Item - 2018.PG31.3

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1. City Council amend former City of North York Zoning By-law #7625, for the lands bounded by Dufferin Street to the west, Wilson Avenue to the north, the retail centre known as the Downsview Power Centre to the east, Billy Bishop Way and the parcel of land abutting Highway 401 to the south, known Municipally as 3501, 3621, 3625, 3633, 3639 Dufferin Street and 719, 721, 725 Wilson Avenue, substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment 4 to report (June 15, 2018) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning. 

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

The Planning and Growth Management Committee held a statutory public meeting on July 5, 2018, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This report summarises the results of an Interim Control By-law Study and recommends amendments to the former City of North York and the City of Toronto Zoning By-laws for lands at 3501, 3621, 3625, 3633, 3639 Dufferin Street and 719, 721, 725 Wilson Avenue to remove permission for certain automobile related, manufacturing, parking and self storage uses from the lands.  An interim control by-law was enacted on these lands to prohibit certain land uses pending completion of the Dufferin-Wilson Regeneration Area Study. The Interim Control By-law expires on January 31, 2019.

The Dufferin-Wilson Regeneration Area Study was completed and reported to City Council on November 7, 8, and 9th, 2017 and resulted in a planning framework for the Study area to support future growth as set out in Section 4.7 of the Official Plan for Regeneration Areas, and in Council's adopted Site and Area Specific Policy (SASP) 388 of Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 231.

The proposed Zoning By-law Amendments for the Study area removes zoning permissions for manufacturing, automotive-related and self storage uses for the study area lands, and in particular: car washing establishment, gasoline station, motor vehicle body repair shop and dealership, manufacturing, contractor's establishment, custom workshop, car rental agency with surface parking, parking lot, public self-storage warehouse, individual retail establishments over 5,000 square metres, service station, transportation terminal and warehouse uses. These permissions were temporarily suspended through the enactment of Interim Control By-law #63-2017 on January 31, 2017, and Extension of Interim Control By-law #1347-2017 on December 5, 2017.

These permissions are considered incompatible with the City Council approved vision for the Study area outlined in Official Plan Amendment No. 362. The City Council approved vision for the study area will unlock these underutilized lands for a mix of transit supportive land uses and public realm improvements. The Study area lands were redesignated Mixed Use Areas north of Billy Bishop Way and General Employment Areas south of Billy Bishop Way.

The vision will introduce new green spaces, an improved public realm, and new pedestrian and road connections will establish the foundation for the development of a new and complete community with enhanced cycling and pedestrian connections and access to local businesses, recreation and transit options.

The amendments to the Zoning By-laws discussed in this report are consistent with the results of the regeneration study and City Council approved Official Plan Amendment No. 362. The land uses proposed to be removed are low intensity automobile and manufacturing related uses and large floor plate retail that conflict with the City Council approved vision for the lands which promotes compact, transit supportive development.

The proposed zoning by-law amendment is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (2014) and conforms with the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2017).

This report reviews and recommends approval of the City initiated application to amend the Zoning By-laws.