Lower Yonge Precinct Plan Update

August 7, 2014, Toronto, ON—On August 12, the City of Toronto will provide an update on the Lower Yonge Precinct Plan [LINK] to Toronto and East York Community Council. The Lower Yonge Precinct is one of the last parcels of land outside of the Port Lands with significant development potential in the Central Waterfront. Located between Yonge Street and Lower Jarvis Street south of Lake Shore Boulevard and north of Queens Quay, the site is currently home to the Toronto Star building, several parking lots, the LCBO warehouse/store and a Loblaws. A development application has been submitted to the City by Pinnacle International for the Toronto Star site (1-7 Yonge Street). The City’s review of the application is pending the outcome of the Lower Yonge Precinct Plan work.

Over the past year, Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto have completed two studies which create the foundation for the Lower Yonge Precinct Plan: an Urban Design Report: Principles and Recommendations and a Transportation Master Plan Environmental Assessment (Phases 1 and 2). These studies – which were guided by comments from stakeholders and members of the public – set out a structure for the revitalization of the Lower Yonge precinct. They create a plan for streets and blocks, public space and the height, placement and size of new buildings in the area.

Creating a new waterfront neighbourhood requires careful attention to the right mix of uses within the development (both residential and commercial), a range of unit types, sizes, and affordability and the community services needed to support the neighbourhood. Over the next several months, City planning staff will work to finalize the Precinct Plan and the funding and implementation tools required to make the vision for the precinct a reality. Next steps include further assessments to the required transportation and servicing infrastructure, community services and facilities. Staff will also complete heritage impact work and the phasing requirements for parkland, the road network and land uses.

A public meeting will be held in early 2015 to collect additional feedback on the Precinct Plan and provide the community with another opportunity to shape this new waterfront neighbourhood. The final Precinct Plan – and Official Plan Amendment – is expected to go to Toronto East York Community Council for approval next spring.

See the full Urban Design Report: Principles and Recommendations [PDF] and the Transportation Master Plan [PDF]. Members of the public are welcome to provide comments to Toronto East York Community Council on August 12, 2014.

If you wish to submit written comments, please forward them to the City Clerk, attention: Rosalind Dyers, Administrator, Toronto and East York Community Council, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M5H 2N2, or by e-mail to teycc@toronto.ca