BIRCHCLIFF QUARRY LANDS STUDY

Phase 1 Report: Study Area Profile

Table of Contents
Study Area Profile Summary 1

Birchcliff Quarry Lands Study Overview 3

Quarry Lands and Study Area Profile 7

Profile of the Quarry Lands 7

Land Use and Ownership 7

Scarborough Official Plan 9

New Official Plan 11

Birchcliff Community Zoning By-law 14

Natural Environment 14

Past Uses and Environmental Constraints 19

Quarry Land Profile – Key Considerations 21

Study Area Profile 22

Demographic and Housing Profile 22

Community Profile 27

Community Services and Facilities Profile 36

Transportation Profile 44

Physical Infrastructure Profile 51

Other Planning Initiatives 53

Study Area Profile – Key Considerations 56

Next Steps 57

Urban Development Services

Paula M. Dill, Commissioner
Q U A R R Y
Study Area Profile Summary
The lands situated on the east side of Victoria
Park Avenue, west of Clonmore Drive, north of
Gerrard Street and south of the CN rail line are
commonly referred to as the Quarry Lands. The
Quarry Lands are about 20 hectares (49 acres).
Today they are mostly vacant except for a few
commercial businesses along Gerrard Street. In
the past a sand and gravel quarry and a municipal
landfill operated on the Quarry Lands. As a
result, there are environmental issues.
The City owns the second largest property (6.7
hectare) on the Quarry Lands. Apartments have
been proposed on the largest property (7.5
hectares) on the Quarry Lands since the late
1960s.
Council initiated a land use study to develop a
framework for planning a new neighbourhood on
the Quarry Lands in the context of the policies
and directions of the new Official Plan. The
Quarry Lands are designated Mixed Use Areas in
the new Official Plan, where a broad range of res-
idential, commercial, institutional and parks and
open space uses are permitted.
The land use study begins the process of integrat-
ing the Quarry Lands into the broader communi-
ty: for considering the range of the uses that are
appropriate, as well as the infrastructure, streets,
parks and local services that exist and that may be
needed to support new development and to con-
nect the new neighbourhood with the surrounding
fabric of the City. The study includes three phas-
es; a study area profile, a vision for the Quarry
Lands and an implementation strategy.
1
L A N D S
Study Area
The Quarry Lands are the focus of the study. A
larger study area was established to provide an
understanding of the broader community. The
larger study area extends from Main Street in the
west to Birchmount Road in the east, Danforth
Avenue to the north and Kingston Road to the
south. The study area profile examines the
Quarry Lands and the larger study area: the exist-
ing uses, ownership, natural features, environmen-
tal conditions, and policy framework for the
Quarry Lands and the community services and
facilities, roads, transit, and other services avail-
able within the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Key Findings
The profile of the Quarry Lands and the larger
study area presents a number of key findings for
consideration in later phases of the study.
The Mixed Use Areas designation in the new
Official Plan provides an opportunity to con-
sider a wide range of uses on the Quarry
Lands.
The 1968 Zoning By-law permits 1455 resi-
dential units on the largest property within the
area.
The influence of the apartment development
on the rest of the Quarry Lands and the adja-
cent neighbourhoods needs to be explored.
Q UARRYlands

The City is a large landowner within the area, Next Steps

with lands designated Mixed Use Areas and
lands designated Park and Open Spaces
Areas. This presents an opportunity to
achieve larger City objectives on the lands.
There are environmental constraints on the
Quarry Lands which may affect the range and
distribution of land uses considered appropri-
ate.
Information is known about the environmen-
tal constraints on the apartment site. More
complete environmental information is need-
ed for the larger area, especially for the City
lands.
The Study Area Profile will inform the work in
later phases of the study. Phase 2 of the study
process is the development of guiding principles
and a vision for the future development of the
Quarry Lands. Concept plans will be prepared
that reflect the vision and development principles.
Phase 2 of the study will be conducted in consul-
tation with landowners, community associations,
residents and other stakeholders. A working
group of landowners, community representatives,
Ward Councillors and City staff will guide the
visioning exercise. Larger community meetings
will be held to ensure that the broader community
has an opportunity for input into the study.

A community services and facilities strategy

is needed to identify service gaps, to establish
priorities, and to determine if improvements
or changes are needed to community services
and facilities to meet community needs.

An assessment of the capacity of the road net-

work is needed to identify existing deficien-
cies and to determine the impacts of future
development.

2
Q U A R R Y
Birchcliff Quarry Lands Study Overview
The Birchcliff Quarry Lands (Quarry Lands),
about 20 hectares (49 acres), are situated in the
Birchcliff Community, on the north side of
Gerrard Street, south of the CN rail line, east of
Victoria Park Avenue and west of Clonmore Drive
(figure 1). In the past a sand and gravel quarry
and a municipal landfill operated on the Quarry
Lands. Other industrial uses may have also oper-
ated on the Lands. As a result of the past uses,
there are environmental issues on the Quarry
Lands.
Today, most of the Quarry Lands are vacant,
except for a few commercial establishments along
Gerrard Street. There are no residential uses on
the lands. However, since the 1960’s an apart-
ment development has been proposed on the east-
ern portion of the lands but has not been built
(Gerrard/Clonmore apartment site). The City
owns a 6.7 hectare (16.7 acre) property within the
Quarry Lands. Surrounding the Quarry Lands,
neighbourhoods have developed, matured and are
now well established with a variety of residential
uses, parks, schools, institutions, and businesses.
City Council initiated a land use study of the
Quarry Lands in September 2003. In March
2005, Council endorsed an approach for the land
use study that involved examining the future
development of the Quarry Lands in the context
of the City’s new Official Plan adopted by
Council in November 2002. The Birchcliff
Quarry Lands Study begins the process of inte-
grating the lands into the broader community.
Council also directed that staff report to the April
3
L A N D S
2005 meeting of the Planning and Transportation
Committee with the Phase 1 background report
for the Birchcliff Quarry Lands Study. This
report presents Phase 1 of the study which
includes an overview of the study and a Study
Area Profile. The Study Area Profile will inform
the work in later phases of the study.
Study Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of the study is to provide a frame-
work for planning a new neighbourhood on the
Quarry Lands: for considering the range of the
uses that are appropriate, as well as the infrastruc-
ture, streets, parks and local services that exist
and that may be needed to support new develop-
ment and to connect the new neighbourhood with
the surrounding fabric of the City. The study con-
siders the future development of the Quarry Lands
in a comprehensive fashion.
The main objectives of the study are to:
Develop a consultation process that engages
the landowners, residents, and other stake-
holders in identifying a vision for the future
use of the Quarry Lands and principles for
future development.
Identify options for the future development of
the Quarry Lands that are consistent with the
directions and policies of the new Official
Plan.
Prepare concept plan(s) for the future use of
the Quarry Lands.
 Figure 1

Q UARRYlands
CRESCENT Warden Woods Leyton
Park

RD
Park
TOWN Dentonia Park

TH
Golf Course

OR
Prairie Drive Park

WARDEN AV

NF
PHARMACY AV

DA
VICTORIA PARK AV

BIRCHMOUNT RD
Line
Subway
Dentonia Park
MAIN ST

Samuel Hearne

DAWE
Sr. Public School
Oakridge Jr.
Maryland Oakridge
Public School
Park DENTONIA PARK C.C.

S RD
COMMUNITY St.Dunstan
Main St Coleman Madelaine Separate .R.
Parkette Park Park School C.N
Scotia Parkette
DANFORTH AV
Birchmount Parkette
Main Square Oakridge
Community Centre Park Hollis/Kalmar
Park Birchmount
Kenworthy Park
Park
C.N.R.

East Toronto Runneymede

Athletic Field Park
Avalon
Birchcliff Parkette
Ted Reeve Arena Golf Club Public School
GERRARD ST EAST Parkette
Kimberley/
Beaches
Alternative

DR
4

Public
RD

RE
School ON

MO
GST
KIN

ON
Adam Blantyre

CL
Malvern Beck Public School
Public
Collegiate School,
Park and
Community
Centre
Notre Dame
St.John Separate
Separate Secondary
Glen Davis School School Blantyre
Ravine Hullmar
KINGSTON RD Park Park
Crescentwood
Park

Lynndale
Parkette Lake Ontario
k
Par
Elm
Neil McNeil
Glen Stewart Separate
Park Secondary Toronto Hunt Club Golf Course
School

Urban Study Area

Development Services

Birchcliff Quarry Lands Study Quarry Lands

Location Map Gerrard Clonmore Apartment Site

 identify options for the implementation of the
concept plan(s) over the longer term.
Study Area
The study will focus on the Quarry Lands situated
in the former City of Scarborough. The larger
study area extends from Main Street in the west to
Birchmount Road in the east, Danforth Avenue to
the north and Kingston Road to the south. The
larger study area includes neighbourhoods on the
west side of Victoria Park Avenue in the former
City of Toronto and Borough of East York. The
larger study area will give a broader understand-
ing of the neighbourhoods surrounding the Quarry
Lands and the existing facilities and services in
the area. This information will assist in determin-
ing if infrastructure improvements, or additional
facilities and services are needed to support future
development of the Quarry Lands.
Study Process
The Study is conducted in three phases:
Phase 1: Study Area Profile
This phase provides an overview and analysis of
existing conditions within the study area includ-
ing: land uses, housing, population, environment,
infrastructure, transit, roads and community serv-
ices and facilities. This information will guide
the work in later phases of the study. The Phase 1
report also identifies information gaps that may
require additional investigation.
5
Phase 2: Vision for the Quarry Lands
In consultation with landowners, community asso-
ciations, residents and other stakeholders, guiding
principles and a vision for the future development
of the Quarry Lands will be developed. Concept
plans will be prepared that reflect this vision. A
working group of landowners, community repre-
sentatives, Ward Councillors and City staff will
guide the visioning exercise. Larger community
meetings will be held to ensure that the broader
community has an opportunity for input into the
study.
Other stakeholders will be invited to participate in
the consultation process. Stakeholders that may
have an interest include: community agencies and
service providers, the Toronto District School
Board (TDSB), the Toronto Catholic District
School Board (TCDSB), CN Rail, GO Transit, the
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), the Toronto
and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and
the Ministry of the Environment (MOE).
Phase 3: Implementation Plan
Based on the results of the Phase 2 visioning
exercise, implementation strategies for the future
development of the Quarry Lands will be
explored. This will include a process for the
review of concept plans as new information about
the environmental condition of the area becomes
available.
Q UARRYlands

Past Uses and Environmental

Issues
The past uses of the Quarry Lands are constraints
to the future development of the area. There is
information on the extent of contamination and
the remedial measures required to support devel-
opment on the apartment site. Information about
the environmental condition of the City property
within the Quarry Lands is needed. An approach
for the further examination of the environmental
issues will be outlined in a separate report to
Council in Spring 2005. Directions provided by
Council with respect to these matters will be
addressed in later phases of the study.

