Yonge-Steeles Urban Design Study and Streetscape Plan

Change is coming to the Yonge Street and Steeles Avenue corridor. The City of Vaughan is updating the Yonge-Steeles Corridor Urban Design and Streetscape Plan – and wants to share recent updates and the draft plan with you!

 

The plan will build on existing City policy frameworks and guidelines to support the evolution of the Yonge Street and Steeles Avenue corridor as an attractive transit-oriented, vibrant and sustainable urban environment, and an inviting destination for people and businesses.

 

Get involved

The DRAFT Yonge-Steeles Corridor Urban Design and Streetscape Plan is now available for review.

Yonge-Steeles Corridor Urban Design and Streetscape Plan (PDF)

 

Comments about the project can be submitted to the project team via email at yongesteeles@vaughan.ca until Friday, March 31.

 

A virtual public meeting was held on March 6, thank you to those who attended.

Public Meeting: Yonge and Steeles Urban Design Streetscape Plan

Review online presentation material to learn more about:

• the project and study updates.
• the project design framework.
• streetscape plans.
• draft design guidelines.
• how the plan will be implemented.

 

Study area map (PDF)

 

• Stakeholder meeting 1 – Q4 2020 (complete)
  • Stakeholder meeting presentation (PDF)
  • Stakeholder meeting minutes (PDF)
  • Stakeholder mural engagement (PDF)
• Technical Advisory Committee meeting 1 – Q1 2021 (complete)
  • Meeting minutes (PDF)
  • Presentation (PDF)
• Technical Advisory Committee meeting 2 – Q2 2021 (complete)
  • Presentation (PDF)
• Design Review Panel meeting – Q3 2021 (complete)
  • Presentation (PDF)
• Stakeholder Meeting 2 – Q4 2022 (complete)
  • Presentation (PDF)
• Technical Advisory Committee meeting 3 – Q4 2022 (complete)
  • Presentation (PDF)
• Public Meeting – March 6, 2023
  • Notice (PDF)
  • Yonge-Steeles Corridor Urban Design and Streetscape Plan (PDF)

 

Project Updates

​The Yonge-Steeles Urban Design Study and Streetscape Plan will take place in three phases:

 

1.     Development of design framework

• Understand the existing characteristics and development trends of the neighbourhood
  • View the Yonge Steeles urban Design and Streetscape Study - Existing Conditions and Analysis (PDF)
• Build from the Yonge-Steeles Corridor Secondary Plan to develop the framework
• Engagement activities, including a stakeholder workshop, Technical Advisory Committee meeting and Vaughan Design Review Panel meeting 

 

2.     Streetscape plan

• Develop concrete plans and strategies to support the vision
• Develop and test alternative streetscape design concepts
• Engagement activities, including a virtual Public Open House and Technical Advisory Committee meeting 

 

3.     Implementation and phasing

• Work with costing consultant to develop costs for implementation of the streetscape plan
• Engagement activities, including the second stakeholder workshop, a third Technical Advisory Committee meeting and a presentation to Vaughan Council

 

About

The Yonge Steeles Corridor Secondary Plan (2010) was adopted by Vaughan Council in 2010 and York Region Council in 2016. It was appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) and following OLT settlements and resolutions, an amended Secondary Plan came into effect in August 2022. The study area is located on the west side of Yonge Street and the north side of Steeles Avenue between Yonge Street and Palm Gate Boulevard. The two segments along the west side of Yonge Street are between Steeles Avenue West and Arnold Avenue and between Thornhill Golf Course lands and Highway 407, divided by the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District.

 

Key objectives of this study include:

• developing an understanding of the area context
• taking a comprehensive approach to public realm design that considers sustainability, resilience and well-being
• integrating with work already completed as part of the Secondary Plan
• establishing a framework to guide the urban design of the area as new development occurs 

 

When complete, the Yonge-Steeles Urban Design Study and Streetscape Plan will be a reference document for the City and developers to help guide public and private development within the study area. The study will promote:

• design excellence for existing and new developments within the area
• spaces that inspire the community to gather and come together
• safe and accessible opportunities for people to walk and cycle to and through the area
• access to open spaces
• transit-supportive developments  

 

The Yonge-Steeles Corridor will accommodate public transit services when the Yonge Subway Line’s future extension on Yonge Street is fully implemented. Yonge Street will also serve as a vital link to the City of Toronto and throughout York Region, with major subway station hubs that will contribute to its evolution from a car-oriented street to a vibrant, urban destination that is well-connected to the larger community.

 

The Yonge-Steeles Corridor Urban Design Study and Streetscape Plan Study will: 

• create a design framework and guideline for the public space in and around the Yonge and Steeles area, ensuring development applications are equipped to keep with the vision and principles established in the Yonge-Steeles Corridor Secondary Plan.
• develop a streetscape plan that will include cross-sections for all streets within the study a​rea and provide a framework for the layout and design of public and private streetscapes – including anything streetscape-related in compliance with the Council-approved City-Wide Streetscape Implementation Manual and Financial Strategy (2014).
• ensure an implementation and phasing strategy that will include operations and maintenance costing for the streetscape plan to allow City staff to determine streetscape capital implementation funding strategies and cost-sharing opportunities.
• recommend urban design and streetscape policies be incorporated into the Yonge-Steeles Corridor Secondary Plan.