PLANNING & URBAN DESIGN RATIONALE

Policy 2.2.3(7) provides that all intensification areas will be planned and designed
to cumulatively attract a significant portion of population and employment growth,
provide a diverse and compatible mix of land uses, generally achieve higher
densities than the surrounding areas and achieve an appropriate transition of built
form to adjacent areas.
Policy 2.2.5(1) requires “intensification corridors” to be designated in official plans
and planned to achieve increased residential and employment densities that
support and ensure the viability of existing and planned transit service levels, as
well as a mix of residential, office, institutional, and commercial development,
wherever appropriate.
Finally, Policy 3.2.3(2)(a) provides that all decisions on transit planning and
investment will consider using transit infrastructure to shape growth, and planning
for high residential and employment densities that ensure the efficiency and
viability of existing and planned transit service levels.
For the reasons set out in Section 5.1 of this report, it is our opinion that the
proposal conforms with the Growth Plan and, in particular, the policies promoting
growth and intensification within “intensification corridors”.
4.3 City of Toronto Official Plan
The Official Plan for the amalgamated City of Toronto was adopted on November
26, 2002 and was approved by the Ontario Municipal Board on July 6, 2006, with
the exception of certain policies and land use designations, some of which are
relevant to the subject applications, as noted below.
Growth Management Policies
Chapter 2 (Shaping the City) outlines the growth management strategy.
recognizes that:
It
“Toronto’s future is one of growth, of rebuilding, of reurbanizing and
of regenerating the City within an existing urban structure that is not
easy to change. Population growth is needed to support economic
growth and social development within the City and to contribute to a
better future for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). A healthier Toronto
will grow from a successful strategy to attract more residents and
more jobs to the City.”
To that end, Policy 2.1(3) provides that Toronto should accommodate a
minimum of 3 million residents and 1.835 million jobs by the year 2031. The
marginal note regarding Toronto’s growth prospects makes it clear that the 3
million population figure is neither a target nor a maximum; it is a minimum:
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