Lawrence Heights Item 3 July 18, 2008 Revitalization Update City Building Committee

To: City Building Committee Report: CBC:2008-11 From: Chief Executive Officer Date: July 18 Page 1 of 6

PURPOSE:

To inform the Board of Directors, through the City Building Committee, of staff actions and upcoming events related to Lawrence Heights revitalization.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

That the Board of Directors, through the City Building Committee, receive this report for information.

BACKGROUND:

At its meeting on May 7, 2008 the Board of Directors received an update report from the City Building Committee regarding Lawrence Heights revitalization. The report provided the Board with information regarding the Lawrence Heights community and first steps for community engagement. It also identified a number of revitalization opportunities including the ability for Community Housing to leverage its asset, attract new market residential development necessary to assist in renewing the Lawrence Heights housing and better integrate this community into the surrounding neighbourhoods. Revitalization provides the opportunity to transform the community into a healthy, mixed income and tenure community with better housing and community facilities.

DISCUSSION:

Lawrence Heights Today: Lawrence Heights contains 1208 rent-geared-to income housing units and home to approximately 3500 tenants. The community has a high percentage of young people (approximately 50% of the total population). There is a significant ethno-racial diversity (English, Somali, Oromo, Spanish) in Lawrence Heights. Housing types include many family units, 50% of which have 3 or more bedrooms. The average household annual income is approximately $15,000. The community is situated within 100 acres of land, the majority of which is owned by Toronto Community Housing. In October 2005, City Lawrence Heights Revitalization Update Report: CBC:2008-11 Page 2 of 5

Council designated Lawrence Heights as one of 13 priority neighbourhoods in requiring infrastructure investment and improvement of community services.

Milestones since Last Report: a. Toronto Community Housing issued an RFP for a consultant team to begin the process of revitalizing the Lawrence Heights community along with staff, tenants and other stakeholders. A selection process was undertaken in which seven teams of consultants were evaluated and a short list was interviewed. The selection committee included Toronto Community Housing staff along with a representative from the City of Toronto.

The selection committee chose a multi-disciplinary team of consultants with expertise in the areas of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, planning, engineering and community consultation. The consultant team includes: Sweeny Sterling Finlayson, GHK International, N. Barry Lyon, Dillon Consulting, The Planning Partnership, Public Interest. The team will: ƒ Develop a revitalization approach, including community engagement and community revitalization principles ƒ Develop a Concept Plan that will form the basis upon which the final development plan will be determined. (Fall 2008) ƒ Create a Development Plan which includes a physical plan for the Lawrence Heights lands including: housing, streets and blocks, built form and open spaces (Early 2009) ƒ Create a Business Plan including a detailed financial analysis, real estate strategy and phasing strategy. (Early 2009) ƒ Prepare implementation documents including: draft Secondary Plan, Urban Design Guidelines, Draft Zoning By-law, Plan of Subdivision (Winter 2009)

b. The City of Toronto issued an RFP at approximately the same time as Toronto Community Housing to undertake a planning study focusing on transportation, infrastructure and to prepare a secondary plan for their study area within which Lawrence Heights is situated. The City’s study area is bounded by the 401 to Lawrence Ave West and from Bathurst to Dufferin Streets. The City’s consultant team launched their study at a community meeting held on July 3rd. Approximately 220 people attended the meeting both from Lawrence Heights and the surrounding neighbourhoods.

c. The TDSB held a series of meetings for parents at the following schools: Baycrest Public School, Flemington Rd Public School and Lawrence Heights Middle School (which included parents of Sir Sanford Fleming Academy) in early June. TDSB and participants discussed ideas about regenerating schools in the

Lawrence Heights Revitalization Update Report: CBC:2008-11 Page 3 of 5

area. Toronto Community Housing staff participated in the presentations and answered questions about revitalization.

d. A press conference was held on June 4th to announce the selected consultant team for the Lawrence Heights redevelopment and business plan. The press conference was moderated by Toronto Community Housing Chair David Mitchell with speakers CEO Derek Ballantyne, Councillor and Chief City Planner Gary Wright describing the upcoming studies. In the evening of June 4th Lawrence Heights residents were invited to attend a BBQ and meeting to launch the revitalization process. The event took place in a large tent in the City park adjacent to the new playground. Between 600 and 800 residents attended the event at which the consultant team was introduced to the community.

e. Since the study launch there have been many meetings including a well-attended SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis session on June 19th.

f. A number of meetings and communications have been circulated to tenants with announcement of events and updates.

