Toronto City Council Scarborough Community Council, 6 Jan 2021

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From YouTube: Scarborough Community Council - January 6, 2021

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Scarborough Community Council, meeting 21, January 6, 2021
Agenda and background materials:
http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&meetingId=19793

A

Okay, thank you. We are now live on youtube good morning. My name is councillor jennifer mccalvey and I am the chair of scarborough community council. The clerk has confirmed that we have quorum. So I'd like to now call meeting 21 to order welcome everyone and happy new year. This meeting is being held using the city's webex technology with members of council participating by video conference city staff are also connecting to the meeting via video conference. A city hall remains closed to the public.

A

You can participate electronically by watching the meeting streaming live on youtube at youtube.com toronto city council live because we are meeting remotely. We ask for your patients with any delays and technical issues. We currently have people registered to speak, who have been connected to the meeting by audio. The list of speakers can be viewed online by visiting the scarborough community council page at toronto, dot, ca, council and clicking the speakers box for today's meeting.

A

Before we begin, I want to remind you about the important health and safety measures we must all follow. Today. Attendance in the room is limited to those that are that are required for the meeting. The clerk's audiovisual and I.t staff are with me here today, members. This is a paperless meeting. The city clerk has provided all agenda materials via cmp the clerk's meeting portal, including any confidential materials.

A

Clerk's I.t staff will be available remotely to participants to help with your devices. I would like to remind staff to keep their mute. Their mics muted, with their videos, turned off unless they need to answer questions or speak to the committee. This will make it easier for me to uh and those on youtube to observe the members as they participate in the debate and voting on items as part of each agenda item.

A

I will ask members to raise their hand or unmute their mic if they wish to question staff or speak, and I will create speakers list and call them members when it is their turn to speak. When inviting when voting on an item or a motion, I ask that members ensure they turn on their video and raise their hands to indicate their vote.

A

To ensure that I can see all members, I will ask to keep your hands raised until I've reviewed all of the members members. I want to remind you that you still must submit and approve your motions by email staff are available at scc at toronto.ca to help with motions. If there are any visiting members of council seeing none, we encourage you to also turn on your video.

A

We are meeting in different locations and meeting remotely today. Scarborough community council would like to acknowledge that the land we are meeting on is the traditional territory of many nations, including the mississaugas of the credit, the anushnabe, the chippewa, the hotnessoni and the wendat peoples, and is now home to many diverse first nations inuit and metis people. We also acknowledge that toronto is covered by treaty 13 with the mississaugas of the credit. Are there any declarations of interest under the municipal conflict of interest act?

A

If you do ask you, please raise your hand and mute your mic seeing none. We next need a motion to confirm the minutes from our last meeting on december. 9Th 2020.

A

uh councillor thompson uh moves that all in favor all those posed that item carries. Thank you. We will now run through the agenda item sc 21.1 preliminary report, 1615-1641 kingston, road and 50-52 birch, cliff avenue, official plan, amendment, zoning bylaw amendment and rental housing, demolition applications in ward 20.. I will hold this for councillor crawford as there are five deficits: sc 21.2 preliminary report, 2151 kingston road zoning, bylaw amendment application, ward, 20 councillor crawford. Did you want to move your motion now or hold this item.

B

No, I cannot move this motion now. I just want to expand the notification area. I believe it's 300 meters, so I can move that now.

A

Okay, the clerks will pull up your motion.

B

Yeah, it's just moving 120 to 300 meters.

A

Okay, thank you now that we've moved back um all those in favor of concert, crawford's amendment that passes all those in favor of the item.

A

The item passes that brings us to sc 21.3 preliminary report. 3291 kingston road, 2 and 4 windy ridge, drive official, planned amendment, zoning amendment and rental housing, demolition applications in ward 20., likewise, counselor crawford. Would you like to hold the item or move your amendment.

B

um Let's just hold that for now I do have a few questions of staff that are similar to sc 21.1, so I'll just hold it and I'll speak briefly. When it comes up.

A

Okay, thank you. That brings us to item s c 21.4 preliminary report, 2499 victoria park, avenue zoning amendment application, ward, 22.. I will hold that in my name as there is one deputate, and uh this is in ward, 22., uh sc 21.5 preliminary report, 448-454 markham road zoning, bylaw amendment application, ward, 24., councillor ainslie. I will hold that for you, as there is one deputy.

C

A

Sc 21.6 traffic control signals private driveway at 2750, morningside avenue, ward 23 councillor lie.

D

Thank you, madam chair I'd like to move a staff recommendation. Please.

A

Thank you. Councillor lie all those in favor of staff recommendations all those posts. That item carries thank you, um and that brings us to item sc 21.7 appointments to the wexford heights business improvement area, board of management in ward, 21, councillor thompson.

E

Thank you very much, uh madam chair. I can move the staff recommendation.

A

Thank you all, those in favor of staff recommendations. That item carries I'd like to welcome deanna dickens demmers, as I'm sure councilor thompsonwood to the bia.

A

That brings us back to the top of the agenda at item sc 21.1 preliminary report report 1615 to 1641 kingston road. There are five deputies clerks have confirmed that they are on the line. Our first deputy is karen azakar karen. You have five minutes.

D

Okay, can you hear me.

A

We can hear you, thank you I'll start the clock now.

F

Okay, thank you, um hello, everyone. My name is uh karen azukar, I'm a small business owner here in bridgecliffe village and I'm a tenant of lenmore court in building 1625., I'm also a member. I've also become a member of acorn acorn toronto, canada, sorry, toronto. I've also become a member just seeing how strongly they advocate for tenant issues and affordable housing.

F

The disturbing news of the acquisition of landmark court by all true developments came at the end of a three-month lockdown, which saw the closure of my business and the resulting negative effects of my mental health, though all tree didn't officially state their plans for redevelopment until october. I knew that this would be bad news for myself and for my neighbors, my fears became a reality when we had our first meeting with all tree in october after they made their application to tear our homes down for a major redevelopment official.

F

Since then, I have been struggling no doubt like many of my neighbors, um some who have lived in the buildings 20 plus years, it's painful to know that what we call home is going to be taken away from us. Even if it's just a few years down the road altruis proposal to demo victor tennants to build their profit-generating monster of a condo means we will have to find new places to live facing higher rents, which most tenants can't afford from what we have been told by all tree.

