TORONTO EDITION
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2013 Vol. 17 • No. 10
Harmonized zoning by-law public meeting Planning for a resilient city HOME STORMY STRETCH WEATHER By Jake Tobin Garrett By John Michael McGrath
A second crack at bringing zoning regulations from pre- When talking about the future, University of Toronto amalgamation Toronto into line heads to council next month professor Ted Kesik quotes boxer Mike Tyson: “Everyone’s for debate. City council repealed the fi rst by-law in May 2011. got a plan until they get punched in the face.” Th e same holds On Wednesday, aft er several hours listening to deputations, true for cities, argues the building science professor, because the planning and growth management committee recom- planning alone cannot protect against unexpected events such mended city council enact the harmonized zoning by-law, as extreme weather, climate change or disruptions in energy with some amendments. supply. He was one of 12 experts who made presentations at a However, the potentially contentious issue of zoning regula- roundtable discussion on March 5 convened by Chief Planner tions for group homes will not be addressed until October, Jennifer Keesmaat. when staff come back to the committee with recommendations. In its rapid growth over the last decade, Toronto has become Zoning by-law and environmental planning acting director less resilient to external events, warned Kesik. For example, Joe D’Abramo presented the by-law to the committee, echoing past criticism by others, he said the city’s glass-clad highlighting changes such as the relaxation of restrictions on towers could quickly become unlivable in as little as 48 hours locations for places of worship. Th e new by-law proposes to in the absence of cooling and heating. allow them in more zones, such as institutional and residential, Kesik isn’t alone in warning that new housing construction in response to concerns raised at past consultations. has led to less resilient accommodation. Alec Hay, director Th e zoning treatment of group homes remains a contentious of the Centre for Resilience in Critical Infrastructure at the issue, with the city now challenged to provide a rationale for University of Toronto, notes that modern, small condos have restrictions. Th e proposed by-law would require a 250-metre little space for a pantry shelf, much less the 72 hours of food separation between group homes—facilities that provide and water supplies that the federal government recommends supportive housing for a variety of clients in need. in case of emergencies. In response to a human rights complaint lodged against the “Modern property development has shown a trend to less city on its zoning rules for group homes, CONTINUED PAGE 3 > storage in general,” said Hay. CONTINUED PAGE 4 >
■ Planning INSIDE Straightforward ■ Development ■ Municipal ■ Real property Leg up Bets down Residents denied Legal Solutions ■ Environmental City expands Casino backers eye Mid-rise tower ■ Infrastructure/PPP approved in the services for start-ups Exhibition Place as Jim Harbell [email protected] ■ Litigation venue Beach Calvin Lantz [email protected] ■ Finance > > > p 2 p 5 p 7 STIKEMAN ELLIOTT LLP www.stikeman.com 2 CITY OF TORONTO EDITION FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2013
UPCOMING Toronto’s incubation network DATES A HELPING HAND MARCH 18 By Jake Tobin Garrett Community Development and Recreation Committee, 9:30 a.m., committee room 1 Toronto & East York Community Council Starting a small business can be a daunting Casino Subcommittee, 1:30 p.m., committee room 2 task and the City of Toronto wants to MARCH 19 lend a helping hand. Under a renewed Public Works and Infrastructure framework for its business incubation and , 9:30 a.m., committee room 2 Committee commercialization program approved by MARCH 20 Executive Committee, 9:30 a.m., the economic development committee committee room 1 this week, the city plans to expand services MARCH 21 and supports to entre-preneurs. One idea is to leverage the Toronto Public Council, 9:30 a.m., council chambers “Th is program is really the fi rst action Library system to bring pre-incubation MARCH 25 item under the city’s newly approved Board of Health, 1:00 p.m., committee services to suburban communities. For room 1 Collaborating for Competitiveness strategic example, the libraries would hold sessions MARCH 27 plan,” business incubation and community to provide business information and other Aboriginal Affairs Committee, 9:30 a.m., economic development manager Judy committee room 1 resources for those who have an idea for Dunstan told NRU. Toronto Preservation Board, 2:00 p.m., a start-up but are not quite ready for a committee room 4 More than three-quarters of businesses in physical incubator space. “But they need