6
Q U A R R Y L A N D S

Quarry Lands and Study Area Profile

The profile includes two main components: an
examination of the Quarry Lands, and an exami-
nation of the larger study area.
The Quarry Lands are the focus of the land use
study. The existing uses, ownership, natural fea-
tures, environmental conditions, and the policy
framework are key factors for planning the future
development of the Quarry Lands. A detailed
examination of the Quarry Lands will assist in
identifying opportunities and constraints to devel-
opment presented by these factors.
The Quarry Lands are situated within a built up
area of the City. Understanding the community
context will assist in identifying the range of uses
that are appropriate and where changes or
improvements to services and facilities will be
required to support new development and meet
community needs.
About 16 hectares (40 acres) of the Quarry Lands
are vacant. There are commercial uses including
two plazas, three service stations, a car wash and
a fast food restaurant. A portion of the City
owned property is leased for a driving range. The
CN Rail main line that extends along the northern
boundary of the Quarry Lands carries a high level
of rail traffic including commuter, passenger,
freight and switcher trains. CN Rail reviews pro-
posals for development along and near its main
lines to ensure that issues with respect to noise
and vibration as well as setbacks from CN Rail
property are adequately addressed. Development
concepts prepared during Phase 2 of the study
will be reviewed in consultation with CN Rail.

Profile of the Quarry Lands

Land Use and Ownership
The Quarry Lands comprise about 20 hectares (49 Quarry Plaza
acres). There are ten properties on the Quarry
Lands. The largest property is the Gerrard/
Clonmore site which has been the subject of pre-
vious applications for apartment development.
The Gerrard/Clonmore apartment site is approxi-
mately 7.5 hectares (18.5 acres) and is situated on
the eastern side of the Quarry Lands. The City
owns the second largest property in the area,
about 6.7 hectares (16.7 acres). The other eight
properties total approximately 6 hectares (15
acres) (figure 2). GO train along CN rail line

7
 Figure 2

Q UARRYlands
Total Area: 20 hectares (49 acres)
Oakridge Park

C.N.R.

0.82 ha (2.03 ac)

City of Toronto
Victoria Park Avenue

driving
range 6.78ha (16.76ac)

Gerrard/Clonmore
7.47 ha (18.46 ac)
0.39 ha
(0.97 ac)

ive
Dr
0.44 ha

ore
2.46ha (6.09ac) (1.1 ac) 0.89ha (2.20 ac) C

nm
8

C C C

Clo
0.09ha 0.16 ha 0.32 ha
(0.23ac) C (0.41 ac) (0.79 ac)
Gerrard Street East

Data Source: Assessment Database, 2003 - 2nd Quarter

Urban Property Boundaries

Development Services

Birchcliff Quarry Lands Study Quarry Lands

Land Use & Ownership Map C Commercial

Scarborough Official Plan
The land use designations in the Scarborough
Official Plan generally separate residential and
commercial areas on the Quarry Lands (figure 3).
Most of the vacant properties within the Quarry
Lands are designated for High Density
Residential uses. This designation provides for
townhouses and apartments to a maximum densi-
ty of 150 units per hectare (60 units per acre).
The High Density Residential designation is
intended to encourage residential concentrations
in locations where there is a high level of accessi-
bility to commercial uses, transit facilities, com-
munity facilities, employment centres and direct
accessibility to major roads. Safe and convenient
access to schools, parks and other neighbourhood
facilities is promoted in the planning for high den-
sity residential uses
The gas stations and car wash along Gerrard
Street are designated for Highway Commercial
uses. Highway commercial uses are generally
intended to serve the traveling public and include
uses such as; services stations, restaurants and
motels. There is one Residential Commercial
designation along Gerrard Street that provides for
mixed uses: retail stores on the ground floor of
high-rise apartments.
There is a Neighbourhood Park designation on a
portion of the Quarry Lands. Parks are intended
for active and passive recreational activities to
meet the needs of local neighbourhoods and com-
munities. The Birchcliff Secondary Plan includes
specific requirements for parks in association with
9
the High Density Residential designations on the
Quarry Lands. An overall parkland requirement
of 1 hectare per 1000 persons applies. Some of
this parkland is required for Neighbourhood
Parks, some for District or Community parks and
a portion must be provided on the apartment sites.
There are two Waste Disposal sites identified in
the Official Plan on the Quarry Lands. Prior to
approval, development proposals on or near these
sites are reviewed to ensure that the development
can safely take place. Studies to determine
methane gas generation, leachate or other contam-
inants, soils and hydrogeology and outlining
appropriate mitigation measure are required to be
submitted by proponents of development to the
satisfaction of the City and in consultation with
the Ministry of the Environment.
The lands along the south side of the rail line are
designated Special Study Area. This Special
Study Area is associated with the former
Scarborough Transportation Corridor (STC). The
STC was intended to provide for the extension of
the Gardiner Expressway through southern
Scarborough to connect to Highway 401. The
expressway would have crossed the Quarry
Lands. Land use studies for portions of the for-
mer STC have been ongoing since 1996. Some of
these studies have been completed. The land use
study proposed for this section of the STC has not
been initiated.
Q UARRYlands

Figure 3

10
New Official Plan
In November 2002 Council adopted the new
Official Plan for the City of Toronto. The
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
approved the new Plan, in part, with modifica-
tions. The Minister’s decision has been appealed
to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) in its
entirety. The Official Plan is now before the
OMB and pre-hearing conferences are taking
place. The OMB has scheduled the commence-
ment of the hearing for June 13, 2005. The status
of the hearings for the new Official Plan will be
reported through the later phases of the study.
Building a successful City requires that new
neighbourhoods be carefully integrated into the
existing fabric of the City. They must also func-
tion as communities not just housing.
In the new Official Plan most of the Quarry Lands
are designated Mixed Use Areas with a Parks and
Open Space Areas designation in the center of the
area (figure 4). The Mixed Use Areas designation
provides for a broad range of commercial, resi-
dential, institutional and parks and open space
uses. They are intended to achieve multiple plan-
ning objectives by developing as places where
people can live, work, and play.
The Parks and Open Spaces Areas are generally
intended for recreational and cultural activities
and facilities. Parks and open spaces are essential
elements of the City’s green space system. As the
City grows and changes, the parks and open space
system will need to expand. In assessing new
11
development, the amount of local parkland is con-
sidered in accordance with a number of factors
such as; the amount of existing parkland, parkland
characteristics and quality, natural features, popu-
lation change, demographic and social character-
istics, anticipated development and urban form.
The policies stipulate that no City-owned lands in
Parks and Open Space areas will be disposed of.
Mixed Use Areas are intended to be growth areas.
However, not all Mixed Use Areas will experi-
ence the same scale or intensity of development.
For example, the Mixed Use Areas within the
Downtown and in the Centres are areas where the
intensity of development will be higher than in
other Mixed Use Areas such as the Quarry Lands.
The Quarry Lands cannot be considered in isola-
tion. They are a part of a larger Mixed Use Areas
designation that extends west of Victoria Park
Avenue north to Danforth Avenue. For instance,
the large format Loblaws located west of Victoria
Park Avenue opposite the Quarry Lands, and the
mix of residential, commercial, and employment
uses along Danforth Avenue are within this larger
Mixed Use Areas designation.
There are established residential neighbourhoods
near the Quarry Lands that are developed predom-
inantly with single and semi-detached houses and
townhouses. These areas north of the CN rail
line, and east and south of the Quarry Lands are
designated Neighbourhoods in the new Official
Plan. The policies of the Neighbourhoods desig-
nation are intended to reinforce the existing physi-
cal character of these areas. Change within
 Figure 4

Q UARRYlands
LUMSDEN

D
R
TH
PHARMACY

BIRCHMOUNT
FO
AN
ES

D
MAIN

DAW
DANFORTH AV

WARDEN
GERRARD

VICTORIA PARK
12

N
S TO
K ING

LAKE ONTARIO

Parks and Open Spaces Areas

Urban Neighbourhoods Natural Areas Employment Areas
Development Services

Birchcliff Quarry Lands Study Apartment Neighbourhoods Parks Utility Corridors

Other Open Spaces Areas
Land Use Plan Mixed Use Areas (Including Golf Courses,
Cemeteries, Public Utilities)
Quarry Lands

Study Area Boundary

Neighbourhoods must be sensitive, gradual and
generally fit the existing physical character.
Criteria for development within Mixed Use Areas
are included in the Official Plan that address the
interface between Mixed Use Areas and
Neighbourhoods.
The new Official Plan provides that in Mixed Use
Areas development will:
create a balance of high quality commercial,
residential, institutional and open space uses
that reduces automobile dependency and
meets the needs of the local community;
provide new jobs and homes for Toronto’s
growing population on underutilized lands in
Downtown, the Central Waterfront, Centres,
Avenues and other lands designated Mixed
Use Areas and create and sustain well-paid,
stable, safe and fulfilling employment oppor-
tunities for all Torontonians;
locate and mass new buildings to provide a
transition between areas of different develop-
ment intensity and scale, particularly provid-
ing setbacks from and stepping down of
heights towards lower scale Neighbourhoods;
locate and mass new buildings to minimize
shadow impacts on adjacent Neighbourhoods
during the spring and fall equinox;
13
locate and mass new buildings to frame edges
of streets and parks with good proportion and
maintain sunlight and comfortable wind con-
ditions for pedestrians on adjacent streets,
parks and open spaces;
provide an attractive, comfortable and safe
pedestrian environment;
have access to schools, parks, community
services, libraries and child care;
take advantage of nearby transit services;
provide good site access and circulation and
an adequate supply of parking for residents
and visitors;
locate and screen service areas, ramps and
garbage storage to minimize the impact on
adjacent streets and residences; and
provide indoor and outdoor recreation space
for building residents.
The above criteria will provide guidance for
preparing a comprehensive framework for the
future development of the Quarry Lands includ-
ing: the range of uses that are considered appro-
priate, the general pattern of development that is
desired, potential street layouts, and the parks and
open space areas in keeping with the broader City
objectives and within the local context.
Q UARRYlands

