2 BIA MERGER One better than two

5 HOUSING CHOICE Etobicoke high-rises added

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019

Vol. 23 No. 9

EMPLOYMENT LAND CONVERSION PROTECTING JOBS

Rachael Williams

ith the proposed changes stability of the employment City officials say employment If Amendment 1 is to the Growth Plan areas over a longer period lands susceptible to conversion approved, these conversions W for the Greater Golden of time so that they only to non-industrial uses include, would be allowed to take Horseshoe putting 33 per cent of come up for review when but are not limited to, lands place outside of the city-wide the city’s employment lands at the city looks at the question connected to the city’s agri-food municipal comprehensive risk of conversion, city comprehensively and city-wide industry, including Redpath review (MCR) provided a council is requesting additional and that allows businesses to Sugar, Nestle Canada and the significant amount of jobs are protection of its designated job- decide that they’re going to Food Terminal, as well maintained; that infrastructure generating industrial areas. invest,” Lintern told council. as office parks. is in place; and that the In a presentation to council conversion request is based on on February 26, Toronto an existing need. chief planner Gregg Lintern “I think people just have to outlined his concerns about really get the idea that because the potential for employment you say I’m going to keep this land conversions because of the swath of land for employment province’s proposed Amendment uses, doesn’t mean the 1 to the Growth Plan. As part of employers are going to come. the amendment, the province CONTINUED PAGE 7 seeks to create 29 “provincially significant employment zones” As part of Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan for the Greater Gold- (PSEZ), 10 of which are partially en Horseshoe, the province has or wholly situated in Toronto. identified provincially significant These PSEZs account for 67 per employment zones that account for 67 per cent of the city’s locally cent of the city’s employment identified employment lands. area land base, leaving the SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO remaining 33 per cent exposed to potential conversion to non- Some food processing and ware- house establishments, pictured employment uses. here, were not included in the “The cadence that we’ve province’s growth plan amend- established with our employment ment, according to city officials. lands approach is to protect the SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO BIA MERGER UPCOMING

MARCH 4 Executive Committee (special meeting – 2019 budgets), 9:30 a.m., committee room 1 ADDING IMPACT 5 General Government & Licensing Committee, 9:30 a.m., committee room 1 Rob Jowett

Subcommittee on Ontario Place, 5:30 p.m., committee room 1 wo neighbouring west-end that we share an annual festival, will streamline the processes,” business improvement which is called Dundas West says Dundas West Fest festival 6 Economic & Community Development Committee, 9:30 T are seeking to merge to Fest,” Dundas West BIA chair producer Alex Bordokas. “Right a.m., committee room 1 heighten their impact and better Lubo Brezina told NRU. “The now, for example, everything 7 Council (special meeting – 2019 promote local business. two BIAs [have] been having the goes through the Dundas budgets), 9:30 a.m., council chamber If approved, Dundas West festival together. And that creates West BIA and then it has to BIA and Little Portugal a lot of overlap in terms of all the be reconciled with the Little Design Review Panel, 12:00 p.m., committee room 2 BIA would become a single business [we do].” Portugal BIA. So that step would organization to be named Little Dundas West Fest was be eliminated… [and] everything 18 Infrastructure & Environment Committee, 9:30 a.m., Portugal On Dundas BIA. established in 2012 as a two- would go quicker.” committee room 1 The two BIAs are adjacent to day annual community festival He says a lot of the work now 19 Etobicoke York Community each other on Dundas Street to promote local businesses done by the two BIAs is already Council, 9:30 a.m., council chamber, Etobicoke Civic Centre West, with the Dundas West and attract visitors to the integrated, adding to the case for BIA running from the CN rail multicultural community. It a merger. Currently, the two BIAs Community Council, 9:30 a.m., council chamber, corridor to Rusholme Road while is the largest event run by the share an office and work together North York Civic Centre the Little Portugal BIA begins at current Dundas West BIA and on most issues and initiatives. A Scarborough Community Rusholme and runs to a laneway attracted 120,000 people in 2018. steering committee to explore the Council, 9:30 a.m., council chamber, Scarborough Civic between Roxton Road and Shaw This year’s festival will be held creation of the new BIA includes Centre Street. The consolidated BIA June 7-8. executives from each of the

Toronto & East York Community would represent a little more “It [the proposed merger] will existing organizations. Council, 9:30 a.m., committee than 300 businesses. help with the… festival because “Before this for the last two room 1 “The motivating factor is it will make everything easy. It years, both BIAs were sharing 20 Planning & Housing Committee, 9:30 a.m., committee room 1 a coordinator… [and] sharing different services,” Bordokas 21 Executive Committee, 9:30 a.m., committee room 1 says. “This would consolidate the spending, the finances, the 26 Toronto Preservation Board, 9:30 a.m., committee room 2 reconciliations, everything.

