25-Storeys By-The-Lake Community Connections

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 Vol. 19 • No. 8

Mimico plan challenged Discussions on open data 25-STOREYS COMMUNITY BY-THE-LAKE CONNECTIONS By Edward LaRusic By Leah Wong

With the fi rst development proposal within the secondary plan Toronto’s open data community wants local leaders to rely area not refl ecting the Mimico-by-the-Lake vision, residents less on anecdotal evidence and more on facts when it to fear the secondary plan will be signifi cantly revised before it is comes to policy decisions. even implemented. Th is weekend open data enthusiasts, government offi cials Shoreline Towers Inc. proposes to construct a 25-storey and community organizers will come together for the building on an existing parking lot at 2313 and 2323 Lake city’s Open Data Day activities to discuss how to use data Shore Boulevard West. Th e site is east of two existing 10-storey to improve the city. Among the topics being tackled this apartment buildings that front on Lake Shore Boulevard West, weekend is how to incorporate data into neighbourhood also owned by Shoreline. revitalization policies. Mimico Lakeshore Network co-chair Martin Gerwin “Th e wonderful thing about open data in policy making told NRU that part of the issue is that this parking lot was is that it’s fact-based. Many politicians will make a lot of calls never considered for redevelopment of this nature when the based on anecdotes or platforms,” one of the organizers and secondary plan was approved. Th e plan, which is currently CitizenBridge founding member Richard Pietro told NRU. under appeal at the OMB, envisions a portion of this parking “[Open data] helps drive the conversation a lot better and at lot being used for a new public road and 20-plus m. strip of the same time takes away a lot of the rhetoric.” parkland to complement the Martin Goodman trail. Presenting a data set in a way that is accessible to the “[Staff ] didn’t foresee any redevelopment of the Shoreline average citizen can educate residents about what is happening Towers properties, unless those two [existing] 10-storey in their neighbourhoods and act as justifi cation for new buildings were taken down and replaced. Th e reason being is policy decisions. there wouldn’t be room for a roadway.” “One [of our goals] is to help the open data community

For the most part, the 2013 Mimico-by-the-Lake CONTINUED PAGE 5 > advance by looking at the tough issues CONTINUED PAGE 6 > INSIDE

City of opportunity Avenue appeal Richmond rezone Tackling Toronto’s 12-storey OMB approves youth unemployment building called mixed-use overdevelopment building YOUR > > > p 2 p 3 p 10 to Navigate Successful Real Estate TEAM Financing and Development Deals

www.robapp.com @RobinsAppleby 2 CITY OF TORONTO EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

UPCOMING Expanding youth employment DATES BUILDING BRIDGES FEBRUARY 23 Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, 9:30 a.m., committee room 1 By Leah Wong

FEBRUARY 24 Planning and Growth Management Th e city is expanding a program that Staff plans to ramp up its eff orts to Committee, 9:30 a.m., committee room 1 partners with the private sector and attract new employers through a series of FEBRUARY 25 community service providers to improve events, including an employer reception Parks and Environment Committee, 9:30 a.m., committee room 1 employment opportunities for its March 25 hosted by Mayor John Tory. young people. While Toronto’s youth Th is event will recognize the program’s FEBRUARY 26 Economic Development Committee, 9:30 unemployment rate has declined since current employer partners and act as a call a.m., committee room 1 2012, it still sits around 18 per cent, which to action for new businesses considering

