Item - 2022.TE34.104

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council Endorse in principle the Draft Public Realm Strategy, Attachment 3 to the report (June 16, 2022) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District, and direct staff to use the Draft Public Realm Strategies in the review of development applications in the Liberty Village Study area as the study principles continue to be refined in consultation with the community.

2. City Council direct the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO, in consultation with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the President, Toronto Parking Authority to undertake the necessary steps to transform the City-owned property at 34 Hanna Ave into new public parkland.
 

3. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to create a capital project and identify funding sources for the creation of new parkland at 34 Hanna Ave through the 2023 Budget process.
 

4. City Council direct the President, Toronto Parking Authority, and the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to undertake a Liberty Village Streets Plan and a precinct wide parking study as described in the report (June 16, 2022) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.
 

5. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to complete the Liberty Village Community Services and Facilities Assessment, including associated population and employment projections and demographic analysis, to inform future decisions about repurposing City-owned lands in the vicinity, future capital and operating budget submissions from City divisions, and the review of private development proposals.

6. City Council direct Planning staff to report back to the Toronto and East York Community Council with a Final Report on the Liberty Village Public Realm and Community Services and Facilities Study in the second quarter of 2023.

This report provides an update on the findings and emerging directions of the Liberty Village Public Realm and Community Services and Facilities Study, public realm objectives in a Draft Public Realm Strategy and the next steps to complete the study. The study focuses on opportunities for the city to expand and improve the parks and public realm and add more community services and facilities including leveraging city-owned properties to do so.

The report also seeks City Council's direction to use the Draft Public Realm Strategies in the review of development applications and to identify priorities for public realm improvements. The findings and emerging directions will continue to be refined as the study progresses with a final report targeted for the second quarter of 2023.