Birchcliff Community Zoning By-law opment while still achieving the overall apartment
permissions established by the By-law.
The current zoning permits a variety of uses on
the Quarry Lands (figure 5). Some of the existing Natural Environment
commercial establishments, as well as vacant Natural Heritage Assessment
lands along the rail line, are zoned for
An inventory of the vegetation communities and
Community Commercial uses. There is an area
species on the Quarry Lands was undertaken in
zoned Park abutting the west side of the Gerrard/
2000 by the TRCA as a component of the City’s
Clonmore apartment site. A large area on the
Natural Heritage Study background report for the
western half of the Quarry Lands, including land
new Official Plan. Using this information, the
owned by the City is zoned Agriculture Holding.
TRCA prepared a report on the area entitled
The driving range, a service station and a car
“Gerrard Prairie - Biological Inventory and
wash are within this area. Also, the Zoning By-
Assessment” in January of 2004. This report
law permits industrial uses in the Agriculture
includes an assessment of the undeveloped areas
Holding Zone.
of the Quarry lands.
The Zoning By-law for the Gerrard/Clonmore
The TRCA used their Terrestrial Natural Heritage
apartment site, which was passed in 1968,
Approach for the assessment. This approach
includes performance standards for the permitted
scores and ranks biodiversity at three levels of
apartment uses that are very precise with respect
detail; landscape, vegetation community and
to the development form (figure 6). The By-law
species levels. At the landscape level, patches of
includes provisions on how to calculate the maxi-
natural cover are evaluated based on spatial char-
mum number of units based on the area of the
acteristics such as size and shape. Vegetation
site. A maximum of 1455 units are permitted. It
communities and species are evaluated according
establishes the size of the units and includes pro-
to criteria related to abundance and sensitivity.
visions to determine the mix of one, two and three
bedroom units. The By-law also establishes the
Landscape patches, vegetation communities and
location of a proposed new road, and includes set-
species are then ranked according to their level of
backs from the new road, existing roads and prop-
conservation concern (value). The ranking sys-
erty boundaries for buildings. The zoning
tem ranges from L1 to L5. A rank of L1 is the
requires that one of the apartment blocks (A-104)
highest local rank and L5 the lowest local rank.
be used only for landscaping. The setbacks pro-
A rank of L1 to L3 indicates that there is a con-
vide little flexibility with respect to the location of
servation concern within the TRCA jurisdiction.
the buildings on the site or the form of the devel-
A ranking of L4 indicates a concern within the
opment. As a result, the current Zoning By-law
urban context. For example, a species with an L4
limits the ability to change the form of the devel-

14
 Figure 5

ad th
Ronfor
Da
Danforth Ave

Thora Ave

Sneath Ave

Balford Ave
Emmott Ave

Kenworthy Ave

Elward Blvd

August Ave

Byng Ave

Leyton Ave
Wakehood St y St
Lucy Ave Coventr
Mansion Ave

RWY
RWY
CC
AG A
P

Cornell Ave
A A
Musgrave St

CC
15

CC AG A A
CC
Gerrard St E Gerrard St East
Victoria Park Ave

Rathmore
Blantyre Ave

Tilburn Pl

Dr
ore
nm
Clo
A ve
Linton Ave

Queensbury Ave

Audrey Ave
Coalport
Dr

Dr

Woodland Park Rd
oft
ncr
Fer
Swanwick Ave North D
r

Urban
Development Services
Quarry Lands RWY Railway Corridor

Birchcliff Quarry Lands Study A Apartment Residential P Park

Zoning CC Community Shopping Commercial AG Agricultural Holding

Q UARRYlands

Schedule 'A' to the Birchcliff Community Bylaw 8786

as Amended by Bylaw 13310
(Passed by Council - September 9, 1968)
Figure 6

16
rank on the Quarry Lands would be considered a
species of conservation concern, whereas a
species with an L4 ranking outside of the urban
area may not be considered of conservation con-
cern. An L5 ranking generally indicates that there
is no conservation concern.
Vegetation Communities and Species on
the Quarry Lands
The Quarry Lands have a varied topography and
most of the undeveloped areas are covered by
meadow and thicket vegetation communities (fig-
ure 7). The lands are located on a former sand
and gravel bar that was a sand spit at the mouth of
the bay of former Lake Iroquois. The soils here
supported a drier environment than normal for the
Toronto area and this enabled oak woodland and
prairie species to become established. Remnants
of these vegetation communities are found along
the northern and eastern edges of the Quarry
Lands.
Vegetation on the Quarry Lands
17
These remnant vegetation communities have L
rankings of conservation concern:
a patch of Dry Tallgrass Prairie (L1) adjacent
to the rail line
a patch of White Oak Cultural Savannah (L2)
on the southeast portion of the site
two patches of Dry-Fresh Oak Deciduous
Forest (L2) with red oak and a mix of red and
white oak along the north and east boundaries
of the lands
There were two species of concern associated
with these vegetation communities:
a White Oak (L3) at the eastern edge of the
lands
Big Bluestem Grass (L4) adjacent to the rail
line
There are 14 other species of concern along the
northern and eastern boundaries of the Quarry
Lands with rankings of L3 and L4. These species
are not unique to the vegetation communities on
the Quarry Lands and can be found in dry upland
forests on the Oak Ridges Moraine as well as
Lake Iroquois sand plains.
There is a wetland area on the southern portion of
the Quarry Lands associated with the former quar-
ry operations. It consists of cattail and common
reed marsh vegetation communities with willow
mineral thicket swamp areas along the fringe.
 Figure 7

Q UARRYlands
Danforth Ave

White oak Eastern bracken Eastern bracken

Big bluestem Round-leaved dogwood
C.N.R.C.N.R. Beaked hazel
Witch-hazel
Fire-weed
Downy arrow-wood Maple-leaved viburnum White oak
Pennsylvania sedge Sky-blue aster Beaked hazel
Dr
Eastern bracken nmore
Eastern snowberry Clo
Victoria Park Ave
18

Gerrard St

Meadow/Thicket White Oak Cultural Savannah (L2)

Urban (one poplar forest patch)
Development Services
Oak Forest (L2) Dry Tallgrass Prairie (L1)
Birchcliff Quarry Lands Study
Marsh and Swamp
Natural Environment Vegetation Communities and Species
The marsh and swamp vegetation communities
and the species that predominate within this wet-
land area do not have L ranks of conservation
concern.
The Quarry Lands contribute to the natural cover
in the City. They also provide a staging area for
migrating birds as the site is a stepping stone
between the lakeshore to the south and the ravine
system of Taylor Creek to the northwest. The
prairie, and oak/savannah vegetation communities
on the site are remnant features. As a result, the
overall score on the landscape analysis for this
area is low. There are vegetation communities
and flora species of concern as well as a sizeable
wetland on the lands. These are noteworthy and
contribute to a higher habitat quality than might
otherwise be the case by landscape measures
alone.
The Quarry Lands are not identified within the
natural heritage system in the new Official Plan.
One of the oak forest areas is situated on land
owned by the City, and the patch of tall grass
prairie is situated on the land owned by CN Rail.
Ten species of conservation concern are located
on lands owned by the City or CN Rail. A patch
of oak savannah, an oak forest patch and six
species of concern are situated on the privately
owned property that includes the apartment site.
The wetland area is situated on the apartment site
and is not identified as a vegetation community of
conservation concern. Issues with respect to the
natural heritage features on the site will be
explored further in later phases of the study.
19
Past Uses and Environmental Constraints
Gerrard/Clonmore Apartment Site
There is information about the nature and extent
of contaminants on the Gerrard/Clonmore apart-
ment site and the possible remedial measures that
are needed prior to development.
In 1991, an environmental review was commis-
sioned by the former City of Scarborough for the
proposed apartment development. The environ-
mental review was undertaken at the direction of
the Minister of the Environment, who in 1990
required the review after considering a petition to
have the lands designated for an Environmental
Assessment under the Environmental Assessment
Act. The Minister declined to designate the site,
but required the City of Scarborough to retain a
consultant to undertake a review of the proposed
development and report on the waste situation.
The City retained McLaren Engineering to under-
take the review and it was completed in 1992.
The McLaren report was reviewed by the
Ministry of the Environment (MOE), which asked
for additional information. The consultant under-
took further investigations on the site in response
to MOE requests for additional information over
the following three years. In 1995, the City
informed both the MOE and the landowner that
the City had met its obligations under the terms of
the 1990 Minister’s Order and it was up to the
proponent to obtain a final approval from the
Ministry. As a result of these past environmental
investigations, there is more information about the
environmental condition of the apartment site
Q UARRYlands
than on the remaining area of the Quarry Lands.
There have also been studies of the environmental
conditions of the apartment site undertaken by the
property owner which have been submitted to the
MOE: Landfill Gas Control Report for the
Proposed Development prepared by Dames &
Moore, Canada in 1996, and Risk Assessment for
the Proposed Development of the Gerrard Street
East and Clonmore Drive Landfill Site prepared
by SNC, Lavalin Engineers & Constructors Inc.
in 2000. The information included in these
reports is more recent than the McLaren Report
and may also be of assistance in undertaking the
land use study. The use of the information from
these reports will be pursued in consultation with
the landowner.
City Land and Other Properties
The nature and extent of past uses on the City
lands and the impacts of these uses have not been
investigated. To undertake environmental investi-
gations on the City lands expert consultants
would need to be hired by the City.
In addition to the Gerrard/Clonmore apartment
site, there are eight other privately owned proper-
ties on the Quarry Lands. These property owners
will be approached to determine whether they
would have an interest in participating in under-
taking an environmental review on their proper-
ties in concert with the City.
20
A separate report on these matters will be present-
ed for the consideration of Council in Spring
2005. The report will include a review of the
City lands in the context of existing Provincial
environmental legislation and regulations, the
nature of the environmental investigations that are
needed on the City lands, the expertise that is
required to undertake these investigations and the
associated costs. The report will also explore
opportunities to work with other landowners in
the area to undertake an environmental review on
their lands in concert with the City and to explore
opportunities for cost-sharing in this review.
A study of the broader area would provide a more
complete understanding of the environmental con-
ditions, and assist in identifying associated con-
straints to development. This would assist in the
preparation of concept plans in Phase 2 of the
study. Directions provided by Council with
respect to these matters will be addressed in later
phases of the study.
Q U A R R Y L A N D S

Quarry Lands Profile - Key Considerations

The profile of the Quarry Lands presents a num-
ber of issues for consideration in later phases of
the land use study. These include:
The new Official Plan provides an opportuni-
ty to consider a wider range of uses on the
Quarry Lands than does the Scarborough
Official Plan.
The 1968 Zoning By-law permits 1455 resi-
dential units on the largest property within the
area.
There are existing commercial uses on the
Quarry Lands. These sites present opportuni-
ties for redevelopment in the context of the
Mixed Use Areas designation in the new
Official Plan.
The Quarry Lands are within a mature urban
area and there are several property owners
within the Quarry Lands. As a result, there
are multiple interests in the future develop-
ment of the Quarry Lands.
More information is known about the envi-
ronmental constraints on the apartment site
than on other lands. More complete environ-
mental information is needed for the larger
area, especially for the City lands.
There are established neighbourhoods of sin-
gle and semi-detached housing adjacent to the
site which is zoned for high-rise apartments.
The relationship of development on this site
to the rest of the Quarry Lands and to the
adjacent neighbourhoods needs to be explored
further.
There are some vegetation communities and
species on the northern and eastern edges of
the Quarry Lands that are considered impor-
tant from a conservation perspective. Some
are located on City lands, and others on lands
owned by Gerrard/Clonmore and CN Rail.

