Item - 2016.TE16.4

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council instruct the City Solicitor to request the Ontario Municipal Board to authorize the Central Waterfront Secondary Plan (adopted by City Council in 2003) to be brought into force and effect for those lands within the Lower Yonge Precinct, identified on Map J1 within the draft Official Plan Amendment attached as Attachment 5 to the report (April 22, 2016) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

2.  City Council instruct the City Solicitor to request that the Ontario Municipal Board amend the former City of Toronto Official Plan and Central Waterfront Secondary Plan, substantially in accordance with the draft Official Plan Amendment attached as Attachment 5 to the report (April 22, 2016) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District, with Schedule 1 of the draft Official Plan Amendment attached to the report (April 22, 2016) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District amended by adding the words "in particular, improvements to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal" to part f) in Section 7.1.6 so that part f) now reads:

f)  parkland improvements in the vicinity of the Lower Yonge Precinct, in particular, improvements to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.

3.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Official Plan Amendment as may be required.

4.  City Council endorse the Lower Yonge Precinct Plan, dated April 2016, attached as Attachment 6 to the report (April 15, 2016) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

5.  City Council direct staff to confirm with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change that the lands within the Lower Yonge Precinct, identified on Map J1 within the draft Official Plan Amendment attached as Attachment 5 to the report (April 22, 2016) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District, should be classified as a Class 4 area under Ministry of Environment (now Ministry of Environment and Climate Change) Environmental Noise Guideline, Stationary and Transportation Sources – Approval and Planning, Publication NPC-300, August 2013.

The Toronto and East York Community Council held a statutory public meeting on May 10, 2016, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

The purpose of this report is to present the findings of the second and final phase of the Lower Yonge Precinct planning process.  The report recommends an area-specific amendment to the Central Waterfront Secondary Plan, as well as the endorsement of the Lower Yonge Precinct Plan.  This planning process was initiated to establish a planning framework for new development within this nine hectare area that capitalizes on its exceptional location and historical attributes.  The proposed framework seeks to foster the development of a vibrant new, mixed-use community within the heart of the City's emerging Central Waterfront.  It is anticipated to be a high-density, sustainable neighbourhood with an animated public realm, large central park, well-designed buildings, range of housing options and commensurate community services and facilities.

Some of the key features contemplated for the Lower Yonge Precinct include: 13 towers; approximately 28,000 new residents and employees; a new community recreation centre; an elementary school; two child care facilities; affordable housing units; modifications to the Gardiner Expressway; a tunnel connection under the rail corridor; two new streets, enhanced cycling infrastructure and an extension of the PATH network.

The planning tools contained herein will facilitate the evaluation of subsequent planning applications in the Lower Yonge Precinct and will help to ensure that with the anticipated densities, appropriate infrastructure must be provided.