Council Approves Rental Housing Supply Program

Friends,

I hope you’re able to connect with friends and family this holiday long weekend and enjoy the various festivities taking place.  

This year’s Pride Parade, a vibrant celebration of Toronto’s diverse 2SLGBTQ+ communities, will take place on Sunday, June 30. More information about Pride celebrations and activities is available on Pride Toronto’s website.  The City is also offering free, city-wide programming to residents and visitors celebrating Canada Day on Monday, July 1.  More details are available on the City’s Canada Day webpage.

I am also proud to share that this week at City Council, Council adopted with amendments two items that meaningfully advance action to address housing insecurity in our city: the Renovicitons Policy Implementation staff report and the Launching the Rental Housing Supply Program staff report.

The Renovictions Policy Implementation staff report provides recommendations for developing a Toronto Renoviction By-Law to protect tenants from bad-faith evictions. Council has directed staff to move forward in developing the by-law and report back to the Planning and Housing Committee in October, 2024, with a proposed renovictions by-law and operational framework to implement the by-law.

The Rental Housing Supply Program is an ambitious suite of measures that support the City’s target of 65,000 new rent-controlled homes being built by 2030, including immediately allocating $351 million in capital funding to 18 affordable rental housing projects.

This will enable all 18 of these projects to get shovels in the ground between now and the end of 2025, creating a total of almost 6,000 new rental homes. No government in my lifetime has been building social housing at this rate.

With your continued involvement, we can build a Toronto where housing is affordable for all.

Sincerely,

Gord

 


  • An Update on 1304-1318 King Street West and 143-145 Cowan Avenue - Official Plan, Zoning By-law Amendment, and Rental Housing Demolition Applications

  • 1266 Queen Street West – Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendment Application – Decision Report – Refusal of Official Plan Amendment and Approval of Zoning By-law Amendment

  • Committee of Adjustment Application 1354-1360 Queen Street West and 8-14 Brock Avenue

  • 1337-1355 King Street West - Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment, and Rental Housing Demolition Applications - Decision Report - Approval

  • An Update on 1930 - 1938 Bloor St W and 3, 5 & 21 Quebec Ave - Zoning By-law Amendment and Rental Housing Demolition & Conversion Application

  • An Update on 2453-2469 Bloor St W - Zoning By-law Amendment Applications

  • Have your say in the library's future and Complete the Survey!

An Update on 1304-1318 King Street West and 143-145 Cowan Avenue - Official Plan, Zoning By-law Amendment, and Rental Housing Demolition Applications

In response to Toronto East York Community Council and City Councils decision to refuse the Official Plan, Zoning By-law Amendment, and Rental Housing Demolition Applications for 1304-1318 King Street West and 143-145 Cowan Avenue, City staff have received notice that the applicant has filed an appeal of this decision with the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).

 

In May 2024, City Council refused the application that proposes a 21-storey mixed use building. The proposal showed 213 square metres of ground floor retail and 263 dwelling units, including 8 rental replacement units. More information on the application can be found on the City’s Application Information Centre website here: Application Information Centre - 1304 KING ST W (toronto.ca).

 

City Council also directed that in the event the applications are appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, that City Council attempt to resolve the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the City Solicitor.

The full staff report on this item is available on-line at https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.TE13.10.

As information on the OLT appeal becomes available, our office will share. The OLT website will also post information on their website at https://jus-olt-prod.powerappsportals.com/en/e-status/.


1266 Queen Street West – Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendment Application – Decision Report – Refusal of Official Plan Amendment and Approval of Zoning By-law Amendment

On July 10th, 2024, Toronto and East York Community Council will consider 1266 Queen Street West – Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendment Application – Decision Report – Refusal of Official Plan Amendment and Approval of Zoning By-law Amendment

The application proposes to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to construct a 24-storey mixed use building with a 5 storey base building, containing 331 residential units. A total of 22,104 square metres of gross floor area is proposed, including 563 square metres of commercial space on the ground floor.