F

If everything goes according to their plan, we would be renting out um renting out those interim apartments only a few years, while another plan condo just over a kilometer from birch, cliff and kingston road is being built, then we would be placed in new development displacing us out of our beloved neighborhood of bushcliff.

F

Nothing about this is ideal as we discuss these matters today. I am once again under lockdown unable to generate any income, I'm already facing tremendous pressure from my business landlord to pay my rent for december and january, as they are being impatient with the delays from the government assistance.

F

It's a very real possibility that I may get evicted and I will not have a business to return to when restrictions on the city ease up. We are facing a real crisis with this life altering pandemic emotionally mentally, socially and economically.

F

All this, while having to worry about losing the place that I call home, I'm starting my new year losing sleep at night, fearful every day that I will lose my home and my second home, my productive business, where I joyfully service my bridgecliff community and earn my living.

F

I ask you to please consider the heavy effects this proposal has on our community more than ever, I'm so proud to live in birch cliff where most of my clients, friends and neighbors have been tremendously supportive in this crisis.

F

Over the last few months. After countless meetings with the homeowners surrounding landmark court, we've all come to the same conclusion. This proposed development is just bad planning. Thank you for your time.

A

Thank you karen. Are there any questions for the tibetan okay? Our next? Thank you karen. Our next deputy is tracy christoforou.

G

Hi, thank you very much. My name is.

A

Tracy, you have five minutes.

G

Thank you. Okay, um my name is tracy christophoro and I'm also a member of acorn and I'm also a tenant here at lenmore court apartments. In 1625..

G

Now I've been a tenant here for more than 21 years. I came to this location.

G

Well, in all honesty, I came here fleeing a very abusive relationship and I came to put my life in my children's life under stable grounds which I've done for 21 years, but now, I'm being told that we may lose our home, we will which we have no choice of the matter, um so we joined in with acorn with this obviously because acorns great advocacy group over 130 000, canadian members, 12 000 alone in scarborough, so I'm today, I'm here joining in as a very concerned tenant and a resident in the neighborhood being here 21 years.

G

This is where my life is. My doctor is here. My friends are here. My social gatherings are here. My church is here: the school is here by the way, the school that was overcrowded 21 years ago across the street. Still with too many students back then now we're having 264 more units condos across the street. The school is not going to accommodate that.

G

My main focus is my tenancy. I don't want to lose my home.

G

This is our comfort zone, our surroundings. My children, like we all know many adult children are back at home. I have my adult children at home with me. No one has anywhere to go. We can't get a job, we're we're all on lockdown, we're all feeling the same depression.

G

The the same emotional scars from this I've lost my mother throughout this covet, also only to be told that I may lose my home now. So I mean it's just coming in a chain reaction and it's very, very traumatic to us emotionally, physically everything. We don't feel that our our cares, our our concerns, our needs are, are even being considered here.

G

We have the all tree development, bad planning, very bad planning. They are planning to move us up, 1.6 kilometers up the road 1.6, that's not our neighborhood. Our neighborhood is birch cliff community, not cliff crest community. I don't want to live in chris cliff crest. I would have moved there 20 years ago. If I really wanted to move live there I like to shop there, but I don't want to live there. um We don't know what to do.

G

We don't we don't know what to do now. All we know is all tree is here just coming in chopping away and wanting to destroy us. I have a great suggestion. I think, since I've been here 21 years, I've watched and contributed a hundred percent myself cleaning our own buildings. Here our superintendent has only mopped our buildings mopped. Once per year, we like to clean how about we change this into a co-op. None of the co-ops in the neighborhood anywhere are accepting any applicants anymore.

G

No applications are allowed, so that means low income, moderate income, any income- it doesn't qualify for co-ops. Why don't we switch this over to a co-op here and say forget about this monstrosity of condo development that doesn't even fit? It's not even logical putting that in the small neighborhood here I I propose for, like I say I propose for for co-op.

G

I would love to to join you and work something out to make this building these buildings a co-op.

G

um Like once, we have to move, I consider myself homeless, because I will not be able to pay double the rent anywhere else. I will not even be able to to pay anything anything a slight over what I'm paying right now being unemployed. Looking for work, I don't qualify for serve money. I am struggling.

G

um I just there's enough bad going on in the world right now, without coming in some big developer, all-tree coming in and pulling our homes out from underneath our feet. It's horrible. It's caused some serious damage physically and mentally, at the impact that it's caused to us. Even now, we're not seeing that the concern or the care of us is taking precedence over anything. The social well-being should be taking precedence here and so far it's not, and I I want to see it take precedence.

G

Thank you so much for your time giving me the time. Thank you.

A

um Are there questions for the deputy, okay, seeing none? Thank you again. Tracy. Our next deputy is john hartley.

H

Can you hear me.

A

We can hear you, john, you have five minutes.

H

Very good you've already heard some of the social problems this development is creating. The issue you face today is whether to initiate the process to authorize a public consultation and the relevant notice area.

H

Misrepresentations misrep direction and outright lies are not the basis upon which public consultation should be held. I'm asking you to defer that decision for at least until your next meeting in order to allow the planning department to do its work and completely vet this application.

H

With regard to the formal notice area, the planner recommended a statutory minimum of 120 meters. The rationale for that deficient decision was apparently that it was the template. That's not a reason of rationale.

H

Frankly, anyone who uses kingston road should be formally notified regarding this development, because they're going to be directly affected by the ongoing traffic armageddon that this project will exacerbate. We all know this.

H

Your mayor initiated an initiative directly to deal with that traffic situation, there's already a firestone of protest regarding this development. Hundreds literally hundreds of folks have bought paid for, and posted protest signs.

H

In the midst of covet, there have been two public demonstrations and a zoom hall meeting attended by a hundred people and shout out many many more folks who were not able to attend due to technological limitations.

H

There will be much more protest and angst and outright anger. As the word spreads and residents are informed. The city received an excess of 180 000 fee for this application. All three started lobbying. On the record last february, there are hundreds of pages of very technical and detailed reports submitted along with this application.

H

There is, by my calculation at least a 50 million dollar profit for this project alone.

H

Alltree has hired one of the largest law firms in the city, along with a large number of planners and architects and engineers all at considerable cost. All tree has committed tens of millions of dollars to this project.