to MARCH 28 Toronto have fewer than 10 employees, the be able to build on that idea and have some Budget Committee, 9:30 a.m., committee room 1 equivalent of 270,000 employees in the city, peer-to-peer learning,” said Dunstan. according to the report, which states “small She said these pre-incubation services APRIL 3-4 Council, 9:30 a.m., council chambers business drives Toronto’s local economy.” can be especially helpful to newcomers to APRIL 8 “Th ere is such a strong demand, under the city—a group the city wants to reach Government Management Committee, current economic conditions, for small 9:30 a.m., committee room 1 out to more. For example, an audience at business support,” Dunstan said, adding the a recent meeting she attended in north APRIL 9 Etobicoke York Community Council, 9:30 program hadn’t been reviewed since 2004. Etobicoke was very diverse. a.m., Etobicoke Civic Centre “Th e start-up environment has changed “Sometimes we ask ‘how many of you North York Community Council, 9:30 a.m., signifi cantly since that time so it was a real North York Civic Centre are new to the country?’ and typically we opportunity to take a look at the program Scarborough Community Council, 9:30 see a large percentage of the group raising a.m., Scarborough Civic Centre to see how we could make it more eff ective their hand,” said Dunstan “Th ey come to and to grow it.” Canada with a lot of great ideas, but they She said one key issue was how the city need some support to move it forward.” could “take the business incubation that In particular, the city’s food incubator was essentially happening in the downtown attracts a lot of newcomers CITY OF TORONTO EDITION area out into all our neighbourhoods and and diverse ethnic groups. “We have so our communities.” many entre-preneurs— CONTINUED PAGE 3 >
Ian A.R. Graham, Publisher John Michael McGrath SALES/SUBSCRIPTIONS NRU City of Toronto Edition NRU Publishing Inc. Billings Department [email protected] Municipal Affairs Reporter [email protected] is not to be redistributed Editorial Offi ce 46 Old Bridle Path [email protected] without the written consent 26 Soho Street, Suite 330 Toronto, ON M4T 1A7 Lynn Morrow, Editor Annual subscription rate is of the publisher. Toronto, ON M5T 1Z7 Tel: 416.440.0073 [email protected] Jeff Payette, Design/Layout $369 +HST (ON). Tel: 416.260.1304 Fax: 416.440.0074 [email protected] NRU City of Toronto Edition Fax: 416.979.2707 ISSN 1918-753X Jennifer Lewington, Guest Editor Irena Kohn Complimentary trial is published 50 times a subscriptions are available. Jake Tobin Garrett Sales and Circulation year by email by NRU Planning Reporter [email protected] Publishing Inc. Advertising rates available [email protected] Twitter @nrupublishing upon request.
CITY OF TORONTO GREA TER TORONTO VANCOUVER 3 CITY OF TORONTO EDITION FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2013 HOME STRETCH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 the city hired Dr. Sandeep Agrawal, a Ryerson University now there is no rationale for it.” urban and regional planning professor, to examine the land In the end, the committee adopted recommendations in the use and human rights issues. staff report that direct staff to report back in October on the One of his recommendations is that the city should remove the rationale for separation distances and what, if any, alternative requirement for a 250-metre separation between group homes. approaches are available to the city. “Th ere is no clear documented evidence why 250 metres Still, some councillors seemed skeptical about removing the has been chosen by the city,” Dr. Agrawal said. rule, raising concern about the potential clustering of group D’Abramo told NRU that the mandate of the harmonized homes in certain neighbourhoods. zoning by-law project was to “bring forward current standards “We have good group homes. In others we get complaints,” without really changing them” so the separation distance is a Councillor Ron Moeser told Dr. Agrawal. “Th ey’re very refl ection that the existing by-laws contained them as well. controversial to begin with, but the public has always “Th e challenge for us was that there was a range of supported separation distances.” separation distances for group homes,” he said, adding that Councillor Raymond Cho suggested that removing separation they chose 250 metres because it was the lowest number and distances would leave the door open for group home operators to was consistent with separation distances for other uses such as rent or buy up adjacent homes on a single street. However, Dr. municipal shelters. Agrawal reiterated he was provided with no evidence of potential Dr. Agrawal acknowledged that separation distances are a negative consequences materializing in a neighbourhood. valid and legal planning tool to mitigate