Priority to Improve the Planning Process
City Council's Accomplishments
Dateline June 2004 - Development Charges Bylaw - City Council increased the City's development charge on new homes, still remaining among the lowest in the Greater Toronto Area, and replaced the current development charge bylaw, which expired July 2004. The increase was necessary to help fund the additional physical infrastructure (roads, water pipes and sewers) required to accommodate growth. The new bylaw contains transitional provisions to cushion the impact of the increased development charge.
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Dateline July 2004 - Official Plan Amendments - City Council agreed to amend the City's Official Plan in an effort to refine it as a guideline for development. The new provisions allow the City to define the boundaries between stable residential neighbourhoods and areas suitable for intensification. The amendments also specify the practices of city planners when they consult with communities about intensive development. The amendments must be approved by the Ontario Municipal Board in order to be incorporated into the Official Plan.
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Dateline May 2005 - Architecture and Urban Design Awards Fifteen projects were honoured for their outstanding contribution to the quality of life in Toronto at a ceremony hosted by Mayor David Miller and AGO director/CEO Matthew Teitelbaum. Urban design and architectural excellence play an important role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of life in Toronto. The Toronto Architecture and Urban Design Awards help promote public and private awareness of that role.
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Dateline December 2005 - Scarborough Centre - City Council adopted a Scarborough Centre Secondary Plan that will guide the development of the Scarborough Centre area over the next 30 years. The plan builds on the area's success as a distinct part of eastern Toronto for employment, housing, recreation, government services, shopping and cultural activities, and as a hub for public transit.
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Dateline December 2005 - Supporting Good Design - City Council approved the establishment of a Design Review Panel to help ensure that new buildings and public spaces in Toronto are well designed. Locations to test the concept in Toronto will be identified through public consultation and will include public projects as well as private development. Establishing a Design Review Panel is supportive of the goals of the Official Plan and City Council's Beautiful City initiative.
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"When building our city we must honour the principles of equity and diversity while seeking to balance the critical need for housing, transit, commerce, education and respect for the environment. Our challenge is to accomplish this goal by utilizing innovative design that will match the image of Toronto as one of the great cities of North America."
Dateline December 2004, Meaningful Public Engagement in Planning – Council’s Planning & Transportation Committee establish a Sub-Committee to Review the City’s Planning Process. The Sub-Committee will develop a process for meaningful community involvement in the planning process. In September 2005 the Sub-Committee released its report which recommended operational changes to planning processes in order to improve public participation, collaboration, communication, accessibility, transparency and accountability.