The Staff Report reviewed and recommends refusal of the Official Plan Amendment (OPA) application and approval of the application to amend the Zoning By-law.

Note: Staff recommend refusal of the OPA proposal as the redesignation for conversion has been reviewed and approved through a separate Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) and is waiting for the Provincial Minister’s approval. This OPA creates a duplicate of work already completed and waiting for provincial approval.

The Staff Report recommends approval of the Zoning proposal as it reflects area-specific policy intent for West Queen West, particularly as it relates to polices associated with built form and development within mixed use areas. Staff worked with the applicant and the community to improve the proposed height and massing, and to limit shadow impacts on adjacent properties.

The Staff Report is available for review at: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.TE15.12

Further, information submitted to the City by the applicant is available for your review on the City's Application Information Centre at:  https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/application-information-centre/#location=&lat=&lng=&zoom=

This item will be heard on July 10th after 10 AM.

I will be supporting the staff recommendation. I ask that you review the details of the report and share your questions and comments with my office: [email protected] , 416-392-7919.

You can register to speak or provide written comment through [email protected]. Registered speakers will be provided with instructions on connecting to the meeting.

TEYCC will also be streamed live online at www.youtube.com/TorontoCityCouncilLive

For further information on this or any other Ward 4 or city-related matter, go to www.gordperks.ca or contact my office at [email protected].


Committee of Adjustment Application 1354-1360 Queen Street West and 8-14 Brock Avenue

In August 2023, an application for rezoning proposing an 11-storey mixed use building was approved at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) contingent on satisfaction of certain conditions.

The applicant has now filed an application to alter the development standards for the 11-storey mixed-use building by increasing the height from 39 m to 40m, reducing the terracing setbacks fronting Abbs Street and Brock Avenue, increasing the total gross floor area, increasing the residential gross floor area, and reducing the indoor and outdoor amenity space. This building will provide a total of 222 residential

dwelling units, as well as non-residential spaces (to be located on the ground floor).

This alteration requires a Committee of Adjustment Minor variance. The site still requires Site Plan application approval.

The Committee of Adjustment Minor Variance request will be heard on Wednesday, July 10th.

As Councillor Perks appoints citizens to the Committee of Adjustment to make decisions on minor variances and, on the advice of the Integrity Commissioner, Councillor Perks cannot attempt to influence a member's decision on an application. He does not communicate with the panel members at committee or through written comment about the application.

The Committee of Adjustment process does offer an opportunity for the public to participate in the process. Community members have an opportunity to comment on the application at the virtual Committee of Adjustment hearing.

The Public Notice with requested variances and details on how to view and/or participate, is below.


1337-1355 King Street West - Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment, and Rental Housing Demolition Applications - Decision Report - Approval

On July 10th, 2024, Toronto and East York Community Council will consider TE15.2 - 1337-1355 King Street West - Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment, and Rental Housing Demolition Applications - Decision Report - Approval

The application proposes to permit a 10 storey residential building consisting of 92 affordable housing units, including 10 rental replacement units at 1337-1355 King Street West.  The existing 11 storey “Phoenix Place” apartment building and Parkdale United Church at 1355 King Street West will be fully retained on the site.

 

This Staff Report recommends approval of this application and approval of a Rental Housing Demolition application. This includes a Tenant Relocation and Assistance Plan that addresses the right for existing tenants to return to rental replacement dwelling units at a similar rent, and interim accommodation for the duration of the construction period.

 

The staff Report is available for review at: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.TE15.2

Further, information submitted to the City by the applicant is available for your review on the City's Application Information Centre at: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/application-details/?id=5431268&pid=155209

I am proud to voice my support for this application and will recommend approval of this staff report.

This item will be heard on July 10th after 10 AM.

You can register to speak or provide written comment through [email protected].

For further information on this or any other Ward 4 or city-related matter, go to www.gordperks.ca or contact my office at [email protected].


