Item - 2017.PG24.9

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:  

1.  City Council direct the Acting Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to use the Public Realm Plan Report contained in Attachment 2 to the report (October 27, 2017) from the Acting Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, as a basis for undertaking stakeholder and public consultations to inform the preparation of a proposed Secondary Plan for the Don Mills Crossing Core Study Area.

2.  City Council request the Acting Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to bring forward a proposed Secondary Plan and supporting implementation strategies for the Don Mills Crossing Core Study Area based on the Public Realm Plan report contained in Attachment 2 to the report (October 27, 2017) from the Acting Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and informed by the consultations in Recommendation 1 by the second quarter of 2018.

3.  City Council direct staff to review applications for official plan amendments and/or rezoning applications in the area subject to the Don Mills Crossing study in the context of advancing the Public Realm Plan report contained in Attachment 2 to the report (October 27, 2017) from the Acting Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

This report recommends approval in principle of the Public Realm Plan for the Don Mills Crossing study area.  The Public Realm Plan is one of the Study outcomes that will be used to guide future development.  The Plan will serve as the organizing structure for the preparation of a Secondary Plan.  The Public Realm Plan is accompanied by four guiding principles which will ensure the creation of a complete and connected community: Create a Vibrant Mixed Use Community; Connect with Nature and Build Resiliency; Enhance Mobility Choice, Comfort and Connectivity; and Support Inclusive City Building. These principles align with Provincial and municipal policies related to appropriate intensification around transit facilities. 

Launched in June 2016, the Don Mills Crossing study is the outcome of City Council's May 2014 adoption of Eglinton Connects and its June 2016 settlement of an Ontario Municipal Board appeal for the Celestica lands, a 60 acre parcel located at the northwest corner of Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue East.  Both Council decisions require the development of a comprehensive planning framework prior to new development occurring in the area. 

Don Mills Crossing is a three-phase study.  In January 2017, Planning and Growth Management Committee adopted the Profile Report completed at the conclusion of Phase 1.  During Phase 2, a Public Realm Plan and guiding principles were developed and refined through a series of community and stakeholder consultation events.  This report marks the conclusion of this phase and sets the stage for preparation of a Secondary Plan for the Don Mills Crossing Core Study Area through additional analysis and policy development.   

The Public Realm Plan proposes to enhance the relationship between the natural setting of the area and future development which will serve as both a placemaking and a resiliency strategy.  A key component of the Plan is improved connectivity to help ensure that future intensification does not occur in isolation, but connects to the surrounding communities.  These new connections should be at a pedestrian scale, concentrating community services and employment opportunities within walking distance of transit, important neighbourhood destinations and cultural resources.  This will assist in ensuring the cumulative benefit of public investment in transit, pedestrian and community infrastructure and new development extends beyond the Don Mills and Eglinton study area and into the surrounding communities. The Public Realm Plan will serve to structure the pattern of future development parcels and support the day-to-day activities of residents and workers in a pedestrian friendly, transit oriented environment. 

Phase 2 of the Don Mills Crossing study also explored how key components of the Public Realm Plan and supporting principles could be advanced through City-wide initiatives including the Ravine Strategy, the Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan and TransformTO.  The objective was to ensure that growth and investment in the Don Mills Crossing area works to advance city-wide initiatives at the local level. 

This report recommends that City Council adopt the attached Public Realm Plan Report as the basis to undertake stakeholder and public consultation that will inform the preparation of a new Secondary Plan.  The proposed Secondary Plan is targeted to be brought forward for Planning and Growth Management Committee's consideration in the second quarter of 2018.