PLANNING & URBAN DESIGN RATIONALE

of planning objectives by combining a broad array of residential uses, offices,
retail and services, institutions, entertainment, recreation and cultural activities,
and parks and open spaces. In particular, the intent is that:
“Torontonians will be able to live, work, and shop in the same area,
or even the same building, giving people an opportunity to depend
less on their cars, and create districts along transit routes that are
animated, attractive and safe at all hours of the day and night.”
Policy 4.5(2) sets out a number of criteria for development within the Mixed Use
Areas designation, including:
• creating a balance of high quality commercial, residential, institutional and
open space uses that reduces automobile dependency and meets the
needs of the local community;
• providing for new jobs and homes for Toronto’s growing population on
underutilized lands on the Avenues, creating and sustaining employment
opportunities for all Torontonians;
• locating and massing new buildings to provide a transition between
areas of different development intensity and scale, through means such
as providing appropriate setbacks and/or a stepping down of heights,
particularly towards lower scale Neighbourhoods;
• locating and massing new buildings so as to adequately limit shadow
impacts on adjacent Neighbourhoods, particularly during the spring and
fall equinoxes;
• locating and massing new buildings to frame the edges of streets and
parks with good proportion and maintaining sunlight and comfortable wind
conditions for pedestrians on adjacent streets, parks and open spaces;
• providing an attractive, comfortable and safe pedestrian environment;
• taking advantage of nearby transit services; and
• providing good site access and circulation and an adequate supply of
parking for residents and visitors.
Built Form Policies
Section 3.1.2 of the Official Plan recognizes the importance of good urban
design, not just as an aesthetic overlay, but also as an essential ingredient of
city-building. It demands high quality architecture, landscape architecture and
urban design, both within the public realm and within the privately-developed built
form. In putting forward policies to guide built form, the Official Plan notes that
developments must be conceived not only in terms of the individual building site
and program, but also in terms of how that building and site fit within the context
of the neighbourhood and the City.
PLANNING & URBAN DESIGN RATIONALE | 79 East Don Roadway & 677 Queen Street East 39