potential negative In her deputation, Ontario Human Rights Commission impacts caused by certain land uses, but told the committee executive director Nancy Austin said that Dr. Agrawal’s that he had “not found any documented evidence of any kind recommendation mirrored that of the commission. of negative externality generated by group homes.” She described minimum separation distances as a systemic Moreover, he said, the city would need to provide a clear barrier because “they keep people out of communities.” planning justifi cation for its rules on separation distances. “Th is is people zoning, contrary to both the [Human Rights “Perhaps the city could come up with a justifi cation, but that Code] and the Planning Act,” she argued. “Zoning isn’t about justifi cation has not been provided to me.” people or behaviour. It is about buildings.” “Th e advice we received [Wednesday] was pretty clear,” Councillors also moved several amendments on the Councillor and committee chair Peter Milczyn told NRU. “In harmon-ized zoning by-law, including amendments to impose the absence of some demonstrable land use reason for limiting a 300-metre separation distance for crematoriums from the locations of group homes, [Dr. Agrawal] couldn’t support sensitive land uses, restrictions on outdoor rooft op patios, the current regime. If staff could come up with some kind of and the defi nition of a wellness centre. However, a motion to rationale for whatever the separation distance would be that reinstate a ban on paid visitor parking at apartment buildings would be one thing. Th at may or may not be valid, but right failed to carry. nru A HELPING HAND CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 and I think this is a refl ection of our diverse community—with requested approval to seek a larger space for the incubator. food ideas, particularly in the niche ethnic food market,” she said. Th e success of the food incubator is all great news, she said, However, the food incubator has outgrown its space aft er “but we can’t continue in 2,000 square feet.” fi ve years. Dunstan noted that as businesses grow they require “We can only bring in so many entrepreneurs because the more freezer space and larger production space. Th e report space is so small,” Dunstan said. nru 4 CITY OF TORONTO EDITION FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2013
STORMY WEATHER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Th at’s particularly acute in condos where, he says, “you don’t even have room for pots and pans.” Beyond these homeowner-oriented examples, the city’s rapid growth represents a strain on infrastructure too, warn experts. Residential and commercial development has changed the fl ow of stormwater and increased runoff into the city’s rivers, even as the city has invested in its wet weather fl ow master plan. At the same time, Toronto Water is trying to increase water use effi ciency in built-out neighbourhoods to save money on infrastructure upgrades. “Th e cornerstone of the plan is its cost- eff ectiveness,” says Michael D’Andrea, director of Water Infrastructure Management. Expanding in- ground and treatment infrastructure is more costly SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO than reducing household demand. According to Ellesmere Road between Midland Avenue and Brimley Road during an August 2005 rainstorm. D’Andrea, average water consumption in non- summer months is down 21 per cent, which he oil and gas getting us through what’s globally a really tough says is due to public education and increased water prices. time.” But she says the city should apply the lessons it has It’s not just water systems that need upgrading. Toronto learned elsewhere to energy security. Hydro is currently before the Ontario Energy Board to “We have a good model for storm resiliency in the response request an increase in the cost of electricity to pay for upgrades to Hurricane Hazel,” she says. “We need to apply that to the to Toronto’s electrical grid, including major projects like the energy supply.” Bremner Transformer Station. Former Mayor David Crombie, another participant at Tanya Bruckmueller-Wilson, a spokesperson for Toronto the roundtable, told NRU that the discussion served as an Hydro, said that the utility has learned many lessons from important reminder that the city will only get what it pays for. crews sent to New York to help in the recovery from Hurricane “When someone says ‘I think I’ll freeze their taxes’, the other Sandy last year. She also cautioned that some ideas designed way of describing that is to say ‘we’re going to lose ground’.” to make the electrical grid more resilient, such as burying nru power lines, aren’t panaceas. “Look at Manhattan, they have underground infrastructure that was completely fl ooded. So those types of improvements have pros and cons,” said Bruckmueller-Wilson, who noted that any major changes to Toronto’s power lines would need to be approved by the Ontario Energy Board. Some participants in the roundtable expressed concern about a too-narrow focus on city issues. Ann Joyner of Dillon Consulting told NRU that a national and even global perspective needs to be kept in mind. “You can tinker with the design of the city but what we need to think about with the wider-scale resiliency,” says Joyner. “Look at energy policy: the whole nation is based on mining, 5 CITY OF TORONTO EDITION FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2013
