Item - 2019.EX5.1

That:

1. City Council adopt the following Proposed Guiding Principles for the Revitalization of Ontario Place, based on the Central Waterfront Secondary Plan, and intended to be read and interpreted in the context of the Central Waterfront Secondary Plan:

a. Removing Barriers/Making Connections:

i. integration of planning, programming and governance and consider rationalizing land ownership matters at Ontario Place and Exhibition Place in order to realize natural synergies between the two properties;

ii. explore opportunities to reduce the barrier effect of Lake Shore Boulevard West between Exhibition Place and Ontario Place; and

iii. ensure any future planning along Lake Shore Boulevard West is coordinated with a strategy to improve connectivity between the two properties, and provides a human-scaled edge to the popular Martin Goodman Trail;

b. Building a Network of Spectacular Waterfront Parks and Public Spaces:

i. secure and enhance public access for the full length of the Ontario Place shoreline;

ii. retain Trillium Park and the William Davis Trail as key place-making features at Ontario Place;

iii. explore low-impact recreational uses for the West Island shoreline; and

iv. consult with Indigenous peoples, including the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation on opportunities to weave Indigenous placemaking into the fabric of Ontario Place;

c. Promoting a Clean and Green Environment

i. utilize findings of the Council-endorsed Waterfront Transit Network Plan to improve access to, from and between Ontario Place and Exhibition Place;

 
ii. explore opportunities to consolidate large expanses of surface parking below grade in order to create a more walkable and transit-supportive environment;

 
iii. implement the City's draft biodiversity strategy, build on the success of Trillium Park, extend green corridors into Exhibition Place; and

 
iv. protect and strengthen the site's shoreline Natural Heritage features;

 
d. Creating Dynamic and Diverse New Communities

i. Ontario Place should include a mix of non-residential uses and activities that reflect its waterfront location and rebuild its original goal of being a showcase and destination for Ontario;

 
e. Openness and Transparency

i. make decisions through public process, with full transparency of the government decision-making process; and

 
ii. responsiveness to the broader community.

That City Council amend Executive Committee Recommendations 3, 5 and 6 so that they now read as follows:

3.  City Council request the City Manager to report to the Executive Committee on the progress of Recommendations 1 and 2 above; and that the results of these consultations be included in the report from the City Manager and the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Development Services to the Executive Committee in the third quarter of 2019.

5.  City Council direct the City Manager and the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Development Services to report to Executive Committee in the fourth third quarter of 2019 with an update on the negotiations, a framework for evaluation of proposals for the revitalization of Ontario Place, and governance options related to the programing and operations of a combined Ontario Place/Exhibition Place in the future; and that formal evaluation of revitalization proposals for either site not be considered in advance of this report.
 

6.  City Council direct the City Manager and the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Development Services, in consultation with the Province of Ontario, to develop a robust consultation process to engage residents of Toronto in the framework for evaluation of potential options to revitalize Exhibition Place and Ontario Place. Such process to involve consultation with local, regional and province-wide stakeholders, including Indigenous organizations; focussing on the original goal of both sites as centres for festivals, celebrations, showcases and destinations for all Ontarians; and that the results of these consultations be included in the report from the City Manager and the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Development Services to the Executive Committee in the third quarter of 2019.

That City Council include the property at 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Ontario Place on the City of Toronto’s Heritage Register in accordance with the Statement of Significance (Reasons for Inclusion), attached as Attachment 4 to the report (April 12, 2019) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services, Urban Design, City Planning.

That:

1. Recommendation 1 be amended so that it now reads as follows:

1. City Council direct the City Manager and the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Development Services to contact engage the Province of Ontario to urgently request that both governments work together to develop a strategy to jointly plan the future of Ontario Place and Exhibition Place in a collaborative, co-operative, and consultative manner with all stakeholders. including Exhibition Place.

2. Recommendation 2 be amended so that it now reads as follows:

2. City Council direct the City Manager to include the following matters for consideration in developing the joint strategy:

a. the Central Waterfront Secondary Plan;

b. the 2017-2019 Exhibition Place Strategic Plan;

c. the 2011 Festival Plaza Master Plan including a recommendation of a land bridge link between both sites with consideration of pedestrian flows and bicycle infrastructure;

d. public transit initiatives, including the 2018 Waterfront Transit Network Plan;

e. traffic congestion concerns and the impact of major event management on congestion for the sites and residential communities;

f. utility infrastructure capacities for both Ontario Place and Exhibition Place taking into consideration future development potential;

g. cooperative approaches to operating efficiencies for both sites, including operating and maintenance services;

h. Heritage Statements of Significance for Ontario Place and Exhibition Place; and

i. the emerging Exhibition Place Master Plan.

3. City Council direct the City Manager and the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Development Services to report to Executive Committee in the fourth quarter of 2019 with an update on the negotiations, a framework for evaluation of proposals for the revitalization of Ontario Place, and governance options related to the programing and operations of a combined Ontario Place/Exhibition Place in the future.
 

4. City Council direct the City Manager and the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Development Services, in consultation with the Province of Ontario, to develop a robust consultation process to engage residents of Toronto in the evaluation of potential options to revitalize Exhibition Place and Ontario Place. This should involve consultation with local, regional and province-wide stakeholders, including Indigenous organizations; focussing on the original goal of both sites as centres for festivals, celebrations, showcases and destinations for all Ontarians.