The City is a large landowner within the area,

with lands designated Mixed Use Areas and
lands designated Park and Open Spaces
Areas. This presents an opportunity to
achieve larger City objectives on the lands.

There are environmental constraints on the

Quarry Lands which may affect the range and
distribution of future land uses considered
appropriate in the area.

21
Q U A R R Y L A N D S

Study Area Profile

Demographic and Housing Profile degree of change in some age groups.

Statistics Canada Census data is used to describe
population and housing in the study area and how
this compares to the City as a whole. This infor-
mation is used to assist in planning for services
and facilities to meet the needs of the community.
Census data was gathered for all of the Census
tracts within the study area. Detailed demograph-
ic and housing summary tables for the study area
are included in Appendix 1.
in the study area there was a much larger
decrease (about 20%) in the percentage of
young children (0-4) and adults (25-34) than
in the City which saw a decline of about 8%
in each of these age groups.
the study area experienced a larger increase in
the percentage of older adults (45 to 65+)
than the City overall.

Population

in 2001, there were 14,978 people living in

the study area.

between 1996 and 2001, the study area expe-

rienced a growth rate of 2.7%. This is less
than the City growth rate of 4%.

Age Distribution:
Population by Age Group, 2001
in 2001, the age distribution in the study area
was similar to the City overall in most age
categories.

in the study area there was a higher propor-

tion of adults (35-44) and a lower proportion
of children and adults ages (15-24) and (25-
34).

between 1996 and 2001 the trends in popula-

tion change in the study area and in the City
are similar. However, there were differences
between the study area and the City in the Percent Change in Population by Age Group, 1996-2001

22
Immigration: Birchcliff Quarry Lan f Toronto

the study area is different than the City over-

all with respect to immigrant population.

the immigrant population represents a smaller

proportion (22.9%) of the population in the
study area than it does in the City overall
(49.4%).
Immigrant Population by Period of Immigration, 2001
the majority of the immigrant population
(62.5 %) within the study area immigrated
before 1980, whereas in the City the majority
of the immigrant population (62.5%) immi-
grated after 1980.

recent immigrants (people who immigrated in

the 5 years preceding the Census) account for
only 3% of the population within the study
area compared with the City where recent
immigrants account for 21% of the popula-
tion.
Immigrants, 2001
the majority of the immigrant population in
the study area immigrated from the United
Kingdom and the majority of the recent immi-
grant population within the study area immi-
grated from the Philippines.

23
Q UARRYlands

Families: Dwelling Type and Tenure:

families in the study area are generally similar
in composition to those in the City overall,
with the highest proportion of families having
1 child.
there were 6,280 occupied private dwellings
in the study area in 2001.
in 2001, about 48% of the dwelling units
within the study area were single detached
houses which is higher than the proportion in
the City overall which is about 32%.

in 2001, about 11% of the dwellings units in

the study area were in apartment buildings of
five or more storeys compared with 37% in
the City overall.

housing stock within the study area is quite

old with almost half (47.3%) constructed
Families by Type, 2001 before 1946.

there is a higher percentage of ownership of

occupied private dwellings in the study area
(67.3%) than in the City (50.7%).

Families by Number of Children, 2001

Occupied Private Dwelling by Structure Type, 2001

24
 Households

there were 6,285 households in the study area

in 2001.

in 2001, there was a slightly higher proportion

of 1 person households and non-family house-
holds in the study area than in the City over-
all.
Occupied Private Dwellings by Period of Construction, 2001

Tenure Type, 2001 Private Households by Size, 2001

Private Households by Type, 2001

25
Q UARRYlands

Mobility

the proportion of movers and non-movers

within the study area was similar to the City
overall in the one year period prior to 2001.
However, over a five year period a smaller
proportion (39.7%) of the study area residents
moved compared with the proportion of
movers in the City overall (45.5%).
Average Income, 2000

Income

the average family income in the study area in

2000 was $76,460, slightly higher than the
City average of $76, 082. Average household
income was slightly lower in the study area.

the percentage of tenant households spending

over 30% of the household income on shelter
was lower in the study area (11%) than in the Percent of all Household Spending Over 30% of Household
City overall (21%). Income on Shelter Costs, 2000

26
Community Profile
One of the most distinctive qualities of the City is
the diversity of its neighbourhoods. The Quarry
Lands are in a mature diverse urban area. There
is more than one neighbourhood in the study area.
To better understand the character of the area: the
land uses, the development pattern, and the com-
munity services and facilities were examined in
more detail. The study area was divided into
three ‘neighbourhoods’ for this purpose:
Neighbourhood ‘A’:
Victoria Park Avenue to Warden Avenue.
Neighbourhood ‘A’
Characteristics
This area is bounded by Victoria Park on the
west, Warden Avenue on the east, Danforth
Avenue to the north and Kingston Road to the
south (figure 8). The Quarry Lands are situated in
this neighbourhood. This is a well-established
neighbourhood developed mostly with single
detached houses. There are single detached hous-
es adjacent to the east of the apartment site on the
Quarry Lands.

Neighbourhood ‘B’:
Main Street to Victoria Park Avenue

Neighbourhood ‘C’:
Warden Avenue to Birchmount Avenue

The major streets running north and south through

the study area were used as the boundaries
between neighbourhood areas. Although the CN
rail line extends in an east west direction across
Houses on Clonmore Drive adjacent to east of Quarry Lands
the study area, the neighbourhoods were config-
ured to ensure that shopping, employment and
residential areas were included in each. Local There are three apartment developments in this
residents may perceive the boundaries differently area with buildings over five storeys. One is on
and their neighbourhoods may extend beyond the the north side of the Danforth Avenue and the oth-
study area. ers are at Kingston Road and Victoria Park
Avenue.

Most of the commercial activity within this neigh-

bourhood is along Danforth Avenue in small
stores. There are clusters of commercial estab-

27
Q UARRYlands

lishments along Kingston Road, and on the

Quarry Lands. There are a number of auto related
businesses in these areas.

The area north of the CN rail line to Danforth

Avenue contains a mix of commercial, industrial
and low density residential uses.

Blantyre Public School

School Board and is leased by the City. There is

undeveloped parkland on the Quarry Lands and a
small parkette at the east end of Ferncroft Drive.
Other community services include Taylor
Memorial library on the corner of Warden Avenue
and Kingston Road, an indoor bocce court on
Kingston Road at Fallingbrook Road
Thora Avenue and a City Childcare Services
Council adopted a Community Improvement Plan office in the plaza on the Quarry Lands. Also,
in 2003 for Danforth Avenue to promote revital- there are six Places of Worship within this neigh-
ization of this commercial area. An Avenue Study bourhood.
for Danforth Avenue through this neighbourhood
is underway that will establish zoning standards Recent Development Activity
and urban design guidelines. A revitalization
Development applications in the area consist
study of the commercial areas along Kingston
mostly of minor variances applications to the zon-
Road has also been initiated.
ing by-law for renovations and additions to hous-
es. There is one large development; a long term
There are relatively few community services and
care facility under construction on Danforth
facilities in this neighbourhood. There is one ele-
Avenue near Warden Avenue. This facility will
mentary school (Blantyre Public School) and two
provide 203 long term care beds.
neighbourhood parks; the Blantyre Park (2.5
hectares) south of the Quarry Lands, and
Oakridge Park (1.8 hectares) north of the rail line.
Oakridge Park is owned by the Toronto District

28
 Victoria Park

AD
O
R

MADELAINE AVE
TH

PHARMACY AVE

WANSTEAD AVE
ST DUNSTAN DR

LEYTON AVE
ROBINSON AVE
AUGUST AVE
R

BYNG AVE
MACEY AVE

FO
LANDRY AVE AN
D

PW
A7
CR

C C PW C CR CR CR CR CR C A9 C C C CR CC
CR DANFORTH AVENUE

BALFORD AVE
EMMOTT AVE
SNEATH AVE

C C C CR
THORA AVE

C C C CR CR C C C C C

ELWARD BLVD
IC
KENWORTHY AVE

C C C

LEYTON AVE
BYNG AVE
PW C I

AUGUST AVE
C
Oakridge
ST
WAKEHOOD ST
C NTRY
LUCY AVE COVE
C C
C C C / IND MANSION AVE
Kenworthy C/ C
IND IND

SEE NEIGHBOURHOOD C
Park
C.N.R.

WARDEN AVENUE
DR PARKER AVE
RE
MO
Driving ON
CL

RED DEER AVE

Range
Runneymede KENNY AVE
Park

CORNELL AVE
(150)
VICTORIA PARK AVENUE

C
IONSON BLVD
SEE NEIGHBOURHOOD B

C C C
(2480-2490) (2498) C (2560)
(2520) Golf Club
Parkette PW
GERRARD STREET EAST
A3
E AVE
TILBURN PL

C / IND ER
D
DG
QUEENSBURY AVE

DO
ORM
RATH

LINTON AVE COALPO

RT DR

RD
NN
AUDREY AVE

LY
CORNELL AVE

AVE
NORTH
A4
WOODLAND PARK RD

SWANWICK DR
BLANTYRE AVE

RD PW
Blantyre ST
EA
Public L
FERNCROFT DR

PARKL C
School AND R
D A4
PARKVIEW HEIGHTS

CR C
WINSTON CHURCHILL DR CR
WINSTON AVE C
CR
HUNT CLUB DR
ELM VIEW DR

C
HAIG AVE
R
D

VD A4 C
E
R

BL
FALLINGBROOK RD
O

NORTHVIEW AVE LE
M

DA
N

IAR
LO

BR
C

PW
Toronto Hunt Club
BEACHDALE AVE
Blantyre Park PW
D
OA A4
NR
WO

TO
OD

MEADOW AVE GS
CR KIN
GL

A4 C
EN

A16
A5 A4
R
CR

CR C C
C A3
FALLINGBROOK RD
COURCELETTE RD

C
C C
BLANTYRE AVE

A7

C A9
Neil McNeil
Separate Secondary
School

Urban Study Area Boundary CR Commercial/Residential Apartment Dwellings

Development Services C Commercial A4 Number denotes
Quarry Lands PW Place of Worship building height
Birchcliff Quarry Lands Study I Institutional in storeys
IND Industrial
Neighbourhood A L Library

Figure 8

29
Q UARRYlands
Neighbourhood ‘B’
Characteristics
This area is bounded by Main Street on the west,
Victoria Park Avenue on the east, Danforth
Avenue on the north and Kingston Road on the
south (figure 9). This area is the most diverse of
the three neighbourhoods. Much of the area is
developed with lower density housing like
Neighbourhood A. However, there is a greater
mix of single and semi-detached dwellings and
townhouses throughout the area, and the lots are
smaller. Also, the housing stock is older.
There are 13 apartments buildings of 5 storeys or
more within this neighbourhood. For the most
part these are located along main streets. The
Main Square apartments at Main Street and
Danforth Avenue are the largest in the area and
include 1,123 units.
Main Street looking north to Main Square Apartments
30
The commercial areas along Danforth Avenue and
Kingston Road are more vibrant than in the other
neighbourhoods. Large retailers like Canadian
Tire, Leons and Zellers (Shopper’s World Plaza)
are within this area.
Danforth Avenue west of Victoria Park Avenue
Similar to Neighbourhood A, there are remaining
industrial uses along the north side of the CN rail
line. Gerrard Street has a mix of uses, with indus-
trial and commercial predominating. A large for-
mat Loblaws and gas bar were recently construct-
ed at Victoria Park Avenue and Gerrard Street.
The Danforth GO Station and the Main Street
subway station are in this neighbourhood and
streetcars operate along Gerrard Street and Main
Street. Main Street is also a signed bicycle route
that extends north to Stan Wadlow Park and
Taylor Creek Park, and south to Queen Street and
Kew Gardens.
A number of public and private community serv-
ices and facilities are in this neighbourhood and
many are clustered along Main Street. There are
three elementary schools and two secondary
schools in the area.
and Adam Beck Community Centre. The Ted
Reeve Arena is at Main Street and Gerrard Street.
The East City YMCA is located on Kingston
Road and operates a nursery school and many
other community programs.