CONTINUED PAGE 6 27-28 Council, 9:30 a.m., council chamber The new boundary of the proposed Little Portugal on Dundas BIA includes all the land area previ- ously administered by the two previous BIAs.

SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO

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Ian A.R. Graham, Publisher Rob Jowett Jeff Payette SALES/SUBSCRIPTIONS Novæ Res Urbis Toronto Editorial Office Billings Department [email protected] Reporter Design/Layout [email protected] is published 50 times a 26 Soho Street, Suite 330 NRU Publishing Inc. [email protected] [email protected] year and is not to be Toronto, ON M5T 1Z7 PO Box 19595 Manulife PO, Lynn Morrow, Editor Annual subscription rate is redistributed without the Tel: 416.260.1304 Toronto, ON M4W 3T9 [email protected] Peter Pantalone Irena Kohn $409 +HST (ON). written consent of the Fax: 416.979.2707 Planning Researcher Sales and Circulation Complimentary trial publisher. ISSN 1918-7548 Rachael Williams [email protected] [email protected] Reporter subscriptions are available. [email protected] Jennifer Lewington, Guest Editor Advertising rates available upon request. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 2 CROSSING NEW VISION

Rachael Williams

s a major transit “What’s interesting to me Formerly an employment buildings, encourage new investment looms, is the idea that the decisions area, the Celestica site now is construction and bring life to A planning staff have crafted that are being made now with a proposed master planned the streets. a new vision to repurpose the community and the elected community headed by The master plan features under-utilized manufacturing officials and the landowners Diamond Corp., Lifetime nine residential towers ranging sites in Don Valley East. are being implemented in real Developments and Context in height from 15 to 44 storeys, On March 15, city planning time,” said strategic initiatives, Developments. It was clustered in the southeast staff will release the final version policy and analysis project lead designated a regeneration corner of the Celestica site of the Don Mills Crossing Christian Ventresca. area through a proposed closest to the proposed Eglinton secondary plan. Nearly three He said since 70 per cent modification to Official Plan Crosstown LRT station. A years in the making, this of the secondary plan area Amendment 231, which aims to total of 4,594 residential units comprehensive planning is already under application, preserve Toronto’s employment are proposed, of which 641 study seeks to capitalize on enabling policy development to lands. Regeneration areas are units would be in a low-rise the Eglinton Crosstown LRT be undertaken in conjunction unique areas of the city that townhouse form. The remaining investment by advancing with the review of the present an opportunity to 3,953 units will be provided a vision for a distinct and development application. attract reinvestment, re-use in mid and high-rise building complete community. This forms with a range of unit sizes. community will feature various Most of the towers are designed housing types, employment to incorporate retail or office opportunities, a full range of spaces in the podiums. mobility options, community The proposed development facilities and connections to the calls for a refined network Don River Valley system. of streets and blocks with The study area integrates recreational andcultural the three corners of Don Mills spaces, including a community Road and Eglinton Avenue East, centre and a hockey arena. with the Celestica lands to the CONTINUED PAGE 4 northwest of the intersection. View along Eglinton Avenue The 24hectare Celestica lands East towards Don Mills Road site is one of the largest private of potential public realm and development sites in Toronto. mobility improvements identified in the Don Mills Crossing The other three corners of the Secondary Plan. intersection are publicly owned SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO lands, two of which have been selected for the city’s Housing Rendering of the proposed Now initiative to develop Celestica redevelopment, including nine residential towers affordable housing within as well as townhouses, office mixed-income, mixed-use and retail space, parkland and transit-oriented communities. community facilities. SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 3 likely for two or three bedroom the former IBM head office and NEW VISION townhouse or stacked factory and is revered for its townhouse units. The affordable art-deco inspired modernism. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 rental component is being The second building at 1150 planned in partnership with a Eglinton Avenue East, an The proposal also includes the to support that investment. non-profit housing provider. orthogonal modernist building, creation of two new public The Celestica lands will be the “This really will be a was also used by IBM and parks on 2.5 hectares of land largest redevelopment and the complete community. I think nominated for the Massey and a new privately-owned, first redevelopment initiative what we’re talking about here is Medal in Architecture in publicly accessible space within coming as a result of the a shift from what was once the 1970. Small portions of both the new block system. These Crosstown investment,” said outer suburbs of Toronto to a buildings will be preserved in greenspaces would provide Diamond Corp. vice president transition to being a very active the proposal. pedestrian connections to the of development Laurie Payne. part of the city’s urban area,” CreateTO, the agency that Don River Valley, supporting a She told NRU a significant said Payne. manages the city’s portfolio vibrant public realm network. component of affordable North York Community of real estate assets, has “This is all being driven by ownership and affordable rental Preservation Panel chair also submitted preliminary the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. would be offered within the site. Geoff Kettel raised concerns applications for mixed-use It is a massive investment on For future affordable ownership, regarding the heritage value developments on two parcels, the part of the public sector the developer consortium plans of the two properties on the south of Eglinton, east and west that is looking to have an urban to offer eight affordable units Celestica lands. The property at of Don Mills. community build around it to Habitat for Humanity, 844 Don Mills Road contains

