Better planning for Toronto

Today, John Sewell and five other candidates for Toronto City Council held a media even in Yorkville to discuss proposals for improving the planning and development process in Toronto. The other candidates were Amarjeet Chhabra, Ward 43, Scarborough East; Garry Green, Ward 8, Jane-Finch; Sonali Verma, Ward 1, Etobicoke North; Adam Vaughan, Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina; and
David White, Ward 14, Parkdale-High Park.

The main recommendations are:
* An interim holding bylaw in areas where development is occurring so that community plans can be created and put in place;
* Policies to ensure a mix of housing units in terms of size and affordability;
* A rethinking of the fees for planning services so that planning becomes a city-led exercise rather than a developer driven process.

“Ward 21 is now feeling development pressures,” says John Sewell. “City Council has already approved a 22-storey condominium which would have been a mid-rise building - except that the councillor and city council gave approval for an extra ten stories in exchange for $1 million. We need community planning in Ward 21.”

“I think development in the central portion of the city is out of control and is proceeding without serious planning,” says Adam Vaughan. “I want to lead the change to put in place a good planning system that involves the community as well as the developers.”

“I fear that the kind of development pressures in the downtown Waterfront could spread to the west, to the Parkdale High Park area,” says David White. “What’s happened downtown is not good, and should not be permitted on the Western Beaches.”

“My ward already lives with the results of bad planning in places like Jamestown,“ says Sonali Verma. “If we can get a good community process in place we can get help change that development to serve the needs of the people in Ward 1.”

“Even in the far reaches of Scarborough there are planning issues that require a good community led process,” says Amarjeet Chhabra. “I am willing to deliver that in Ward 43 with the help of those who are making this announcement.”

“Everyone knows the projects in Jane Finch need to be replanned” says Garry Green. “I will lead that process. It’s the only way to ensure people have good and friendly places to live. ”

The full report can be found on the web sites in the Issues section.
November 7, 2006.