H

All tree induced the city plan to conduct a public meeting with the tenants on this site prior to the application even being submitted, yet with all that money, all those resources and all that commitment, this application is riddled with errors, misrepresentations and I'll leave it at that. So the question you face directly is how can we possibly have an adequate public consultation based upon that?

H

The answer is, we can't planning department has three has had three months to vet this project that apparently hasn't been sufficient time to provide adequate, accurate information on which to found a real public discussion.

H

Soon our neighbors to the south will no longer be living in a trump world. I'm urging you to ensure that we don't go down that road. We need to have a public consultation based on hard, real, accurate facts. We don't have those facts now give the planning department sufficient time to do its work and reveal those facts.

H

The propaganda that has been spread and is being spread about this proposal needs to be corrected on the record before any public consultation takes place. So I'm urging you I'm recommending to you, I'm begging you to do the right thing before any public consultation.

H

The actual hard facts must be on the table fully disclosed without that any public consultation is a farce and you shouldn't be part of that. Thank you.

A

Okay, thank you for your deputation. Are there any questions of the deficient uh counselor, we'll do council crawford and then counselor thompson.

B

Yeah, thank you, mr hartley. um Just a couple questions with regard to you have requested us to defer this decision. um The only decision that is being made is- um and I will be just to let you know if you weren't aware expanding the um consultation area it'll be broad, uh very broad, in fact, um adhering to a request that came in from somebody in the community, so that'll be happening, so we'll be I'll, be very from queensbury all the way over to um rosetta south of danville.

B

So a very large area, um but I'll be asking the same questions of staff, but you you. You realize that in the only decision is to begin a process of community consultation um and in fact um it gives staff the ability to start looking at um all those hard facts that you mentioned and they're looking at that, so they will be coming to the community, a very robust uh community consultation with the hard facts, so that is actually what they are doing.

B

They want to bring their heart and they are working with all the different divisions to bring those hard facts to the community. I just want to make sure that you're aware of that, because you seem to suggest that we have to defer this, so the hard facts can come. In fact, that is exactly what staff will be doing uh based on um this decision today to move forward.

H

I guess the answer to that. Gary is: what's the rush they've had three months, they haven't done it yet they haven't revealed any reports to us that that tease out the erroneous facts we need those facts before we have the public consultation that that seems to me to be fundamental like. Why should we have a public consultation before we have real facts?

H

What's the rush.

B

Again, thank you very much, mr harding. Maybe one of my colleagues will mention this, but I I will assure you very clearly that the community will have the hard facts. All the facts that you have mentioned prior to any robust community consultation. There will be a full consultation and they've they've already started um within the community. There'll be more than just the one statutory meeting.

B

There will be a number of them and I just want to ensure you and the community that all the hard facts that you're mentioning will be part of the community consultation and thank you very much.

H

Gary assurances like that are just like the assurances that we received over several years regarding the consultation on manderly and then the building was flipped, and then we found out guess what that that that that deal was not enforceable.

H

That's what we need. We need real facts, real consultation and real enforceable agreements. We don't need uh hope. I mean that's what you're quoted as saying that that we should rely on with respect to the manually we should. We should have hope that the developer will will work with us. That's not a plan.

A

Thank you for responding to the question. Are there any additional questions? Counselor thompson, you had your hand up or did that.

E

Madam madam share, I think that council crawford's effort with respect to asking about the hard facts coming out and his uh position um basically is is in sync, with respect to the approach I was going to seek through the uh the uh the speaker, so I think I'm satisfied with respect to the approach that council crawford has taken. Thank you.

A

Okay: okay, thank you, councillor thompson. um That brings us to our next deputy rob carmichael.

I

Thank you, madam chair and scarborough council members.

A

Five minutes, thank you.

I

Thank you, my name is rob carmichael. I lived at 25 birch, cliff avenue in the birch cliff community for more than 20 years. Today, I am here as the representative of the birch cliff village community association.

I

I'm grateful to have the opportunity to bring our association's serious concerns about altruist's development proposal for the site of lenward court and burj cliff avenue to your attention. Our association reflects a broad and diverse cross-section of the birch cliff village community. The association grew out of a facebook group which now has 37 3 700 active members.

I

Our meetings and communications on this development proposal specifically have engaged hundreds of concerned residents, both tenants and homeowners. We have come together across perspectives to crystallize our position, our concerns and our asks as a community.

I

Due to the fact that I'm bringing the concerns of a very large number of residents, I respectfully request an additional minute or two to ensure I get all the information out for this deputation.

I

Our community's position is that this proposal by all tree amounts to irresponsible development for a number of important reasons. First, this development would displace tenants in affordable housing and demolish affordable housing during an affordable housing crisis in our city that is rapidly expanding. During these hard times, it would have a massive and incompatible scale that would see it encroach into single home designated neighborhood.

I

It would worsen traffic congestion and street safety and further overcrowd our local schools and infrastructure. Finally, it would put inappropriate strain on our environmental resources.

I

As it sits, it would sit precariously close to our delicate scarborough bluffs ecosystem, which is already under threat, even without a development of this scale.

I

Building on these clear concerns, our group has coalesced around five reasonable asks that we hope you will join us in achieving for our community as we fight this proposal in its current form, our current asks are no displacement of lenmore court. Tenants protect our neighbors in the three rental buildings at lenoir, court and fight for their right to remain here at 6, 15 to 6, 1641, kingston road in birch, cliff village in permanent and affordable rental housing, no encroachment or rezoning of residential street homes, allowing the encroachment upon and rezoning of residential homes.

I

In this case, two houses on birch cliff avenue sets another very, very dangerous precedent and is poor planning for this community limit density, width and height of any developments follow the guidelines approved by the city council in the 2009 kingston road revitalization plan for birch cliff, where developments are to be compatible and enhance the character of birch, cliff village with respect to urban design, size and density.

I

The local avenue study asked that developments be limited to four to six stories in birch, cliff village number four ensure safe traffic flow and intersections any traffic flow from new developments in birch. Cliff must flow safely onto kingston road and be designed to prevent dangerous traffic flows onto neighboring side streets, most of which, by the way, have no sidewalks and at school intersections number. Five protect our bluffs environment and local infrastructure do not rely on developer paid studies. We need independent studies supported by city funds to protect these local assets.

I

Madam chair and council members, we are asking for your help in achieving these asks. They are critical to the health and prosperity of our neighbors and our community.