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FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 4 VALHALLA TOWN SQUARE MIXED HOUSING

Rob Jowett

n approved high-rise condominium towers of 31, accessible space. The site would dog run and pedestrian path. development at the 37, and 43-storeys atop a four- be bisected by a private street The development was first A western edge of Etobicoke storey podium with 1,093 functioning as a public right- approved by city council at its aims to diversify the range units and two 10-storey rental of-way. March 9, 2017 meeting, with of housing options in the buildings with 387 units. At its meeting February 26, no holding provision placed Eatonville neighbourhood. An additional 6,800 square adopted on phase one, currently under Plans for Valhalla metres are proposed for non- a recommendation report to construction. At the time of the Town Square by Edilcan residential uses. lift a holding provision on initial approval, the hold was Development Corporation As well, a 1,500square phases two and three of the imposed while staff studied call for a large mixed-use metre central garden and a development that includes servicing for the site. development on a 2.6-hectare 640-square metre playground the 37 and 43-storey towers, “It’s a really mixed-use site at 2 Gibbs Road. The would be constructed as a the privately-owned, publicly- development because it will development includes three privately-owned, publicly- accessible space, as well as a contain… residential, it will contain retail including probably a grocery store, it will contain, probably, some office use as well. And it’s developed with five buildings which are arranged around a central garden,” IBI Group high rise residential senior practice lead director Vladimir Losner told NRU. IBI Group is the project the architect for the development.

CONTINUED PAGE 6

Clockwise from bottom left: Rendering of the condominium towers as seen from Highway 427.

SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO ARCHITECT: IBI GROUP

Edilcan will provide a diverse mix of housing options to the Eatonville neighbourhood.

SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO

3D conceptual rendering of the development, and a rendering of the built form and a central park.

SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO ARCHITECT: IBI GROUP

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 5 [for] people that may be would expect from more people MIXED HOUSING moving out of single-detached and automobile traffic,” he said homes because they may be “They were concerned about CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 entering a different phase pressures put onto the local of their life and wish to stay transit system… and there were “One of the benefits is Providing a greater mix of nearby and are considering the concerns regarding pressure providing a type of housing housing options is always a idea of high-rise living.” put on schools and libraries and that is maybe missing right priority for the city, especially Holyday says the Valhalla other community facilities.” now just because of the in condominium developments, project continues a current Holyday adds that the variety of the unit types we’re says Ward 2 Etobicoke trend of conversion of former area may be able to handle providing,” he says. “I think councillor Stephen Holyday. industrial sites to residential increased traffic without new what’s encouraging is it’s really He says the proposed addition use along the Highway 427 infrastructure given previously the sense of community this of diverse housing options is corridor. The proposed estimated volume when the development provides because one of the major advantages condominium towers are industrial sites were active. the central garden is really the of the Valhalla Town Square adjacent to Highway 427. The Congestion has eased given focal point of the community project. councillor says he anticipates that a number of industrial sites and it’s also connected to the “[This development creates] more growth in the future. now are unused. play area, it’s along this quasi- opportunities for people to “The community [residents] The City of Toronto did not public street, so it’s going either move into this vibrant are guarded about increases in grant NRU an interview in time to be very inviting even to and wonderful part of the city population… there were points for publication. people who don’t live in those or remain in this part of the raised about concerns over buildings.” city,” he says. “And in particular, congestion from just what you

