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Bulletin of Events, Activities and Trends |
FoNTRA Newsletter - October 2024 |
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Dear Association Contact
This email is the tenth edition of our monthly eNewsletter - with information on upcoming meetings and other activities across the City.
October is a month of transformation and celebration. The vivid colors of fall foliage, Halloween spookiness, and pumpkins everywhere. The end of daylight saving time brings earlier sunsets and cozier evenings.
Our lead article this month focusses on the proposal PH16.1 to change As-of-Right zoning for mid-rise buildings and updated rear transition performance standards. This proposal will come to the Planning and Housing Committee next week and includes the following documents:
As-of-Right Zoning for Mid-Rise Buildings with Attachment 1 Attachment 2: Draft Zoning By-Law Amendment (TO BE ADDED) Notice of Public Meeting: Building in CR Zones on certain Avenues Attachment 1a: Supplementary Report ... overview of various studies.
We will also alert you another proposal PH16.2 with respect to changes in zoning on another 190 residential properties across the city. The City budget will also be the focus for several months and we encourage all residents to get involved in this process.
Feel free to share the contents with fellow residents and neighbours.
Best regards,
Geoff and Cathie
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The Avenues They are A-Changin' |
Photo Credit: ASR Engineers |
PH16.1: As-of-Right Zoning for Mid-rise Buildings on Avenues and Updated Rear Transition Performance Standards - Final Report
Note that the agenda item description (above) does not mention the CR Zone matters that are a key part of the proposal.
As-of-Right Zoning for Mid-Rise Buildings with Attachment 1
This report is comprehensive in scope and would benefit from a presentation package that provides visual illustrations and maps to explain the proposal. Here are the key recommendations: New CR Zone development standard sets SS4 & SS5 Height Permissions by amending the Height Overlay Map Density Permissions by amending Zone Labels on the Zoning Map New rear setback provision to replace and extend the (2010) rear yard angular plane requirement.
Attachment 2: Draft Zoning By-Law Amendment (TO BE ADDED) When zoning changes are recommended to the Planning & Housing Committee, draft zoning by-law amendments must be included for review This document is missing!
Notice of Public Meeting: Mid-Rise Buildings in CR Zones on certain Avenues This notice appears to relate to the CR Zone portion of the agenda item and this may create some confusion Public Meetings typically require a separate presentation of the subject material (i.e., specific to the CR Zone) to offer an opportunity for detailed review and examination.
Attachment 1a: Supplementary Report ... overview of various studies It is unclear how the agenda item can proceed where the required By-Law Amendment is missing. We will provide an update when we can. Planning & Housing Committee Meeting: Residents' associations are encouraged to contact their councillor to gain a better understanding of the proposal in advance of the scheduled Planning & Housing Committee meeting.
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PH16.2: Incorporating Low-rise Residential Lands into Zoning By-law 569-2013 |
Image by pikisuperstar on Freepik |
City staff have completed the first phase of the study's work plan for the Toronto and East York district, by reviewing approximately 327 properties subject to former municipal zoning by-laws and assessing the appropriateness of each property for inclusion in the City-wide Zoning By-law. This report recommends approval of the attached zoning amendments to incorporate approximately 190 low-rise residential properties into the City-wide Zoning By-law.
It is not clear whether the owners of the subject properties have been advised of the proposed changes.
Meeting Details: Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2024 - LINK
Residents' associations should review the addresses of the 190 low-rise properties listed in the report. The associations may want to contact the owner's about the proposed changes.
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City of Toronto: Provide your Input - Stormwater Management Incentives Consultation |
Photo Credit: City Planning |
The City of Toronto is reviewing City programs that provide incentives, such as subsidies and grants, to help property owners take actions that reduce basement flooding risks and/or stormwater runoff on their property. As part of this review, the City is looking for public feedback on current and potential incentive programs for private property, such as the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program and potential subsidies for green infrastructure.
Feedback complete the online survey before November 5, 2024 submit questions and comments by e-mail or phone
To receive plain text version of the survey via email, contact
The public consultation period is October 23 to November 5, 2024. A summary of public feedback gathered through the consultation will be part of a report to Executive Committee and City Council planned for the end of 2024.
The City also welcome feedback from community groups and interested parties.
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Image Credit: City of Toronto |
City of Toronto: BudgetTO Survey to determine what Matters to You
The City of Toronto is working hard to deliver world-class services, build more affordable housing, and get our city moving.
The 2024 budget made much-needed investments to improve public transit, fix our roads, extend library hours, and open pools and park washrooms earlier than ever while also tackling a $1.8 billion shortfall.
Despite this progress, the City still faces financial challenges in 2025 and must make important budget decisions. We need your input to make a budget that delivers on your needs while building a strong financial future for our city.
Through this survey, we want to hear from you about: What is most important to you for the 2025 budget. Your thoughts on federal and provincial funding to support the City. How you can help Toronto achieve its long-term financial goals.
Your feedback is anonymous. Results will be shared with the Mayor, members of City Council and the public. |
City of Toronto: BudgetTO Consultation In-person Meeting in Toronto-East York
Join Mayor Olivia Chow, Budget Committee Chair Shelley Carroll and members of the Budget Committee, online and in person, October 1 to 31 to share your ideas about the City’s 2025 Budget and Toronto’s future. You can also participate by completing the online survey or hosting your own discussion. Have your say about the services that matter to you and how we can work together to build a safe, caring and affordable city where everyone belongs.
