Mimico 20/20 is a revitalization initiative for the Mimico-By-The-Lake community. In 2009, after consultations with the community, planning consultant Urban Strategies recommended a City-initiated Official Plan amendment for the creation of a framework that addresses key policy areas including Land Use, Rental Housing, Density, Infrastructure, Design and Open Space.
Community Vision
“Mimico-By-The-Lake is a historic Toronto Community that is known for its unique lakeside location within Toronto’s waterfront. It has exemplary public spaces and connections to and along the waterfront with trails, parks and places for community gathering and play; an accessible, attractive and vibrant main street that supports transit and a mix of shops, services, employment opportunities and community activities and is a draw for residents and others outside the area; housing choices and opportunities for renewed rental and ownership; and inclusive participation from an active mixed income community which celebrates its history, diversity, environment, arts and culture.”
Materials & Background
A complete timeline, project updates and current documents are all available on the City of Toronto website Mimico 20/20 Page.
MRA’s Survey Results and current 20/20 and Development News can be found on the MRA News blog.
MRA Position Statements – Released May 22, 2012
Statement on the MRA’s position with regard to the
Mimico 20/20 Consultation meeting scheduled for May 29th, 2012
While the MRA appreciates that residents are being given the opportunity to participate in the process, we are concerned that:
- The meeting is not being held in Mimico.
- It reached maximum capacity in nine days, meaning that residents who wish to provide feedback will not have the opportunity to do so.
- The number of participants may not be large enough to be representative of the entire community.
- It appears that community feedback is only being requested on built form.
To accommodate residents who were unable to attend the May 29th meeting, we request that this meeting be held on a second date, as follows:
- Scheduled in June.
- Located within Mimico’s boundaries.
- Formal opportunity for community feedback on all aspects of the plan. In addition, we request that an online survey be developed and distributed to capture broader local audience participation.
Statement on the MRA’s position with regard to the
Mimico 20/20 exercise
As always, we appreciate the opportunity to be consulted by the City and receiving the framework provided for the discussion during the May 29th, 2012 meeting.
The MRA hopes that all of the building blocks presented will receive discussion and be open for input. The contextual background document provided suggests that only input on the BUILT FORM is being requested from residents.
In order for residents to be prepared, we encourage the City to post their land use revitalization continuum map for land use planning prior to the May 29th meeting.
Statement on the MRA’s position with regard to the
May 29th, 2012 community meeting – Built Form
At the May 29th meeting, the City is seeking community input on height and massing in Mimico.
The MRA’s position is that we strongly oppose having building heights and densities similar to Humber Bay Shores in Mimico.
In the light of this situation, we request that an appropriate height restriction by-law be developed for each individual zone, suitable for each unique part of the neighbourhood as well as the overall infrastructure.
We ask that community consultation regarding adequate parkland, spacing and height restrictions be considered.
Statement on the MRA’s position with regard to the
Longo Group’s “Telephone Town Hall” Community Consultation
While the MRA appreciates the Longo Group engaging the community, we question the objectives as well as the effectiveness of conducting Town Hall Meetings via telephone. Until the objectives and process are clarified, we do not support this method of consultation.
We encourage the Longo Group to continuing seeking community feedback and invite them to consider other methods of communication. As well, the MRA Board would be pleased to host a meeting the Longo Group.
In 2010 the MRA Board discussed community concerns regarding the variety of development options being examined by planners as part of the Mimico 20/20 process, which may include the demolition or replacement of some of the existing residential rental units with newer development. This prospect raised concerns that existing tenants may be affected by way of loss of rental accommodations. As a result of this discussion, the MRA developed the position below.
MRA POSITION RE: Mimico 20/20 and the Rights of Tenants
[Statement Issued 2010]
The area south of Lake Shore Boulevard between Lake Crescent to the West and Marina Del Ray to the East (“Mimico Waterfront”) is largely comprised of numerous residential dwelling units of a rental tenure.
Mimico 20/20 is a City initiated process which is examining the future of the Mimico Waterfront. We understand there to be a variety of development options being examined which may include the demolition or replacement of some of these existing residential rental units with newer development. This prospect raises concerns that existing tenants may be affected by way of loss of rental accommodations.
The Mimico Residents Association believes that tenants need protection under any development scenario for the Mimico Waterfront that may be considered by the City. This protection needs to take the form of:
- Protecting affordable rental residential units,
Ensuring that any affordable residential units that are required to be demolished by way of redevelopment of the Mimico Waterfront should be replaced with new replacement rental units, - Rents of any new replacement rental units should be similar in rent as to any units that have been lost.
- Developers of lands affecting affordable rental dwelling units should be required to provide suitable assistance to any renter disrupted through redevelopment.
The Mimico Residents Association is concerned that the interest of tenants within the Mimico Waterfront be protected during any redevelopment scenario being considered for the Mimico Waterfront.