Item - 2017.TE27.12

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council refuse the application to amend the Zoning By-law for the lands at 187 King Street East and 65 George Street because the proposal:

a. is inconsistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) 2014, specifically Policies 1.7.1 and 2.6.1;

 
b. does not conform to the policies of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2017);

 
c. provides insufficient tower separation, insufficient tower setbacks and stepbacks from the property lines;

 
d. does not achieve a compatible relationship with the existing and planned built form context as required by Policies 15.3.2(e) and 15.4.4 of the King-Parliament Secondary Plan;

 
e. does not conserve the onsite and adjacent heritage properties consistent with the Official Plan Policies in Section 3.1.5;

 
f. is inconsistent with the policies and guidelines provided in the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Plan.

 
g. does not comply with Official Plan Policy 3.1.2(3) with regard to massing that fits into its existing and planned context and an provides appropriate transition in scale to neighbouring buildings;

 
h. does not sufficiently address Official Plan Policy 3.1.3(2) with regard to demonstrating how the proposed tall building relates its existing and planned context; and

 
i. other planning rationale set out in the report (September 29, 2017) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor and appropriate City staff to appear before the Ontario Municipal Board in support of Council's decision on the Zoning By-law Amendment, in the event City Council's decision on this application is appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board.

3. City Council direct the City Solicitor to request the Ontario Municipal Board, in the event the application is appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board and the Ontario Municipal Board allows the appeal and permits the proposed additional height or density, or some variation, to:

a. Secure community benefits with the final allocation and distribution determined by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the office of the Ward Councillor, and enter into and register an Agreement to secure those benefits, pursuant to Section 37 of the Planning Act.

b. Withhold its Order allowing the appeal in whole or in part allowing the Zoning By-law Amendment until:

i. The Owner has entered into an Agreement under Section 37 of the Planning Act to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and the Chief Planning and Executive Director, and the Section 37 Agreement has been registered on title of the property to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor.

ii. The Ontario Municipal Board has been provided with a proposed Zoning By-law Amendment by the City Solicitor together with confirmation the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment is in a form satisfactory to the City.

iii. The Owner has provided a satisfactory Functional Servicing Report to the satisfaction of Development Engineering

 
4. City Council authorize the City Solicitor and any other City staff to take such actions as necessary to give effect to the recommendations of the report (September 29, 2017) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East District.

This application proposes the retention of the existing 4-storey heritage designated building at 187 King Street East and the demolition of a heritage-listed building at 65 George Street to construct a 17-storey residential condominium building.  A total of 16 units and 20 residential parking spaces are proposed.

A community consultation meeting was held on June 29, 2017 at George Brown College, where the community had the opportunity to review the application, provide comments and ask questions of City staff and the applicant.

This application is not appropriate for the site. The proposed development does not have adequate separation distances to adjoining properties; is too tall and proposes the demolition of a heritage building.  It does not conform to the Official Plan; is inconsistent with Council-approved guidelines and the St. Lawrence Heritage Conservation District policies; and does not fit within the existing and planned context for St. Lawrence Neighbourhood.

This report reviews and recommends refusal of the application to amend the Zoning By-law.