Notre Dame Secondary School on Malvern Avenue East City YMCA on Kingston Road

Kimberly Road Public School and the Beaches There are seven Places of Worship and a Legion
Alternative School are in one building on the cor- Hall in this neighbourhood.
ner of Main Street and Swanwick Avenue. The
Main Street library and Community Centre 55 are
next door to these schools. Community Centre 55
offers a number of children’s programs including
lunch and after school programs, and many other
community programs. A fire station is beside
Community Centre 55. The Toronto District
School Board offers English as a Second
Language programs in the Adult Learning Centre
on the corner of Danforth Avenue and Sibley
Avenue.

Parks include the East Toronto Athletics Field (3.6

hectares) and Adam Beck Park (0.6 hectare) adja-
cent to Sir Adam Beck Public Elementary school

31
Q UARRYlands

S RD
BARRINGTON ST

ELDON AVE
SIBLEY AVE

THYRA AVE
PW

DAWE
Main
CR C CR C
CR

PW C CR CR I CR CR
DANFORTH AVE
CR CR C CR C

GUEST AVE
CR C CR C C

LUTTRELL AVE
A29

KELVIN AVE
C

TRENT AVE
C

D
Recreation

SR
Centre A23 C A7 C Shopper's World Plaza

WE
CR

DA
STEPHENSON AVE
A9 C/
IND I C C
Main Square
Community Centre
U C / IND C C / IND

SEE NEIGHBOURHOOD A
C.N.R.
DANFORTH FLAGMAN ST
RD
YORK
LITTLE

BROCKVILLE ST
WHISTLE POST ST ENROUTES ST C

WILLIAM HANCOX AVE

TED REEVE DR

NORWOOD TER

East Toronto Park MUSGRAVE ST

MAIN ST

CROSSOVERS ST BELLEVILLE ST
C Athletic Field

DENGATE RD
C / IND
C
A5 Ted Reeve
Arena C C C / IND
GERRARD STREET EAST
CR CR C C A5

VICTORIA PARK AVE

CR Beaches
Alternative/
Kimberly
Public School
PW C
SWANWICK AVE SWANWICK AVE
Community
Centre 55
FH SWANWICK AVE
KIMBERLEY AVE

HANNAFORD ST
MALVERN AVE
OSBORNE AVE

WAYLAND AVE

Malvern
PICKERING ST

LAWLOR AVE

SCARBOROUGH RD

I Collegiate Sir Adam Beck

KINGSWOOD RD

BINGHAM AVE
BE Institute
NL Public School,
AM
ON
PW Park and
D A4
AV Adam Beck
E
A2 Community
Centre
CR
A5
LYALL AVE WOODVALE AVE
A5
WALTER ST

Notre Dame
St. John Separate
Secondary
C BTH I Separate
School
School
PW
A5 CR A6 A7 C A5 CR A7
KINGSTON RD CR
CR
WINTHORPE RD

PW
OR DR

C C A4 CR
C CR
AN

C YMCA
BEECH AVE

C KINGS C
TON R CR
GLEN M

Glen Stewart Park

D CR C
SILVER BIRCH AVE

CR C CR
SCARBOROUGH RD

E CR C
WILLOW AVE

AV
KINGSWOOD RD

AM PW A3
BINGHAM AVE

S CR
BAL CR

Urban Study Area Boundary CR Commercial/Residential BTH Block Town Houses

Development Services C Commercial
L Library Apartment Dwellings
Birchcliff Quarry Lands Study I Institutional A4 Number denotes
PW Place of Worship building height
Neighbourhood B U Utility in storeys
IND Industrial

Figure 9

32
Recent Development Activity
This neighbourhood is the most dynamic with
respect to development activity. The former
industrial area to the west of Loblaws is redevel-
oping with single and semi-detached houses and
townhouses (480 units). A number of these
homes are now occupied. A second phase of the
development has been approved (187 townhous-
es). The East Toronto Athletics Field Park will be
New Homes - North Side of Gerrard Street
expanded and a new park (1.5 hectares) will be
developed in this neighbourhood. Two new apart-
ments (32 and 15 storeys) were recently approved
for Main Square at Danforth Avenue and Main
Street. These include about 500 units.
Other developments proposed within the area
include: 36 townhouses on the north side of
Gerrard Street at Ted Reeve Drive, 10 units on
Kimberly Avenue and 25 units on Danforth
Avenue east of Dawes Road.
33
Neighbourhood ‘C’
Characteristics
This area is bounded by Warden Avenue to the
west, Birchmount Avenue to the east, Kingston
Road to the south and Danforth Avenue to the
north (figure 10). This neighbourhood is the most
homogeneous of the three. It is developed almost
exclusively with low density housing, most of
which is single detached dwellings.
Kalmar Avenue South of Hollis Avenue
There are clusters of 2, 3 and 4 storey apartment
buildings along Kingston Road and some town-
houses. There are no apartment buildings with
more than 4 storeys in this neighbourhood.
Kingston Road is the main street in this neigh-
bourhood. There are only a few commercial
establishments along Danforth Road in this area.
The Kingston Road revitalization study includes
the commercial areas along Kingston Road in this
neighbourhood.
Q UARRYlands

Commercial Cluster on Kingston Road Legion Hall on Kingston Road with Mural

There is one local park in this neighbourhood. Recent Development Activity

The Hollis Kalmar Park adjacent to the rail line is
1.3 hectares. Also, there are two small parkettes. Most development activity consists of minor vari-
Birchcliff Public School is the largest local green ances to the zoning by-law for renovations to
space in the area. Birchmount Park, a District existing houses.
Park, is located on the east side of Birchmount
Road. The Scarborough Gardens Arena,
Birchmount Community Centre and the
Birchmount Stadium are located in this park. The
Birchmount Stadium is one of only a few stadi-
ums in the City and it is in need of repair. The
Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre, a non-
profit agency runs several programs from the
Community Centre. Immaculate Heart of Mary
Elementary School is beside the park.

Other community services include a fire hall, an

ambulance station and a Legion Hall. There are 4
Places of Worship in this Neighbourhood.

34
 IND

MEDFORD AVE
E FH
SCOTIA AVE

AV
GE

EASTWOOD
ID
MR
KI

AVE
Scotia
C Parkette PW
DANFORTH AVENUE PARKETTE PL

Birchmount Parkette A4 Immaculate

.R.
C.N
EASTWOOD AVE
C Heart of Mary
KALMAR AVE

Separate School
Hollis / Kalmar

BIRCHMOUNT ROAD
RHYDWEN AVE
Park

Birchmount Bluffs Birchmount

Community Park
Centre
HOLLIS AVE
PHENIX DR

BIRCHCLIFF AVE

HARDING BLVD
AVALON BLVD
PW
Scarboro
Arena
SEE NEIGHBOURHOOD A

Gardens
WARDEN AVENUE

FREEMAN ST
DUNINGTON DR

MANDERLEY DR

C CR
C
CR
Birchcliff Avalon
EASTWOOD AVE

Public Parkette C
A3 School A3
KALMAR AVE

CR
HARDING BLVD

C A4
A3 A3 A4
D
OA I
BIRCHCLIFF AVE

R
TON C
A3 GS A2
A3 CR KIN
CR
LAKESIDE AVE

LYNN RD C
A3 C C PW
PW A3
KILDONAN DR

I
CR
C
C EMS
VALHALLA BLVD

C
A4 BTH
A4
A4 A4
A4
A4

VIEWBANK RD

Urban Study Area Boundary CR Commercial/Residential BTH Block Town Houses

Development Services C Commercial
PW Place of Worship Apartment Dwellings
Birchcliff Quarry Lands Study I Institutional A4 Number denotes
EMS Emergency Medical Services building height
Neighbourhood C FH Fire Hall in storeys
IND Industrial

Figure 10

35
Q UARRYlands

Community Services and
Facilities Profile
Community services and facilities are a vital part
of neighbourhoods in the City, contributing to the
quality of life and well being of residents.
Schools, child care centres, community centres,
libraries, emergency services and parks are all
components of the social infrastructure and are as
important to the future of the City as hard services
such as water, roads and transit. Ensuring that
there are adequate community services and facili-
ties to meet existing community needs and for
new residents in areas where growth is anticipated
are fundamental considerations in planning new
neighbourhoods.
Community services and facilities within the
study area were inventoried to identify the range
of services and facilities available in the area and
to begin to assess the capacity of these services
and facilities. Figure 11 shows community serv-
ices and facilities within the study area. More
detailed information on the existing community
services and facilities is provided in Appendix 2.
All of the elementary schools within the study
area are operating below capacity. Blantyre
Public Elementary and Sir Adam Beck Junior
Public Elementary are the two elementary schools
within the study area closest to the Quarry Lands.
These schools have utilization rates of 77% and
68% respectively.
The secondary schools; Malvern Collegiate
Institute and Notre Dame Catholic Secondary
School are operating above capacity. Notre Dame
Secondary school is an all female school. Male
students within the separate school system attend
Neil McNeil Secondary School on Victoria Park
Avenue south of Kingston Road, just outside of
the study area. Malvern Collegiate Institute is the
closest secondary school to the Quarry Lands.
The TDSB also provides English as a Second
Language programs from the adult learning centre
on Danforth Avenue.