I

What we need right now from you today is your help: ensuring an expanded notice area regarding this development proposal, our birch cliff neighbors, as gary, has indicated from queensberry on the west danforth on the north, to the lake on the south to the merging of danforth and kingston road on the east. All of these people need to be informed.

I

To close, I want to stress what our community is fighting for is not no development. It is responsible development. This proposal by all tree is irresponsible. The city of toronto's official plan opens with a powerful question. What kind of city will toronto be in the 20? Excuse me in the 21st century, with this proposal and your response to it, you have a chance to answer that question.

I

Are you going to fight this development to ensure we are a city that protects affordable, housing and the residents who live in it, especially now, during this pandemic, with tense cities springing up everywhere around us? Or will you allow such a proposal to eject folks who live here? Who are young families, essential workers just wrap it up?

I

Local business owners, elderly residents, who call birch cliff home, we want you to take the hard choices and ensure city becomes an aspirational city for the 21st century. Thank you very much.

A

Great, thank you. um Are there questions of the deputies? Okay, uh uh councillor, thompson.

E

Thank you very much, uh madam chair and good morning, and thank you, mr carmichael. um So if I heard you correctly, you certainly have the five asks which are extremely reasonable and you identify those and you've elaborated on them and the impact of the effect and so on.

E

With respect to the report, that's in front of us, it seeks to go through a formal process where the five asks that you've identified and other issues that members of the community, the virtual community may have could be addressed through that process. Are you satisfied that what we have in front of us as part of a process in terms of how this planning application process works, that you'll be able to bring forward those concern as part of this process and working with the local counselor?

E

Who has indicated that he has an interest in expanding the notification area.

I

Deputy mayor, I will admit that I am not fully educated on the full process of of how this works, and so I.

E

I

Would be hesitant to truly answer that question in a genuine and authentic way. I would say that we are extremely concerned, um as mr hartley has expressed, with the.

E

I

Behind this, and we believe that there's a significant power imbalance between what a developer brings to the table in terms of resources and what we can bring as a residence.

I

Yes and so that's a huge huge concern for us- and I I'm here to express these concerns to say you know we need you, we need you to help us through this yeah and the first, the first real we wanted to put on record our five asks so that sure you're, oh, you know you're informed of how the community feels um and the the first, I think real request is something that I think gary is already planning on sorry.

I

Counselor crawford is already planning on on moving forward, um which is a very, very significant, expanded notice area, and that's that's great right.

E

And are you aware that there is a policy in place at the city that looks at what is required in terms of potential displacement and the replacement requirement for tenants who are renting in an area where, as a result of development, they would be displaced? Are your pla? Are you aware of the process.

I

I am aware of the policy again, I would not say okay, I would know you know the particulars of it. One.

E

I

I would point out: the concern is the way that all tree has dealt with attendance so far, fair enough yeah, but we're making it known that that you know to you respectfully that we're not okay with that.

E

Thank you and that's very clear and that's helpful, and, and I mean I just commend you, sir, on the way you presented uh the argument on behalf of the community. I could see why you are the community representative and it's really helpful to to have your um you know being here today voicing on behalf of the community.

E

So I commend you for that, and I think I would say to you simply from my perspective, it's very clear to me that the points that you're raising um could be addressed through the uh and it, and that's the only way that we're able to deal with these things through the this preliminary report process to ensure that all the guidelines and all of the different asks that you wish to be addressed would be addressed through this process.

E

So I just want to give you that assurance that um uh you know we are aware and that um the points that you're making are very helpful, at least for me to understand, is I'm not the local counselor and I have all confidence in your local counselor in terms of dealing with these matters. Thank you very much for your time. In responding to my question, sir, madam share, those are all my questions.

A

E

A

Thank you councillor thompson. Are there any additional questions for the department? Okay, thank you. That brings us to our last deputy on this item. Louis tinker.

J

Hi good morning, uh chair members of council.

A

Thank you. You have five minutes.

J

Yeah, thank you. My name is uh louis tinker. I'm a land use planner with the firm base fields, I'm speaking today on behalf of the applicant all tree developments. I want to start by thanking uh saying thank you for the comments that have been provided by the previous deputies.

J

We are listening carefully and we take those comments very seriously. We look forward to engaging further with the tenants on the site and with the wider community in 2010 city council approved the kingston road revitalization study, including amendments to the official plan, zoning bylaw and the creation of associated urban design guidelines.

J

This has led to a number of new mixed-use mid-rise developments along the kingston road corridor that have increased housing and retail opportunities and have resulted in public realm improvements and, as with a number of properties within the revitalization area, this particular property was identified for potential redevelopment for mid-rise mixed-use purposes.

J

We do know that the site has has been mentioned.

J

You know contains a number of uh existing uh rental units and tenants of glenmore court, and we know that their concerns and their needs have to be addressed through this project.

J

The city of toronto does have enhanced authority to regulate the demolition of rental properties within the city, including the requirements for rental unit replacement, tenant relocation and assistance plan. This is in this is in place in order to protect and enhance, affordable rental units across the city.

J

Tenants will have the right to return to a new rental unit at the same apartment type at a similar size and rent to what they experience today. Additional notification and compensation will also be secured by housing policy staff through a review process.

J

Altrui is aware of these policies and process and reached out very early in the process to speak with planning and housing policy staff, so the consultation could start early. As was mentioned, the pre-application virtual meeting was hosted by altre to provide tenants with initial information about the project and also to introduce them to to the applicant and to housing policy staff.

J

We are very early in the process. Nobody is being asked to leave the buildings and there is regular maintenance of the building has and will continue.

J

We look forward to working with planning, housing and and local award counselor to to establish a robust consultation uh process for both the tenants and for the broader community.

J

We understand that there is a recommendation on the table to expand the notification area for both for this project and all three developments is supportive of that recommendation and I'll just say that I'm available now to answer any questions if you may have any. Thank you.

A

Thank you. I can see that counselor crawford has a question in the deputy.

B

A

B

You very much mr tinker for coming today and for speaking um towards the uh preliminary application. So again, just just to put on the table. um You do recognize. There are serious concerns from the community, the residents not only landlord courts, but I think the whole area on this application. You recognize the the challenges that are there with regard to the community. Accepting this.

