The Urban Field Experience

Presentation By: Elie Selwan

Background Information of the Company

4 Significant Projects

Current Project

My Placement Experience How it related to Urban Studies

Questions & Comments

Agenda:

Location:

Background :

R.E. Millward & Associates Ltd was established in 1997, and is considered an experienced consulting firm that offers a wide range of services including,

development planning strategic advice project management services to investors, developers,

institutions, industries and municipalities.

The firm has demonstrated excellence in public realm program and policy development.

Services Offered: Strategic planning and governmental relations Land use and planning approval Policy and design guidelines Development for coordinated furniture programs Land development logistics Economic and community development studies  Preparing Master Plans Due diligence for investors and developer Strategic advice on planning and governmental matters Planning and policy analysis  Official Plan policies and zoning bylaw Advice on outdoor advertising and municipal sign bylaw Organizing and coordinating public consultation and workshops  Policy and program evaluation  

President: Robert E. Millward, FCIP, RPP

As president and founder of R.E. Millward & Associates Ltd. , Mr. Millward oversees all projects, adding value

through years of planning experience within Toronto and Internationally. From 1987 to 1996, Mr. Millward served as

the Commissioner of Planning and Development for the City of Toronto.

While Commissioner, Mr. Millward participated in major

development initiatives in Toronto that include, The SkyDome The Railway Lands Air Canada Centre The Harbourfront BCE Place Expansion of the Convention Centre The Trade Centre at the CNE Woodbine Racetrack redevelopment

Robert Millward graduated from New York University with a Masters in Urban Planning and a B.A from the University of Rochester, New York. He is a Registered Professional Planner, a member of the Ontario Provincial Planning Institute, and a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Associates:Geoffery McGrath M.Sc.Pl Specifies in reviewing design and placement guidelines, reviews

municipal, regional and provincial planning policy initiatives. Advises developers in preparing development application forms. Conducts extensive site analysis and field research support for

various forms of developments.

Melissa McEnro M.Sc. Pl Tracking development activity, major policy initiatives, and building

permits in the City of Toronto for Bell Canada. Conducting an ongoing review of sustainability and planning policies

in the North American context.

Clients:

Ontario Realty Corporation

  Filmport/Toronto Film Studios

                       

Berkeley Consulting Group   

4 Key Projects: Coordinated Street Furniture Program:

Advisied municipalities on developing coordinated street furniture programs. R.E. Millward & Associates were the Project Director for

Coordinated Street Furniture Programs in York Region, the City of Ottawa and the Greater Amman Municipality in Jordan. In 2005, R.E. Millward &

Associates was retained by the City of Toronto to act as Project Director for a Coordinated Street Furniture Program.

Union Station Master Plan: R.E. Millward & Associates served as Project Director for the Peer Review of

Union Station’s Master Plan.

Filmport Toronto Studios: R.E. Millward & Associates helped devise the strategy that has produced

Filmport, a major film studio in Toronto’s Don Lands Development. Mr. Millward was responsible for providing expert advice on managing the City of Toronto approval process, developing the RFP, negotiating with City staff, and

securing due diligence.

Concrete Campus: R.E. Millward & Associates was Project Manager/Chief Planner for the

rezoning process of four aggregate companies wanting to locate along the ship channel in Toronto’s Port Lands.

Current Project: New Zoning Bylaw Amendment in Mimico

region at Lake shore Blvd. & Superior Ave.

Developer proposed an 8 storey mixed commercial residential (MCR) building

City of Toronto’s Official Plan (OP) , has not been updated since 2009.

Today the Mimico Region is dire need of revitalization plan, as a result a official document was released titled MIMICO 20/20 Revitalization Action Plan, which was put in effect by the City of Toronto and The province of Ontario in 2010.

IBI GROUP

Focus Consulting Inc.

According to the OP zoning bylaw for address 2388-2390 Lake Shore Blvd. W & 13 Superior Ave, The City of Toronto has the site specific Zoning By-law 971-2003 which permits a 7-storey Seniors’ Home Residence.

Furthermore, there is a heritage landmark on the site.

Currently exists on the Site:

Vacant commercial building on Lake Shore Blvd.

Vacant Police/Fire Hall building on Superiors Ave. (Designated as a Heritage Site)

Resourced Used & Needed: Create a Segment Study- Which provides evidence

that the proposed development is a successful project.

Avenue Study Official document- Mimico 20/20 Revitalization Action

Plan Report, Toronto OP, Ontario Planning Act. Med Size Design & Height Guidelines Heritage Preservation Strategic Plan Community Consultation Objective

-City of Toronto Development Approval Process-

Pre-application Consultation

Submission of Complete Application

Application Circulation (Technical response, community consultation)

Response to Applicant

Application Revision and Resubmission

Recirculation, Consultation, Further Revisions, Finalization and Staff Report –(Current Project)

Public Meeting at Community Council

Council Decision

(Opportunity to Appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board)

OPA/Zoning By-Law in Effect

Why this project is significant?

It is the first development in the revitalization process for the Mimico Region.

It is not only bringing people to the Mimico, but rather creating an innovative sustainable region which will ultimately be a desirable place to live.

The project has been called the “guinea pig” development for the region.

Projects Challenges & Issues:

1. Heritage site on Superior Avenue. Developer vs. The City

2. Public Consultation (Aging population)

3. The Design of the Building (from 10 to 8 storeys)

My Placement ExperienceResearch Municipal Documents (polices, zoning, applications etc.)

Input data on various updates on Current Projects in the GTA (Waterfront Revitalization Development)

Attended council meeting, public meeting, Ontario Municipal Board hearings and various meeting with developers/consulates

Fieldwork study various on specified sites

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MOQi-77iW4

Presentation for the Tall Building Report:

What I’ve Learned?

Clashes Public vs. Private Sector The development process in Toronto Zoning By-Laws & various Policies/Studies initiatives Municipal/Provincial Documents (Places to Grow, Planning Act, Official Plan etc.) Design/Sustainability principles and guidelines for

smart growth and creating a higher quality of life for neighbourhoods.

My Placement Experience

Likes: Involved (Attended meetings and events) Interesting Friendly Understanding Dislikes: Sometimes they forgot that I’m only the Intern

coming in once a week. Long hours starring in front of a computer.

My Placement Experience

How has this experience related to the Urban Studies Program?

The City of Toronto Courses with Professor Jon Caulfield

Urban planning : Theory & Practice

Made it clear that Urban Planning is a key interdisciplinary that plays a major role in politics, economics and overall social functionality.

My Placement Experience

Thank You.

Questions &

Comments