Public Schools
There are eight schools within the study area:

4 elementary schools (2 public, 2 separate)

2 junior public elementary/junior alternative

school

2 secondary schools (1 public, 1 separate –

girls) Malvern Collegiate Institute

36
 Figure 11

Victoria Park Ave

Birchmount Rd
Pharmacy Ave

Warden Ave
Dawes
Main St

Rd
Fire Station
PW Scotia Parkette
PW PW
Danforth/Birchmount
Parkette
Danforth Ave P W Immaculate
Heart of Mary
PW Parkette
Lucy Tot Lot Oakridge Hollis / Birchmount CC
Main Square Park Kalmar Park
Oakridge Seniors Bocee Kenworthy Park Birchmount Park
Main Square Community
Dr
Recreation Centre Birchmount Bluffs
PW
C.N.R.
m ore Scarborough
Gardens Arena
Cl on
East Toronto Runneymede
Athletic Field Park Avalon Park
Scarborough Day Ns
Golf Club Parkette PW Birch Cliff PS
Ted Reeve Arena
Main St.
Gerrard St East
Library Kimberley Jr PS /
Beaches Alternative School Jr
PW PW
EMS Station
East Toronto Village
PW PW
37

Today's Child - Blantyre

Leroux
Froebel Hampers Participating Nursery Malvern CI Adam Beck Park Taylor
Community Centre 55 Winston Churchillroad Island Memorial
Blantyre PS
PW LTC Fire Station Sir Adam Beck Jr PS Library
Versa-Care Centre
Adam Beck CC
Kids Club Day Care Blantyre Outdoor Pool
Connection Notre Dame SS
St. John PW
Blantyre PW
PW Park
PW
Broadview French Avalon Montessori
n Rd
Montessori School
East City
PW Kingsto
(YMCA) Beaches Co-op

Glen Stewart
Park

Data Current to July 2004

Quarry Lands TDSB Elementary School PW Place(s) of Worship LTC Long Term Care Facility
Urban
Development Services
Study Area Boundary TDSB Secondary School Toronto Public Library Emergency Medical Services
Birchcliff Quarry Lands Park TCDSB Elementary School Community Centre Toronto Fire Services
Community Services
Pool - Outdoor TCDSB SecondarySchool Child Care
Q UARRYlands
Child Care Facilities
There are twelve child care centres/nursery
schools in the study area and eight of these are
non-profit centres. These centres are located in
schools, places of worship, community centres
and in other buildings. In total these centres pro-
vide 557 licensed daycare spaces with a range of
programs from preschool to school age children.
About half of these spaces are for children aged
2½ to 5 years old. Two of the centres provide
service in French. Only three of the centres
report any vacancies and for two of the centres
there are only a few spaces available. The Main
Square Daycare Centre has a waiting list for all
age groups.
A needs assessment for child care services was
not undertaken as a part of the background work
in Phase 1 of the study. Also, licensed private
home day care agencies and private home care
providers within the study area were not invento-
ried during the phase 1 work. Without an assess-
ment, it is difficult to determine whether or not
this area is considered underserved with respect to
child care. However, most of the child care
spaces offered in centres are utilized indicating
that there may be a need for additional spaces. A
needs assessment should be undertaken in later
phases of the study after development concepts
have been prepared. Information on anticipated
residential development on the Quarry Lands can
be used in the needs assessment.
38
Libraries
There are two public libraries within the study
area. The Main Street Library is closest to the
Quarry Lands at 137 Main Street. Taylor
Memorial Library is located on the corner of
Kingston Road and Warden Avenue. Both
libraries are neighbourhood branches.
The Main Street library is the larger of the two
and has a collection of about 50,000 materials.
There is one program room at Main Street library
and 8 internet work stations. Main Street pro-
vides preschool and toddler programs, summer
and March break reading programs. The library
also provides User Education programs for adults.
Main Street Library is not at capacity.
Taylor Memorial Library has a collection of about
30,500 materials. There is a multi-purpose room
at Taylor Memorial that seats 40, and there are 7
internet stations. The main users at this library
are seniors. Taylor Memorial Library is one of
four satellite branches supported by the larger
Albert Campbell District Library. The library is
not at capacity.
Taylor Memorial Library
Parks and Open Space
There are twelve public parks totalling about 20
hectares (49 acres) within the study area. These
range from small natural areas and local play-
grounds to large active community parks. There
is a park on the Quarry Lands that is not devel-
oped. The largest park in the study area is the
Birchmount Park, a 7.7 hectare District Park.
There a number of facilities at Birchmount Park: a
community centre, stadium, sports fields and ten-
nis courts. The East Toronto Athletics Field Park
on Main Street is the second largest (3.6 ha) and
has sports fields, a playground and wading pool.
Development concepts prepared in Phase 2 of the
study will be reviewed to determine impacts on
existing park facilities and to assess the need for
new park facilities.
Tobogganing in Blantyre Park
39
Community Centres and Recreation
Facilities
There are three City-owned and operated commu-
nity centres within the study area; Main Square
Community Recreation Centre, Adam Beck
Community Centre and the Birchmount
Community Centre. The City offers a variety of
recreational programs and services from these
facilities for all age groups. Details of the pro-
grams operating at these community centres are
included in Appendix 2.
Birchmount Community Centre and
Scarborough Gardens Arena
The Birchmount Community Centre (BCC) and
Scarborough Gardens Arena are located in
Birchmount Park at the eastern edge of the study
area. BCC is the largest of the three community
centres within the study area, and offers the most
programs. There is an indoor pool, community
room, meeting rooms and multi-purpose rooms at
BCC.
Birchmount Community Centre
Q UARRYlands

The swimming programs account for the majority
of the programs offered at the centre. BCC is
operating at an overall capacity of about 75% ,
with the “all ages” programs operating at over
90% capacity.
The Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre
(BBNC), a not-for-profit social service agency,
operates from the BCC. The BBNC offers a wide
range of services for individuals and groups. A
Family Resource Centre, Community Nursery
School, Surf ‘N’ Search Job Lounge, youth and
teen programs, general interest, integrated and
adapted, seniors, and fitness and wellness pro-
grams are some of the services provided by the
BBNC.
Main Square Community Recreation Centre
Main Square Community Recreation Centre
(MSCRC) is located beside the Main Square
apartments on the east side of Main Street south
of Danforth Avenue. Facilities at MSCRC
include an indoor pool, fitness and weight room
and multi-purpose space. Most of the programs
offered at MSCRC are for swimming.
Participants in swimming account for over half of
those enrolled at the centre. The swimming pro-
grams are operating at about half of their capacity.
All ages programs are the most popular at
MSCRC. Enrollment in older adult programs is
low. This centre is operating at about 52%
capacity overall.

The Scarborough Gardens Arena has one ice pad.

The Wexford minor hockey league operates their
hockey program from this arena. The City pro-
vides recreational skating and shinny for 8 hours
per week.

Adam Beck Community Centre

Adam Beck Community Centre (ABCC) and Sir
Adam Beck Junior Elementary School are in one
building. The ABCC is the smallest community
centre within the study area and programming is
shared with the school. Facilities include a gym,
a meeting room and multi purpose rooms. About
half of the programs offered at ABCC are for chil- Main Square Community Recreation Centre - Main Street
dren and the most popular programs are those
offered during March break and in the summer.
Enrollment in programs for older adults is low.
Overall, the programs at ABCC are operating at
about 67% capacity.

40
Other Services and Facilities
The City also operates recreation programs from
the Blantyre Public Elementary school and has
operated a summer camp program at the school.
Other City facilities in the area include the
Blantyre Outdoor Pool and the Oakridge seniors
indoor bocce court on Thora Avenue. The swim-
ming program at the Blantyre Pool is at about
50% capacity. The Ted Reeve Arena is operated
by a volunteer Board and has two ice pads.
Hockey and public skating are offered at this
arena.
Ted Reeve Arena on Main Street
There are two community centres within the study
area operated by non-profit agencies; Community
Centre 55 and East City YMCA.
Community Centre 55, an agency of the City, is
located on the corner of Main Street and
Swanwick Avenue. Community Centre 55 runs
many children’s programs including before and
41
after school programs, lunch programs, JK/SK
enrichment programs, Summer and March break
camps, and operates a licensed child care centre.
Community Centre 55 also provides programs for
teens and adults (ie. exercise, dance, music,
drama) and service groups use the centre.
Community Centre 55 - Main Street and Swanwick Avenue
East City YMCA is located on the south side of
Kingston Road between Balsam Avenue and
Beech Avenue. This YMCA includes a gymnasi-
um, playrooms and an office. The YMCA pro-
grams are designed to meet the needs of the local
community. At this time the YMCA provides a
wide range of programs for families with infants
and young children. Summer and March break
camps are also available. Evening programs for
adults and seniors are also offered and service
groups use the YMCA. The nursery school oper-
ated by the YMCA is unique as it provides part
time childcare and therefore can serve more fami-
lies than a typical child care centre.
Q UARRYlands
Places of Worship
There are fourteen Places of Worship in the study
area. Many of the Places of Worship provide
community space and daycares operate in some.
There are many programs provided in these
Places of Worship: music, dance, theatre, art,
teen and youth, health and wellness and seniors
programs, addiction services, family resource
services, and space for service groups such as the
boy scouts and the girl guides are just some of the
services provided in these important community
spaces.
Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary - Birchmount Road
42
Community Service and Facilities and the
new Official Plan
The directions and policies of the new Official
Plan place a high level of importance on building
the City’s social infrastructure particularly in
areas where growth is anticipated and in areas that
are poorly served. The social infrastructure
includes the whole system of government and
community resources, programs, facilities and
social networks that contribute to people’s health,
safety, mobility and well-being. Preserving and
improving access to services and facilities is a
responsibility to be shared by the City, public
agencies and the development community.
The Quarry Lands are designated Mixed Use
Areas where a wide range of residential, commer-
cial and employment uses can be considered. The
Official Plan requires that a Community Services
Strategy be prepared in larger mixed use areas (5
hectares or larger) that are experiencing growth or
change. A Community Services Strategy includes
the following components:
a demographic profile of area residents
an inventory of existing services within the
area, or readily accessible to area residents
identification of existing capacity and service
gaps in local facilities
identification of local priorities
recommended range of service and co-loca-
tion opportunities.
identification of funding strategies, including
but not limited to funds secured through the
development approval process, the City’s cap-
ital and operating budgets and public/private
partnership.
43
The Phase 1 report includes a demographic profile
of area residents and an inventory of the main
community services and facilities in the area. The
inventory is not an exhaustive list. There may be
other local agencies and service providers within
the area. Also, the capacity of the services and
facilities has not been assessed to identify gaps.
Local priorities need to be identified in consulta-
tion with the community and service providers. A
Community Services Strategy will be prepared in
later phases of the study.
Q UARRYlands
Transportation Profile
The Quarry Lands are situated within an area of
the City with a well established transportation
network. The Quarry lands are bounded by arteri-
al roads; Victoria Park Avenue, Gerrard Street and
Clonmore Drive, and the CN rail line. As a
result, access to the site is not dependent on
routes through local streets. There are a variety
of transit options available in the area including
bus, streetcar, subway and GO train service. The
high level of transit service provides access to
community services and facilities and employ-
ment, shopping and entertainment uses within the
local area, in centres throughout the City, and to
areas outside the City.
Existing information on traffic volumes, transit
availability, bike routes, and planned road
improvements were examined to give an indica-
tion of existing capacities in the system and to
determine where additional information is needed.
This will provide the base information needed to
assess the impacts of future development and
determine whether transportation improvements
are needed.
Road Network
The road network within the study area is devel-
oped primarily on a grid pattern consisting of
major and minor arterial roads and a collector and
local street system. The CN rail line extends in
an east west direction across the study area.
Figure 12 shows the key elements of the road net-
44
work in the study area; main streets, signalized
intersections, and pedestrian crosswalks on main
roads. Intersections that have recent (2002-2005)
traffic count data are highlighted. The detailed
information about the traffic counts at each of
these intersections is in Appendix 3.
There are four main north/south roads within the
study area including Main Street, Victoria Park
Avenue, Warden Avenue and Birchmount Road.
All of these streets are classified as minor arterial
roads within the study area, except for the section
of Victoria Park Avenue, from Gerrard Street to
Danforth Avenue, which is classified as a major
arterial road. The four main north/south streets
within the area cross the CN rail line at grade sep-
arations. None of the local north/south streets
crosses the rail line.
The major east/west street network includes
Danforth Avenue, Gerrard Street, Clonmore Drive
and Kingston Road. All of these streets are clas-
sified as minor arterial roads except Kingston
Road which is classified as a major arterial road.
Traffic Volumes
Arterial roads are intended to function as the main
traffic arteries within the area, carrying higher
volumes of traffic than collector or local streets.
The number of vehicles at the main intersections
within the study area in the morning and after-
noon peak hour is shown on figure 13. Also, the
date of each traffic count is shown.
This data indicates that Kingston Road is the
 Figure 12