Current and Upcoming Activities: a. Staff at Toronto Community Housing has been working with the City of Toronto and their consultant team to process information generated at resident meetings and to begin to discuss revitalization options.

b. A design workshop will be held at the end of August with staff and consultants for Toronto Community Housing and the City along with the school boards. The purpose is to consider options about locating new schools and related uses in and around Lawrence Heights.

c. A series of community discussions have been announced with Lawrence Heights tenants for July, August & September. These sessions will address specific topics for which tenants have expressed an interest in more information and to share their input. The first session was held on July 10th and addressed issues around housing security and the moving process. Additional discussions will focus on the following topics: • The economics of home ownership • Healthy, sustainable and mixed communities • Housing design • Special sessions for seniors and for youth • Tours of other mixed communities in Toronto

Lawrence Heights Revitalization Update Report: CBC:2008-11 Page 4 of 5

• In addition, Toronto Community Housing and the City will jointly run workshops in the early fall on area-wide issues such as: transportation, parks and open space, schools, community facilities and urban design. • Please see attached flyer of community meetings.

CONSULTATION PROCESS:

Staff has developed a consultation process which includes a series of community discussions, area-wide forums and workshops. Community animators will be hired and work with Lawrence Heights’ residents in order to provide meaningful involvement throughout the planning and design process. Staff at Toronto Community Housing and the City is working to coordinate and collaborate on a communication and consultation strategy.

CONCLUSION:

This report outlines the progress of the Lawrence Heights revitalization initiative. Toronto Community Housing staff is seeking the collaboration and participation of residents, government, community agencies, school boards and other organizations to improve its housing and the social and economic health of the Lawrence Heights community.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

There are no financial implications related to this report. A companion report has been sent to the Finance Committee requesting authority to spend funds on consulting services as described in the RFP for planning, approvals and in-depth community engagement.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:

Several legal issues are currently being addressed including: property ownership and implications of the airport flight path.

COMMUNICATION IMPLICATIONS:

Lawrence Heights Revitalization Update Report: CBC:2008-11 Page 5 of 5

A communication strategy and protocol has been established by Toronto Community Housing and the City of Toronto to coordinate revitalization efforts.

Derek Ballantyne Chief Executive Officer

Attachment 1 Lawrence Heights Revitalization: Schedule of Upcoming Meetings

Staff Contact: Mark Guslits...... 416-981-4123 Chief Development Officer: [email protected]

Lawrence Heights Revitalization: Schedule of Upcoming Meetings

Residents have asked for more information about the details of Lawrence Heights Revitalization. These sessions will provide details about specific topics you have asked to know more about. It will also provide you with the opportunity to have your voices heard.

July 10th Community Discussion: Your Right to Housing (Part 1) 6:30 at Lawrence Heights Community Centre

July 16th Community Forum: Imagining Better Neighbourhoods Joint City/Toronto Community Housing: Revitalization Principles Open House 5:00 to 6:30, Meeting 6:30 – 9:00 at Bathurst Heights Secondary School

July 24th Community Discussion: Healthy, Sustainable & Mixed Communities 6:30 at Lawrence Heights Community Centre

July 31st Neptune Community Event, Details to follow, location Neptune Dr.

August 7th Community Discussion: Housing Design 6:30 at Lawrence Heights Community Centre

Mid August To u rs of Don Mount Court, & St Lawrence Neighbourhoods Details to be confirmed

August 21 Community Discussion: Economics of Home Ownership 6:30 at Lawrence Heights Community Centre

August 26th Lawrence Heights Seniors Lunch and Tour Details to be confirmed

Mid September Youth Events, details to be confirmed

September 18th Community Discussion: Your Right to Housing Part 2 6:30 at Lawrence Heights Community Centre

Lawrence Heights Community Centre is located at 5 Replin Rd in Lawrence Heights Bathurst Heights Secondary is located at 640 Lawrence Ave W

For more information contact Carmen Smith at 416-981-4099 or [email protected]