this case, 41 per cent of ballots in the former city of Toronto on ADDING IMPACT were returned, with 90 per cent the north side of Eglinton and of respondents in favour of the the other in the former city of CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 merger. York on the south side. “We don’t have a formal Following the expected They’re been effectively working understand the power in prescribed process, but there merger, the two west-end BIAs as one BIA for some time now,” numbers they bring by having were two options [to creating will face some challenges on Another impetus for the two BIAs merged, and that a single BIA],” he says. “The adjusting member levies as the merger is the work on there’s a very good relationship first option was either [BIA] Nash says the Dundas West streetscape improvements being between people doing the can say, ‘we’re going to expand BIA currently sets a higher done by the current BIAs, says w or k .” to include that other area, but membership rate than its Ward 9 councillor Ana Bailão. Merging a BIA is effectively neither BIA wanted to appear neighbour. For example, the Dundas West the same process as creating to be that they’re taking over The economic and BIA has added parkettes on a new one, City of Toronto the other. They wanted to get community development street corners and introduced economic purchase advisor Ron started on equal footing.” committee will consider a a graffiti removal program. A Nash told NRU. City staff mail Nash says this proposed proposal to combine the two full streetscape plan will be notices to all property owners merger is only the second in BIAs at its meeting March 6. developed once the new BIA is within the proposed boundary, Toronto history. The Upper If approved by committee and established. and require at least 30 per cent Village BIA, which runs along later by council, the new BIA “[On] major initiatives, of notices to be returned and Eglinton Avenue West from will be formally created at an they’ve always… worked an approval rate of 50 per cent Bathurst Street to Allen Road, annual general meeting together,” she says. “They to proceed with the merger. In came from a merger of two pre- April 1. amalgamated Toronto BIAs: one

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 6 causing middle to low income restrict conversions to a city- PROTECTING residents to be priced out of wide municipally-initiated Toronto. review period. JOBS “We think that this is some potentially low-hanging fruit

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 where we can really intensify a lot of this land,” he said. “We ERRATUM Designating the land does not engine of Canada in many have 80 square kilometres of In the February 22 Toronto edition, NRU attract an employer, so I think respects, and Toronto is the these lands, so it doesn’t have we have to look at reality and driver for the rest of the to be all, or the other. You should have identified Tyler Peck (WND say, ‘what’s best for our city province. And if we are to have could significantly reduce Associates) as the planner for the applicant/ overall’,” CBRE executive vice a variety of jobs which is good the amount of land that is set appellant in a consent and variance matter president Mike Czestochowski for our socio-economic fabric aside exclusively for noxious before the TLAB concerning 58 Glen Watford told NRU. in Toronto, then we need to employment uses while still Drive. NRU regrets the error. Hee points to several protect our employment areas,” unlocking substantial amount under-utilized parcels in he said. of land for dense, mixed-use south Scarborough along City of Toronto economic development.” Warden and Kennedy where development and culture In its feedback to he said scattered industrial general manager Mike the province, the city buildings are located in what Williams warned of a potential recommended the province has become a primarily ripple effect of converting categorize 95 per cent of residential area. Around the employment lands to non- its employment lands as Caledonia Road and Lawrence employment uses, particularly “provincially significant” and Avenue neighbourhood, residential. he added, some of the old “We’d lose land directly industrial buildings are to the new use, but more

converting to retail and show importantly…it then creates planning and development services