Rd
th
or
nf

Birchmount Rd
Da

Victoria Park Ave

Warden Ave
Pharmacy Ave
Dawes
Main St

Rd
10
2 3 4 5 Danforth Ave 6 7 8 9
1 28

Birchcliff Ave
Canadian
Tire 11
Dr 27
Hollis Ave
C.N.R. m ore
o n

Manderlay
Manderley Dr
Cl
Musgrave
24 12

Queensbury Ave
20 21 22 23 25 Gerrard St 13
Malvern Ave
Osborne Ave

Swanwick 26
Scarborough Rd

14
45

Pickering St

Lyall Ave

19 18
17 15
Glen Manor Dr

16 Kingston Rd

Urban
Development Services Study Area Signalized Intersection
Note:
Birchcliff Quarry Lands Study Traffic data available for the above
Quarry Lands Unsignalized Intersection/pedestrian crossing 1 intersections. See appendix 3 for the
Road Network detailed counts.
 Figure 13

Q UARRYlands
Birchmount Rd
Vicroria Park Ave

Pharmacy Ave

Warden Av
353
(589)
Jan. 2005

Ave
361

Dawes
Main St (715)
398

Rd
386 (671)
351 653
(428) (535) (498) Jan. 2002
Aug. 2002 Jan. 2003 1224
July 2002 (285)
485
5 Danforth Ave 601 800
537 1659
9 7)
4)) (1319) (410)
(1740 (1052)
2)
720 1702 382
(716) 671 (725) (451)
Mar. 2003 (654) C.N.R. r Jan. 2005
re D
69
74
o n mo 590
(149) 1650
518 (182) Cl (875) (622)
(721)
Oct. 2003
Gerrard St Apr. 2003
758
(852 (806)) 105 18
(255) (13)
631
(905) Jan. 2005 (600)
46

Oct. 2003
805 704
(1298) (1473)
355
(308) 124
Aug. 2004 (58)
286 d
(414) nR
770 1823
3
Dec. 2003 n g sto
(2045 (636)) Ki
686
6
(1546
(1546)
(154 1479
9
(702))

am peak hr.
Urban
Development Services Survey Date (pm peak hr.)
Study Area
am peak hr. am peak hr.
Birchcliff Quarry Lands Study Quarry Lands
(pm peak hr.) (pm peak hr.)

Traffic Flow am peak hr.

(pm peak hr.)
busiest road within the study area, followed by
Danforth Avenue. Traffic counts were taken in
January 2005 at the intersections of both of these
roads with Warden Avenue. These counts show
about 400 more cars travelling west on Kingston
Road during the morning peak hour than along
Danforth Avenue, and about 400 more cars travel-
ling east during the evening peak hour. The earli-
er counts at the intersections of Main Street and
Victoria Park Avenue with Danforth Avenue and
Kingston Road also indicate that Kingston Road
is busier, particularly eastbound in the afternoon
rush hour. The data indicates that Birchmount
Road between Danforth Avenue and Kingston
Road is the least busy main street in the network.
The intersection of Gerrard Street and Victoria
Park Avenue is also busy. The data indicates that
a common route through the area in both the
morning and afternoon peak periods is along
Victoria Park Avenue between Danforth Avenue
and Gerrard Street, and along Gerrard Street
between Victoria Park Avenue and Main Street.
The number of southbound vehicles at the Warden
Avenue and Clonmore Drive intersection in the
morning peak hour is one of the highest in the
study area with about 1700 vehicles. The data
indicates that most of these vehicles turn right
onto Clonmore Drive and pass the Quarry Lands.
An assessment of road and intersection capacities
was not undertaken in Phase 1. The development
concepts for the Quarry Lands prepared in Phase
2 of the study will provide additional information
with respect to traffic expected to be generated
47
from development. A traffic assessment will be
undertaken in later phases of the study to deter-
mine the capacity of the existing road network
and the impacts of development. Some of the
factors considered in undertaking the analysis
include; the type of land uses proposed (commer-
cial, residential, employment), the intensity of
development (gross floor area or density of devel-
opment) and the availability of transit.
Proponents of development are also required to
conduct traffic assessments when proposing
development.
Public Streets and the new Official Plan
The Quarry Lands are large and new streets will
be needed for access to new development. The
new Official Plan places a strong emphasis on all
aspects of the public realm including City streets.
Streets are considered significant public open
spaces and new streets should be public streets.
They should provide connections and be integrat-
ed with the existing street system in adjacent
neighbourhoods. There should be adequate space
to provide for pedestrians, bicycles and landscap-
ing as well as transit, vehicles and utilities. For
the Quarry Lands the emphasis will be on creating
a system of public streets consistent with the poli-
cies and directions of the new Official Plan.
Bicycle Network
The Toronto Bike Plan “Shifting Gears” was
adopted by Council in July 2001. The Bike Plan
recommends the development of a 1,000 km bike-
way network consisting of off-road trails and on-
Q UARRYlands
road bike lanes and routes throughout the City.
There is currently one signed bike route within
the study area along Main Street that extends
north to Hamstead Road and Stan Wadlow Park
and Taylor Creek Park and south to Queen Street
and Kew Gardens.
Main Street Bicycle Route 59
A combination bike lane and signed bicycle route
is proposed along Gerrard Street, Clonmore Drive
and Hollis Drive to connect Main Street to
Birchmount Road. This bicycle route will pass by
the Quarry Lands. Signed bike routes are also
proposed on Clonmore Drive south of Gerrard
Street as well as along Fallingbrook Avenue to
connect to Queen Street East and Kew Gardens.
The traffic survey conducted in 2003 at the inter-
section of Victoria Park Avenue and Gerrard
Street counted 99 bicycles passing through this
intersection in an 8 hour period.
48
Transit Network
The study area is well served with transit includ-
ing surface transit by bus and streetcar, subway
service along the Bloor-Danforth subway line and
GO train service. The transit network through the
study area is shown on figure 14.
Bus and Streetcar Routes
The Quarry Lands are directly served by bus
along Gerrard Street, Victoria Park Avenue and
Clonmore Drive and these connect to the streetcar
and subway lines. These include:
135 Gerrard: Gerrard Street and Clonmore
Drive between the Warden and Main subway
stations and connects to the 506 Streetcar at
Main Street.
12 Kingston: Victoria Park subway station
south along Victoria Park Avenue and along
Kingston Road with connections to the
Kennedy and Warden subway stations, and
the 502 and 503 Streetcar on Kingston Road.
324 Victoria Park: Late night along Victoria
Park Avenue.
69 Warden: Clonmore Drive at Warden
Avenue.
404 Community Bus: Daytime hourly serv-
ice from the Shoppers World Plaza to the East
York Civic Centre and East General Hospital
at Coxwell Avenue and Mortimer Avenue.
 Figure 14

Warden Woods Park

CRESCENT

BIRCHMOUNT RD
Dentonia Park Leyton

DAWES
MAIN ST

VICTORIA PARK AV

WARDEN AV
PHARMACY AV

RD
Golf Course Park
TOWN

TH
OR
NF
404 Prairie Drive Park

RD

DA
64 Victoria Park
404 TTC Station

Line
Subway
Dentonia Park

12+
404
324
Samuel Hearne
64

Sr. Public School

Oakridge Oakridge Jr.

DENTONIA PARK C.C. Public School 3

135
Maryland
11

69

69
Main Street
Park COMMUNITY

12+ 324
TTC Station
St.Dunstan
Coleman Madelaine Separate
Main St Park Park School
Parkette .R.
113 113 Scotia Parkette C.N
DANFORTH AV 20 20
20 20
Birchmount Parkette

Main Square Oakridge

Community Park Hollis/Kalmar Park
Recreation Centre Birchmount
Park
Danforth
404 Kenworthy
Park
GO GO Station
C.N.R.

Runneymede Park
East Toronto

69
Athletic Field
Ted Reeve Arena
Avalon
Birchcliff Parkette
Golf Public School
506 GERRARD ST EAST 135 Club
135 Parkette 69
12+
49

Kimberley/
Beaches
Alternative
Public
School
RD
ON
GST
12+ 324

DR
Blantyre KIN

E
OR
Adam Public School

M
Malvern Beck

ON
64

Collegiate Public
12+

CL
School,
Park and
Community
Centre

Notre Dame
St.John Separate
Separate Secondary
School School
Glen Davis
Ravine Blantyre Park
KINGSTON RD
502 Hullmar
503 Park
22 22 Crescentwood
Park
12+
Lynndale
Parkette

Elm Park
Lake Ontario
64

Glen Stewart Park

Neil McNeil Separate Toronto Hunt Club Golf Course
Secondary School

Urban Quarry Lands 135 TTC Bus Main Routes 12,20,64,69,135; Main and Blue Night Routes 22,113; Blue Night Route 324
Development Services

Birchcliff Quarry Lands Study TTC Line and Station 506 TTC Street Car Main and Blue Night Routes 502,503,506

Transit GO GO Transit Line and Station 404 TTC Community Bus Main Route 404
Q UARRYlands

Bloor-Danforth Subway

The Bloor-Danforth subway line linking the

Kipling and Kennedy subway stations runs just to
the north of Danforth Avenue with stations at
Main Street, Victoria Park Avenue and Warden
Avenue. The Victoria Park station is the closest
to the Quarry Lands about 0.9 km to the north.

