Toronto developers could help fund transit growth

Toronto's chief planner says developers behind mega-projects could be called upon to contributefunding to helpexpand the city's transit infrastructure.

Jennifer Keesmaatsaid that under section 37 of the planning act, developers can make a deal for more height or higher density in exchange for making contributions to the community.

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Amida much-publicized and dramatic proposal by famed Canadian architect Frank Gehry and theatre mogul David Mirvishtobuild a three-tower complexat King and John Streets, Keesmaat said it might be time to examine how the city's transit crunchcould benefit frombig construction projects.

"That would be one way, to take section 37 monies and put them in a fund specifically for transit," she said.

"We need to do some work in that area to make sure we are getting the kinds of public benefits that we ought to be getting."

The city has mademillions of dollars through such deals over the years, but there are still several other options to consider for how to cover transit expansion costs, including property taxes to parking levies.