Highlights from the Toronto City Council meeting of September 30 and October 1, 2009

Towers proposal in Don Mills

Council decided not to approve a proposal by developer Cadillac Fairview that included a series of residential towers as tall as 26 storeys on a Don Mills site that is zoned for a maximum height of eight storeys. City staff were instructed to continue discussions with the developer. On the related subject of a future community centre for that Don Mills neighbourhood, Council indicated that its preference is a combined community centre and twin-pad arena rather than a stand-alone community centre.

Queen’s Quay redevelopment

Council approved two waterfront area environmental assessments that were conducted as a step in the planned redevelopment of Queen’s Quay on the waterfront from Spadina Avenue to Parliament Street. The Queen’s Quay project as envisioned will convert the two travel lanes north of the existing TTC median to a single lane in each direction. The current south lanes and sidewalk will be used to extend the Martin Goodman Trail through the corridor and to establish a more extensive pedestrian promenade.

Funding to move Transit City along

Council decided to increase the City’s 2009-2013 capital budget by $134.5 million to continue work on the priority Transit City lines. Most of the funding will come from the Ontario government through Metrolinx. In addition, Council authorized the City to enter into an agreement with Metrolinx and the Toronto Transit Commission for interim funding to cover implementation of components of the Sheppard East LRT, Finch West LRT, Eglinton Crosstown LRT and Scarborough RT projects.

Film and television industry

Council directed the City’s film commissioner to thank the Government of Ontario for its actions to help secure screen-based industries in Toronto and Ontario. Council also decided to ask the province to work with the Toronto Film Board and Film Ontario to work out a mechanism that will financially support the development of new sound stages as part of the film industry’s infrastructure in Toronto.

Grass for BMO Field

Council approved a letter of intent that will allow Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment to replace the artificial turf at BMO Field (soccer stadium at Exhibition Place) with natural grass, making it more viable for professional soccer games. The arrangement is to include relocation of the winter bubble from BMO Field to Allan Lamport Stadium so that facility can be used by the community year round. In addition, Council endorsed an agreement for the installation of artificial turf at Lakeshore Collegiate or another site in the area (Ward 6).

Appointment of new Poet Laureate for Toronto

Council approved the appointment of Toronto poet and novelist Dionne Brand as Toronto’s third Poet Laureate. Dionne Brand will serve for three years as Toronto’s literary ambassador, championing local literary arts.

Street parking for car-share vehicles
Council supported the establishment of a new class of parking permit for car-share organizations, with a fee of $200 a year for each permit giving the operator dedicated parking spots. The City will work with local car-share organizations Zipcar and AutoShare in a new pilot project to identify other potential on-street parking opportunities throughout Toronto.