Urban Land Institute Toronto appoints executive director MILLWARD TAPPED FOR TOP POST
Robert Millward, past planning commissioner for the last 15 years.” He added that he will continue the former City of Toronto and current president of to be actively involved in his consulting fi rm. R. E. Millward & Associates Inc., has been named Millward expects that regional infrastructure executive director for Urban Land Institute Toronto. and transpor-tation issues will be major topics of A long-time member of ULI, Millward told NRU interest for the Toronto council, as well as ULI’s Robert Millward that he has always “valued the kind of services and Source: Urban Land Institute work worldwide on urban sustainability. information base they provide” as well as the organization’s “I think they [ULI] understand the sensible use of tools that global presence. “For me it’s just an opportunity to help the regulate land use and they can share a lot of best practices Toronto district council grow and expand the good work that done in other places for people working on those issues in they’ve already been doing,” he said. Toronto,” he said. Millward brings to the position his extensive experience in Th rough ULI Toronto, Millward said he sees an opportunity the public and private sector, which he said will be benefi cial to help create a regional dialogue with politicians and senior to him in his new role at ULI. government offi cials in the Greater Toronto Area on city- “I think one of the reasons that they have selected me is building issues. that I have a long career as a public servant including the “Th ere’s currently no forum for municipalities, politically or commissioner of planning and development in the former City bureaucratically, to get together and talk about regional land of Toronto, but I’ve been a consultant in private practice for use policies,” he said. nru CITY IN BRIEF 250 Davenport Road Request for Proposals 19/13 MGM unveils casino Council has yet to approve Toronto Community Housing is seeking proposals from interested parties to form a joint venture or purchase a portion proposal any casino downtown as of Toronto Community Housing lands at 250 Davenport Road. American casino company part of Ontario Lottery This is a tremendous opportunity for a prime development site MGM Resorts released its and Gaming Corporation’s in the Yorkville - Annex neighbourhood in Downtown Toronto. proposed “integrated resort” province-wide expansion, Approximately 1.6 acres (0.65 hectares) is available for development at the northeast corner of Bedford Road and to the press on Wednesday. with a vote by Toronto’s Davenport Road, west of Avenue Road. In partnership with executive committee th The Request for Proposals (RFP 19/13) can be downloaded at Cadillac Fairview, MGM expected at its March 20 http://www.torontohousing.ca/business_opportunities. would add a three million meeting. An information session is taking place on Tuesday, March 19, square foot facility for 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in the recreation room (sub-basement retail, hotel, and of course Marchese proposes OMB level) at 250 Davenport Road. changes gambling. Th e proposal Proposals must be received by Toronto Community Housing would move the CNE south A bill introduced in the on April 23, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. local time. Please send to the Ontario Legislature on following address: of Lake Shore Boulevard Strategic Procurement and occupy Ontario March 5 by NDP MPP Toronto Community Housing Rosario Marchese would 729 Petrolia Road Place, while extending Toronto, Ontario, M3J 2N6 the existing streetcar line remove Toronto from Attention: Sam Petralito – Manager to Duff erin Street. City CONTINUED PAGE 6 > 6 CITY OF TORONTO EDITION FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2013
Waterfront Toronto is chartered to put Toronto at the forefront of global cities in the 21st century by transforming the waterfront into beautiful and sustainable CITY IN BRIEF new communities and parks, fostering economic growth in creative industries, and ultimately defining how the city, province and country CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 are perceived by the world. If you are interested in becoming part of this dynamic organization and welcome a challenging work environment, join us as an…
