Finch Warden Revitalization Study A Community Vision WARDEN AVENUE FINCH AVENUE WARDEN AVENUE Finch Warden Revitalization Study TABLE OF CONTENTS 3.1.7. Places of Worship Executive Summary 3.1.8. Human Service Providers 3.2 Physical Infrastructure Vision Statement 3.3 Transportation 1. Introduction and Context 4. Issue Identification by Community 1.1. Study Context Priority Neighbourhoods 1.2. 5. Revitalization Plan/Vision 1.3. Study Team 5.1 Community Vision Statement 1.4. Community Consultation 5.2 Guiding Revitalization Principles 1.5. Study Process 5.3 Finch-Warden Community Concept 1.6. Policy Context Plans and Urban Design Guidelines 1.6.1. Toronto Official Plan 5.3.1 Support, Reinforce, and Revitalize the 1.6.2. Zoning By-law Local Character of Bridlewood 5.3.2 Focus on Key Development Sites 2. The Finch Warden Community 5.3.3 High Quality Mixed-use Buildings 2.1. Historic Context along Finch and Warden Avenues 2.2. Area Character 5.3.4 Enhanced Open Spaces 2.3. Demographic Information 5.3.5 Pedestrian Friendly Streetscape 5.3.6 Connected Pedestrian and Cycling 3. Inventory of Existing Conditions Network 3.1 Community Services & Facilities Profile 5.3.7 Public Art at Key Locations 3.1.1. Toronto District School Board 5.3.8 Create a focal point for Bridlewood 3.1.2. Toronto Catholic District School Board Community 3.1.3. Child Care Facilities 5.3.9 Promote Community Safety Through Design 3.1.4. Libraries 5.3.10 Sustainable Development 3.1.5. Parks and Open Space 3.1.6. Community and Recreation Centres 6. Ryerson Case Study Finch Warden Revitalization Study APPENDICES(available electronically) Appendix A: Summary of Public Consulta- tion http://www.toronto.ca/planning/finch_warden. htm Appendix B: Summary of Design Charette http://www.toronto.ca/planning/finch_warden_ design_charette.htm Appendix C: 1964 Bridlewood Land Use study http://www.toronto.ca/planning/finch_warden. htm Finch Warden Revitalization Study Acknowledgements to participants who took Ian McKenzie the time to share ideas, attend evening and Jack Baskerville weekend meetings and spend time working to Jane Carmen improve the area for everyone’s benefit. The Janice Pinheiro Finch Warden Revitalization Study Working Jim Kaufman Group is comprised of the following people: John Braganca Lai Chu Allan Mayhew Larry Burke Anna Kwan Michael Huebner Arlete Cabral Murray Hedges Arnold Lowe Nicholas Chu Audry & John Braganca Pat Fern Bob Stobie Pat Sherman Brendan Faulkner Patricia Sinclair Charmaine Caron Patricia McKay Councillor Mike Del Grande and Staff Paul McKay Councillor Norm Kelly and Staff Peter Miller Demetra Layzell Peter Smith Denis Lanoue Reginald Rego Derek Gaine Roberta Wong Diane Truong Ruth Jorgensen Doug & Brenda Spence Sandy Hinchliff Emily Bradford Shawni Lo Eric Cheung Shelagh Reddy Galia Feiler Terry Lustig George Ade Tom Lampropoulos Gord Yoshia Grace Russo Helen Jankul Herb Richter Finch Warden Revitalization Study The City of Toronto and its partners dedicated Allen Appleby, City Planning staff resources to assist the community in Dave Twaddle, Transportation Services creating a vision for Finch Warden Area. They Dipak Dhrona, City Planning (Transportation include the following: Planning) Ieuan Jones Ashton, Technical Services Lynda Thomas TCDSB Mario Silva, TDSB Mike Mestyan, City Planning Paul Zuliani, City Planning Paulina Brozek, City Planning Renrick Ashby, City Planning Robert Stephens, City Planning, Urban Design Susan Bookbinder, City Planning, Policy and Research Xue Pei, City Planning, Urban Design Parks and Recreation staff Toronto Hydro staff Toronto Water staff TTC staff Toronto Police Services Finch Warden Revitalization Study 1 Introduction and Context Executive Summary the community at its most fundamental level. A commitment for infrastructure upgrades is The Finch Warden Revitalization Study was required prior to proceeding with any major requested by Scarborough Community Council development in the designated area. as a result of a development application to build 8 condominium towers (7 to 38 storey totaling 1370 residential units) in the Bridlewood Mall The Working Group identified an opportunity parking lot. A Working Group was formed to revitalize the area and re-establish “a desir- in October 2008 following a community able community for people to live, work and Vision Statement consultation meeting with stakeholders. The play by enhancing its diverse residential and Working Group coordinated by City Planning commercial character”. Affordable housing for staff, identified needs and issues, opportunities seniors together with associated medical, health To be a desirable community and challenges for the area revitalization. and wellness services could bring work to an area in desperate need. The character