MARCH 2 is double the city’s overall unemployment signing on. Executive Committee, 9:30 a.m., rate. “We have a core number of PAYE committee room 1 Th e Partnership to Advance Youth employers who work with us and we’re Parks and Environment Subcommittee Employment is a city program that now looking at diff erent opportunities on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, 7:00 p.m., council chamber provides employment services to youth with sectors where there is growth (18-29 years old) from disadvantaged potential [as] markets we could go to,” said MARCH 7 Toronto Park Summit, 1:00 p.m., Daniels communities and connects them with Eisler. Spectrum, 585 Dundas Street East employers. In addition to connecting Staff is hoping the program’s MARCH 9 youth to jobs, the program provides job momentum from 2014 will continue. In Affordable Housing Committee, 9:30 a.m., committee room 2 coaching, workshops on resume and 2014 partnerships with 40 employers were interview preparation and networking maintained, more than 500 youth were MARCH 10 Council, 9:30 a.m., council chamber events. matched with an employment coach and Th e partnership launched as a more than 150 youth were connected to MARCH 11 Council, 9:30 a.m., council chamber pilot among private sector employers, jobs. community service providers and the Last year through the a series of deputy MARCH 23 Community Development and Recreation city in 2007. Since it became a city-wide mayor’s roundtables hosted by Ward 40 Committee, 9:30 a.m., committee room 1 initiative in 2009, around 700 youth have Scarborough-Agincourt councillor Norm MARCH 25 been hired. Kelly businesses in the manufacturing and Executive Committee, 9:30 a.m., committee room 1 “What’s made it successful is in the innovation and technology sectors, for name of the program—it’s the partnership example, indicated they are interested in that we have with the employers and the working with the city to employ its youth. community at large to come together to To date the primary focus of the program bring real opportunities, real jobs to the has been partnerships in the fi nancial and youth in Toronto,” employment and social corporate services sector, moving forward CITY OF TORONTO EDITION services director Phil Eisler told NRU. staff will be exploring CONTINUED PAGE 4 >

Ian A.R. Graham, Publisher Monica Silberberg SALES/SUBSCRIPTIONS NRU City of Toronto Edition NRU Publishing Inc. Billings Department [email protected] Planning Researcher [email protected] is not to be redistributed Editorial Ofﬁ ce 34B McMurrich Street [email protected] without the written consent 26 Soho Street, Suite 330 Toronto, ON M5R 2A2 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] Edward LaRusic NRU City of Toronto Edition Fax: 416.979.2707 ISSN 1918-7548 Planning Reporter Irena Kohn Complimentary trial is published 50 times a subscriptions are available. [email protected] Sales and Circulation year by email by NRU [email protected] Publishing Inc. Leah Wong Advertising rates available Municipal Affairs Reporter Twitter @nrupublishing upon request. [email protected] CITY OF TORONTO GREA TER TORONTO VANCOUVER 3 CITY OF TORONTO EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Not on speaking terms AVENUE CONCERN By Edward LaRusic

