Item - 2021.TE26.30

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council adopt the King-Spadina Public Realm Strategy substantially in accordance with Attachment 1 to the report (June 4, 2021) from the Acting Director, Urban Design, City Planning and the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

2. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to use the King-Spadina Public Realm Strategy to evaluate current and future development applications within the Study Area as shown in Attachment 1 to the report (June 4, 2021) from the Acting Director, Urban Design, City Planning and the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

This report recommends the adoption of the King-Spadina Public Realm Strategy (the "Strategy").

As the resident and worker populations in the King-Spadina area continue to increase there is a need to revitalize existing parks and open spaces, create new parks and open spaces and connect these spaces together through rejuvenated and enhanced streetscapes. Given the context and constraints within this historic, built-up area, a variety of approaches are required to secure a high quality of life for residents, workers and visitors alike. The purpose and intent of the Strategy is to provide the vision and framework to achieve an expanded, improved and connected parks and public realm network within the King-Spadina area to serve the growing population of the neighbourhood.

Over time, through the implementation of the draft Strategy within the King-Spadina area, the City has secured on-site parkland dedications that combined are comparable to the size of Victoria Memorial Square. In addition, the City has secured Privately Owned Publicly Accessible Spaces ("POPS") with a combined area comparable to David Pecaut Square. It is this incremental, comprehensive approach that adds not only new space, but also spaces that are strategically located to increase the connectivity of the public realm network.

The Strategy will assist in the continued expansion of much needed improvements, help determine priorities and provide guidance on what should be secured through development review and capital planning. It is aligned with the King-Spadina Secondary Plan, the Downtown Plan and with the Downtown Parks and Public Realm Plan.