Report to: Development Services Committee Report Date: February 17, 2009

SUBJECT: Yonge Street Corridor – Streetscaping

File MI 526

PREPARED BY: Ron Blake, Development Manager, West District

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Development Services Commission Report entitled “Yonge Street Corridor – Streetscaping”, dated February 17, 2009, be received;

That Council approve the following resolution addressing streetscaping on Yonge Street:

WHEREAS the Region of York has identified the Yonge Street corridor as a high priority for investment in high-order transit; and

AND WHEREAS the cost-effectiveness of public transit depends on high levels of transit ridership, and ridership levels depend on an urban environment which is attractive, pedestrian-friendly and complementary to the transit service in terms of densities, built form, roadway design and streetscaping; and

AND WHEREAS the detailed design of Yonge Street transit facilities is expected to begin early in 2009; and

AND WHEREAS reconstruction of a significant part of the Yonge Street right of way will provide an opportunity to incorporate streetscape improvements during construction of the transit facilities; and

AND WHEREAS a comprehensive and detailed streetscape study for the Yonge Street Corridor is required to present the desired vision for the corridor and to coordinate and direct streetscape improvement projects; and

AND WHEREAS the Region of York has the authority to coordinate and implement a comprehensive streetscape improvement program for the Yonge Street corridor;

THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Town of Markham requests that the Region of York commit funding in its 2009 budget to a comprehensive and detailed streetscape study (including an implementation and funding strategy) for the Yonge Street corridor north of Steeles Avenue, and expedite initiation of the study to ensure its completion and implementation in coordination with the construction of subway-related works, in consultation with the Town of Markham, City of Vaughan and Town of Richmond Hill.

That the resolution be forwarded to York Region, the City of Vaughan, and the Town of Richmond Hill;

And That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

1. Purpose 2. Background 3. Discussion 4. Financial 5. Others (Strategic, Affected Units) 6. Attachment(s)

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to identify the need for a major streetscaping initiative on the Yonge Street Corridor, in conjunction with the subway extension and other transit infrastructure planned for the corridor. This is in support of the recent initiative by the City of Vaughan, which adopted a similar resolution requesting the Region to undertake a streetscaping study.

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:

Area municipalities are undertaking intensification and urban design studies for the Yonge Street Corridor

The Town of Markham and adjacent municipalities have undertaken, or are undertaking, planning and urban design studies for various sections of the Yonge Street corridor in response to planned transit improvements. These include:

§ Thornhill Yonge Street Study: A joint study initiated by the Town of Markham and including the City of Vaughan, resulting in an Official Plan Amendment approved in 2006 (further amended in 2007), setting out new development policies for properties fronting Yonge Street within the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District. The study was undertaken in response to York Region’s plan to develop dedicated bus rapid transit along Yonge Street. The study and implementing OPA proposed a moderate amount of mixed use redevelopment for properties fronting this section of the Yonge Street corridor, respecting the heritage context.

§ The Yonge Steeles Corridor Study (Town of Markham): completed in October 2008, proposes significant intensification along the southern portion of the Yonge Street corridor between Steeles Avenue, Dudley Avenue (the next block east of Yonge) and the Farmer’s Market south of Elgin Street. During the early stages of this study, the Province announced funding and a fast-tracked Environmental Assessment process for an extension of the Yonge Street subway line to Langstaff. The study was prepared within the context of a Yonge Subway extension, and proposes mixed use redevelopment at an average density of 2.5 FSI,. with a maximum density of 3.5 FSI in certain key locations within the study area; a gradation of building heights and densities from low rise development adjacent to Dudley Avenue to point towers up to 100 metres in height along the Yonge Street frontage; and building heights within the study area governed by a 2:1 slope angular plane, measured from the existing residential properties on the east side of Dudley Avenue.

§ The Yonge Steeles Corridor Study (City of Vaughan): an ongoing study of properties fronting Yonge Street north of Steeles and Steeles Avenue west of Yonge, as well as the adjacent neighbourhood.

