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Bulletin of Events, Activities and Trends |
FoNTRA Newsletter - May 2024 |
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Dear RA contact
This email is the fifth edition of monthly eNewsletter - with information on upcoming meetings and other activities across the City.
The month of May promises to be a busy month for residents' associations with OPA and bylaw changes coming to the Planning and Housing Committee. The Ford Government has proposed significant changes with Bill 185 and revisions to the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS).
Feel free to share the contents with residents and fellow neighbours.
Best regards,
Geoff and Cathie
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What's Up with Major Streets? |
Image Credit - City of Toronto |
The City-initiated Official Plan Amendment (OPA 727) introduces policies that enable townhouses and small-scale apartment buildings (up to 6 storeys) to be built city-wide on properties designated Neighbourhoods and in the Residential Zone category along the major streets, as shown on Map 3 of the Official Plan. The Official Plan Amendment will include the following changes:
- Modify the policies in Section 4.1 - Neighbourhoods to provide the opportunity to develop the recommended building types along the major streets;
- Support changes to the lot pattern and density along the major streets to provide flexibility in built form in these areas;
- Introduce new development criteria policies, specific to townhouses and small scale apartment buildings, in a new sub-section to the Neighbourhoods policies, Development Criteria in Neighbourhoods for Properties along Major Streets; and
- Introduce a new sidebar language to provide clarity on the role of the Map 3 major streets.
The City-wide Zoning By-law 569-2013 is proposed to be amended to:
- Permit townhouses and small-scale apartment buildings along the major streets in the RD, RS, RT and RM zones;
- Introduce built form standards for townhouses and small scale apartment buildings;
- Introduce two new definitions into Chapter 800, one for Primary Windows and one for Major Streets.
The Notice for Public Meeting has been issued and will take place during the Planning and Housing Committee meeting on May 9th. You can find a copy of the notice HERE.Next Steps for RA's:
Residents' association members should review the available material and analyze the impact on their communities. Pay attention to the land parcels that will be rezoned as part of this proposal.Look for the full study report to be published on TMMIS on May 2nd.
Reach out to your local councillors and raise your concerns. Plan to write a letter or make a deputation to the Planning and Housing Committee on May 9th.FoNTRA has created a Popup Working Group that includes representatives from residents' associations across the City. Contact us at info@fontra.ca for more information.
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Bill 185: Government of Ontario Proposes Suite of Changes to Land Use Planning and DevelopmentThe Ontario Bar Association website features a comprehensive article on the Proposed Amendments included descriptions of 'What Does This Mean for You?' The article is written by Peter Voltsinis, Matt Reiner, Jennifer Evola, Signe Leisk and can be found HERE.
Here are three sections of the Bill that we have highlighted for your review.
LIMITS ON THIRD-PARTY APPEALS:
- Bill 185 proposes to limit existing appeal rights to municipally approved official plans, official plan amendments, zoning by-laws, and zoning by-law amendments.
- Under this proposal, third-party appellants (i.e., Residents) would be limited to specified persons who made written or oral submissions and public bodies who made written or oral submissions.
- The goal is to streamline the appeal process and provide more certainty for developers and municipalities.
REPEAL OF MANDATORY PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATIONS:
- In response to pre-application consultation requirements, Bill 185 removes the municipal authority's ability to mandate pre-consultation for applications related to official plan amendments, zoning by-law amendments, site plan approvals, and draft plans of subdivision. - This change aims to simplify the process and encourage collaboration between developers and municipalities⁷.
INCREASED REGULATION-MAKING POWER REGARDING ACCESSORY UNITS:
- Bill 185 proposes an enhanced regulation-making authority to address barriers limiting the development of ARUs.
- These additional residential units include garden suites, laneway suites, and basement suites.
- The Minister would have broader authority to remove municipal zoning by-law restrictions that hinder the creation of ARUs.
Next Steps for RA's:
Residents' association members should review the available material and analyze the impact on their communities.
Reach out to your local MPPs and raise your concerns. Plan to write to or apply to speak to the Standing Committee that is considering Bill 185.The Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods (FUN) will prepare a formal response. Look for the FUN submission.All of the proposed changes are subject to public consultation through the ERO until May 10, 2024. The Ontario Legislature is in session up to and including June 13, 2024. It is anticipated that Bill 185, which may be subject to further change, will be adopted prior to the legislature breaking for the season.
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ERO posting no. 019-8369 outlines the proposed changes to the Planning Act, City of Toronto Act, 2006, and Municipal Act, 2001.
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ERO posting no. 019-8366 outlines the regulatory changes to the Planning Act to allow for the accelerated province-wide implementation of additional residential units.
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Alliance for a Liveable Ontario - Informed Discussion on the Proposed Bill 185 and changes to the Provincial Policy Statement.- Date: Monday, April 29
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Virtual Meeting
Join Victor Doyle (Professional Land Use Planner) and Mark Reusser (Director, Waterloo Federation of Agriculture) for an informed discussion of the Province's new Bill 185 and proposed changes to the Provincial Policy Statement.
Click HERE for registration.
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Changes to Provincial Planning Statement |
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Image Credit - City of Ottawa PPS Proposal: Government of Ontario Proposes Suite of Changes to Land Use Planning and DevelopmentOn April 10, 2024, Ontario released an updated draft of the proposed Provincial Planning Statement. This release comes one year after the "2023" draft of the Statement was issued for public comment.
