We are the planning…

We are the planning consultants for Sobeys (hereinafter the `Client`) to review the proposed Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan for the property municipally addressed as 1061 The Queensway, Toronto.

To become better informed and exchange comments on the Proposed Amendment 1 (hereinafter
“Amendment”) to the Growth Plan, MHBC has attended a number of Regional Workshops hosted by the Province.

Based on our review of the Amendment, it is understood that conversion of employment lands will continue to require a comprehensive assessment and implications for economic development by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH). The most significant proposed change is the introduction of Provincially Significant Employment Zones (“PESZ”) mapping across the GTA. We are concerned with the extent of this mapping and its accuracy vis-à-vis existing land uses and municipal Official Plan mapping.

Our client owns lands which have been included in the proposed Provincially Significant Employment Zone 13 (427 QEW). The subject lands are lands are designated as Mixed Use Areas in the City of Toronto Official Plan. The subject lands are also located within an “Avenue” in the City of Toronto Official Plan, which are areas throughout the City that have been identified for intensification and redevelopment. In addition to this, the lands are located along a Transit Priority Segment (Figure 1). The subject lands are currently occupied by a vacant warehouse. Furthermore, our client is actively pursuing OPA/ZBA/SPA application submissions for a mixed use redevelopment of the subject lands.

The designation of a PSEZ which is intended to protect major or heavy industry which does not match the existing and planned mixed use land use character along this stretch of The Queensway. Given this, the proposed PSEZ on the subject lands would limit the potential for development on this site and will not accurately articulate the planned context of these lands.

We therefore request the subject lands be removed from the PSEZ to implement increased density and investment with a mixture of uses as intended by the Official Plan. In addition, we request that should the mapping be modified that additional consultation is undertaken to ensure the mapping is accurate and request the Province undertake further consultation with affected landowners on PSEZ mapping where municipalities have requested increased PSEZ limits which was not subject this consultation.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and hope that our request to correct this mapping is undertaken.