

Chris Fox, CP24.com





A partnership with a developer that would result in a new home for an east-end shelter will be up for debate today as executive committee meets at city hall.

The Red Door Family Shelter’s future had been in question ever since the building where it was housed at 875 Queen Street East went into receivership last year, but a deal announced in March could allow the facility to stay right where it is.

The deal with developer Harhay Construction would see the city finance a new 20,000 square foot shelter space as part of a seven-story condominium at the site and then rent it back at a cost of $1 a year.

The new shelter will contain 94 beds, which is a slight reduction from the 106 beds currently housed at the Red Door Family Shelter.

During today’s meeting, executive committee will vote on a motion that would authorize the general manager of shelter, support and housing administration to enter into a binding agreement of purchases for the new shelter space. Following that the executive committee will vote on another motion that would authorize city staff to negotiate a “long-term below market lease” with WoodGreen Red Door Family Shelter for the operation of the facility.

The total cost of financing construction of the new shelter has not been released, however that detail along with several others included in a confidential report could be made public at the conclusion of today’s meeting.

Drones also on agenda

In addition to the future of the Red Door Family Shelter, executive committee is also expected to consider a motion from Coun. James Pasternak concerning the use of drones above city-owned land, particularly parks and other recreational areas.

The motion asks the executive director of municipal, licensing and standards to report back to executive committee with a “strategy governing the use of drones,” that includes information about safety concerns, potential liability issues, possible restrictions and the potential for only permitting the use of drones in select spaces.

"There is an increasing number of personal unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), commonly known as a drones, being used by members of the public for recreation and commercial purposes. This has led to several recent high profile incidents of drones being flown in restricted or private airspace including a drone crashing on to the White House Lawn in January 2015," Pasternak writes in his motion. "The City of Toronto is responsible for an enormous amount of outdoor spaces including road, sidewalks, parks and recreation facilities such as soccer fields, rinks, basketball courts and golf courses. City Council is seeking clarity for the use of drones over City of Toronto outdoor spaces."

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