Here are three sections of the proposed PPS that we have highlighted for your review.
1. Housing:
The proposed Statement aims to encourage the construction of 1.5 million homes by 2031. It integrates various planning documents into a single, province-wide, housing-focused land use planning document. New policies apply specifically to 29 large and fast-growing municipalities in Ontario. The vision emphasizes "the building of more homes for all Ontarians." Planning decisions will consider land availability, infrastructure, public services, strategic growth areas, and employment areas over a 25-year horizon.
2. Strategic Growth Areas:
The Statement incorporates policies from the existing Growth Plan. It emphasizes sufficient land availability for an appropriate mix of land uses. Strategic growth areas are considered beyond the 25-year horizon. The goal is to increase residential development across Ontario.
3. Major Transit Station Areas:
Draft section 2.4.2 imports and modifies current Growth Plan policies for major transit station areas. Notably, it includes existing minimum density targets. These provisions aim to enhance land use planning around transit hubs and promote supportive land uses, including affordable housing.
Next Steps for RA's:
Residents' associations should review the available material and analyze the impact on their communities.
Reach out to your local MPPs and raise your concerns.The Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods (FUN) will prepare a formal response. Look for the FUN submission.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is seeking your feedback on an updated proposed Provincial Planning Statement (ERO #019-6813). |
Environmental Defence: Toronto Rally to Stop the 413 this Sunday!
- Date: Sunday, April 28
- Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Location: East Lynn Park, 1949 Danforth Ave
Residents from all across Toronto will be gathering in East Lynn Park, near Woodbine Station, to demand federal action on Highway 413! The federal government still has the power - and the responsibility - to stop Highway 413. They must keep their promise to pass an updated Impact Assessment Act and quickly re-designate the highway for a full impact assessment.
If you can’t attend the rally, show your support with a lawn sign!
Get a lawn sign HERE.
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Waterfront Toronto: Learn more about the plans for ‘Villiers Island’ and the future opportunities for public input- Date: Thursday, May 2
- Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Location: 251 Queens Quay East
‘Villiers Island’ is the planned community that will develop on the new island created by the rerouted Don River as part of Port Lands Flood Protection. This island is almost entirely public lands, and presents an opportunity to build new housing, including affordable housing.
At a virtual public meeting in March 2024, City Staff shared the recommended approach to increasing housing, including affordable housing on the new island, that resulted from a Density Study.
You can find out more information about this event HERE.
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Yonge4All and walktoronto: Jane's Walk - Why Sidewalks Matter- Date: Saturday, May 4
- Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Grab your walking shoes and join Walk Toronto and Yonge For All to explore life on the sidewalk!
How do sidewalks impact our daily journeys in the city? They are the life-lines that connect us to our workplaces, schools, shops, leisure activities and each other. But do they improve our journey or make it less enjoyable?
Join us for a walk on the newly installed Yonge Complete Street to consider how elements of sidewalk design can improve or possibly hinder pedestrian movement and urban life and what can be done to make the journey better.
Lee Scott – Walk Toronto
Holly Reid - Yonge4All
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Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants Apply Now! |
The Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants will be launching on April 22, 2024. Grants of up to $7,500 will be available for resident-led climate action projects.
- Launch Date: Monday, April 22
- Deadline for submissions: Wednesday, June 12
About this Program:
The Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants aim to increase awareness and engagement on climate action at the local level by funding activities and events that:
Click HERE for registration
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Photo Credit: Aditya Chinchure |
The Tyee: Can Highrises Be Neighbourly? It’s ComplicatedAs Vancouver changes, so do the ways people can choose, or reject, community.
Meg Holden and Yushu Zhu wrote the original article in the Conversation that we republished in The Tyee on April 22, 2024.
Meg Holden is a professor of urban studies and resource and environmental management at Simon Fraser University, where Yushu Zhu is an assistant professor of urban studies and public policy.
Here is a summary of their article.Neighbourly Challenges in Densifying Cities: Researchers from Simon Fraser University have delved into the dynamics of neighbourliness in Canadian cities experiencing rapid densification. As more high-density buildings emerge, understanding residents’ willingness to connect with their neighbours becomes crucial. Positive interactions foster trust, well-being, and community participation. However, recent trends show that fewer people actively seek to deepen neighbourly ties.
Complexity Beyond Social Isolation: Rather than sounding alarms about anti-social behavior, we should recognize the complexity of the situation. Classical assumptions about neighbouring may not hold true today. Demographics are shifting, and old-fashioned models of neighbourly communities no longer fit. Efforts to increase housing supply are at an all-time high, with a significant share of homes now in high-rises. As neighbourhoods transform, so do the ways people choose or reject community.
Balancing Change and Connection: The challenge lies in balancing urban growth with social cohesion. While high-rises offer efficiency and density, fostering neighbourliness requires intentional efforts. As Canada’s housing landscape evolves, policymakers, developers, and residents must find innovative ways to create inclusive, connected communities within the vertical cityscape1.For the full article, you can visit The Tyee.
For the full article, you can visit The Tyee.
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If you are aware of any upcoming events that may be of interest to residents' associations across the City, please let us know. Send the information about the event to info@fontra.ca
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Check out the FoNTRA website for the latest updates on events and activities across the city. The link to the FoNTRA website is HERE.
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