the jurisdiction of the remains substantially larger Associate Legal Counsel
Reporting to our in-house Legal Counsel, Waterfront Toronto requires a person Ontario Municipal Board. than the GTA. with significant demonstrated legal experience to provide legal advice to support the development, construction and real estate functions and activities associated Th e proposed bill would with the development of waterfront precincts, ensuring compliance with the principles of the Corporation and the objectives set out in Precinct Plans, the eliminate the right of appeal 11 Wellesley sale closes Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation Act and Waterfront Toronto guiding documents. to the OMB on matters A downtown piece of land Key responsibilities are:
such as zoning, offi cial plan owned by Infrastructure The provision of sound legal advice in all aspects of activities of the Corporation including, without limitation, real estate amendments, development Ontario has been sold to development, municipal and planning law, construction, financing, leasing, land acquisitions and dispositions, proposal calls, charges, and ward Lanterra Developments, expropriation, environmental matters, risk management, procurement and compliance. boundaries. Th e City would despite a campaign from the The provision of timely information on new laws, case law, regulations and regulatory requirements and their effect on the be empowered, should it local community and the operations of the Corporation and its policies and procedures. The negotiation and preparation of real estate documents, choose, to set up its own ward councillor to preserve memorandum of understandings, contribution agreements and service delivery agreements with government partners or third appeal body. In February the land for a public park. party providers in a manner that incorporates applicable protocol terms and requirements of governments, ensures final agreements 2012, Toronto City Council Kristyn Wong-Tam tells accurately reflect agreed upon terms ad protects the interests of the Corporation. asked to be removed from NRU she’s disappointed The management, monitoring and review of the work of external counsel in a cost effective manner and in accordance established the OMB’s jurisdiction. A the province didn’t take the legal budgets. The display of ethical and professional behavior in working with spokesperson for Minister opportunity to meet its own staff and all external parties with whom the Corporation is connected. of Municipal Aff airs and standards for green space in Skills and Qualifications: Housing Linda Jeff rey said the area, adding that the city Minimum three to five years’ work experience. Superior legal analytical and problem solving skills are required to the Liberal government would have been able to pay critically analyze issues vis-à-vis corporate goals and objectives for the waterfront and develop options and recommendations in is “open to hearing what for the land, albeit not in response to a wide variety of issues. Strong negotiation skills are required to negotiate with various changes are brought to the competition with the city’s counterparties (e.g. internal and external counsel, government stakeholders, builders, and developers, real estate table,” and did not dismiss deep-pocketed development brokers/consultants) to finalize agreements and achieve overall objectives that ensure successful implementation of the the opposition motion out industry. corporation’s mandate. Solid presentation and oral/written communications skills are of hand. required to interact with staff and consultants, build relationships with stakeholders and prepare a variety of correspondence and TDSB cuts staff reports. Good legal research skills with working knowledge of publicly City celebrates population Facing a $55 million defi cit, available databases such as e-Laws and CanLII. Ability to interpret complex legal agreements and documentation, milestone the Toronto District School identify legal issues and recommend a business approach to resolving legal obstacles and protecting the Corporation’s best Toronto is the fourth-largest Board is cutting teaching interest. A Law Degree from an accredited university, admission to the Bar city in North America, and vice-principal positions, of Ontario and current membership in good standing with the Law Society of Upper Canada. according to a news release primarily in the secondary Relevant knowledge of office software (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). from city staff . Toronto’s school system where Salary and Benefits: We offer a competitive salary and benefits package.