J

Yes, I've heard those loud and clear and uh we recognize those and, as with any any uh development that occurs uh across the city, there are always always uh issues that we we have to work through. We have to come to the table and make sure that we have all the facts uh uh on the table and we share information, and the hope is that we were able to uh to work through those through the process.

B

And again, not knowing, if you're aware of the history of the community, but about 10 years ago- and I think some of my colleagues uh deputy mayor thompson may be aware- um the community went through a um rezoning. It was the kingston road, birch cliff rezoning to really look at how and what the community really wants to have um in their area, and that was so. We pre-zoned that whole area from pretty much victoria park all the way over to birch mount, and that was through extensive community consultation.

B

It was prior to me being a counselor, but I knew a lot of people were involved in that that particular site was rezoned already for a four to six story, um condominium of some sort- and you are going well beyond that- I believe nine stories. If I'm not mistaken, um not only that, but I believe you are to achieve that density.

B

You are looking at um encroaching two houses into our neighborhoods. We hold very highly our ability to save and protect neighborhoods, especially out in scarborough. So I just want to make sure that you are well aware of those policy challenges um that the community and I, by the way I support- and I think most of my colleagues will- will support a lot of that um issues.

B

But I just want to make sure that you and and ultra aware of those challenges, because the only way you can achieve the density and this development here is to go against a number of very important city policies. With regard to growth in that community.

J

Through your chair uh to to counselor, uh yes, we are aware of the policy framework for for the site today, and uh we've set forward uh a rationale as to why we believe that it's appropriate to you know, move forward with the development that we're proposing within the context of those policies. um But yes, I hear your counselor. We are. We are aware of of the history of the site and the policy framework.

B

Yeah, thank you. Those are all my questions uh speak, madam.

A

Chair, thank you crawford. Are there any additional questions?

A

Okay, seeing none. um Thank you louie for your reputation. We now move to questions of staff.

B

You have some questions.

A

For staff, great counselor crawford and then counselor ainslie.

B

Yeah, just through um through planning staff, can you just uh give give us and people watching the purpose of this report? What a preliminary report actually does or is the decision that is being made based on that and how that dictates the process moving forward, but I think there's a bit of confusion with some people. um You know for the deputations um and even probably listening on on youtube, but can you just sort of outline the decision we're doing today what a preliminary report does um and and then I may have a few other questions.

K

Good morning it's uh paul zuliani, responding through the chair and to the councillor.

K

The city of toronto is required to receive development applications from private landowners and it begins the planning process. A preliminary report is simply the first step where city staff identify that an application has been received. We describe what the applicant is proposing.

K

We identify all the issues we see firsthand and we indicate that we would like to go out and begin consultation, because the planning process is a long process that involves consultation with the community and many stakeholders, and so, quite frankly, it's the beginning of the process. It asks to um to for staff to to go out and begin the consultation process, and it will result in a in a process where an application is hopefully revised a number of times until it starts to address all the concerns identified.

K

So that's generally, what what the report is doing.

B

um Thank you, uh mr zuliani, um with regard, if we chose today to say no to this I mean we've, we've heard the um community's concerns already at this early point. um If we as council, said no to this, um what are the ramifications? What what what would that say what what sort of rights does the applicant have, but if, for whatever reason, we said no to this, what is the next step.

K

Through the chair again, responding to the question, um every applicant in ontario has the right to appeal an application, and so, if council did not uh allow this application to be processed fully uh and indicated that they wish to to refuse it at this point, um the applicant could utilize its right of appeal and we would be at the local planning tribunal uh arguing the matter there.

K

um However, there is one aspect in this application that cannot be appealed, and that is the demolition of the rental units that that aspect of this application does not have appeal rights to the tribunal and council's decision on those matters or final.

B

So, in other words, if we said no to this, uh it would impact um not only the people in that community right now, because that building probably would be demolished, but it would also probably when we're looking at appeal put the city um at a disadvantage.

B

I guess I can maybe call it that at appeal and the likelihood again, you never can guarantee where a an appeal process will go, but it doesn't put the city in good light or standing with regard to an appeal if we decided to say no to this at this point, that's probably a correct answer. I assume.

K

Yes, through the chair, if we do end up before the tribunal on an appeal, it is always to the city's advantage to have undergone a full, comprehensive review, including consultation with the community, so that the best defense possible can be brought forward. So that's why we always recommend uh initiating a review of an application and consulting with the community before we bring forward a report which could recommend or refuse an application.

B

Thank you, and just one last quick question. I I have to give you the opportunity to respond. One of the deputies made um some serious allegations. I guess uh that the application is riddled with errors and misrepresentations and they wanted. This particular advocacy want to be the item.

C

B

Until the hard facts come in, so can you just please in the 30 seconds you have left, you know talk about that process of what is before you and the facts that you will be bringing out as part of a consultation again. I just wanted to give you that opportunity to respond, because I was concerned about some of those allegations that were made in the work that you as planning are doing.

K

Thank you through the chair. Again planning receives an application package uh from the applicant. They they have to meet stringing guidelines in terms of a complete application, so they have a sworn a declaration on their application form.

K

They have submitted plans, they have submitted studies by professionals, and that is the information that we take and review um if, if the general public believe that there's uh incorrect information in those studies, this is the opportunity to raise that. However, city staff will be reviewing all the work and it is now our opportunity to determine whether the information is correct, whether changes have to be made and whether we need any other new information. So at this time I I would not characterize it as incorrect. I would say it's at the beginning of the process.

B

A

Thank you, councillor, thompson, uh counselor ainslie. You had questions.

C

I do thank you uh and.

A

Thank you counselor thompson as well, so we'll do counseling counselor thompson.

C

Okay, thank you, madam chair um to mr zuliani, um on in the report. Page eight to 19 outlines uh issues that planning staff were working around and one of them has to deal with the rental units. In the report it says that it's recognized the rental units and these buildings need to be protected and replaced.

C

The applicant has offered to move them to another application they have in the pipeline at 21.51. I'm trying to understand so we're dealing with this application. Now, if we move this preliminary report forward, if for some reason the application at 2151 falls apart, what protections are we going to have in place for those rental units to be maintained.

K

Through the chair, although we we do have a full, comprehensive group of staff here able to answer the questions, especially around housing as well. However, I would indicate to you that, first of all, we have to determine whether off-site a relocation is appropriate and, second of all, should that be the case.