An Update on 1930 - 1938 Bloor St W and 3, 5 & 21 Quebec Ave - Zoning By-law Amendment and Rental Housing Demolition & Conversion Application

In response to Toronto East York Community Council and City Councils decision to refuse the Zoning By-law Amendment and Rental Housing Demolition & Conversion application for 1930 - 1938 Bloor St W and 3, 5 & 21 Quebec Ave, City staff have received notice that the applicant has filed an appeal of this decision with the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).

In May 2024, City Council refused the application that proposes a 17-storey mixed use building. The proposal showed 380 square metres of ground floor retail and 144 dwelling units, including 12 rental replacement units. More information on the application can be found on the City’s Application Information Centre website here: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/application-details/?id=5405185&pid=720789.

City Council also directed that in the event the applications are appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, that City Council attempt to resolve the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the City Solicitor.

The full staff report on this item is available on-line at https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.TE13.9.

As information on the OLT appeal becomes available, our office will share. The OLT website will also post information on their website at https://jus-olt-prod.powerappsportals.com/en/e-status/.


An Update on 2453-2469 Bloor St W - Zoning By-law Amendment Applications

In January 2024, a complete application was submitted for 2453-2469 Bloor St W which proposed a 13-storey mixed use building. The application proposed 260 square metres of ground floor retail and 91 dwelling units, with 111 bike parking spaces and 40 vehicle parking spaces.

This application was considered by City Planning staff to be unsuitable to the location. Instead, staff recommended, and City Council approved in their May 2024 session, an altered application that is 10-storeys high with similar residential unit counts and ground floor retail, with altered massing.

In response to Toronto East York Community Council and City Councils decision to approve an altered Zoning By-law Amendment Application for 2453-2469 Bloor St W, City staff have received notice that the applicant has filed an appeal of this decision with the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).

City Council directed that in the event the application was appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, that City Council attempt to resolve the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the City Solicitor.

More information on the original application can be found on the City’s Application Information Centre website here: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/application-details/?id=5309673&pid=717775.

More information on the City Staff approved building, and their reasoning for their changes to the original application, can be found in the staff report here: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-243974.pdf.

The full staff report on this item is available on-line at https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.TE12.2.

As information on the OLT appeal becomes available, our office will share. The OLT website will also post information on their website at https://jus-olt-prod.powerappsportals.com/en/e-status/.

 


Have your say in the library's future!  

Toronto Public Library is creating a new Strategic Plan to guide the library over the next five years, and they’d like your input! Based on the ideas shared in the first round of consultations, the library has identified eight areas to focus on. Now, they need your help to further prioritize and guide their work. To participate, please visit tpl.ca/strategicplan before July 24.  

 

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Friends,

From the return of CaféTO and splash pads to a fireworks display, there’s lots to enjoy across Toronto this long weekend. Those travelling over the long weekend should plan their journey in advance, allow extra time, consider taking public transit or other travel methods such as walking or cycling, and follow signage to keep everyone safe.  

A map of all road closures is available on the City of Toronto’s Road Restrictions webpage.

The Green P parking website  has information about parking and EV charging.

The Bike Share Toronto app offers a convenient and sustainable mode of transportation. More information is available at this webpage.

Dine al fresco as part of CaféTO

CaféTO returns this long weekend, inviting residents and visitors to enjoy outdoor dining across Toronto. More than 290 local restaurants and bars have registered for CaféTO’s curb-lane café program. In addition, the City boasts 752 patios and 604 sidewalk cafés. Together, these diverse dining spaces showcase Toronto’s vibrant and multicultural food scene. 

More information is available on the City’s CaféTO webpage.

Cool off at splash and spray pads  

Beginning Saturday, more than 140 splash and spray pads in City parks will open for the season, and will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. until Sunday, September 13. 

Caregivers are reminded to supervise children as these are unsupervised water-play areas. Splash and spray pad locations are available on the City’s Swimming and Water Play webpage.

