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Highlights of the Toronto City Council meeting of June 22, 2004 |
This is not intended to serve as an official record of the meeting.
 Toronto's Development Charges:
Council decided to increase the City's development charge on new homes, replacing the current development charge bylaw, which expires July 29, 2004. Even with the substantial fee increase, Toronto's residential development charges remain among the lowest in the Greater Toronto Area. The increase is necessary to help fund the additional physical infrastructure (roads, water pipes and sewers) required to accommodate growth. I proposed an amendment to increase the new charges
approximately a further 25% but this failed in a 14 to 22 vote. I thank the many community associations in Ward 25 who presented strong opinions to Council in favour of increased development charges.
Plans for Maple Leaf Gardens:
Council approved a proposal under the Ontario Heritage Act that will allow the owners of Maple Leaf Gardens to alter the building for a planned Loblaws grocery store. The building's exterior and its interior roof structure will be protected under the terms of a heritage easement agreement. The owner is required to give the City a conservation plan (describing proposed restoration and conservation work)
for review before a building permit will be issued for the proposed development project. Maple Leaf Gardens, the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team from 1931 to 1999, was also the venue for a wide variety of high-profile events over the years. The current owner, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd., is in the process of selling the building to Loblaw Companies Ltd.
Garbage Diversion Plans:
Council decided to proceed with plans to undertake a full environmental assessment of options for dealing with Toronto's long-term needs for garbage disposal (specifically the "residual" waste not processed in the City's recycling and composting programs). Council agreed to urge the Ontario environment minister to accelerate the environmental assessment
process, which otherwise could take many years to complete. The province recently told the City it cannot study thermal waste processing options until completion of a full environmental assessment. The City will continue to look for additional landfill sites while investigating other options for garbage disposal.
Holistic Medicine Centres:
Council decided the City will amend its licensing bylaw to include new rules regarding businesses that describe themselves as holistic medicine centres, many of which are thought to be operating as massage parlours offering sexual services. The City will require centres offering holistic therapies, such as shiatsu massage, to hold a valid practitioner's licence and keep patient records, among other stipulations.
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