A midtown mid-rise application is heading to the Ontario Municipal Board with staff and the local residents association calling it an overdevelopment of the site. ABC Residents Association co-president John Caliendo told NRU that Dash 143 Avenue Road Corp.’s proposal for a 12-storey, mixed-use building at 143 Avenue Road is a “ridiculous overdevelopment of a small site.” Th e 1,131 sq.m.site—a parking lot—lies just south of Davenport Road on the east side of Avenue Road. It is proposed to be developed with a 42 m. building with two fl oors of commercial retail topped by 117 dwelling units. Th ere is to be 70 underground parking spaces on three levels. Following meetings with staff and stakeholders Dash N revised its application to reduce setbacks and increase the number of dwelling units from 94 and it appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board. SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO Location of Dash 143 Avenue Road Corp. proposed development Caliendo said that his organization has three big concerns with the proposal: shadow impacts, insuffi cient setbacks and disregard for the public realm. Some of these concerns are echoed by city staff . “Th ere’s a major shadowing impact on both the Dakota building beside it and the houses on the north side of Webster Street, which is a historical conservation district,” said Caliendo. Th e staff report agrees that the shadowing by the proposed Dash development is unacceptable. It would shadow Dakota Building amenity areas at 225 Davenport Road for two or more hours during most of the year. Similar shadowing is noted on the Webster Street properties during the summer. Caliendo notes that the proposed development has no setback from the Dakota building at the eastern lot line. “[Dash] had the hutzpah to say ‘there is x separation Rendering of Dash 143 Avenue Road Corp. development looking southeast between my buildings and look at these nice trees.’ Well, all SOURCE: TEEPLE ARCHITECTS that separation and nice trees are on the Dakota side. … It’s like saying ‘I’m going to build my house to the lot line because on its parking and servicing. look at my neighbours nice backyard.’ I don’t think so.” “We’ve come up with a really innovative idea, using the Staff agrees and is recommending a rear setback of 7.5 m., Dakota condominiums driveway and service area to then which it believes would be more appropriate to a mid-rise punch a hole underground through to this site. So instead of building. having one of these big stupid big gaping holes on the Avenue Th e residents’ association is also concerned that the developer Road sidewalk (for parking and servicing) we’d have a clean, refused an opportunity to collaborate with the Dakota building elegant solution. Well [Dash] rejected that.” CONTINUED PAGE 4 > 4 CITY OF TORONTO EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 AVENUE CONCERN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Th e staff report notes that the proposed development, which which are very clearly outlined in the fi nal [staff ] report, are steps back at the 10th fl oor from its Avenue Road frontage, that this application in its current form and rendition simply negatively impacts the public realm due to its inappropriate does not conform to the offi cial plan and is not consistent with massing. Both the Avenues and Mid-Rise Building Study and the guidelines.” the Tall Building Design Guidelines call for a setback above Wong-Tam said Dash likely submitted its application the 5th fl oor. knowing it was going to be very diffi cult to win support from Caliendo said that the ABC Residents Association is all city planning and from her, and instead ran to the board rather for redeveloping the site and has spent over $10,000 coming than try and negotiate. up with an alternative development scheme for a nine-storey “I have developers that will work with us... [Dash] was building with a setback from the east property line that he simply not willing to make any changes to its plans.” claims would both fi t well with the neighbourhood and “within Th e ABC Residents Association will be seeking party status the developer’s economic envelope.” However, Caliendo said at the OMB hearing and has hired solicitor Andrew Biggart that conversations with the developer have been diffi cult. (Ritchie Ketcheson Hart Biggart LLP), as well as architect “We’re dealing with a very dismissive applicant. We’ve had Michael Spaziani (Michael Spaziani Architect Inc.) to adversarial relationships [with other developers]… but at the provide urban design evidence. end of the day [these developers have been] very experienced Toronto East York Community Council adopted staff and know how to adapt, adjust and respond. We’re a bit recommendations to oppose this application at the Ontario challenged on this one.” Municipal Board February 18. Ward 27 Toronto Centre - Rosedale councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam told NRU she does not support the Dash application. Dash 143 Avenue Road Corp. declined to comment on this “We’ve had a number of community meetings that have application. nru had fairly sizable turnouts [on this application]. Th e concerns, BUILDING BRIDGES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 how to reach out to employers in other sectors. acting executive director Denise Andrea Campbell. “What will be critical going forward is being able to show, Staff is recommending council approve the development from an evidence perspective, real outcomes towards making of an employer recognition award for the program and direct inroads in a shift from the high youth unemployment rate,” Walcott to prepare a report on the results of the program said Eisler. For the partnership program this means showing expansion. Funding is built into Toronto employment and real results of youth getting jobs based on their experience social services’ recommended 2015 operating budget. nru with the program. “Th at’s going to be the momentum we need to build off of.” On Monday the economic development committee will To subscribe or advertise in NRU City of Toronto consider a report on the program from Toronto employment Edition, go to www.nrupublishing.com and social services general manager Patricia Walcott, economic development and culture general manager Michael Williams and social development, fi nance and administration 5 CITY OF TORONTO EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 25-STOREYS BY-THE-LAKE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Secondary Plan allows up to eight-storey buildings on Lake Shore Boulevard West, 15-storey buildings fronting the lakeshore and 25-storey buildings in between. However, it only permits