Item - 2021.EY24.5

The Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that

1. City Council amend the Official Plan Amendment 515 in Attachment 1 to the report (April 20, 2021) from the Acting Director, Community Planning, Etobicoke York District by re-designating the lands at the northeast corner of Eglinton Avenue West and Wincott Drive (known municipally in 2020 as 4600 Eglinton Avenue West) from Neighbourhoods to Parks and Open Space Areas – Parks, excluding the portion of the lands that currently contains a surface parking lot, and direct the following:

a. The re-designated lands are to be added to Site and Area Specific Policy No. 265. 

b. Any future public transit building structures shall be installed at the east limits of this site in order to preserve the abutting woodlot (known municipally in 2020 as 4560 Eglinton Avenue West) and to provide the optimal configuration of the new park.

2. City Council amend the Official Plan for the lands municipally known as 4530, 4560, 4600 and 4760 Eglinton Avenue West, substantially in accordance with the Draft Official Plan Amendment attached as Attachment 1 to the report (April 20, 2021) from the Acting Director, Community Planning, Etobicoke York District, as amended by Recommendation 1 above.

3. City Council direct City staff to use the Eglinton West Planning and Streetscape Study (prepared by Perkins + Will and dated January, 2020), included as Attachment 2 to the report (April 20, 2021) from the Acting Director, Community Planning, Etobicoke York District, when undertaking Capital Projects and reviewing development applications within the study area.

The Etobicoke York Community Council held a statutory public meeting on May 17, 2021, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This report presents the findings of the Eglinton West Planning and Streetscape Study that informs the future streetscape improvements and built form development and growth along Eglinton Avenue West, stretching from Mount Dennis to Renforth Station. This report recommends the majority of the findings be received for information as the Study was based on the 2010 approved Environmental Assessment of an at-grade LRT which differs from the current grade-separated LRT alignment under development.

The Eglinton West Planning and Streetscape Study follows the vision articulated by the 2014 Eglinton Connects Planning Study that established the initiative for the first phase of Crosstown LRT corridor. Through the Eglinton Connects Planning Study, Eglinton Avenue was identified as becoming "Toronto's central east-west Avenue - a green, beautiful linear space that supports residential living, employment, retail and public uses in a setting of community vibrancy. Its design will balance all forms of mobility and connect neighbourhoods and natural valley systems to the larger city and the region".

The study formed part of a larger work program (Eglinton Crosstown and Proposed Extensions), led by the City of Toronto that included: a refinement and optimization of the surface LRT alignment; an in-depth examination of the Eglinton Avenue West/Martin Grove Road intersection; and an overarching Communications and Consultation Strategy. These projects were intended to articulate a clear direction for future implementation.

The Eglinton West Planning and Streetscape Study commenced in May 2018 and focused on the Eglinton Avenue West corridor having a boundary of 600 m wide and 9.2 km long (stretching from Mount Dennis to Renforth Station). The City retained the consulting firm of Perkins + Will to lead the Eglinton West Planning and Streetscape Study based on the approved Environmental Assessment of an at-grade LRT. The objective of this Study was to develop a streetscape and public realm plan (including a built form analysis), identify an appropriate built form and implementation strategy, including recommendations and opportunities for further studies and/or analysis if required.

The Study undertook a thorough analysis of the existing conditions along the corridor which included an overview of the building typologies and built form, development patterns, mobility networks, open spaces, demographic context and both natural and built heritage attributes. The deliverables from this analysis were supported by a series of segment profiles, a cultural and natural heritage analysis, an access and commuter parking study and consultation with key stakeholders.

Nearing the final stages of this Study, in March 2020, Metrolinx announced the commencement/timeline for a fully grade-separated LRT, now referred as the "Eglinton Crosstown West Extension" which differs from the at-grade LRT that formed the basis of the Eglinton West Planning and Streetscape Study. This new transit line is to be an extension of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and would include alignments that would be primarily underground, with some sections elevated (Jane Street and Scarlett Road) and at-grade (Renforth Road/Commerce Boulevard). It would include seven stops (Jane Street, Scarlett Road, Royal York Road, Islington Avenue, Kipling Avenue, Martin Grove Road and Renforth/Commerce). The completion of this new transit infrastructure is targeted for 2030/31. Further studies are required to be completed as the streetscape improvements included in this Study were not designed to accommodate the underground LRT alignment. In addition, further analysis of the future LRT stations is required to better understand the feasibility of the concept plan as well as how the design direction from this Study can be executed.

While the transit vision for this segment of Eglinton Avenue has changed, many of the Study findings can still be applied to future work and analysis along this corridor, particularly in relation to potential Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and the siting of station facilities and tunnels. The Study concluded that while Mixed Use Areas can accommodate more density, there is limited potential for significant growth and development or land use change in the corridor; existing mature woodlots should be retained and protected; and there is a need for streetscape improvements along this stretch of Eglinton Avenue West as well as enhancements to the street crossings. In addition, there are 5 potential cultural heritage landscapes and 19 buildings that have been identified as being significant mid-20th century modern buildings that are in need of further study.

It is recommended that City Council direct staff to use the Eglinton West Planning and Streetscape Study when undertaking Capital Projects and reviewing development applications within this study area.

This report also recommends that City Council amend the Official Plan to redesignate the existing woodlots at 4560 Eglinton Avenue West (including a portion of the abutting parcel of land to the south) and 4760 Eglinton Avenue West to Parks and Open Space Areas - Natural Areas. Staff note this land use designation permits public transit development.