spaces to compensate for the a knock-on impact so other R.E. Millward + Associates Ltd. is a Toronto-based planning consultancy offering a range of services to public and private sector clients. We are a small team of professionals committed decline in interest from the adjacent lands then start to building a livable, sustainable region and an outstanding city. manufacturing sector. converting because the tax SENIOR PLANNING PROFESSIONAL He said traditional burden goes up, the ministry We are looking for a dynamic, thoughtful and self-motivated planner to join our firm. We manufacturing and logistics of environment rules go up are seeking a talented individual who is energized about the planning field and wants to be part of an inclusive and committed team involved with planning in this vibrant city. companies are looking outside in terms of truck movements, We are a multi-disciplinary firm that combines a relaxed, friendly and collaborative office environment with the opportunity to co-lead and contribute to a wide variety of projects. of Toronto for land parcels noise, air impacts, etcetera, so The successful candidate will possess the strong work ethic and innovative thinking that because of lack of transit the sort of contagion...takes our public and private sector clients have come to expect in our projects. You are curious, diligent, self-motivated, and excited by working within the urban context. capacity, road congestion and over and we lose the whole the difficulty for trucks in area,” he said. Responsibilities Minimum Qualifications • Leading projects including public • Master’s degree in Planning or related manoeuvring around the city. Housing Now founder sector studies, due diligence, and university degree development approvals • Preference for candidates who have Toronto Industry Network Chris Spoke said these “purple • Working on planning applications or are eligible for the Registered involving residential, industrial, Professional Planning Designation (RPP) external affairs director Paul belt lands,” named for their commercial and institutional • At least five years of professional development projects and securing experience in planning or a closely Scrivener told NRU the colour in the city’s official plan, approvals related discipline, including leading and vacancy rate in industrial represent an opportunity for • Attending and presenting evidence at managing complex projects planning tribunals • Understanding of the planning and areas is below two per cent, the city to tackle what he says • Interpreting legislation, regulations, development processes in Ontario and policies • Ability to work both independently and signifying there is a healthy has become a housing crisis. • Representing the firm, as required, with in teams clients, other firms, organizations and market for the larger swaths of The city has a 1.1 per cent rental project teams employment lands. vacancy rate and the average Full position description available at www.remillward.com. To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to [email protected]. All submissions will be held in the strictest of confidence. “Ontario is the economic price for a home is $780,000, Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We are committed to diversity and equal opportunity. We thank all applicants for their interest. planning and development services

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 7 TORONTO DESIGN REVIEW PANEL

The panel will consider the Heritage Preservation Services planner Reynold Caskey, and 4:00 P.M. following matters at its meeting assistant planner Reynold WZMH Architects principal Scarborough Town Centre Thursday March 7 at 12:00 Caskey, as well as Kirkor David Moore. Master Plan – The panel will p.m. in committee room 2, City Architects partner David undertake a preliminary 2:40 P.M. Hall. Butterworth. discussion of a proposed Scarborough Centre Focused redevelopment of the 12:00 P.M. 1:20 P.M. Review – Panel will undertake town centre and environs. 161 Parliament Street – Panel 333 King Street East – Panel its first view of a city study to Presentations will be made will undertake its first review will undertake its first review update a 2005 secondary plan by Toronto senior planner of an application for rezoning of an application for rezoning for the area. Presentations Kelly Dynes and urban design and site plan approval for a and site plan approval for a will be made by Toronto program manager Xue Pei, mixed-use development by 25-storey office building by senior planner Kelly Dynes as well as Urban Strategies One Properties. First Gulf Development. and urban design program partner Craig Lametti. Presentations will be made by Presentations will be made by manager Xue Pei, as well as Toronto community planner Toronto planner Katherine The Planning Partnership Henry Tang, senior urban Bailey and Heritage principals David Leinster and designer Myron Boyko and Preservation Services assistant Michael Sraga.

Far Left: Rendering of mixed-use development by One Properties at 161 Parliament Street.

SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO ARCHITECT: KIRKOR ARCHITECTS

Top: Rendering of proposed 25-storey office building by First Gulf at 333 King Street East.

SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO ARCHITECT: WZMH ARCHITECTS

Middle: City of Toronto map showing four precincts in the Scarborough Centre Focused Review Study Area.

SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO ARCHITECTS: THE PLANNING PARTNERSHIP

Bottom: Aerial photo of the block context plan for a proposed renewal of the Scarborough Town Centre.

SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO SCARBOROUGH ARCHITECT: QUADRANGLE ARCHITECTURE TOWN CENTRE

Phase 1 SPA Submission Block Context Plan November 13, 2018

BLOCK CONTEXT PLAN 1

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 8 STANDING COMMITTEE AGENDAS

ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY the Government of Canada that the committee invite at an upcoming committee DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE to receive and allocate federal representatives from the meeting in April. funding for the continued Toronto Region Board of Economic & Community delivery of homelessness and Trade to give a presentation Development Committee will housing support services. As on their report “Partnerships consider the following at its of April 1, 2019, the federal that Produce: Best meeting Thursday, March 6 at government will replace Practices for International 9:30 a.m. in committee room 1, its existing Homelessness Metropolitan Partnerships” City Hall. Partnering Strategy with Reaching Home: Canada’s COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS Homelessness Strategy, which has allocated $123.5-million PMS 7549C Implementing Canada’s in funds to Toronto over the Employment Opportunity homelessness strategy— next five years. Land Use Planner Report from Shelter, Support and Housing Administration Best practices for international General Manager Paul metropolitan partnership— Raftis recommends council Letter from Ward 17 Don authorize staff to enter into a Valley North councillor contribution agreement with Shelley Carroll recommends

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FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 9 LPAT NEWS

BENNINGTON HEIGHTS the Bayview sidewalk. The storey apartment building counsel and by planner TOWNHOUSES APPROVED reduction came at the behest immediately to the north. Shonda Wang (SvN). of the city, but the scaled-back Goldberg stated that the Witnesses for the city In a February 19 decision, proposal was nonetheless proposed development will be and the residents group LPAT member David refused by council. The respectful of, and compatible stressed that Bennington Lanthier allowed appeals by hearing took place in July, with, the existing physical Heights is characterized by 2482842 Ontario against the 2017, with the tribunal taking character of the Bennington single-detached dwellings on City of Toronto’s refusal of its more than 18 months to issue Heights neighbourhood, and uniform lots, and strongly official plan and zoning by- a decision. is supported by the applicable objected to the introduction law amendment applications Planner Michael Goldberg policies under the Provincial of townhouses on the site. for 28 and 32 Evergreen (Goldberg Group) and Policy Statement, Growth They did not agree that the Gardens. 2482842 proposes architect Roland Rom Plan, and the Official Plan. site reflects an edge condition, to build five three-storey Colthoff (RAW Design) City planner Cynthia and felt that approval of the townhouses. provided evidence on behalf Owusu-Gyimah and urban development will generate Six townhouses were of 2482842, in support of the designer Michael Sakalauskas an adverse precedent for the proposed originally and appeals. They testified that provided evidence on behalf “further intrusion of similarly later reduced to five units the subject site represents an of Toronto, in opposition incompatible forms of CONTINUED PAGE 11 to accommodate a road edge condition, distinct from to the appeals. The city was widening for Bayview Avenue the interior of the Bennington joined in opposition by Save 2482842 Ontario’s proposal for 28 & that abuts the site to the east, Heights neighbourhood, and Our Bennington Residents 32 Evergreen Gardens and for a realignment of noted the presence of a six- Group, represented by legal ARCHITECT/SOURCE: RAW DESIGN

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 10 settlement of 2538779’s appeal site-specific issues in the near LPAT NEWS on the basis of the insertion of future. an additional policy to OPA Solicitors involved in this

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 349 that applies to 570-576 decision were Alexander Bloor Street West. Steele (McCarthy Tétrault) 2538779, which owns 570- representing 500 Bloor residential development.” AMENDMENTS TO 576 Bloor Street West, had Street Property Inc., Mary Ultimately the tribunal BATHURST-BLOOR FOUR appealed OPA 349 on the Flynn-Guglietti (McMillan) preferred and accepted CORNERS STUDY OPA basis of concerns regarding representing 844 Bathurst Goldberg’s planning evidence APPROVED height and the application of a Holdings Inc., Patrick in support of the proposal, 45-degree angular plane from Harrington (Aird & Berlis) finding that the unique In a February 11 decision, adjacent neighbourhoods- representing 2538779 Ontario physical and locational LPAT member Helen Jackson designated properties. Inc. and city solicitor Sharon attributes of the site allowed an appeal, in part, by The supplementary policy Haniford representing the support the five-townhouse 2538779 Ontario against the provides further clarity City of Toronto. [See LPAT development in its context. City of Toronto’s adoption regarding the application of Case No. PL170103.] The tribunal allowed of Official Plan Amendment an angular plane, allows a the appeals, but withheld 349 (“OPA 349”), and a maximum overall height of 10 issuing its order pending companion zoning by-law storeys, gives direction on the confirmation that the city is amendment (“ZBA”), to scale of retail uses at grade, satisfied with the final form of address land uses and built and prescribes a minimum the planning instruments. form within the Bathurst- percentage of two and three- Solicitors involved in this Bloor Four Corners Character bedroom units. decision were Paul DeMelo Area. City planner Greg Uens and student-at-law James OPA 349 and the ZBA provided evidence on behalf DeMelo (Kagan Shastri) were appealed by several of Toronto, in support of the representing 2482842 Ontario landowners affected by supplementary policy. Inc., Eileen Costello (Aird & the proposed planning The tribunal was also given Berlis) representing Save Our instruments. At the sixth an update on the status of Bennington Residents Group, prehearing conference into other appeals to OPA 349 and and city solicitor Alexander the appeals, the tribunal was the ZBA. It is anticipated that Suriano representing the City advised that tribunal-led several of the appellants will of Toronto. [See LPAT Case mediation between 2538779 be either withdrawing their No. PL170134.] and the city had resulted in a appeals or scoping them to