up to eight storeys on the entire Shoreline development site. “[Th e Shoreline proposal is] far removed from what’s allowed by the secondary plan,” said Gerwin. “It would be in the spirit of the secondary plan to put a 15-storey building this close to the water, but only if you could [provide] Land use plan for Mimico-by-the-Lake Secondary Plan a roadway [as envisioned in the plan].” SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO Th e network wants the designated open space to remain and allow for the widening of a bicycle path Underlying resident concerns, said Gerwin, is the fear that along the Martin Goodman Trail. Gerwin also said that the the Mimico-by-the-Lake Secondary Plan will suff er the same current proposal has no three-bedroom units, which he says is fate as the Humber Bay Shores Secondary Plan, which was needed to attract families with children. intended to revitalize the motel strip to the northwest. Mimico Residents Association director Mary Bella told “[Th e Humber Bay Shores Secondary Plan] got torn up NRU the roadway is important for revitalizing other properties piece by piece along the way, as developers got site-specifi c within the area. exemptions. [Th e city] has revised the secondary plan “[Th e Shoreline] site has a couple of very large buildings on drastically to fi t in with what the developers were being given. it that are already in fairly good shape and are two of the nicer And that’s what’s fi ring the concern in Mimico. We’ve got a buildings along the strip. Quite a few of the other buildings on secondary plan passed by city council, but it’s under appeal. So that strip are in bad repair and poorly maintained and those are it hasn’t been put into eff ect yet. Before it even gets going, here the ones that need to be replaced. If we rule out the possibility comes a property owner who wants something that would be of this road … we’re not going to see any development in those an exception, or contrary to what’s in the secondary plan.” areas.” Shoreline solicitor Piper Morley (Borden Ladner Gervais Bella added that the Mimico Residents Association has LLP) told NRU that her client has decline to comment on this concerns with the proposed building height, which she said application. could obstruct views to the lake. “[Shoreline is] going to be heading into mediation “We’re concerned it would be the thin edge of the wedge. sometime next month or the month aft er… as much as we’d If a building on that size was approved, it opens the gate for love to comment on the merits of our appeal, we don’t think further developers to come in and propose 25, 30 or 40 storey it’s in the spirit of mediation.” buildings all the way along the lake.” Two general appeals of the Mimico-by-the-Lake Secondary In the planning report by PMG Planning Consultants the Plan are scheduled to be before the Ontario Municipal Board necessity of the public road is questioned. It notes that the starting March 9. Two site-specifi c appeals—one which is by site could access a proposed roadway around a property to Shoreline—are scheduled to begin November 16. Meanwhile, the north, allowing the building to front onto a street other the city, Mimico Lakeshore Network, Mimico Residents than Lake Shore Boulevard West. Th e report also questions the Association, Shoreline and other parties are participating in need for the linear park, noting that the area was identifi ed as mediation with respect to the secondary plan appeals. being “park rich” in a 2013 community services gap analysis, Th e fi nal staff report and statutory public meeting are with 1.9 ha. of parkland per 1,000 people. expected sometime in the fourth quarter of 2015. nru 6 CITY OF TORONTO EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 and starting to create a network [of people] who are able to empower themselves in moving forward,” said Pietro. “We’re trying to highlight work taking place and, at the same time, looking at some of the tough issues currently within the community.” On Saturday and Sunday Open Data Day is partnering with PodCamp Toronto to bring community leaders together to discuss issues relating to government and new media. Th e topics being discussed include how policy and data can address the city’s aff ordable housing issues and the role data and technology can play in the revitalization of neighbourhoods. “We’re trying to profi le some of the people doing the work,” said Pietro. “And we’re trying to [create connections] between people that are doing a lot in regards to open data and open government.” WIKIPEDIA.ORG One of the panelists is Pathways to Education facilitator Salomeh Ahmadi. Last year she invited Rexdale residents “book club” where it assigns a diff erent data set each month. and professionals to meet and talk about innovative ways to Between meetings members look at the sets and come up with address community issues and counter the neighbourhood’s, ideas on what they can do with them. at times, negative reputation. Th is led to the creation of Th rough his tour Pietro also learned about how the political Rexdale Lab, a group comprising 26 individuals from 14 climate in a municipality can aff ect open data. diff erent community organizations. “I’ve learned political forces can accelerate or decelerate One of the projects Rexdale Lab is working on is the the progress of open data and open government in any creation of a mobile app that creates a directory with contact jurisdiction, but it cannot stop it,” said Pietro. information for social service organizations in Rexdale and Both the city and the province have made eff orts to release into North Etobicoke. Ahmadi said members would be sharing data sets to the public and work with the open data community. information about diff erent community resources and specifi c City and provincial staff are involved in the organization of contacts for outreach. Ahmadi’s involvement in the panel this Toronto’s open data day. nru weekend will allow her to share the group’s idea with a broader audience. “It will be nice to gauge and share [our] idea with a broader group who is very interested in design, tech, data and knowledge sharing,” said Ahmadi. “It’s always great to be in a space where like-minded people are striving to create new and innovative things.” Last year Pietro spent three months on the Open Government Tour, travelling across Canada in an attempt to bring attention to the open data and open government movement. Th rough this he learned about initiatives being undertaken in municipalities across the country. For example, in Ottawa an open data group has a monthly 7 CITY OF TORONTO EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 STANDING COMMITTEE AGENDAS