§ The Langstaff Master Plan Study, an ongoing study by the Town of Markham of redevelopment potential of the Langstaff Community as an urban growth centre;

§ The Richmond Hill Urban Growth Centre Study, an ongoing study by the Town of Richmond Hill, examining redevelopment of the Richmond Hill Urban Growth Centre north of Highway 7, east of Yonge Street;

§ The Yonge North Corridor Study, proposed by the Town of Markham, which will address redevelopment opportunities on the east side of Yonge Street north of Royal Orchard;

§ The City of Toronto intends to undertake a similar study for both sides of the Yonge Street corridor south of Steeles Avenue.

York Region undertaking planning and engineering studies for the Yonge Subway extension

Since the spring of 2008, York Region has undertaken design and engineering studies for the proposed subway extension, and is now completing a fast-tracked environmental assessment for the extension of the Yonge Subway. The City of Toronto and the TTC are also participating in the environmental assessment.

Prior to the 2007 Provincial announcement for funding of the Yonge Subway extension, York Region Transit had been working on detail design for the proposed bus rapid transit system on Yonge Street. As part of this process, the Region, in consultation with the Town of Markham, City of Vaughan and Town of Richmond Hill, was preparing streetscape improvement plans for the Yonge Street corridor in the vicinity of proposed busway stops. These plans included enhanced paving material, lighting fixtures as well as landscaping within the Yonge Street right of way.

Streetscape improvements facilitate redevelopment and support transit initiatives

Similarly, the introduction of a subway extension represents a significant opportunity to enhance the streetscape of the Yonge Corridor and upgrade the quality of the urban context within this area. Since transit users are also pedestrians, the quality of the streetscapes and the general pedestrian environment in the vicinity of a transit system will play a key role in the attractiveness and use of transit facilities. Opportunities to promote redevelopment and urban intensification in the vicinity of transit facilities depend directly on the streetscape quality of major thoroughfares such as Yonge Street. Furthermore, a coordinated approach to streetscape improvements on both the Markham and Vaughan sides of Yonge Street is key to the future quality of the urban and pedestrian environment in this area.

City of Vaughan passed a resolution requesting the Region of York to undertake streetscaping on Yonge Street

On January 13, 2009, the City of Vaughan passed a resolution requesting York Region to undertake a streetscaping study of Yonge Street in 2009, concurrent with the design and engineering studies for the Yonge Subway extension to Highway 7.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Yonge Street is under the jurisdiction of the Region of York, and the Region is undertaking planning and engineering studies for the Yonge Subway extension. The Region of York is being requested to fund, coordinate and undertake the streetscape study, with ‘services in kind’ participation from area municipal staff including staff from the Town of Markham. The study should also address a strategy for implementation of the streetscape study recommendations, concurrent with the construction of the subway-related works, in consultation with the Town of Markham, City of Vaughan and Town of Richmond Hill. Funding and implementation options to be reviewed should include (but are not limited to) direct capital funding investment by the Region and Senior Levels of Government in the context of the Yonge Subway infrastructure project, site specific improvements as a condition of site plan approval for infill and re-development projects, Planning Act Section 37 rezoning and bonussing provisions, and possible use of community improvement plans or regional development charges.

CONCLUSION

The Town of Markham and the City of Vaughan have completed or are undertaking planning and urban design studies intended to identify a new vision for the Yonge Street Corridor within the context of the intensification and redevelopment opportunities afforded by the proposed transit infrastructure improvements. At the same time, a comprehensive and coordinated streetscape plan for the Yonge Street corridor will play a key role in realizing the full potential of the proposed transit improvements and the enhancements to the quality of the urban context that will result. York Region, which has jurisdiction over the Yonge Street corridor north of Steeles Avenue, will play a key role in coordinating, directing and implementing a future vision for the Yonge Street streetscape.

Therefore, the recommendation of this report request York Region to provide funding for, and to undertake a comprehensive and detailed streetscape study of the Yonge Street corridor, in consultation with affected local municipalities,. This study should be undertaken as soon as possible, to coincide with the ongoing Environmental Assessment study for the subway extension, and the anticipated announcement of the Yonge Subway extension decision in the Spring of 2009.

RECOMMENDED

BY: ________________________ ________________________

Valerie Shuttleworth MCIP RPP Jim Baird MCIP RPP

Director of Planning and Urban Design Commissioner of Development Services

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