K

It would have to be somehow entwined through bylaws or legislation to ensure that one project is approved uh before the other one could be approved. So um there will have to be ways to guarantee that that is the case if it is appropriate to relocate off-site.

C

Okay, and that would include paul the the people that are renting in these buildings on kingston road. Now they would be guaranteed a place in 2151 or are we just saying? We have 33 rental units in these buildings? 2151 kingston road would have 33 units.

K

um I believe um I'm going to forward that question to either eushan liu, the planner on the final or alison smith, our housing planner, who can describe exactly what our legislation requires? Okay,.

D

Hi counselor: I can answer that this is allison smith, the housing policy planner reviewing a file, um so they are proposing to replace those 33 units from 1615 kingston road to 2151, kingston road, and um we consider this off-site replacement and we we do consider this type of proposal. It has happened a handful of times, um but it is something we're still thinking through in terms of timing as to if this is something that is um able to be supported by staff, we we haven't yet determined the timing of how that would be achieved.

D

But that is definitely something that we are we are thinking about. We would ensure that those units are secured um so that no no units are lost so there there would be um some type of mechanism to ensure that the replacement units are for sure secured, whether it's at 2151 or at 1615 kingston road.

C

Okay, all right, thank you, miss smith, um mr giuliani, back to you, um the applicant is proposing to tear down two single-family residential homes on birch, cliff avenue, and I do see in the list of concerns on page 8 to 19 those two houses coming down aren't listed as a concerns for myself. I'm I'm just trying to understand that this proposal would be bleeding into a single family residential street and what impact that could have on the street in the future.

C

If we allow this to go forward, I know there's a number of older homes on the street. If a developer was to come along and buy a number of them with that, these two houses being part of this proposal would that make it easier for a developer to put townhouses in or another low-rise building on, birch cliff.

K

Through the chair, this application does involve an official fine amendment seeking to redesignate those two single detached lots from neighborhood designation to mixed-use designation to accommodate this project, and we do identify that as an issue that needs to be reviewed and resolved.

K

I will say that um kingston road as an avenue calls for intensification kingston road as a road. That's that's a singular um in an angular sort of position sometimes has difficulty accommodating mid-rise development.

K

If, in this application we determine that a redesignation of those two laws are appropriate, I would say that it would never have any further impact on the neighborhood, because this is about creating a development fronting on kingston. It's not about intruding into the neighborhood.

K

So I would say that it would not have any impact further into the neighborhood. The real question is: should those two lots be considered as appropriate to accommodate this development.

C

Okay and then my um last question.

A

You're out of time, that's uh you're over five minutes on questions. Let's uh push it over to uh counselor thompson. Now.

E

uh Thank you very much, uh madam chair. I I wanted to ask staff about um the infrastructure and the servicing capacity um in the area with respect to this development. Is there sufficient infrastructure and capacity of roads, sewer et cetera, to accommodate this proposed development.

K

Thank you councillor I'll, pass this question on to ishan liu who's handling, the application.

D

uh Through the chair, uh through the process, we'll be looking at whether there will be sufficient capacity in terms of infrastructure and servicing, and if uh there are some deficiencies in capacity. That would be something that the applicant would need to pay to improve. On.

E

Right, so part of this preliminary process is really to identify the um the necessary elements that would be needed to um allow staff to determine whether or not the proposal by the applicant is one that would obviously have um negative impact and or positive impact as part of this development process. So is that part of the uh efforts as it relates to the preliminary report process? Mrs zuliani.

K

For the chair um and I'll answer on behalf of yeshua, because the answer is yes and and as part of our review, we will consider all infrastructure both hard and soft.

E

um I guess my final question through you, madame um chair, um is there: have we looked at the heritage uh impact and so on or there's there some potential relating to that um and and what process is in place for us to be able to examine the heritage impact of this proposed development.

K

um I will forward that question to both yishan and perhaps christian, to answer whether there's any heritage, designation list or any other issue on these properties.

D

um So through the chair, the uh the school across the street is that is listed as a heritage property and the applicant has submitted a heritage impact assessment. That's currently under review by our heritage planners.

D

E

Thank you. Those are all my questions, madam chair.

A

Okay, thank you councillor thompson. Are there any additional questions of the applicant? Oh sorry of the city staff, okay, uh we'll move to speakers.

C

Sorry, madam chair councillor, ainsley.

A

C

Did have one question left that I wanted to ask? Could we get a second round, so I could ask the one question.

A

uh You could I also sent you notes saying: do you want to send me your question I'll ask it so, um but yes, we can move to a second if the floor conceived. So all those in paper. Second round, okay, go ahead. Counselor answer.

C

uh Thank you and thank you to my colleagues, uh mr giuliani. I just wanted to ask um former counselor brian ashton: did a lot of work in this area with residents and councilor crawford made mention of it around getting community input on what was appropriate for the area and my understanding was. It was a buildings at a maximum height of four to six floors, which this is exceeding, I'm just trying to understand how what we voted on. I'm pretty sure I voted on that years ago at city council.

C

How that process would impact this project, whether it's superseded or if section 37 benefits would come into place come into play if we're exceeding that. How is that looked at within this preliminary report?.

K

Thank you for the question I'd like to pass that one over to um either yishan liu or christian ventresco, the manager for the.

L

Area, that's through the chair, counselor. um It is the as of right condition and um through their application, they're proposing the uh amendment to that avenue. Zoning bylaw that the the counselor mentioned, I believe the deputies mentioned as well, so um we are looking at the built form parameters put in place through the zoning and they the applicant, has the burden of of of making representation as to why the proposed amendment is appropriate and we are reviewing that um justification.

L

What I would suggest as well is that there are council-wide or city-wide council guidelines as well the mid-rise performance standards being one that we will look at to determine the appropriateness of the increase and there have been other amending applications along this corridor of the bylaw either through rezoning process. One of the applicants mentioned the manderly proposal at kingston and manderly, as well as through committee of adjustment, where we apply um the built form uh expectations of the mid-rise guidelines to determine if an increase in height or density is warranted.

C

All right, thank you very much. Thank you, madam chair.

B

Thank you. Sorry. Second round.

A

Were there any other questions.

B

Yeah, I just had a quick uh clarification. uh Mr ventresca, you mentioned the as of right zoning rights that we have because it was pre-zoned in the area if this application had come in with four to six stories um as some others in the area had um there's no community consultation, there, you more or less give them that ability. Now the rental component is a little different, but if, if they came in with the four to six stories, um as of right, um can you just describe what would happen?