GO Transit
GO Transit operates frequent commuter rail serv-
ice on the CN rail tracks abutting the Quarry
Lands, serving the Lakeshore line. The Danforth
GO station is on Main Street south of Danforth
Avenue. During the weekday peak periods trains
run every 30 minutes or so, and every hour off
peak and on weekends and holidays.
GO Transit is currently conducting a Class
Environmental Assessment of a proposal to add a
third track along the south side of the CNR right-
of-way to provide more frequent service on the
Stouffville line which shares the Lakeshore line
tracks west of the Scarborough station at Midland
Avenue. Development concepts prepared in
Phase 2 of the study will be reviewed in consulta-
tion with GO Transit.
Danforth GO Station on Main Street
Transportation and the new Official Plan
The new Official Plan integrates transportation
and land use planning. The directions and poli-
cies of the Plan seek to protect and improve the
transportation system. They also emphasize the
more efficient use of roads to move more people
instead of more vehicles and the reduction of the
demand for vehicle travel. To achieve these
objectives the Plan promotes a more intense
mixed use pattern of development. It also pro-
motes mixed use development in areas that are
well served by transit.

Mixed use developments (residential, employ-

ment, commercial) help to minimize the long term
costs of infrastructure improvements to increase
capacity of roads and the transit system. A mixed
use development pattern also provides the oppor-
tunity to develop a better pedestrian and bicycle
system.

50
The designation of the Quarry Lands as Mixed
Use Areas integrates land use planning and trans-
portation. The Quarry Lands are large and well
served by transit. This provides an opportunity to
consider a wide range of uses at densities that are
transit supportive.
Kingston Road is identified in the new Official
Plan as a higher order transit corridor, and
Kingston Road and Main Street north of Gerrard
Street are within the surface transit priority net-
work. Within higher order transit corridors, the
protection of existing and planned rapid transit
networks is given a priority, and new transit lines
will be implemented in these corridors over the
longer term.
The City is in the early stages of examining future
transit improvements along Kingston Road and
Danforth Avenue. At the January 12, 2005 meeting
of the Toronto Transit Commission, TTC and City
Planning staff presented the “Building A Transit
City” proposal to the Commission. This presenta-
tion outlined proposals for future transportation
improvements in the City, including the idea of
developing higher order transit service on
Kingston Road from Victoria Park to Eglinton
Avenue East (bus or streetcar) and on Danforth
Avenue west of Kingston Road. The Commission
supported the general approach put forward in
“Building a Transit City” and requested further
staff reports on the matter.
The Official Plan promotes increasing transit pri-
ority along roads within the surface transit priori-
ty network through measures such as; signal pri-
51
ority for buses and streetcars, limiting on-street
parking and providing exclusive transit lanes.
Physical Infrastructure Profile
The physical infrastructure includes the sanitary
and storm sewers and watermains that service the
area. It also deals with the management of
stormwater in relation to development. Municipal
water, storm and sanitary sewer service is avail-
able to the Quarry Lands, and there are currently
no water supply, capacity, or pressure problems
within the area. Services available within this
area are detailed in Appendix 4.
More detailed assessments of servicing capacity
will be undertaken during Phase 2 of the study
after development concepts are prepared. The
concepts will be used to identify any constraints
related to servicing and to determine if improve-
ments are needed. Opportunities to address issues
with respect to stormwater quality and quantity
will also be explored further in relation to the
concept plans prepared in Phase 2. Proponents of
development are also required to submit assess-
ments of services and stormwater management
plans with development applications.
There are trunk services that cross the Quarry
lands, including a watermain, storm sewers and
combined sanitary and storm sewers. These are
shown on figure 15. There are municipal ease-
ments for these services where they cross private
lands. The location of the services must be con-
sidered in developing concept plans for the
Quarry Lands, as structures cannot be built over
 Q UARRYlands

top these trunk mains. As a result, the pattern of planned in relation to the location of these servic-
development may be impacted by these trunk es to ensure that buildings and structure will avoid
mains. The location of roads and the develop- these services.
ment blocks within the area will need to be

Danforth Ave
Thora Ave

Sneath Ave

Emmott Ave

Elward Blvd

August Ave

Byng Ave

Leyton Ave
T
Wakehood St
Lucy Ave
Mansion Ave
CNR

CNR
C
Victoria Park Ave

Dr
ore
T
T

T
m
lon

T
T
T

T
C

T
C

Gerrard St East

Source: WES/Water/IAM&P and WES/TS/Surveys & Mapping (Dated 2000)

Urban Quarry Lands

Development Services
Watermain (2000)
Birchcliff Quarry Lands Study Storm Sewer (2003)
Water Distribution & Sewer Systems Combined/Sanitary Sewer (2000)

Figure 15

52
Q U A R R Y
Other Planning Initiatives
There are four other recent or ongoing planning
studies within this area of the City:
Community Improvement Plan (CIP)
Danforth Avenue and Danforth Road.
Danforth Avenue Study from Victoria Park
Avenue to Warden Avenue
Warden Corridor and Victoria Park Station
Land Use Planning Studies
Kingston Road Revitalization Study
An overview of these initiatives is provided as
each of these studies share portions of their
respective study area boundaries with the Quarry
Lands Study area. Background information from
these studies provides additional information that
can assist in undertaking the Quarry Lands study.
Opportunities for new development are also being
explored through each of the studies. The loca-
tions of the studies are shown on figure 16.
Community Improvement Plan -
Danforth Avenue and Danforth Road
In September of 2003 Council approved a
Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for Danforth
Avenue and Danforth Road between Victoria Park
Avenue and Warden Avenue. The objective of
this CIP is to enhance and revitalize the commer-
cial frontages along Danforth Avenue and
Danforth Road, through incentives for façade
improvements and with improvements to the
roads and streetscapes with landscaping, decora-
53
L A N D S
tive pavers, pavement markings, signage, lighting
and gateway features. A Façade Improvement
Grant Program was established for this area that
provides grants to commercial building owners to
improve their building façades.
Danforth Avenue Study –
Victoria Park Avenue to Warden Avenue
An Avenue Study was initiated in December of
2004 for Danforth Avenue, from Victoria Park
Avenue to Warden Avenue. The new Official
Plan identifies selected corridors along major
streets as “Avenues” where transit-supportive
reurbanization is promoted. The Avenue study
will set out the mix of uses, heights, setbacks and
other zoning standards, along with priorities for
investment that may enhance open spaces, street
amenities and community services along this sec-
tion of Danforth Avenue. The Danforth Avenue
Study is in its initial phase and a background
report is being prepared. It is anticipated that this
study will be completed in 2005.
Warden Corridor Study and Victoria Park
Station Land Use Studies
These studies were initiated in December of 2003
to examine opportunities for the reurbanization of
the TTC parking lots at the two subway stations
and to create a vision for areas of potential land
use change in their vicinities.
These studies have advanced to the final phase.
Background work has been completed and con-
cepts for land use change on specific sites within
Q UARRYlands

Eglinton Ave

Victoria Park Ave

Birchmount Rd
Pharmacy Ave

Warden Ave

Midland Ave
Kennedy Rd
r.
D
r
no
on
'C
O

St Clair Ave Warden St Clair Ave

Corridor
.
Rd

Study
s
we

Victoria Park
Da

Station Study
Rd
th

Danforth Avenue Study

Study/
or
nf
Da

Danforth Community
Improvement Plan
Ave
orth
Danf

Gerrard St
Kingston Road
Quarry Lands Rd Revitalization Study
ton
gs
Kin

Birchcliff Quarry
Lands Study
Lake Ontario
Queen St

Urban
Development Services

Birchcliff Quarry Lands Study

Planning Initiatives
Figure 16

54
the study areas have been prepared. One of the
findings of these studies to date is that these areas
are underserved with respect to community serv-
ices and facilities. A key component of the Phase
3 work for both study areas is the preparation of
Community Services and Facilities Strategies, that
will identify appropriate community services and
facilities required to support the existing and any
new residential communities. It is expected that
these studies will be completed by the end of
2005.
55
Kingston Road Revitalization Study
In February of 2005 Council initiated the
Kingston Road Revitalization Study. This study
will identify key sites within the commercial areas
along Kingston Road in the Birchliff Community
and develop a strategy to promote revitalization of
these areas. It will also examine Kingston Road
and its function as a transit priority corridor,
including the idea of developing higher order
transit service on Kingston Road (bus or street-
car). Terms of Reference for the study will be
considered by Council in Spring 2005.
Q U A R R Y
Study Area Profile - Key Considerations
The information presented in the study area pro-
file raises the following considerations:
Population in the study area is growing at a
slower rate than the City overall. Similar to
the City the population within the study area
is aging, and children represent a smaller pro-
portion of the population than adults. The
large decrease between 1996 and 2001 in the
proportion of small children in the study area
may account for the additional capacity in the
elementary schools today.
In the study area the proportion of small chil-
dren is declining at a faster rate than in the
City overall, and the proportion of older
adults in increasing at a faster rate than in the
City overall.
A community services and facilities needs
assessment is required to determine if the
population trends apparent in the 2001 Census
are continuing, to identify priorities and serv-
ice gaps and to determine if improvements or
changes are needed to meet community needs.
The neighbourhoods in the study area are pre-
dominantly developed with lower density
housing such as single and semi-detached
dwellings and townhouses. The local context
must be considered in development of the
Quarry Lands.
The variety of transit options available in this
area provides an opportunity to consider a
wide range of uses on the Quarry Lands.
56
L A N D S
An assessment of the capacity of the road net-
work is needed to identify existing deficien-
cies and to determine the impacts of future
development.
Other studies in the area will provide opportu-
nities for redevelopment along Danforth
Avenue, in the Warden Corridor and along
Kingston Road. The progress of these studies
and decisions concerning development need
to be considered in planning for the Quarry
lands.
Concept plans for the Quarry Lands need to
be designed carefully with respect to the
placement of roads, and the pattern of devel-
opment blocks to ensure that development
will avoid the watermain, storm sewers and
combined sanitary and storm sewers that
cross the area.
The range and distribution of lands uses on
the Quarry Lands may also be affected by
these large trunk services.
Q U A R R Y
Next Steps
The Study Area Profile will inform the work in
later phases of the study. It also identifies infor-
mation gaps and further assessment will be
required in later phases of the study with respect
to community services and facilities and trans-
portation issues.
Phase 2 of the study process is the development
of guiding principles and a vision for the future
development of the Quarry Lands. Concept plans
57
L A N D S
will be prepared that reflect the vision and devel-
opment principles. Phase 2 of the study will be
conducted in consultation with landowners, com-
munity associations, residents and other stake-
holders. A working group of landowners, com-
munity representatives, Ward Councillors and
City staff will guide the visioning exercise.
Larger community meetings will be held to ensure
that the broader community has an opportunity
for input into the study.