Item - 2018.NY32.6

North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council amend former City of York Zoning By-law No.1-83, for all the lands fronting onto Oakwood Avenue between Amherst Avenue and Rogers Road, and 2 to 12 Ashbury Avenue substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment No. 5 to the report (June 26, 2018) from the Director, Community Planning, North York District.

2. City Council amend City of Toronto Zoning By-law No.569-2013, for the lands fronting onto Oakwood Avenue between Amherst Avenue and Rogers Road, and 2 to 12 Ashbury Avenue substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment No. 6 to the report (June 26, 2018) from the Director, Community Planning, North York District.

3. City Council authorizes the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Zoning By-law Amendments as may be required.

North York Community Council held a statutory public meeting on July 4, 2018 and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act. No one addressed the North York Community Council on July 4, 2018.

North York Community Council:

1. Requested the Director, Community Planning, North York District, to report back to North York Community Council in the second quarter of 2019 on potential amendments to the existing by-laws in the Oakwood Arts District which would require ground floor retail/display areas or other commercial oriented uses at the front of live/work units in an effort to promote a vibrant main street.

This report recommends amendments to the former City of York Zoning By-law #1-83 and the City of Toronto Zoning By-law #569-2013 for the lands fronting onto Oakwood Avenue between Amherst Avenue and Rogers Road and 2 to 12 Ashbury Avenue, and proposes to add additional uses to the residential zoning that would support an "Arts District".

The proposed City Initiated Zoning By-law Amendments results from previous direction by City Council. The proposed Zoning By-law Amendments would provide for additional arts-related uses along Oakwood Avenue approximately between Amherst Avenue and Rogers Road. The additional uses proposed to be added to the Zoning By-laws include, Artist Studio, Artist Live-Work Units and Designers Studio. These additional permissions in the Zoning By-laws would be similar to the Zoning permissions presently permitted at the intersections of Oakwood Avenue and Vaughan Road and at Oakwood Avenue and Rogers Road, and would assist in supporting an "Arts District" in the area by providing additional arts-related supportive uses along the corridor.

The proposed City Initiated Zoning By-law Amendments would not change the residential zoning of the subject lands, and therefore maintains the existing character of the neighbourhood.

The City Initiated Zoning By-law Amendments are consistent with the City's Official Plan and with City Council approved Site and Area Specific Policy # 317 (SASP # 317), which designates the lands as the "Oakwood Avenue Arts District".  SASP # 317 specifics that "The lands are designated as a Neighbourhood, within which a clustering of uses related to the production, display and sale of art and crafts is permitted such as art schools, art centres, art supply stores, commercial galleries, public art galleries, theatre performance venues, low-impact artist studios and artist live-work units. The lands are not intended as a retail commercial strip."

The proposed City Initiated Zoning By-law Amendments are consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (2014) and conform with the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2017).

The proposed City Initiated Zoning By-law Amendments address the City Council adopted SASP #317 and are compatible with existing and adjacent land uses.  

This report reviews and recommends approval of the City Initiated Zoning By-law Amendments.