Visit a farm in the City

Residents and visitors to Toronto can escape urban life and visit a working farm in the heart of the City. Riverdale Farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free.

The High Park animal display is open daily between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Roads in the park are closed to vehicular traffic on weekends and public holidays; however, several TTC routes connect to High Park. More information about the High Park animal display is available on the City’s Zoos & Farms webpage.

Watch fireworks at Ashbridges Bay   

The City’s fireworks display takes place at Ashbridges Bay Park on Monday, May 18 at 10 p.m.  Attendees are encouraged to use public transit and leave personal vehicles at home. Information about TTC schedules, routes and long weekend service is available on the TTC’s website .

Important reminder about fireworks   

Residents are allowed to set off fireworks on their own private property without a permit before 11 p.m. on Victoria Day and Canada Day. A permit is required to set off fireworks on all other days. Fireworks are not permitted in City parks or on beaches, balconies, streets, parking lots or property that is not owned by the person setting off the fireworks. 

My office continues to be available for any Ward 4 or City-related matters. I wish you all a safe and enjoyable long weekend. 

Sincerely,

Gord


In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

  • Summer recreation program listings available
  • FMTA's Toronto Tenant School Workshops 
  • TDSB Learn4Life Summer 2026 Registration Now Open
  • CultureLink Student Summer Jobs Networking Event

Ward 4 news

  • Letter of Support for Diane Rajaram Parkette
  • The Junction Window Wonderland: Call for Artists
  • Junction Farmers Market Returns
  • BWV BIA Presents Blooming in Bloor West Village
  • Metrolinx Construction Update - West Toronto Railpath

Friends,

The City is building 54 supportive, rent-geared-to-income homes (8-storeys) at 1-3 Close Avenue and 78 Springhurst Avenue. Modelled after Dunn House, Canada’s first-ever social medicine supportive housing initiative, this project titled Dunn House 2 will deliver stable housing paired with integrated health and community supports in partnership with the University Health Network (UHN).

The approach is based on the principle that people are more likely to stay well and continue living in their homes when housing and care are brought together in one place. Early results from Dunn House show significant reductions in emergency department visits and hospital bed days. These outcomes reflect improved health stability for residents and reduced pressure on the broader health care system, benefiting the community as a whole.

Dunn House 2 is moving forward as a Toronto Builds public developer project, and will be developed by CreateTO on behalf of the City. The new homes will be studio apartments with a bathroom and a kitchen, with shared laundry, communal areas, and activities space. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2026 or early 2027.

I was pleased to co-host the Community Consultation Meeting for Dunn House 2 last night, alongside City Planning and Housing staff, UHN, CreateTO, and architects on this project.

Staff heard from Dunn House tenants, members of the South Parkdale University Health Network Tenants Association (SPUHNTA), and residents from the broader community. We were grateful for the valuable feedback about unit size, layout, and other aspects of the project’s built form that was shared.

Projects like Dunn House 2 are urgently needed to provide the most vulnerable in our communities – those who are unhoused and rely on frequent visits to emergency rooms for care – with the housing stability, wrap around supports, and community connection needed to recover and live with dignity.

As we approve and initiate more of these projects as a city, I’d like to encourage us to follow the lead of SPUHNTA by implementing the Parkdale Model that they developed widely in how we welcome and build community with new neighbours.

Sincerely,

Gord


In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

  • RentSafeTO: Information Kiosks for Colour-Coded Signage - Parkdale pop-up location added
  • Seasonal Park Washrooms are now opening

Ward 4 news

  • 1497-1501 Queen St W & 89-91 Beaty Ave Community Consultation Meeting
  • Metrolinx Construction Update - West Toronto Railpath
  • TTC: Kipling to Jane Subway Station Single Day Closure
  • Bloom by the park hosted by Bloor by the Park BIA

Friends,

I’ve decided not to seek re-election as your City Councillor this fall. It’s simply time for me to try my hand at other things. Representing you has been the most important work of my life. Wherever I go from here, I will carry all you have taught me.

