By Claude & Parth on 2026-04-02, City: Toronto, View Transcript
Toronto and East York Community Council held a lengthy meeting addressing development applications, heritage protection, and the future of Chinatown. The most significant action was the advancement of the Chinatown Tomorrow Planning Initiative, which will include anti-displacement measures, a community improvement plan, and heritage protections. Council rejected a waterfront development at Queens Quay East and deferred a controversial 47-story tower proposal at Young Street and Woodlawn. The meeting also addressed traffic safety concerns at the RBC Amphitheater and approved infrastructure improvements in Liberty Village.
After years of community consultation and passionate deputations from residents, business owners, and advocacy groups, council advanced a comprehensive framework to protect West Chinatown from displacement and cultural erosion. The plan includes designating the area as a Community Improvement Project Area, conducting a Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment, and exploring anti-displacement policies similar to the Mount Dennis Community for All Action Plan. Deputants emphasized that Chinatown provides essential affordable housing, groceries, and culturally appropriate services for vulnerable populations. As restaurant owner Janette Leu testified: "Family-run businesses that built this neighborhood...are disappearing at an alarming rate. Not because they failed, but because the system was not built for them to survive." Councillor Saxs moved to finalize the framework by July 2024, though funding remains subject to the mayor's budget. The plan will also explore pedestrianizing Huron Street to expand the cultural plaza.
A proposed 47-story tower at Young Street and Woodlawn Avenue sparked intense opposition from residents who argued it violates the neighborhood's established character. The current zoning permits 16 meters; the proposal seeks 155 meters—nearly 10 times the allowed height. Resident Katherine Padra criticized the application for overriding existing zoning, the Young Street-St. Clair secondary plan, and parkland requirements. The building would also demolish a heritage-protected property containing more than 40 affordable apartments. Council deferred the item to April 30th to allow for additional community consultation. Councillor Saxs acknowledged the application is "wildly unpopular" but expressed uncertainty about the voting position, citing the precedent of 25 St. Mary Street where a similar building with 300+ affordable units was approved for demolition.
Residents strongly opposed a proposed 10-story building (revised down from 12 stories) at 419-425 Woodbine Avenue, citing concerns about structural damage to century-old homes, inadequate environmental assessments, and traffic safety at what residents described as "the second most challenging intersection in the beaches or East York area." The proposal includes zero on-site parking and would prohibit residents from obtaining street parking permits. Deputants questioned whether the environmental assessment adequately addressed the deeper excavation required and raised concerns about contaminated soil handling. Council moved the item to full council without recommendations, with Councillor Bradford requesting follow-up on environmental concerns.
Council addressed ongoing traffic safety issues on Lakeshore Boulevard caused by the 16,000-capacity RBC Amphitheater, which hosts 80 concerts annually. Illegal passenger drop-offs in no-stopping zones create dangerous conditions for pedestrians. A pilot program in September involving temporary fencing, dedicated pickup/drop-off lanes, and police enforcement showed promise. Council directed staff to work with Live Nation on a comprehensive 2026 traffic management plan and to report back in Q1 2027 on its effectiveness. Deputy Mayor Malik emphasized: "We want to make sure that everyone who is attending a concert...your evening or your afternoon doesn't end with some of the chaos that we have seen previously on Lakeshore Boulevard, particularly when it comes to pedestrian safety and traffic."
Council approved advancing Liberty New Street to provide a second east-west road connection in Liberty Village, a high-density neighborhood currently served by only one main road. Deputy Mayor Malik stated: "For folks who might be familiar with Liberty Village with such an amazing neighborhood and such incredible density, it is unbelievable that there is only one main road in and out of that community." The new road will be timed to open with Exhibition Station and is part of the broader "Liberty for All" neighborhood plan addressing community amenities and services.
Passed: - T31.17 (19 to 37 Queens Quay East) - Development application rejected - T31.2 (3286-3316 Dundas Street West) - Zoning amendment for mixed-use mid-rise rental housing approved - T31.3 (3286-3316 Dundas Street West) - Rental housing demolition approved - T31.5 (1423 Devon Street) - Zoning amendment approved - T31.6 (333 Lakeshore Boulevard East, 200 Queens Key East, 21 and 11R Small Street) - Keyside Phase 2 subdivision approved - T31.20 (Chinatown Tomorrow Planning Initiative) - Advanced with amendments directing completion of framework, community improvement plan designation, and anti-displacement measures - T31.21 (Hoverlink Terminal Proposal) - Staff recommendations approved - T31.22 (55 Lore Boulevard East) - Heritage property alterations approved for new school - T31.26 (699 and 707 Young Street) - Refusal of heritage property alterations approved - T31.32 (666 Spadina Avenue) - Encroachment application refused - T31.33 (33 Yorkville Avenue) - Construction noise exemption appeal refused - T31.35 (Quayside Infrastructure and Public Realm Project) - Approved - T31.40 (Bremner Boulevard temporary closures) - Approved for Maple Leafs and Raptors playoffs - T31.41 (Market Street) - Staff recommendations approved - T31.42 (42 Charles Street West) - Two-way operations approved - T31.43 (RBC Amphitheater traffic management) - Approved with direction for 2026 plan and 2027 assessment - T31.45, T31.46 (Vehicle width restrictions) - Approved - T31.48, T31.49 (Accessible parking) - Approved - T31.52 (Westview Boulevard parking) - Approved - T31.53 (TTC track traction power upgrade) - Approved - T31.55 (Bay Street and Edward Street traffic signals) - Approved - T31.56 (Driver Street midblock pedestrian signals) - Approved - T31.57 (Labat Avenue improvements) - Approved - T31.59 (Gamble Avenue traffic calming) - Approved - T31.60 (Mosspark Arena Board reappointment) - Karen Fritzler reappointed as chair - T31.61 (Lord Dufferin parking exclusion) - Approved - T31.62 (Brock Avenue parking amendments) - Approved - T31.64 (Salam Avenue commercial loading zone) - Approved - T31.70 (Davies Avenue and Carol Street parking) - Approved as permanent - T31.71 (Camberwell Road parking and traffic) - Approved - T31.72 (Queen Street East commercial loading zone) - Approved - T31.73 (Liberty New Street) - Approved - T31.28 (388 Burford Avenue fence exemption) - Refusal approved - T31.29 (47 Atlas Avenue fence exemption) - Approved despite staff refusal recommendation - T31.30 (11 Linewood Avenue fence exemption) - Approved
Rejected: - T31.13 (509 Parliament Street - Carlton Theater zoning amendment) - Refused
Deferred: - T31.7 - Deferred to May 28th - T31.9 (1233 Young Street and 9 Woodlawn Avenue East) - Deferred to April 30th - T31.44 (King Street East and Church Street intersection) - Deferred to next TYCC meeting - T31.58 (Dockside Drive and Nap Lane all-way stop) - Deferred to May 28th - T31.47 (Safety improvements on Davenport Road, Eglinton Road, Poplar Plains Road, McPherson Avenue) - Deferred
Moved Without Recommendations: - T31.14 (509 Parliament Street heritage alterations) - Moved to council without recommendation - T31.15, T31.16 (419-425 Woodbine Avenue) - Moved to council without recommendations - T31.24 (24 Drumsnab Road) - Moved without recommendations (staff still working with applicant) - T31.54 (Lakeshore Boulevard East improvements) - Sent without recommendations