2011 census population enrollment is shrinking. Candidates should mail/fax or email their resumes and brief cover letter by of 2,791,140 edges out At a meeting Wednesday March 15, 2013, quoting File #3/13 to: Human Resources Chicago, whose population night, the TDSB proposed Waterfront Toronto 20 Bay Street, Suite 1310 was recorded as 2,707,120 cutting at least 115 teaching Toronto, Ontario M5J 2N8 [email protected]
in July, 2011. In contrast to positions each year until We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be Toronto’s rapidly-growing 2018. nru contacted. We are an equal opportunity employer. core, Chicago’s population has never recovered from To subscribe to postwar suburban sprawl, Novae Res Urbis City of Toronto Edition go to but at 10 million people www.nrupublishing.com. For more information visit our website at: the Chicago metro region www.waterfrontoronto.ca 7 CITY OF TORONTO EDITION FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2013 TORONTO OMB NEWS
Beach mid-rise approved representing 1960 Queen Street East Ltd. and Jessica Braun representing the City of Toronto. Agent Scott Bell represented In a decision issued February 26, board member Sylvia Th e Beaches Residents Association of Toronto. (See OMB Sutherland dismissed appeals by Th e Beaches Residents Case No. PL120820.) Association of Toronto of a zoning by-law amendment to allow development by 1960 Queen Street East Ltd. Board approves Front Street towers Th e zoning by-law amendment would permit a 29-unit six- storey condominium with at-grade retail at 1960 Queen Street In a decision issued February 26, board member Jason Chee- East, in the Beach neighbourhood. Buildings of one and two Hing allowed an appeal by FMC Front Street Developments storeys are the average built form in this area of Queen Street Inc. of the City of Toronto’s failure to enact a zoning by-law East. Th e site is designated mixed-use in the offi cial plan. amendment for a proposed development at 154 Front Street In appealing the by-law, the association argued the East at Sherbourne Street. development did not comply with either provincial or city Th e amendment was to permit two 26- and 22-storey towers, policies and was not in the public interest. Th e association had with a four-storey bridge connecting the towers at the top. Th e introduced a motion seeking to adjourn the hearing because it site on Front Street is designated as a regeneration area in the had a new counsel who needed time to prepare. offi cial plan and zoned as a reinvestment area district. As well, David Bronskill (Goodmans), counsel for 1960 Queen, the site is within the Old Town of York CONTINUED PAGE 8 > fi led a motion dismissing the adjournment request. He argued the association had months to prepare and that motions to adjourn must be fi led 10 days before a hearing. Th e board DEVELOPMENT PLANNER As part of a collaborative team of development professionals, in a Toronto based agreed, dismissing the association’s motion. development firm, this comprehensive role as Development Planner requires the Planner J. Craig Hunter (Armstrong Hunter & Associates), individual to engage in various stages of the development process in order to see providing evidence for 1960 Queen, said the building will rise projects through to the construction and registration stages. from the property line to four storeys before stepping back for KEY RESPONSIBILITIES UÊ «iÌiÊ «À«iÀÌÞÊ ÀiÃi>ÀV ]Ê ÃÕV Ê >ÃÊ «>}Ê ÀiÛiÜÃÊ "vwV>Ê *>]Ê â}]Ê the upper two fl oors. On the north property line adjacent to a ÊÊÊÊÊÀiiÛ>ÌÊ}Õ`iiî]Ê"Ì>ÀÊ ÕV«>Ê >À`Ê`iVÃÃ]ÊiÀÌ>}iÊ-Ì>ÌÕÃ]Ê«>À>`Ê residential area, the building will be set back 7.5 meters, with dedication, development charges UÊ >>}iÊÌ iÊÃÕLÃÃÊvÊV«iÌiÊ`iÛi«iÌÊ>««ÀÛ>Ê>««V>ÌÃÊVÕ`}Ê a stepback aft er three storeys. ÊÊ"vwV>Ê*>Ê>i`iÌ]Ê<}Ê Þ>ÜÊ>i`iÌ]Ê ÌÌiiÊvÊ`ÕÃÌiÌ]Ê Hunter argued that Queen Street East is identifi ed in the ÊÊÊ-ÌiÊ*>Ê ÌÀÊ>`Ê*>ÊvÊ `ÕÊ««V>Ìà UÊ,iÛiÜÊ>`Ê>>ÞâiÊ«ÀÛV>Ê>`ÊÕV«>Ê«>}ÊÌ>ÌÛiÃ]Ê>`ÊÀi«ÀÌÊÌÊ offi cial plan as an avenue where intensifi cation is expected to development staff UÊ ÌÀÊ>`ÊÀi«ÀÌÊÊÀiiÛ>ÌÊ`ÕÃÌÀÞÊÃÃÕiÃÊ>ÃÊÜiÊ>ÃÊ«ÀiVÌÊÀi>Ìi`ÊÃÃÕiÃÊ occur, adding that the development achieves that objective. Ê Ê >ÌÊ ÌÞÊ ÕV]Ê ÕÌÞÊ ÕV]Ê ÌÌiiÃÊ vÊ ÕVÊ >`Ê ÕÌÞÊ While some residents worry the development would set ÊÊÊ ÃÕÌ>ÌÊ iiÌ}à UÊÃÃÃÌÊÊV`ÕVÌ}Ê>ÀiÌÊÀiÃi>ÀV ÊÊÀ`iÀÊÌÊ`iÛi«Ê>ÊÕ`iÀÃÌ>`}ÊvÊ a precedent for similar mid-rise developments along the competing developments street, Hunter argued it is only two storeys taller than nearby UÊ À`>ÌiÊ>`Ê>>}iÊ*ÀiVÌÊVÃÕÌ>ÌÊÌi>ÃÊÌÊiiÌÊ«ÀiVÌÊLiVÌÛià UÊ"LÌ>Ê>««ÀÛ>ÊvÊ`iÛi«iÌÊ>««V>ÌÃÊvÀÊÌ iÊ ÌÞÊ>`ÊV`ÌÃÊvÊ>««ÀÛ>® developments. UÊ*>ÀÌV«>ÌiÊÊ«ÕLVÊiiÌ}ÃÊ>`ÊVÕÌÞÊiiÌ}à Planner Anne McIlroy (Brook McIlroy), providing evidence QUALIFICATIONS for 1960 Queen, stated the