PLANNING AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Toronto Heritage Conservation District study prioritization— Report recommends council adopt the amended prioritization Th e Planning and Growth Management Committee will consider system and criteria to determine the sequence in which the following at its meeting Tuesday, February 24 at 9:30 a.m. in planning staff will conduct HCD studies. As a result, it is committee room 1, City Hall. recommended that West Queen West, Kensington Market and the Distillery District be studied as potential HCD in 2015. In SCHEDULED REPORTS addition, fi ve potential HCDs are recommended for study in 2016: Baby Point, Bloor West Village, Cabbagetown Southwest, 10:00 a.m. Casa Loma and the Kingsway.

Technical amendments to city-wide by-law—Report 2014 Employment Survey—Information report highlights recommends council make amendments to the zoning by-law the results of the 2014 Toronto Employment Survey by sector, to remove lands that had complete applications and met the the longevity of establishments and employment activity in Transition Protocol criteria, but were not removed prior to the centres, downtown and employment districts. Th ere was a council enactment of the by-law. In addition, the correction of 1.5 per cent increase in employment in the city this past year, a number of minor typographical errors and zoning labels and exceeding both the national and provincial growth rates. Th e boundaries is also recommended. CONTINUED PAGE 8 >

REPORTS

225 Village Green Square—Preliminary report recommends staff schedule a community consultation meeting with the ward councillor. Applications for offi cial plan and zoning by- BILD is currently seeking an energetic, organized, result-oriented law amendments by Mark Flowers (Davies Howe Partners individual to join its team in the Policy & Government Relations department. LLP), on behalf of owner Metrogate Inc. proposes a 32-storey residential apartment building with 420 units. Reporting to the VP, Policy & Government Relations, our new team member will monitor emerging municipal government legislation, regulations and by-laws, manage and coordinate BILD Committee of Adjustment continuous improvement Chapters and Committees, assist in the development of research initiatives—Information report summarizes measures to and position papers, liaise with and communicate the interests of the Association with our municipal partners and government improve the operation of the committee of adjustment, agencies and ensure that communication with BILD members is including public awareness of committee operations, public maintained on issues affecting the industry. engagement and member training, for the 2014-2018 term. The candidate will have a degree in urban planning or a related Th is and the following staff reports are a response to Councillor discipline, an understanding of provincial/regional/municipal Jaye Robinson request regarding measures to improve the governance structures and knowledge of issues impacting the operations of the CoA. land development and home-building industry. The preferred candidates will have exceptional communication skills, a demonstrated ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment Committee of Adjustment qualiﬁ cations—Information and strong interpersonal skills when working with report on the feasibility and advisability of requiring relevant multi-disciplinary teams and a membership base. professional experience or education as a qualifi cation for Please e-mail a copy of your resume, along with salary appointment to the committee of adjustment. expectations to the attention of Paula Tenuta, VP, Policy & Government Relations at [email protected]. 8 CITY OF TORONTO EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 DESIGN REVIEW PANEL AGENDA

Th e Design Review Panel will consider the following item at “The Quad” student residence development application— its meeting on Tuesday, February 24 at 2:20 p.m. in committee Th e panel will undertake its fi rst review of applications for room 2, City Hall. draft plan of subdivision, offi cial plan and zoning by-law amendments to allow three buildings, Th e Quad, south of the PRESENTATION York University campus core within the southwest precinct. Th e proposed development would include two six-storey 3:10 p.m. mixed-use buildings.

York University Southwest Precinct Plan—Th e panel will Presentations will be made by Toronto planner Andria undertake its fi rst review of the York University Southwest Sallese and urban designer Helene Iardas, Urban Strategies Precinct Plan and urban design guidelines, which set out Inc. planner Benjamin Hoff and Architects + Research + a proposed vision and framework for future development Knowledge Inc architect Guela Solow. nru within the southwest precinct. STANDING COMMITTEE AGENDAS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

number of establishments surveyed in 2014 was 75,180, a net ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE increase of 430 or 0.6 per cent since 2013, 5,030 establishments were new to the city in 2014. Th e Economic Development Committee will consider the following at its meeting Th ursday, February 26 at 9:30 a.m. in PARKS AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE committee room 1, City Hall.

