The Downsview Secondary Plan area comprises approximately 530 hectares in total and is generally bounded by Keele Street to the west, Wilson Heights Boulevard to the east, Sheppard Avenue to the north and Wilson Avenue and Highway 401 to the south. Since the approval of the Downsview Area Secondary Plan in 1999, many changes have occurred in terms of transportation and policy initiatives, most notably the current expansion of the TTC’s Yonge-University-Spadina subway line. These changes led City Council to direct city planning staff to undertake a review and update of the Downsview Area Secondary Plan in May 2008, in order to clarify the goals, objectives and priorities of the Secondary Plan. Since 2008, the City has completed all of the required background studies and has prepared a final draft of the Downsview Area Secondary Plan.

Urban Strategies was retained by Build Toronto to respond to the City’s draft Downsview Area Secondary Plan through an Official Plan Amendment. In keeping with the findings of the City of Toronto’s background studies and the overall policy direction outlined in the City’s draft Downview Area Secondary Plan document, Urban Strategies, in collaboration with Build Toronto, proposed a few refinements, specifically as it relates to residential density attributed to Build Toronto’s lands in the Allen District. As part of the Official Plan Amendment submission, Urban Strategies prepared a planning justification report and Build Toronto’s draft Downsview Area Secondary Plan. Build Toronto’s draft Downsview Area Secondary Plan was substantially approved by the OMB in collaboration with the City of Toronto in August 2011.

Urban Strategies advised Build Toronto on the second phase of the approvals process-district plan, rezoning and plan of subdivision application.