B

There's really no community consultation, because in fact, what would have happened 10 years ago when we re-zoned the area.

L

Through the chair, counselor you're correct just putting aside the rental housing component of this, which would have a consultation process um with the tenants only, um but the the site plan process that would implement the as of right. Four to six story condition is a delegated matter where staff and the applicant, um you know, negotiator or ensure the appropriate uh implementation of the azerbait zoning access materials, balconies, etc. But if they comply with the zoning bylaw, there would not be um an opportunity for uh the wide community consultation.

L

The process that you are proposing through the your your potential, I'm assuming potential motion to expand the notification area.

B

Yeah, I don't think I just wanted to clarify that for you and the community um to ensure that again, if it was six stories, we wouldn't be having this conversation outside of the rental, which is a really important issue. But I just wanted to clarify that. Thank you.

A

Okay, thank you any additional questions. So we now move to speakers. I know councillor crawford has a motion.

B

Yeah, I do have a motion. uh Thank you, uh madam chair, to expand the notification area again. This is a standard um change or notification. We, I think, there's very few um applications that come before us, a community council where we don't expand um the legislative 120 meters. So this is uh an expansion um to queensbury down fourth um south to rosetta, mclean gardens. um It expands it considerably um from what we had and I think it recognizes some of the concerns that we have in the community.

B

um What I want to say first off uh number one. I want to thank the deputies who have come out at this early stage and you know recognizing it's not usual, that we have deputations as part of a preliminary application.

B

But what it says to to me- and what it says to to my colleagues is the concern that a community already has about an application coming into their area, and I recognize that seriousness in the the deputations that have come before us, um and I also want you to state very clearly that if this was a final application that was coming before us today, I would be categorically saying no to it. um It's too big. It's too dense it it.

B

There are a number of things that just do not meet the standards for the community and for the city, and I don't think not speaking for my colleagues, but I don't know whether or not they would be supporting if this was a final application coming before us. But again this is not. This is the beginning of a process. um It's a long process it. It will be a very robust process of community consultation that has already started with the community, um and I can ensure the community.

B

There will be every opportunity to whether it's smaller, larger meetings having that opportunity to have discussions not only with our planning staff, but with all tree, um starting, probably in february, as we start looking at the the the um the importance of the consultation that has to happen. But this is the process that we have now set out. Our staff now have that authority to begin that consultation, and it will be robust.

B

I I will guarantee you that um and again with regard to the um um five separate um key areas that or the asks that mr carmichael have mentioned, that.

G

B

Already stated to the community, I support those five asks, and I think and thank you, deputy mayor, michael thompson, for also acknowledging those five key areas that we'll be looking at and they are reasonable asks, and I think our planning staff know that they are reasonable asks and I will be supporting that. Moving through this process um and- and I do have to make a comment- um you know with regard to the this power imbalance, um whether the an application uh developer has you know, 2 million 50 or 100 million dollars uh before them.

B

um Doesn't concern me whatsoever. We also have um the city of toronto. We have my colleagues who and not only community council but full of city council that look at development all across the the uh the city. It is my priority. It is my obligation, I guess, to really look at what is best for the community.

B

What is best for the city- um and I know myself and my colleagues will be looking at that as this application goes through the process and we've gone through many of these applications ourselves and will continue to do so and when this comes back to community council.

B

I can arrest assured to my colleagues that there will be a thorough process, a thorough opportunity for the community to be engaged um time and time again to ensure that process happens um and with regard to our planning staff, I have, to you know, give them credit for their professionalism that they have so far shown with regard to this application uh and others that I've been involved in I've been involved in dozens with our staff and the professionalism that they bring forward and the acknowledgement of some of the challenges.

B

And there are challenges with this development already and they've already been outlined. When we're looking at the density uh going beyond what the kingston revitalization community wanted, which is four to six stories and the fact that they are there's going to be an incursion into our neighborhoods, those two houses, if it wasn't for those two individual houses, this development probably wouldn't be happening to the same extent. I take that very seriously when we're looking at that kind of an incursion into our neighborhoods in areas all across scarborough.

B

We want to protect we're looking at part of the planning process, we.

K

B

That development is important, development is happening and will happen especially along the kingston world corridor, that some of my other colleagues have as part of their awards, uh but we recognize development is important, but what was critically important is we as we grow as a city as we grow as a community, we need to protect our neighborhoods um and that'll, be a challenge when we're looking at the policy side of what staff have to balance out on these two individual sites and and actually there's uh the next item coming up talks about that as well.

B

But I again I want to just uh you know thank the community for coming out recognizing um how important this development is to the community and we have to follow a proper process to ensure that um we end up with what is needed for the community. This is really about a partnership between the community between the city and the developer. If we can ensure a good, solid process between those three partners, the outcomes will be something that everybody will be supporting. Thank you.

A

Thank you councillor crawford and the additional speakers. Okay, uh we'll vote on the amendment. First, if you want to pull it.

A

Up, okay and we'll change back to screens we'll do the vote all those in favor.

A

The amendment carries on the sorry on the item, as amended all those in favor.

A

The item carries. Thank you. That brings us to item sc 21.3 preliminary report for 3291 kingston, road, 2 and 4 windy ridge, drive official plan, amendment, zoning amendment and rental housing, demolition applications in ward, 20., council crawford did you have questions of staff.

B

uh No questions of stuff, I just have a motion to move the expanded notification area.

A

Okay, great um so you know other questions of staff, we'll move to council required to speak.

B

Yeah, thank you, madam chair. I will be moving the motion, as I did um with the previous item, to expand the notification area for this particular development. I did want to have enough just to speak to it very briefly, even though there are no deputations to this particular item doesn't suggest the um seriousness of the community's concern around this development, similar to the development with all tree and burchcliff.

B

In fact, these two items are very similar um with regard to number one, the the size of the density on kingston road, on the fact that they're looking at to to make this development succeed, um they will actually have to utilize two neighborhood houses or homes um on windy ridge.

B

So, even though they're different, there are a number of kilometers apart, there's a lot of similarities that I think our planning staff will be dealing with as we move forward with this and again recognizing the other challenges we have on revitalization and development along kingston mode, so they're very similar. In that respect, the community has already, in fact, out of this development. uh Community residents association, the cliffcrats scarborough village residents association, has been formed. I've been working very closely with them on their concerns at this very early stage of the process recognizing they have.

