Item - 2017.PG18.6

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Cluster B, to commence, together with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and Waterfront Toronto, the Eastern and Broadview Flood Protection Municipal Class Environmental Assessment.

2.  City Council, subject to approval of Recommendation 1 above, direct the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to create a capital sub-project, the "Eastern and Broadview Flood Protection Municipal Class Environmental Assessment," with 2017 cash flows of $2.0 million, funded from development charges from Reserve Fund XR2120 ($1.8 million) and $0.200 million in approved funding from the Waterfront Revitalization Initiative's 2017-2026 Capital Budget and Plan – CWR003-18 ($0.130 million) and CWR003-21 ($0.070 million) – resulting in a $1.8 million net increase in the Budget Committee recommended Waterfront Revitalization budget. 

3.  City Council request the Director, Real Estate Services, to report to the Government Management Committee, by the end of the fourth quarter 2017, on active investigations to consolidate municipal yard functions, including those currently provided out of the Booth Yard at 433 and 447 Eastern Avenue and 50 Booth Avenue.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee:

1.  Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to amend the Consultation Work Plan set out in the report (February 7, 2017) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning so that it now reads:

"The consultation program could include the following components: 

1. Striking a Stakeholder Advisory Committee, and meeting with it regularly
2. Public Open House meeting(s), incorporating information on related infrastructure projects
3. Targeted outreach to key communities, including Indigenous communities, area landowners and businesses, arts and cultural groups, leadership of Business Improvement Areas in the community, the film industry, local residents, local businesses, local community groups, and community groups working on restoration of the Don River and Don Valley
4. Introductory and key update meetings on the Precinct Planning Study, East Harbour SmartTrack Station and First Gulf applications
5. Theme-specific meetings on key focus areas of the Precinct Planning Study, which could include the transit station, urban structure, streets and blocks, public realm and transit station linkages, community services and facilities, built form, the nature and types of new employment, the Broadview extension, the Downtown Relief Line, and clearer goals for the remaining 20 percent which is non-employment.
6. Design exercises focused on the Precinct, East Harbour SmartTrack Station and the First Gulf applications
7. Establishing a communications budget that will cover the necessary community consultations."

2.  Directed the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to advance community consultation on the Unilever Precinct Planning Study for the Precinct area, including the proposed East Harbour SmartTrack Station, in accordance with the consultation work plan set out in the report (February 7, 2017) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning , as amended by Part 1 above, including scheduling a community meeting for the lands at 21 Don Valley Parkway and 30 Booth Avenue, in consultation with the Ward Councillor.

3.  Directed that notice for the community consultation meetings be given to landowners and residents within 120 metres of the Precinct, and to additional residents, institutions and owners to be determined in consultation with the Ward Councillor, with any additional mailing costs to be borne by the applicant.

4.  Directed that notice for public meetings under the Planning Act be given according to the regulations of the Planning Act.

5.  Directed the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to investigate opportunities to secure the replacement of existing film studio capacity within the Unilever Precinct elsewhere within the Precinct, within the South of Eastern Area, and/or in the Port Lands, in the event that existing film studio uses cease operations on these lands.

6.  Directed the Deputy City Manager, Cluster B, to facilitate coordination of major enabling infrastructure projects in the Lower Don River with review of the applications for 21 Don Valley Parkway and 30 Booth Avenue.

7.  Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee, by the end of the fourth quarter 2017, on consultation with Enbridge Gas Distribution respecting the applications at 21 Don Valley Parkway and 30 Booth Avenue, as well as respecting the Unilever Precinct Plan.

The Manager and the Senior Planner, Community Planning gave a presentation on Unilever Precinct and East Harbour Proposal.

This report addresses two related matters within the approximately 24.9 hectare block of lands bounded by the Don Valley Parkway, Lake Shore Boulevard, Booth Avenue and Eastern Avenue, referred to henceforth as the Unilever Precinct.

First, the report provides an update on work to date on the Unilever Precinct Planning Study and sets out staff's proposed work program, including a preliminary consultation work plan. The Unilever Precinct Planning Study will comprehensively consider and consult on a transformative vision initially advanced by a private developer, First Gulf, for a new major employment node focused on office employment, with a substantial retail component. The City's analysis will also consider an expanded range of non-residential employment uses, including post-secondary institutions, studios, research facilities, and supportive uses. In order to successfully transform, the Precinct requires investment in planned transit and other infrastructure elements.

The second purpose of this report is to provide preliminary information on the applications by First Gulf for zoning amendments and subdivision for the properties they own within the Precinct, 21 Don Valley Parkway and 30 Booth Avenue. These applications also include a resubmission of First Gulf's October 2015 Official Plan Amendment ("OPA") application for the entire Precinct, and continue to advance the vision presented in the OPA for a new, dense, vibrant, predominantly office node with a substantial retail component, providing over 50,000 jobs, which First Gulf has branded "East Harbour".

The development of this employment node, with the concurrent investment in infrastructure for flood protection; Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard realignment; transit infrastructure through Regional Express Rail, SmartTrack, the Relief Line, and the extension of Broadview Avenue with streetcar service into the Port Lands; and stormwater infrastructure, would transform the South of Eastern employment area. This development would bringing a level of office and retail employment intensity east of the Don River that until now has only been found in Toronto within the Downtown Core and the Centres.

First Gulf's aspirations for this project, as well as their efforts to mobilize enabling infrastructure, are compelling. Providing additional, attractive office and related employment space well connected to transit could strategically and significantly contribute to the future potential of the City. In initiating a Planning Study for the Precinct and collaborating with First Gulf on master planning, the City has engaged with this unique City-building opportunity, while acknowledging that its challenges are commensurate with its size and ambition.

This report seeks direction from the Planning and Growth Management Committee on community consultation process for the Precinct Planning Study and First Gulf's applications. It also seeks to advance funds to commence the Eastern and Broadview Flood Protection Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, to assess removing from flood risk approximately 8 hectares of land, much of which is within the Precinct Plan "Area of Influence" north of the Metrolinx rail embankment, east of the Don Valley Parkway and south of Sunlight Park Road/Eastern Avenue.