Development review shapes how the City grows and delivers services necessary to successfully promote and manage growth. The development review and approval system is critical in developing affordable housing, securing parklands, driving economic growth and job creation, supporting landmark projects, and delivering complete communities that meet approved service standards and regulatory requirements across Toronto. In September 2019, City Council adopted the End-to-End Review of the Development Review Process final report, which outlined several recommendations to improve the City's development review process. This included implementing a new operating model focused on organizational structure, process improvements and technology. Implementation of the new operating model began in March 2020 by establishing an interim team-based structure, comprised of a core team of staff across several City divisions, to streamline the review of all development applications received by the City. To expedite implementation of the new operating model in response to the housing crisis, as well as the Government of Ontario’s legislated application review timelines through Bill 109, the More Homes for Everyone Act, 2022, in June 2023, the City established a new centralized service area, Development and Growth Services, and appointed a new Deputy City Manager for the service area. All development and growth-related services and functions in the City, including the review of development applications, are now reporting to the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services. The City divisions under Development and Growth Services include: City Planning, Toronto Building, the Housing Secretariat and a newly created Development Review Division (Development Review). Development Review's mandate is to expedite the review of all development applications received by the City, with a focus on getting more homes, notably affordable homes, built faster within complete communities. To help achieve this mandate, core staff who review development applications across a number of City divisions and disciplines, some working under previously delegated Council authorities currently in effect, will now be consolidated under Development Review. This is vital to streamline decision-making — improve consistency, transparency and accountability — improve service delivery for applicants and City staff — and ultimately, accelerate the City's development application review process. As a result of this consolidation, the delegation of certain development review related authorities to the Executive Director, Development Review, and the appropriate City staff, is required, accompanied by changes to authorities currently delegated to the Chief Planner position. The purpose of this report is to seek the necessary delegated authority from City Council. This is required to move and consolidate City development review-related authorities within the new division. Council approval of the recommendations in this report will help accelerate the establishment of Development Review and advance many of the City’s strategic priorities aimed at improving the quality of life for Torontonians. This includes promoting a well-run city, creating housing that is affordable and helping Torontonians along the housing continuum, keeping Toronto moving, investing in our people and neighbourhoods, and addressing climate change.
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