Th e Parks and Environment Committee will consider the REPORTS following at its meeting Wednesday, February 25 at 9:30 a.m. in committee room 1, City Hall. Economic dashboard—Information report provides an annual summary of the data reported each month in the Toronto REPORTS Economic Dashboard, which benchmarks the city’s economic performance. Rouge National Urban Park draft management plan—Report recommends the preparation of detailed implementation Toronto region economic outlook—Presentation of challenges strategies for natural heritage and archaeology as part of the and opportunities from Conference Board of Canada senior park transition phase, and inclusion of additional information vice-president and chief economist Glen Hodgson. on park governance, reference to the recently executed agreement to collaborate in relation to the Toronto Zoo and Expanding partnership to advance youth employment—Report proposed Beare Road Park and additional information on recommends council develop an annual Partnership to Advance service delivery needs in relation to the implementation of the Youth Employment Employer Recognition Award and ask staff management plan. to prepare a progress report on the program expansion. nru 9 CITY OF TORONTO EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 TORONTO IN BRIEF

Open Data Day in Toronto represents the best public and business owners In celebration of year ever in terms on potential changes to the International Open Data of the number of City of Toronto Act and the Day, there are several free overseas visitors. Toronto Sign By-Law. Th e events taking place in Additionally, the proposed changes would Toronto from February 20 Toronto region increase the city’s ability to 22. Open Data Day is led the country in to implement and enforce celebrated by a gathering of hotel occupancy the sign by-law. Public citizens in cities around the and hotel room consultations are being held world to show support for nights sold with over the next two weeks and encourage the adoption BARWHIZ a record 71.4 per and staff will report back to of open data policies by cent and 9.45 council in April on how the local, regional and national 14.3-million overnight million last year. city should address existing governments. visitors, Tourism Toronto non-conforming signs if the announced last week. Th is Public consultation for province amends the City of Toronto sets tourism record was the fourth consecutive sign regulations Toronto Act, as requested. nru Toronto set new tourism year when the number of Th e City of Toronto is records in 2014 with U.S. visitors grew and it looking for input from the 10 CITY OF TORONTO EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 TORONTO OMB NEWS