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FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 11 TLAB NEWS

SOUTH HILL VARIANCES APPROVED that being proposed, finding the member Ted Yao dismissed lots in the vicinity are undersized four Planning Act tests to be met an appeal by Xheni Xhaferi relative to zoning standards. In a February 21 decision, by the application. She indicated against the Toronto committee Nonetheless, he objected to the TLAB member Dino Lombardi Goel’s acceptance of conditions of adjustment’s refusal of her severance on the basis that two allowed an appeal by Sarah Goel for opaque second-storey consent and minor variance adjacent 7.62-metre lots, with against the Toronto committee windows and balcony screening applications for 148 Tiago their resulting skinny houses, of adjustment’s refusal of her to alleviate overlook impacts to Avenue. The Xhaferis proposed would not respect or reinforce minor variance application the southerly neighbours, Daiva to sever their 15.24-metre the existing character of the for 47 Warren Road. Goel had and Micahel Berius. lot into two lots with equal neighbourhood. applied for, and was denied, The principal opposition to 7.62-metre frontages, with The TLAB found that the variances to alter her existing 2 the variances was mounted by new detached dwellings on the presence of just two existing ½-storey dwelling with side and the Berius household that made resulting lots. 7.62-metre lots in general rear two-storey additions, decks strenuous objections to the Planner Christian Chan proximity to 148 Tiago did not and balconies, and a basement size of the proposed dwelling, (C2 Urban Planning) provided provide adequate justification for walkout. its proximity and perceived evidence on behalf of the the proposed severance, given After the COA refusal, Goel looming impact over the Berius Xhaferis, in support of the the prevalence of larger lots in revised her plans to incorporate property. appeal. He presented a study the immediate surrounding a two-car integral garage from The TLAB accepted area in which he stated 40% of block. Finding that the proposal the flanking street, Lynwood Robinson’s evidence and found the existing lots have frontages would fail to respect and Avenue, thus eliminating a that the proposal does not below the zoning-required reinforce the existing physical previously proposed circular represent overbuilding as argued minimum of 12 metres. Given character of the neighbourhood, driveway that would have by the neighbours. It allowed the this context, he found the it dismissed the appeal, refusing required the removal of several appeal, authorizing the revised proposed undersized lots would the consent and variances. mature trees. The changes to the variances subject to conditions. be appropriate and would not Solicitors involved in this plans resulted in revisions to the Solicitor Amber Stewart have a destabilizing effect on the decision were Alan Heisey variances. (Amber Stewart Law) neighbourhood. (Papazian Heisey Myers) Planner Janice Robinson representing Sarah Goel. City planner Derek Wong representing Xheni Xhaferi and (Goldberg Group) provided provided evidence on behalf of city solicitor Daniel Elmadany evidence on behalf of Goel, in TOPHAM PARK CONSENT AND Toronto, in opposition to the representing the City of support of the revised variances. VARIANCES REFUSED appeal. Although his own study Toronto. She cited examples of nearby area differed from Chan’s, it also dwellings larger, and deeper than In a February 22 decision, LPAT indicated that a large number of PEOPLE

The appointment of veteran real estate developer Stephen Diamond as Meanwhile, the Ontario government has named four directors to the waterfront chairman of Waterfront Toronto has been approved by Toronto council, with agency for a one-year term. They are Postmedia president and CEO Andrew the Ontario and federal governments expected to do the same with their own MacLeod; Laurentian Bank Securities co-president and co-CEO Patrick announcements to come. Diamond has served as a director of the tripartite Sheils; deputy chairman and co-founder of GMP Capital Inc. Kevin waterfront agency since 2016 and is its first chairman appointed by all three Sullivan; and former head of international real estate investments at SEDCO governments under the agency’s current corporate structure. Capital Christopher Voutsinas.

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 12