B

You know serious concerns about the impact to that community and I've assured them, as I have with the birch cliff community, a very strong, robust consultation process to ensure every opportunity um for their voices to be heard, uh and I expressly have the same concerns that they have, as I did with the birch cliff community on on the all tree. But we will be again having a very robust consultation um working very closely with the applicant working very closely with planning staff and, of course, the community.

B

As I said in in my previous remarks, that partnership is critical in any success in any development that we do uh and I I will be committing to the community um that robust opportunity to have that consultation. So again on that, I will just um you know, move this motion to expand the notification area and I'm looking forward to a continued conversations with the community, the developer and planning. Thank you.

A

Thank you councillor crawford. Are there any additional speakers to this item? Okay, we'll move to vote on the.

A

Amendment, okay, all those in favor of the amendment. The amendment carries all those in favor of the item as amended.

A

That item carries that brings us to item sc 21.4 preliminary report, 24.99 victoria park, avenue zoning amendment application, ward, 22.. uh We have one speaker on this item. Miroslav glavich did I say your name right this time.

M

Yes, thank you. Can you hear me.

A

I can you have five minutes happy new year. Mr garbage thank.

M

You er I emailed. What's that there was an error on the thing. First of all, the municipal address is 2501. I emailed sophie knowles that in the email address at the bottom now 24.99 and 2., I have a problem with that with a 12-story build build building there about 30 seconds. Northeast of this direction is shepard on pharmacy, as all of you should know, you all approved it. Southeast corner of shepard and pharmacy have a a building going on that should be about half.

M

Eighty three quarters finished: there's a sign in front of that building at shepparton pharmacy pharmacy, saying there isn't enough empty spots for them for for any family, they're moving for the kids to the schools, adding another 12 story. The amount of of people in it's gonna add a lot of traffic in in this area. If you look at a map, if you, if you look at f at f at pharmacy, south of shepard, it's single homes, the amount of traffic, a 12 story to 12-story building, I think it was it's going to be unbelievable.

M

Most of these houses seniors live live there. Would you want uh armageddon traffic, as some deputies said in in a previous item? Do you want to bring armageddon to uh to this to this area? I have family who lives there. I have an 80 year old, aunt and uncle who go for a walk and go go shop, shopping in the area at the no frills or whatever? It's called did this this I'm not against uh buildings and how housing being built, but it has to reflect the community. You can't just add armageddon traffic to it.

M

Let's plus all the armageddon that the southeast corner pharmacy, shepard building is, is going to bring to the to the area. It's a small quiet, little little area, commons drive pharmacy avenue south of shepard pharmacy is a small. Very local street pharmacy doesn't even have an entrance next to the 401.

M

You know, please, you need to have a consultation in the also in the proper languages, and a lot of those seniors are not going to go to the public consultations and the average public consultation of these meetings either in the special active activist groups is 20 or less. You know I worry about the traffic. I worry about when my aunt wants to cross across the street with the amount of traffic and the construction construction in scarborough tends to uh screw up the neighborhoods during the construction.

M

Thank you. That's it.

A

D

A

Your interpretation are there any questions?

A

Okay, thank you. Any questions of staff on this item.

A

I just have one quick question. I just want to confirm that any public meetings would be held after the new council for war. 22 is in office.

K

It's paul zollien responding. Absolutely as we discussed at the last community council. We will wait till a new counselor is fully in place for the award and then we will consult with their office to determine the appropriate dates for the meeting.

A

Okay, thank you. Are there any additional questions of staff?

A

Anyone to speak to this item? Counselor live.

D

Thank you, madam chair. I'm just wondering whether we could actually change the recommendation to 300 meters. I think the local councilor would have asked for that. I'm just wondering whether there's a sentiment from my colleagues here to change that to amend that catchment area to 300 meters instead of 120 meters.

A

Okay, thank you. Council lie. I have asked the city clerk to prepare that.

D

D

A

Okay, we'll we will move to the next item and then come back, and that will give the city clerk time to prepare that amendment for counselor lie, so that will bring us to item sc 21.5 preliminary report, 448 454, markham rhodes, zoning bylaw, amendment application, ward, 24. and our first debutant is mr miroslav.

M

Hello, you can hear me right.

J

M

Thank you, cancer life for doing that. 300 meters you're. Officially my favorite scarborough counselor for the next week at least again, I'm going to say some something similar counselor ainslie know this, because I emailed him about my concerns. When you have a meeting like this happening.

M

Language languages of the community encounters counselors is tamil gujarati bengali.

M

I don't even think counselor ainslie even speaks those languages, but that you have you can I'm sure you can find at least one staff and have the option of live stream live streaming these community meetings?

M

You know I've been pushing that for what eight to ten years in at the government management committee you know, and it would be nice for the local community to to have this option. You know I can't remember the last time any any community meeting anywhere in scarborough before the the kobe 19 was um streaming live streaming whatever you know, thank you, and I know cancer or asia will do the right thing. That's it! Thank you.

A

Okay, uh thank you for your deportation or any questions of speaker.

A

Any questions of staff, and you want to speak to the item. Okay, uh counselor ainsley,.

C

uh Thank you, madam speaker, I'll, move the recommendations on the item. Thank you.

A

Okay, thank you we'll vote on the item. All those in favor also pose. That item carries. We can now go back up to item sc 21.4 clicks have prepared. The motion, as requested by councillor, lie um we'll pull that up and we can move to.

A

We can review it in the vote on it. So it's now amending the area to 300 meters, as requested.

A

Okay, any additional speakers on the item, all those in favor of the amendment. All those in favor of the item is amended. That item carries. We have just one procedural bill that one confirmatory bill. Can we pull that up.

A

That scarborough community council passed and declares a bylaw confirmatory bill to confirm the legislative proceedings of scarborough community council acting under delegated three at meeting 21 on january 6 2021.. Can I have somebody to move the. I move this motion, counselor ainsley, all those in favor all, is opposed.

A

The confirmatory bill passes.

A

And that concludes our business for today. Thank you very much everybody for attending both virtually and uh um calling in and uh happy happy new year to you all. Thank you.

C

Thanks everybody happy new year stay safe and well.