Mixed-use building approved in King-Spadina drawings signifi cantly altered the building in a way that represents an inappropriate curtailment of the development In a January 30 decision, board member Reid Rossi allowed capacity of the site. Th e city did not demonstrate any adverse an appeal by Th e Harlowe Inc. against the City of Toronto’s impacts resulting from the loss of these two trees. failure to make a decision regarding applications for rezoning Preferring the evidence presented on behalf of Harlowe, the and site plan approval for its property at 604-618 Richmond board approved the appeal with the modifi ed number of visitor Street West. Harlowe sought permission to construct a parking spaces and ordered payment to the city of a $660,000 14-storey, mixed-use building comprising 218 residential section 37 benefi t. Th e fi nal order is withheld until the zoning units with at-grade commercial uses and 127 underground by-law amendment and conditions of site plan approval have parking spaces. been fi nalized and the section 37 benefi t has been paid. Th e city raised concern over the height and massing of the Solicitors involved in this decision were Kim Kovar (Aird proposed building, the lack of suffi cient outdoor amenity and & Berlis LLP) representing Th e Harlowe Inc. and Sarah visitor parking spaces, and the removal of two mature trees on O’Connor representing the City of Toronto. (See OMB Case the property. Th e parties also disputed whether the city should No. MM140038.) gain section 37 benefi ts in exchange for approval of the zoning by-law. Settlement for East York home variances Urban designer Mark Sterling (Acronym Urban Design & Planning) and planner Peter Smith (Bousfi elds Inc.) In a February 3 decision, board vice-chair Karlene Hussey provided expert evidence on behalf of Harlowe. Sterling and approved a settlement between Franco Temprile and the City Smith convinced the board that the proposed building height of Toronto for minor variances for the property at 7 Chilton and massing does not deviate from the type of development Road. Temprile sought variances to alter the existing one- occurring in the King-Spadina neighbourhood. Th ey testifi ed storey single-detached dwelling by construction a second fl oor that the provision of additional outdoor amenity space would addition, a rear two-storey addition and a rear deck. Th e city result in a reduction of internal living areas and that there are refused the variances concerned with the massing and siting enough public outdoor spaces in the vicinity to accommodate of the proposed addition. future building residents. Moreover, they noted that Harlowe City planner Jason Tsang informed the board that the is willing to increase the number of visitor parking spaces parties had agreed to reduce the requested increases in fl oor from 10 to 13. space index and lot coverage. He opined that the variances as City planners Nasim Adab and Lynda Macdonald provided amended meet the four requirements under the Planning Act. the board with a compromise design that includes an eight- Agreeing with Tsang’s testimony, the board approved the storey street wall where 10 is proposed and a 5.5 m. step back settlement for revised variances. instead of 3. Th e board found that the city’s design is similar Solicitors involved in this decision were Leo Mastrandrea to Harlowe’s proposal and found no grounds to make these (Lemcad Consultants) representing Franco Temprile and modifi cations. Christina Achkarian representing the City of Toronto. (See Community planner Charlene Miranda provided OMB Case No. PL140794.) uncontested evidence that the intensifi cation resulting from the development should be compensated through a section 37 Bayview homes approved in principle benefi t valued at $660,000. Th e board agreed with Miranda’s valuation. At the second prehearing conference held February 4, board Th e city’s arborist Mark Ventresca presented drawings that member Maureen Carter-Whitney approved an appeal in contemplated a building that would permit retention of the principle by 2341853 Ontario Inc. against the City of Toronto’s two mature trees on site. Th e board found that Ventresca’s failure to make a decision regarding CONTINUED PAGE 11 > 11 CITY OF TORONTO EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 TORONTO OMB NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 applications for offi cial plan and zoning by-law amendments, comprising four townhouse and 15 apartment units with 14 consent and site plan for the property at 103 and 108 Bayview parking and 16 bicycles spaces. Ridge. 2341853 is proposing to construct six three-storey Th e board was informed that the parties, including Lower townhouses and two single-detached dwellings. Donlands Ratepayer Association, had reached a settlement Th e board was informed by 2341853 counsel Eileen Costello for a revised application. Planner Antonio Volpentesta (Aird & Berlis LLP) that the parties had reached a settlement. (Bousfi elds Inc.) provided evidence on behalf of Louisville Planner Moiz Behar (M. Behar Planning & Design Inc.) in support of the settlement. He noted that the project has provided evidence in support of the agreement and on behalf of been modifi ed to include 13 apartment units with the four 2341853. Behar testifi ed that the proposed developments would townhouses and 14 normal sized and three small parking provide a high quality addition to the Bayview Avenue corridor spaces. He said that discussions concerning the amount of and complement the adjacent neighbourhood. bicycle parking are still underway and requested that the site Neighbours Varda Feiner, Martha and Phillip Russel plan appeal be adjourned sine die until that issue is resolved. requested that following a review of the draft grading and Th e board agreed with the uncontested evidence provided drainage plan by city engineering staff they would like the by Volpentesta and allowed the appeal. opportunity to have an independent engineering consultant Solicitors involved in this decision were Maggie Bassani review the plan. As a result, the parties asked the board to and Calvin Lantz (Stikeman Elliott LLP) representing withhold its fi nal order. Louisville Homes Ltd., Sarah O’Connor representing the Th e board withheld its fi nal order until the parties advise City of Toronto and Craig Johnston (Craig M. Johnston Law that the planning instruments have been fi nalized following Professional Corp.) representing Lower Donlands Ratepayers further review and modifi cation, if required. Association. (See OMB Case No. PL140462.) nru Solicitors involved in this decision were Eileen Costello (Aird & Berlis LLP) representing 2341853 Ontario Inc., Sarah O’Connor representing the City of Toronto and Susan Rosenthal (Davies THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY Howe Partners LLP) representing Varda Feiner, Martha and Phillip Russel. (See OMB Case No. PL140160.)

Settlement for Donlands apartments

In a February 5 decision, board member John Atcheson allowed an appeal, in part, by Louisville Homes Ltd. of the City of Toronto’s failure to make a decision with respect to Join more than 1,450 member companies across the GTA applications for offi cial plan and zoning by-law amendments Be represented at all levels of government and site plan for its property at 120 Donlands Avenue. Louisville www.bildgta.ca sought permission to develop a four-storey apartment building

TORONTO PEOPLE

Ward 43 Scarborough appointed Federation for 2015. Federation Public Library research for another term as East councillor Paul of Ontario Public members also and reference director treasurer. Ainslie has been Libraries vice-chair appointed Toronto Linda Mackenzie