Item - 2019.PH9.6

The Planning and Housing Committee:

1.  Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards and the Chief Building Official, Toronto Building to undertake a review of the business licensing requirements, Official Plan policies, and Zoning By-law permissions and definitions related to live music venues, including size, locational performance standards, and potential amendments, and consult with the Toronto Music Advisory Committee and report back with recommendations in the fourth quarter of 2020.

The effort to protect and preserve Toronto's live music venue gained prominence in late 2016 and early 2017 with the news of a number of venue closures. Music venues, including live music venues contribute to the vibrancy of Toronto's downtown and main streets.

Live music venues operate under a variety of terms in both zoning and licensing by-laws, which reflects the diverse nature of the industry. However, this has led to some ambiguity in interpretation and enforcement, with resulting uncertainty for business operators and residents.

To enable music venues to continue to thrive in Toronto, and further to Council's direction at its meeting dated May 22-24, 2018 respecting PG29.4, Parts 22, 23 and 24, I would request that staff review business licensing requirements, Official Plan policies, and Zoning By-law permissions and definitions related to live music venues and report to Council in the fourth quarter of 2020.