Item - 2016.TE20.63

The letter (October 27, 2016) from Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, entitled "Request for a Report on the Implemenation of a One-year Moratorium on new Tall Building Residential Development in the Downtown Core", was withdrawn.

The City of Toronto has seen incredible growth in both residential and commercial building over the past 5 years.  The Downtown Core and Central Waterfront has received the largest proportion of this growth resulting in 38% of city-wide residential development and 46% of city-wide commercial development.   Various economic and market reports have cited that Toronto has an oversupply of housing and even the Chief Planner and Executive Director has expressed the need to "hit the pause button" on over development that doesn't meet the City's policies and planning needs.

Amenities and infrastructure for health care facilities, daycare and long-term care spaces, parkland, schools, community services, hydro, water, sewers, public transit and transportation have not expanded to accommodate the intense growth in the downtown. 

The adverse impacts of having blocks upon blocks of downtown Toronto turn into a massive, multi-year construction sites is harming the health and well-being of residents; and creating a disruptive environment for business owners.

The proliferation of road occupancy permits issued by Transportation Services have created significant traffic gridlock in development heavy neighbourhoods. This is further compounded by inaccessible and unsafe conditions whereby sidewalks and cycling lanes simply 'disappear' and is replaced by unsightly construction hoarding.

In the October 2016, the City Planning report "How Does the City Grow?" revealed information that Toronto has already exceeded the anticipated growth in the Provincial Growth Plan. From 2001 to 2015, the City of Toronto approved and completed almost 200,000 residential units which represents 50% of the anticipated growth of almost 400,000 units by 2041 in the already amended Provincial Growth Plan, which means Toronto is well on its way to exceeding the growth projections in 14 years what was expected to be done in 40 years. 

City Planning, in collaboration with other city divisions has been reviewing and developing new policies to address this rapid growth through TOcore. Unfortunately this comprehensive planning framework will take time becoming a fully enforceable secondary plan, even without an Ontario Municipal Board appeal.

While this pro-active planning work is underway, development applications continue marching into the planning department, slowing staff's ability to complete the work and rolling implementation of TOcore expected mid-2017, and increasing the over demand on our inadequate infrastructure.