A lot to absorbe there but the Planning Dept. is basically saying:
- There's no money for streetscape improvements except through Section 37 as new development is approved
- They don't really support pilot projects for reducing traffic lanes because it "requires considerable planning"
- They do not support setting back the new towers behind the existing retail strip, except for heritage buildings
- An HCD for this stretch of Yonge is "inapprorpriate" (WTF?)
- They are aware there are insufficient resources for designating new heritage buildings
So rather disappointing.
My question is did our new Chief Planner have a hand in this or not?
This is a fundamental miss-reading of the report.
- There's no money for streetscape improvements except through Section 37 as new development is approved
"Ultimately, City Planning believes that the development review process is the logical tool for implementing many of the larger projects proposed in the Downtown Yonge BIA public realm strategy. Individual projects that do not fall within the scope of a new development can be achieved through liaising with the appropriate City division and
could potentially be funded through Section 37..." (pg 3)
This is saying that streetscape improvements will be secured as part of the development review process of new developments. Where there are stretched of the street not subject to new development, one of the methods for funding streetscape improvements could be s37 funds from other approved developments in the area. This does not rule out council deciding to dedicate capital funds to streetscape improvements.
- They don't really support pilot projects for reducing traffic lanes because it "requires considerable planning"
"Development and implementation of a pilot project to widen the sidewalks and reduce the vehicular lanes on Yonge Street may be useful in providing an opportunity for study and would provide input to an environmental assessment study. However,
it requires considerable planning and assessment of impacts on the surrounding road network, and may not provide a true picture of the long term effects. The Celebrate Yonge Street Festival, which is planned for August and September of this year by the Downtown Yonge BIA, will provide some opportunity to assess the benefits and impacts of a longer term change in the configuration of this section of Yonge Street." (pg 5)
This is saying that pilot projects are useful, however, if they are going to be undertaken, proper resources must be dedicated to them in order to fully assess effects. Also, depending on the duration of the pilot study, it might be hard to assess longer-term effects.
- They do not support setting back the new towers behind the existing retail strip, except for heritage buildings
"...the City of Toronto should amend zoning by-law 438-86 to remove the angular plane on Yonge Street and replace it with a
blanket 7.5 metre stepback from the property line with heights to be increased from 20 metres to 30 metres in sections along Yonge Street... There may be merit in enshrining a stepback with a small height increase in the zoning by-law but
it should be applied along a greater length of Yonge Street than between Gerrard Street and Dundas Street, and should be consistently applied." (pg 7)
A blanket stepback sounds to me like all buildings, not just heritage buildings.
- An HCD for this stretch of Yonge is "inapprorpriate" (WTF?)
"...an HCD would ne be an appropriate tool in this case as
there is not a consistent heritage character along Yonge between Gerrard Street and Dundas Street. Heritage Staff are cognizant of the backlog in listing and designating new buildings due to low staffing levels in Heritage Preservation Services, and will be tendering a request for proposals to list outstanding buildings in the heritage inventory." (pg 6)
A Heritage Conservation District is a tool that seeks to enforce design and massing standards on new developments within and adjacent to the district in order to preserve its heritage character. As there aren't that many potential heritage buildings between Gerrard and Dundas on Yonge, and a process is about to commence whereby those few potential heritage buildings will be listed on the heritage inventory and thus protected, there really isn't a need for an HCD to protect those few buildings.
- They are aware there are insufficient resources for designating new heritage buildings
Other than consistently reminding council that the resources of heritage preservation services in particular, and city planning in general are stretched, I'm not sure what else can be done. Should staff write a report that recommends hiring more staff?
