Item - 2021.PH22.6

The Planning and Housing Committee:

1. Authorized the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to use the draft Official Plan Amendment as the basis for consultation and to bring forward a Final Report by the fourth quarter of 2021.

In June 2020, City Planning initiated the Growth Plan Conformity and Municipal Comprehensive Review ("the MCR") which includes the delineation of 180+ Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) to meet Provincial intensification requirements by July 2022. The introduction of Protected Major Transit Station Areas (PMTSAs) is part of the MCR. An equity lens is being applied to this work program that prioritizes the delineation of PMTSAs to enable the implementation of inclusionary zoning as an affordable housing tool, where market conditions could support it.

This report presents the policy approach for advancing the implementation of Major Transit Station Areas and Protected Major Transit Station Areas, and the proposed delineations within the Downtown Secondary Plan. This report is intended as the basis for consultation of the draft Official Plan Amendment (OPA) that includes 16 Site and Area Specific Policies (SASPs) that delineate Protected Major Transit Station Areas (PMTSAs) within the Downtown Secondary Plan area. The draft policy directions for the introduction of a new Chapter 8 of the Official Plan will be refined following consultation and brought forward as part of the final Official Plan Amendment.

The 16 PMTSA delineations included in this draft OPA would implement the Minister approved Downtown Plan and address the requirements of the A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2020) (the "Growth Plan") and Section 16(15) of the Planning Act. Adoption of the final OPA which includes the PMTSA delineations would put in place the required prerequisite framework to enable the application of inclusionary zoning in the Downtown once the Inclusionary Zoning policies and PMTSA policies are in effect.

The draft OPA and PMTSA delineations establish minimum targets for people and jobs per hectare based on the land use designations in the Downtown Plan approved by the Minister in June 2019. The draft PMTSAs introduce minimum density requirements, consistent with the Downtown Plan, and Section 16(15) of the Planning Act, and do not propose any changes to maximum development permissions.

City Planning staff will use the draft PMTSAs and draft policy directions as a basis for consultation, prior to advancing a Final Report for City Council's adoption in the fourth quarter of 2021. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is the approval authority for the delineation of Protected Major Transit Stations Areas and the Minister's decision is not appealable.