Toronto/CMEDIA: Following yesterday’s dismissal of the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), the City of Toronto Garden Suites Bylaw is in full force.
In wake of the substantial housing needs across a variety of housing types, tenures, and levels of affordability, allowing greater variety in the type and form of housing is one solution to increase housing choice and access for current and future Toronto residents.
Garden suites are a form of housing that is now permitted in Toronto. The proposed garden suite needs to meet various performance criteria, such as maximum building height and setbacks, as well as all applicable bylaw standards, to apply for a building permit.
“This is good news and it will help get some more housing built…‘Made In Toronto’ solution…Allowing garden suites across Toronto is a key step forward in expanding housing choice within the City’s neighborhoods and creating a more inclusive and resilient city for current and future residents,” Toronto Mayor John Tory said in a news release.
Zoning Bylaw requirements by any garden suite proposal can seek a minor variance application at the Committee of Adjustment allowing City Planning staff to review the application to determine the appropriateness of the proposed variances to meet the intent of the Official Plan policies and the Zoning Bylaw.
“Housing is essential to every resident in our city and is key to building sustainable and inclusive communities…The garden suites initiative will create gentle density increases where residents have access to parks, schools, and main street businesses and restaurants,” said Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão (Davenport), Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee.
Considered as part of the City’s Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) program. Carden suites and other forms of housing offer a necessary adjustment to Toronto’s current growth strategy by allowing for the creation of a variety of housing forms and creating a better, more equitable and more resilient city for current and future residents for people of different ages, abilities, and incomes, for people to move within their current neighbourhood to support generational housing turnover, and for new residents to find a home.
“The garden suites decision by the Ontario Land Tribunal acknowledges the extensive, professional work and consultation undertaken by City Planning staff…Allowing garden suites across Toronto…creating a more inclusive and resilient city for current and future residents,” said Gregg Lintern, Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning
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