Item - 2016.PG13.1

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that: 

1.  City Council direct that official plan amendment and/or rezoning applications in the Yonge-Eglinton Secondary Plan area be considered in the context of the City Council directed Midtown in Focus: Growth: Built Form and Infrastructure Review; 

2.  City Council endorse in principle the Draft Built Form Principles in Attachment 4 to the report (May 25, 2016) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division, to direct staff to consider the Draft Built Form Principles in the review of development applications in the Yonge-Eglinton Secondary Plan area and continue to refine the principles in consultation with landowners and the community; 

3.  City Council endorse in principle the emerging community infrastructure priorities and request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division, to direct staff in consultation with other divisions and agencies to identify opportunities on city-owned lands for new community infrastructure and secure community infrastructure space, as appropriate, as part of the development application review process; and 

4.  City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division, in consultation with other City Divisions, landowners and the community, to bring forward a Proposals Report no later than the first quarter of 2017 to the Planning and Growth Management Committee.

The Senior Planner, Strategic Initiatives, City Planning gave a presentation to the Planning and Growth Management Committee.

This report provides an update on the findings and emerging directions of the City-initiated Midtown in Focus planning study in the Yonge-Eglinton Secondary Plan area.  The current study, a Growth, Built Form and Infrastructure Review, is the second phase of Midtown in Focus, building on the success of the 2014 Midtown in Focus: Parks, Open Space and Streetscape Plan.

The Midtown in Focus: Growth, Built Form and Infrastructure Review is an inter-divisional initiative led by City Planning.  The Review is a response to the rapid intensification and change underway in parts of the Yonge-Eglinton Secondary Plan area.  The investment and activity in the area reflect the strengths of Midtown as a great place to live, work, learn, play and invest.  The objective of the Review is to ensure that growth positively contributes to Midtown's continued livability and vitality by establishing a clear and up-to-date planning framework and ensuring that local transportation, municipal servicing and community infrastructure keeps pace with development. City Council directed the Chief Planner to undertake the review and bring forward a report in 2016 on emerging directions.

The Growth, Built Form and Infrastructure Review will result in:

-    Amendments to the Yonge-Eglinton Secondary Plan;

-    Additions to the City's Heritage Register; and

-    Identification of service gaps for local transportation, municipal servicing and community infrastructure to inform the review of development applications, capital planning and the development of implementation strategies.

The Review's findings, directions and identified priorities will enable the City to better link the assessment of infrastructure capacity, capital planning and development review in a manner that supports continued livability in Midtown.

The Review is aligned to Council's Strategic Plan and will contribute to the Long Term Fiscal Plan and its call for strategic investment in infrastructure to enhance city residents' quality of life.

The Review's initial Taking Stock phase is complete and included a number of community engagement activities.  This report provides an update on a number of aspects of the Review, including an Area Profile and Analysis, Built Form, Cultural Heritage, Community Infrastructure, Infrastructure and Growth Tools and next steps.

The report also seeks City Council direction related to Draft Built Form Principles, community infrastructure priorities, the processing of development applications and recommendations to guide the next phase of work on Midtown in Focus.  The Review's findings and emerging directions will continue to be refined as the study progresses with continued consultation with the community and land owners.