Item - 2017.TE21.1

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council amend Site and Area-Specific Policy No. 334 of the Official Plan for the lands on the north side of Bloor Street West between Walmer Road and St. George Street substantially in accordance with the draft Official Plan Amendment attached as Attachment  9 to the report (November 30, 2016) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.
 
2.  City Council amend the heritage description of Official Plan Policy A.5 Knox College and Official Plan Amendment 199 attached as Attachment 10 to the report (November 30, 2016) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.
 

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

The Toronto and East York Community Council held a statutory public meeting on January 17, 2017, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

On June 16, 2015, Toronto and East York Community Council directed staff to undertake a planning study of the properties on the north side of Bloor Street West, between Walmer Road and St. George Street (the "Bloor Corridor/ Annex Block Planning Study"). 

This report provides a summary of the process and outcome of the Bloor Corridor/ Annex Block Planning Study, as well as proposed Official Plan Amendments to Site and Area Specific Policy No. 334 for the study area and to Official Plan Amendment 199 for certain associated heritage policies.

The proposed amendment to Site and Area Specific Policy No. 334 (Bloor Corridor) clarifies existing Official Plan policies that apply to the study area to assist in assessing development proposals with respect to height, massing and transition. 

The amendments provide a framework for adequate tower separation distances for tall buildings, a transition in built form to adjacent Mixed Use Areas and Apartment Neighbourhoods, and public realm improvements such as wider sidewalks and mid-block connections.  A height peak of 25 storeys is proposed at the northeast and northwest corners of Bloor Street West and Spadina Avenue/Road intersection, with height transitioning downward east and west from it.

The proposed amendment to Official Plan Amendment 199 (Heritage) provides greater protection of the significant silhouette view against the sky of the spires and ridgeline of Knox College (1Spadina Crescent).

This report reviews and recommends approval of City-initiated area-specific amendments as follows: amendment to Site and Area-Specific Policy 334 (Attachment No. 9) and amendment to Official Plan Amendment 199 (Attachment No. 10.)