If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to take a brief look back at what we’ve done together.

At present, the wider world feels hostile: wars rage, our climate is changing, hate and stigma against the most vulnerable is on the rise, in many places democracy is under attack – even here in Ontario.

Parkdale-High Park has been a laboratory of creative resistance in hard times.

For years, you and your neighbours have fought to create a democratic housing system based on meeting needs instead of returning profit to land speculators. We have been wildly successful.

We pushed through a small project to help the Neighbourhood Land Trust buy a rooming house before it was sold to a speculator. This has grown into a permanent City-wide program called the Multi-Unit Rental Acquisition program. Dozens of rental buildings have been bought by non-profit housing organizations providing secure and decent housing in perpetuity. The federal government has announced its intention to take the program nation-wide.

We’ve always been leaders in building social housing with projects like Edmond’s Place and Dunn House. Over the last three years, Toronto has embarked on creating a Public Builder model, initiated with projects in our community at 11 Brock, the Parkdale Hub, and an expanded and secure rebuild of Swansea Mews. Dozens of non-profit, co-op, and TCHC projects are in development city-wide. Two-thirds of all recent housing starts in Toronto include the City as a partner. Again, we have influenced federal housing policy. The recent creation of Build Canada Homes was in no small part influenced by Toronto’s Public Builder model.

The people of Parkdale-High Park have always put the needs of people in crisis first. Our experience building community-based supports helped launch city-wide the Toronto Community Crisis Service which is a non-police-led, 24/7, response to mental health emergency calls and wellness checks.

Our understanding of the importance of public space has led to improvements in our Toronto Public Library system, Parks, and Community Recreation Centres – such as removing overdue book fines and delivering free programming to ensure that residents of all ages, means, and ability can make use of these assets and resources.  Within months, we will break ground for a new Wabash Community Centre.

We have also spearheaded creating safer streets by being the first ward in Toronto to uniformly lower local road speed limits from 40 to 30km, pioneering raised bike lanes at public transit stops as part of the Roncesvalles pedestrian-friendly streetscape redesign, and expanding the City’s cycling network through the Bloor West complete street and West Parkdale cycling connection projects.

Organizations like Roncesvalles Renewed and Green 13 have fought for a real response to our climate emergency. This gave me a platform to Chair a group of Councillors who worked with thousands of Torontonians to create our net-zero TransformTO Climate Plan. This revolutionary plan is changing everything the city does.

Finally, we have taken our obligations for truth and reconciliation to heart. The new Teiaiagon-Baby Point Heritage conservation plan moved heritage planning from being an architectural exercise to a true discussion and acknowledgement of our shared history. Our work in High Park, at the Wabash Community, and along the western waterfront has centred Indigenous voices and values.

From our morning shower until we turn off the lights, we all depend on the public services we build together. I have always been in awe of how so many people in our community choose to be active in designing and improving these services instead of being mere ‘customers’. I know that you will continue to do that work, enriching the lives of everyone with whom we share this wonderful City.

With love and thanks,

Gord


In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

  • RentSafeTO: Information Kiosks for Colour-Coded Signage
  • Increase in basement flooding subsidies 
  • Healthy Air at Home Webinar
  • Youth Training by FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto Legacy Program
  • Cherry Blossoms

Ward 4 news

  • Dunn House Phase 2 (78 Springhurst Ave & 1-3 Close Ave) Community Consultation Meeting
  • 1497-1501 Queen St W & 89-91 Beaty Ave Community Consultation Meeting
  • 26 - 36 Mountview Ave & 21 - 29 Oakmount Rd OLT Appeal
  • Update on 2461-2475 Dundas St W: Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing 
  • TTC Transit Notice: 161, 168, and 989 Route Adjustments
  • Road Closure May 2nd  Around Exhibition Place
  • Bloom by the park hosted by Bloor by the Park BIA
  • Green Day at Swansea Town Hall - May 23

Take action

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