plan be distributed to the public and considered at a statutory public meeting to be held by Etobicoke York Community Council in the third quarter of 2017.

2.  City Council request staff to bring forward Urban Design and Streetscape Guidelines for the Sherway Area that are generally in accordance with the Draft Urban Design and Streetscape Guidelines included as Attachment 7 to the report (October 27, 2016) from the Director, Community Planning, Etobicoke York District, for City Council's consideration and adoption in the third quarter of 2017. 

3.  City Council direct staff and the consultants to finalize the Transportation and Servicing Master Plans and that staff provide notification for public review and comment upon completion of the Master Plans in accordance with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Process. 

This report presents the key findings of the Sherway Area Study and requests City Council direction to develop an updated planning policy and development framework for the area, in the form of a Secondary Plan.

The Study focus area is bounded by a CP rail corridor to the north, Highway 427 to the east, the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) to the south and the Etobicoke Creek to the west and is subject to a number of Site and Area Specific Policies (SASP’s) in the Official Plan.  These policies require a comprehensive transportation review to be conducted once permitted development capacity has been reached.  Currently, retail and residential development is at or nearing the maximum capacity permitted by these Site and Area Specific Policies.

The Sherway Area has the potential for significant change.  To address growth and change in the area, it was determined that a comprehensive review of the existing planning policy and development framework was required.

The City Planning Division initiated the Sherway Area Study in 2014.  The Study was completed by an external Consulting Team with the direction and assistance of City staff.  The consulting team was led by Gladki Planning Associates Inc. with support from DTAH, Arup and The Municipal Infrastructure Group (TMIG).

The result of the Study is a recommended comprehensive update to the existing policy and design framework for the Sherway Area.  The framework includes recommendations regarding urban structure, land use, built form, building heights, public realm and streetscapes, community services and facilities, transportation and servicing.  Supporting documents address important elements of the framework in greater detail:

·       Urban Design Guidelines;

·       Streetscape Guidelines;

·       Community Services and Facilities Strategy;

·       Transportation Master Plan; and

·       Servicing Master Plan.

The key findings of the Sherway Area Study provide a framework to guide future growth and development toward a unified vision of creating a complete community, while reflecting local conditions, the planning context and the capacity of infrastructure to support growth.