QUARRY LANDS In the Beginning

Quarry Lands in Birch Cliff

Quarry Lands Profile

Quarry Lands are about 20-hectares (49-acres).

Mostly vacant except for a few commercial businesses along Gerrard Street and Victoria Park.

In the past a sand and gravel quarry and municipal landfill operated on the lands.

Major Property Owners

The Conservatory Group owns the largest property -7.5-hectares - on the Quarry Lands.

The City owns 6.7-hectares, now defunct expressway lands, on the Quarry Lands.

Gerrard Clonmore Lands

Used as quarry during the 1940’s and early 1950’s.

Used as unregulated landfill between 1954 and 1960.

In 1968, Zoning approved by Borough for 1,455 apartment units.

Zoning permission to build these units is still in force today.

Current Zoning Permissions

Subject lands zoned Apartment Residential – apartment buildings, day nurseries, group homes, multi-family, nursing homes, and senior citizens homes.

Block 1 permits 367 dwelling units. Block 2 permits 369 dwelling units. Three blocks to the north, two of which

permit a further 714 dwellings units. TOTAL 1455 units

GCD Site

Environmental Studies….

1991, environmental review commissioned by City of Scarborough.

Review undertaken at the direction of the Minister of the Environment.

Minister required the City to retain a consultant to review proposed development and report on waste situation.

….. Environmental Studies

McLaren Engineering completes review in 1992.

Province reviews and requests additional information.

City of Scarborough reports in 1995 that it has met obligations of 1990 Minister’s Order.

It remains the proponent’s responsibility to obtain final approval from the Ministry.

…..Environmental Studies

Proponent undertakes additional studies of the environmental conditions of apartment site and submitted to MOE. Landfill Gas Control report by Dames & Moore, 1996; Risk Assessment for the Proposed Development by SNC Lavalin Engineers & Construction in 2000.

City of Toronto engages DCS Environmental Engineering Services in 2006 to undertake environmental investigation of the City lands

CCQLD commissions review of 2007 DCS Report.

Natural Environment

Inventory of vegetation and species undertaken in 2000 by Toronto Region Conservation Authority.

2000 study informs TRCA report “Gerrard Prairie – Biological Inventory and Assessment” in January 2004.

Back to the Future

In 2003, Gerrard/Clonmore Developments (Conservatory Group) applied to the Committee of Adjustment for a minor variance to reduce minimum unit size of 1,455 apartments in four permitted high-rise towers.

Committee defers application sine die without a decision. Decision cannot be appealed to Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).

In September 2003, City Council approves Birchcliff Quarry Lands Study.

Working Group of interested stakeholders and residents established to provide input to study.

…..Back to the Future

In April 2006, GCD files a rezoning application for unit size reductions as proposed in previous minor variance application.

Council directs Staff to review applications concurrently with Birchcliff Quarry Lands Area Study.

In 2007, GCD appeals rezoning application to OMB.

Hearing date set for November 24, 2008.

Standstill Agreement

Prior to November OMB Hearing date, GCD agreed to defer hearing – to July, 2009 - to permit discussions of a comprehensive development plan for all of the Quarry Lands east of Victoria Park.

Deferral conditional on discussions being confidential and without prejudice to parties.

Special Committee struck including participants from City Planning, GCD, community representatives, Tedco (Toronto Economic Development Corporation), and Councillors Ashton and Bussin.

Time grows short

Prior to July, 2009 OMB Hearing, parties agreed to a further deferral - to February 16, 2010 – to permit further discussions between City Planning and Build Toronto (formerly Tedco) on an acceptable development plan.

It is expected that these side-table discussions will conclude with a report to the Special Committee in the very near term.

Meanwhile

City of Toronto Legal and Planning prepare case in opposition to GCD’s appeal at the OMB.

City will work with community in coordinated approach to OMB Hearing.

Too much secrecy

Deferrals would not have been possible without confidentiality agreement.

If a concept plan is agreed to by Special Committee, plan will then be submitted to the Working Group in public.

If plan survives Working Group, full public consultation will follow.

If agreement/consensus is within reach, the City will initiate an Official Plan and Rezoning application that will be subject to full public consultation as required by the Ontario Planning Act.

If Toronto City Council approves an application, any individual or group can appeal that decision to the Ontario Municipal Board.

Me When This All Started!

Me Now!