of the for people to live, work and The area is located at the core of the area could be enhanced by considering setback play by enhancing our diverse Steeles L’Amoreaux community which, mid-rise podium buildings, wide sidewalks and as a community has moved over the past safe crossings for seniors and attractive shops residential, retail and commer- decade from a “desirable neighbourhood and terraces as a highly desirable design point. cial character “to a designated “priority neighbourhood”. Open spaces and greenery together with pedes- The demographics of this middle class trian friendly lights could further increase the community have been altered significantly area attractiveness by the influx of a mixed population of new, first generation immigrant households with a high preponderance of youths and seniors, and also seniors who have lived in this community from its inception more than 30 years ago. The Working Group has identified stressed infrastructure in the areas of community services, hospital, schools, libraries, transportation, traffic, hydro, water and sewers as having a significant impact on 6 1 Introduction and Context Finch Warden Revitalization Study 1.1 Study Context It is important to note that it is not possible to forecast exactly how and when the This Area Revitalization Study examines the revitalization of the Finch and Warden Area lands in the vicinity of the Finch and Warden will occur. It will depend on variables such Avenues intersection. It includes the lands as the level of demand for housing and along Finch Avenue East, from Victoria Park commercial space, the availability of funds Avenue to Birchmount Avenue and along for public improvements as well as a variety Warden Avenue including the lands within of economic factors that make redevelopment Bridletowne Circle. The area surrounding and investment feasible. It is most likely that the intersection of Finch and Warden has a change will occur gradually over 10 – 20 years. predominance of 15-23 storey residential This study guides both public and private buildings with established low density redevelopment opportunities to implement the residential neighbourhoods immediately to the short and long term revitalization of the area. north, south, east and west. The purpose of the study is to outline a community vision for the area, describing the kind of community that people who live and work here want it to become over the next 10-20 years. The Study identifies what the community values, the aspects that it wishes to preserve, what improvements are needed, and how change should occur. The vision will be used to: inform, evaluate and shape future redevelopment; guide growth; set priorities for funding, programs and services; and identify necessary public and private realm improvements. 7 Finch Warden Revitalization Study 1 Introduction and Context 1.2 Priority Neighbourhoods size and characteristics of the population living from the school boards, the faith communities, there. Researchers examined neighbourhood service agencies, and local residents. Steeles L’Amoreaux Priority Neighbourhood level data for the City’s 140 social planning neighbourhoods. They looked at eleven In 2006, the Mayor committed to investing The priority neighbourhood investment indicators of social needs, such as, household $13 million in the 13 priority neighbourhoods, initiative evolved from the City’s Community income, unemployment, literacy, education, and in 2008 the Partnership Opportunities Safety Plan, adopted in 2004. The plan incidence of low birth weight, percentage of Legacy Fund was created to use this funding emphasized building on the strengths of recent immigrants, and knowledge of english or to leverage partnerships for new community neighbourhoods and communities, investing in french. Service coverage was examined for key facilities such as playgrounds, parks, basketball social infrastructure, and creating opportunities services including recreation and community courts, expanded library facilities, youth for youth. centres, libraries, schools, community health spaces, and other infrastructure improvements. centres and hospitals, community-based All project funding priorities are established In 2005, the City identified 13 priority children’s services, services for youth, and with input from residents and community neighbourhoods, including Steeles- for seniors, settlement services, employment organizations through the collaborative L’Amoreaux, for targeted investment, areas services, food banks and community kitchens, Neighbourhood Action process. Projects struggling with the challenges of lack of gardens and markets. currently underway in Steeles-L’Amoreaux community services and social infrastructure, include community space in the new child