Toronto-East York When: October 27, 2024 Where: Rose Avenue Junior Public School 675 Ontario St, Toronto, ON M4X 1N4
Etobicoke-York When: October 28, 2024 Where: Etobicoke Olympium 590 Rathburn Rd, Etobicoke, ON M9C 3T3
Virtual - City Wide When: October 30, 2024 Event Time(s): 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Where: Virtual
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FoNTRA: Special Presentation from Franz Hartmann from the Alliance of a Liveable Ontario (ALO) |
Franz Hartmann Image credit: TEA |
Save the Date for Tuesday, November 19th at 7:00PM
The ALO includes people and groups representing hundreds of thousands of Ontarians from many different sectors. We want to build a liveable Ontario and stop the Provincial Government policies that falsely claim they will solve the housing issues facing us, while harming our communities and undermining the protection of our farmland, natural areas and democratic institutions.
FoNTRA has invited Franz Hartmann from the ALO to make a special virtual presentation at our monthly General Members Meeting. The presentation is titled 'Five Ways to Make Homes Affordable in Ontario.' All residents' associations across the City will be invited to watch this special presentation.
More details to follow soon. The ALO website can be found HERE.
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Eventbrite: Heaps Estrin Storied Homes Walking Tour: Deer Park |
Heaps Estrin Storied Homes Walking Tour: Deer Park From its early days as a stop for weary travellers heading to town for market, to its later history as a streetcar suburb, the Deer Park neighbourhood has been a place of refuge for those seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. Our tour through the neighbourhood will look at some of the area's earliest homes, as well as cutting edge architecture and urban planning that sought to redefine urban living through the 20th century.
Note: All proceeds from our Storied Homes Walking Tours are directed to charitable organizations within the neighborhoods where the walks take place. For this event, donations will support Mothercraft, a local organization dedicated to "shaping children's lives through learning."
More information and ticket purchase HERE.
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FoNTRA's Ward 15 By-Election Committee hosted a virtual candidates meeting on October 16th
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Ward 15 Candidates Meeting
Fourteen FoNTRA member associations joined together to sponsor a Candidate's meeting for the By-Election for ward councillor. The panel for this meeting included 11 candidates who had completed a pre-qualification questionnaire for this meeting.
The meeting was lively and interesting and included both rapid lightning rounds and focussed discussions of five key issues that had been highlighted in the candidate's platforms.
Ward 15 residents are reminded to vote on Monday, November 4th. To find out about Advance voting this weekend and mail-in voting check HERE.
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FoNTRA Submission: Responds to Queen's Park proposed Amendment to the Planning Act for Additional Residential Units |
Additional Residential Units (ARUs): Proposed Amendment to Ontario Regulation 299/19 under the Planning Act (ERO 019-9210)
The proposed regulation is pursuant to Bill 185, the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024. This omnibus bill with the stated intent of removing barriers to building 1.5 million homes by 2031 included changes to a range of legislation including: The regulatory proposal currently being consulted on would remove zoning barriers that discourage additional residential units on a single lot, like basement suites, laneway suites and garden suites.
FoNTRA opposed all of the propose changes on four grounds, namely: technical analysis, jurisdictional overreach, municipal context and broader impacts.
A copy of FoNTRA's letter can be found HERE.
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The FoNTRA recommended read for the month is a recent web post titled "Toronto’s Zoning Bylaws – A Comprehensive Guide" found on the ASR Engineers website. Note that this is not a endorsement of their services.
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Image Credit: ASR Engineers |
Zoning bylaws in the City of Toronto are quite complex and are undergoing significant changes driven by the Ford governments. This article found on the ASR Engineers website provides a good introduction to Zoning Bylaws.
Toronto’s zoning bylaws regulate how land can be used and developed across the city. These complex laws shape everything from building heights to parking requirements. This in-depth guide provides a comprehensive overview of Toronto’s zoning system, delving into its history, key regulations, and processes in extensive detail.
What Are Zoning Bylaws and Why Do They Matter? Zoning bylaws are municipal laws that control development by dividing cities into different zones or districts. Each zone has its own set of land use, building size, height, and design regulations that specify: Permitted uses – What can be legally built, operated, or carried out on a property such as residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional uses. Building size – Restrictions on total floor area, height, lot coverage, and density. Setbacks – Minimum required distances between buildings and property lines. Parking – Minimum number of parking spaces that must be provided.
Zoning aims to create orderly, efficient, and compatible land use patterns within a municipality. Well-planned zoning balances public interests with private property rights. Zoning bylaws help avoid conflicts between incompatible uses like heavy industry next to homes. They manage population density and prevent overcrowding. Zoning regulations also protect established residential neighborhoods and business districts from dramatic changes.
Understanding Toronto’s zoning bylaws is crucial for anyone looking to buy, sell, develop, or renovate property in the city. Activities like changing a building’s use, demolishing structures, or making major additions require compliance with zoning rules. Toronto’s zoning bylaws shape the allowed scale and form of every property and building in the city. Zoning regulations affect housing affordability, infrastructure demands, neighborhood character, and quality of life across Toronto.
Residents are encouraged to read the full contents of the article and provide comments back to FoNTRA. You can find the full article HERE. |
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 |
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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