development was a “good example `ÕV>Ì>Ê,iµÕÀiiÌÃ\Ê1ÛiÀÃÌÞÊ i}ÀiiÊvÀÊ>Ê>VVÀi`Ìi`Ê1ÀL>ÊEÊ,i}>Ê of mid-rise development.” Planning program; and/or, related discipline. In response to residents concerned about shadowing and *ÀÀÊ,i>Ìi`Ê Ý«iÀiVi\ÊÊÕÊvÊÎÊÞi>ÀÃÊvÊ«ÀiÛÕÃÊ«>}É`iÛi«iÌÊ parking, the board noted that studies showed no impact. iÝ«iÀiVi]Ê«ÀiviÀ>LÞÊÊ>Ê«ÀÛ>ÌiÊ`iÛi«iÌÊiÛÀiÌ Further, the board noted the city supported the development. CLOSING DATE:Ê >ÀV Ê£n]ÊÓä£Î *i>ÃiÊÃÕLÌÊÞÕÀÊÀiÃÕiÊÌÊ`iÛi«iÌ«>iÀLJ}>°V°Ê Solicitors in the case were David Bronskill, Nicholas `Û`Õ>ÃÊÜÊÞÊLiÊVÌ>VÌi`ÊvÊÃiiVÌi`ÊvÀÊ>ÊÌiÀÛiÜ° Staubitz (Goodmans) and Joey Hoff man (student-at-law) 8 CITY OF TORONTO EDITION FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2013 TORONTO OMB NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 area in the King-Parliament Secondary Plan that includes the City planner Willie Macrae stated that the proposal original ten blocks of the City of Toronto and contains “unique doesn’t fi t Toronto’s tall buildings guidelines, the offi cial cultural heritage and physical character,” the board noted. plan or secondary plan policies. He argued it constitutes an Architect Michael McClelland (E.R.A. Architects Inc.), overdevelopment of the site, while Glover argued the density providing evidence for FMC, pointed out that “the original is reasonable. ten blocks is evolving in terms of its cultural heritage.” Th e Macrae further argued that the lack of stepbacks and site is neither listed nor designated as heritage. He argued the setbacks meant the podium is “overbearing relative to the proposal respects the character of the area. site and the streetscape,” with a design that amounts to “a However, cultural heritage expert Carl Bray (Bray 26-storey slab building.” Heritage), providing evidence for the city, countered that However, the board decided that the proposed development the proposal’s height and massing is out of scale and not was compatible with the surrounding area and that a slab compatible with the character of the area, which is mainly a building would not be appropriate. While noting city concerns low and mid-rise built form. over stepbacks and streetscape, the board decided that the Project architect Peter Clewes (architectsAlliance) podium design was acceptable. providing evidence for FMC, argued the built form along Further, it stated that the importance of the intersection Front Street is not very cohesive. He said the architecture of Sherbourne Street and Front Street as well as the evolving breaks up the massing of the proposed development and the nature of Front Street were key considerations in its podium adds to the streetscape. decision. It agreed with FMC that the proposal was not an Planner Robert Glover (Bousfi elds Inc.), providing overdevelopment of the site nor inconsistent with city and evidence for FMC, stated the original ten block plan area provincial policy. continues to evolve with the construction of modern buildings However, the board expressed concern over the lack over the last 30 years. Like Clewes, he argued there isn’t a of larger family-sized units and interior amenity space. It cohesive built-form character to the area. Further, he pointed directed FMC to address those concerns when the hearing out that the intersection where the building sits should have reconvened and withheld its order for now. some “punctuation” as it acts as a gateway to Front Street, east It directed that a zoning by-law amendment be draft ed up of Sherbourne Street. He added that Front Street will be the in accordance with the board’s decision to be presented when “public promenade” for the 2015 Pan Am Games. the hearing reconvenes. City urban designer Myron Boyko argued that the podium Solicitors in the case are David Bronskill and Jennifer is too massive and that the proposed built form doesn’t make a Drake (Goodmans) representing FMC Front Street transition to nearby buildings. As an alternative, he suggested a Developments Inc. and Ray Kallio representing the City of 15 to 17-storey slab building that would respect the area better. Toronto. (See OMB Case No. PL111300.) nru
TORONTO PEOPLE
New University of Toronto by the Governing He will replace outgoing whose advice on urban policy and planning as Toronto President Council this week. Gertler president David Naylor issues has been sought well as economic change has been at the University who, in a press release, by governments around in the GTA The university Meric Gertler has been since 1983, serving as praised his successor as the world. Gertler’s has not set a date for the named the 16th president dean of the Faculty of Arts “a gifted scholar, teacher, research interests include start of Gertler’s term. of the University of and Science since 2008. mentor and administrator economic development