There is no requirement to post this notice on the Environmental Registry of Ontario, but we wanted to hear your thoughts. Thank you for your feedback.
This consultation was open from:
January 28, 2025
to February 27, 2025
Decision summary
On January 21, 2026, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing made a Minister's Zoning Order in the City of Toronto as Zoning Order 001-2026
Decision details
A Zoning Order, made pursuant to clause 47(1)(a) of the Planning Act, regulates the use of the land and the erection, location and use of any building or structure on the land. The Zoning Order was requested by Spotlight Development Inc.
Zoning Order 001-2026 applies to approximately 1.4 hectares of land located at 1635 Lawrence Avenue West in the City of Toronto. The subject lands are approximately 1.4 hectares and are located at the southeast side of Lawrence Avenue West, at the southwest corner of its intersection with Black Creek Drive. The subject lands are currently occupied by a multi-tenant commercial plaza.
Zoning Order 001-2026 facilitates a mixed-use community for higher densities, which will include approximately 1,878 units within four residential towers.
The Zoning Order permits certain uses within the City of Toronto’s zoning by-law 569-2013, non-residential buildings, car-share parking space, parking garage, and a temporary sales, leasing or construction office. The Zoning Order also establishes zoning requirements including minimum vehicular and bicycle parking requirements, minimum setbacks, and maximum building heights.
Pursuant to subsection 47(1.0.1) of the Planning Act, the Minister has imposed a condition on Zoning Order 001-2026 with respect to an agreement concerning the provision of affordable housing units being entered into by the City of Toronto and the owner of the lands. As a result, Zoning Order 001-2026 is suspended until the Minister is satisfied this condition has been, or will be fulfilled.
This Zoning Order made pursuant to clause 47(1)(a) of the Planning Act was posted for consultation as a regulation. Bill 60 received royal assent on November 27, 2025, and thereforethis Order is not a regulation and will not be filed with the Registrar of Regulations. The Order came into effect upon signing by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Effects of consultation
All comments received were taken into consideration prior to a decision being made.
The proposal received comments from the public, several non-profit organizations, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), and the City of Toronto Ward Councillor.
The majority of comments received by the public were unsupportive. Key concerns included traffic congestion, lack of infrastructure and amenities, negative environmental impacts, and general concerns around the subject lands being an inappropriate location for density compared to other intensification areas identified by the city. Some of the comments referenced an online petition from local residents opposing the proposed MZO and development.
The local councillor raised concerns regarding the suitability of the subject lands for high-intensity development, citing potential issues related to traffic congestion, shadow impacts, and other adverse effects on the surrounding neighbourhood. The councillor recommended that the proponent proceed through the municipal planning process, and to facilitate collaboration between city staff, the councillor’s office, and the proponent to refine the proposal for consideration by the Etobicoke York Community Council.
Supportive comments from the public expressed support for the proposed MZO, highlighting its role in increasing affordable housing and fostering inclusive growth in the community. The proponent also submitted a counter-petition of signatures supporting the proposed MZO.
The non-profit organizations expressed strong support for the proposed MZO, emphasizing critical need for affordable housing and the importance of the proponent’s collaboration with non-profit partners to create inclusive communities.
TRCA requested copies of materials related to the revised proposal that would be enabled by the MZO, including updated site plans, for their review to assess potential impacts on the adjacent valley corridor within the regulated area. TRCA indicated that this review would help determine whether impacts could be avoided or mitigated through measures such as setbacks and stormwater management. TRCA expressed willingness to engage in pre-consultation with the applicant, in coordination with City of Toronto planning staff, to confirm applicable regulatory and permitting requirements for the proposed development.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
12th floor
777 Bay Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
mmahzoningorders@ontario.ca
12th floor
777 Bay Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Original proposal
Why consultation isn't required
Part II of the Environmental Bill of Rights Act, 1993 does not apply to proposals to make a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) under subsection 47(1) of the Planning Act, or to amend or revoke an MZO under subsection 47(8) of the Planning Act.
Although not required, the ministry is providing public notice of this request for consultation.
Proposal details
Le ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation consulte présentement au sujet d’une demande de décret ministériel de zonage qui ne répond pas aux critères d’admissibilité établis dans le cadre des décrets de zonage.
Un décret ministériel de zonage, pris en application de l’alinéa 47(1)a) de la Loi sur l’aménagement du territoire, réglemente l’utilisation du terrain ainsi que la construction, l’emplacement et l’utilisation de tout bâtiment ou structure qui s’y trouve.
Le ministère a reçu une demande de décret ministériel de zonage visant à faciliter la construction d’environ 1 314 logements abordables et accessibles, et de 564 logements à prix du marché, répartis dans quatre tours résidentielles (de 30 à 42 étages) situées au 1635, avenue Lawrence Ouest, à Toronto.
Le terrain visé, d'une superficie d'environ 1,4 hectare, est situé du côté sud-est de l'avenue Lawrence Ouest, au coin sud-ouest de son intersection avec la promenade Black Creek. Il est actuellement occupé par un centre commercial à locataires multiples.
- Si elle est accordée, la demande de règlement de zonage du ministre permettrait :
- La construction de quatre tours résidentielles de 30 à 42 étages
- D’autres utilisations, comme des stationnements, des bureaux de vente temporaires et des bâtiments non résidentiels
- Des modifications à diverses exigences techniques de zonage, notamment en ce qui concerne la superficie intérieure maximale pour certains usages autorisés et la hauteur minimale du rez-de-chaussée de certains bâtiments.
Afin d’assurer la transparence des décisions et de soutenir les priorités gouvernementales, le ministère sollicite des commentaires quant à l’opportunité d’examiner cette demande et toute information supplémentaire susceptible d’éclairer la décision.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
16th floor
777 Bay Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from January 28, 2025
to February 27, 2025
Connect with us
Contact
mmahzoningorders@ontario.ca
12th floor
777 Bay Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
105By email
4By mail
1