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Thanks for fighting the good fight, @Northern Light
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Zoning Reform Ideas
- Thread starter A Torontonian Now
- Start date
Northern Light
Superstar
Listening in the background to the meeting when I can...........
Bradford is clearly in favour of raising/eliminating the 30 unit limit.
Myers is concerned about not enough parking and circular driveways; the former because he's concerned that transit sucks in Scarborough, the latter because Wheel Trans can't stop on busy streets.
Bradford is clearly in favour of raising/eliminating the 30 unit limit.
Myers is concerned about not enough parking and circular driveways; the former because he's concerned that transit sucks in Scarborough, the latter because Wheel Trans can't stop on busy streets.
Northern Light
Superstar
Bradford challenging staff on the 30 unit requirement, staff reply.
- Yes, solid waste management has been routinely agreeing to waive Type G loading spaces on buildings up to 60 units since last year, however, they can't actually grant that directly, that decision must be approved by
either Council or Committee of Adjustment (in other words, its there, but its not as-of-right.)
- They concede that was the basis of the 30 unit number chosen originally.
- They also argue w/o much detail that they had other reasons for wanting a unit cap of some kind, but yes, 30 was derived from Type G requirement.
- Yes, solid waste management has been routinely agreeing to waive Type G loading spaces on buildings up to 60 units since last year, however, they can't actually grant that directly, that decision must be approved by
either Council or Committee of Adjustment (in other words, its there, but its not as-of-right.)
- They concede that was the basis of the 30 unit number chosen originally.
- They also argue w/o much detail that they had other reasons for wanting a unit cap of some kind, but yes, 30 was derived from Type G requirement.
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Northern Light
Superstar
Councillor Kandavel questioning staff, arguing that this goes too far, because it doesn't have nuance to address areas w/lower provisions of transit, amenities and retail.
Northern Light
Superstar
Councillor Myers in asking about the Wheel Trans access.
The staff response was problematic, it was they did not specifically consult the Accessibility Community or Wheel Trans.
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He (Myers) also does like Huntingwood {(the street) in being part of this plan.
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On the 30 unit issue; staff say the economic analysis they had done that 30 units is viable for condo-type structures, but they concede is more problematic for rental/affordable.
Asked if their economics consultant studied different caps to ascertain their impact, the answer was essentially 'no'.
The staff response was problematic, it was they did not specifically consult the Accessibility Community or Wheel Trans.
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He (Myers) also does like Huntingwood {(the street) in being part of this plan.
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On the 30 unit issue; staff say the economic analysis they had done that 30 units is viable for condo-type structures, but they concede is more problematic for rental/affordable.
Asked if their economics consultant studied different caps to ascertain their impact, the answer was essentially 'no'.
allengeorge
Senior Member
I’m increasingly disliking Parthi…
Northern Light
Superstar
So far, Cllrs Myers, and Mantis both seem keen to excluding Huntingwood. (the neighbourhood association for that street has been lobbying).
Holyday lacks enthusiasm for this idea entirely, he keeps harping on why are are major streets different from neighbourhood interiors.
While that's just silly, of course, and about what we'd all expect from him, I do have to say, staff replies have not been particularly great. That is to say, when asked to define what makes major streets appropriate for development, staff clearly know why, but the answer/case is not well articulated.
allengeorge
Senior Member
Northern Light
Superstar
Cllr Kandavel, wants to know if staff are ok w/doing this only for streets w/higher-order transit for now and staggering the rest over subsequent years.
He's really concerned about the parking issue.
He then suggested this might allow 8 or 10s buildings, Staff did correct that.
Finally he asked if they could take this to the community councils instead.
He's really concerned about the parking issue.
He then suggested this might allow 8 or 10s buildings, Staff did correct that.
Finally he asked if they could take this to the community councils instead.
allengeorge
Senior Member
I feel like that completely misses the point of this entire exercise…
And, this seems like it’s just killing this entire idea without just coming out and doing it.
Northern Light
Superstar
Holyday wants committee to refer this back to staff.
Councillor Ainslie speaking would like to remove three streets from this proposal.
Guildwood Parkway, Morningside from the railway corridor south, and Scarborough Golf Club Road.
Councillor Matlow - broadly supportive, but recognizes that some streets should not be included, doesn't mention any streets in his ward.
Councillor Myers - Motion to ask TTC about impact of removing circular driveways on Wheel Trans, otherwise broadly supportive. Has an issue w/not enough community consultation in languages other than English. Says he in favour of of intensification, but easier to sell that to residents w/the other languages, and with some ability to tweak to meeting community needs.
Councillor Bradford - Motion to have staff update the report by the time the report gets to Council in two weeks. He wants to look at going to 60 units instead of 30 units.
He's doing a good job of articulating why 30 units will not work.
There was some other stuff in the motion but I couldn't read it all just yet.
Councillor Ainslie speaking would like to remove three streets from this proposal.
Guildwood Parkway, Morningside from the railway corridor south, and Scarborough Golf Club Road.
Councillor Matlow - broadly supportive, but recognizes that some streets should not be included, doesn't mention any streets in his ward.
Councillor Myers - Motion to ask TTC about impact of removing circular driveways on Wheel Trans, otherwise broadly supportive. Has an issue w/not enough community consultation in languages other than English. Says he in favour of of intensification, but easier to sell that to residents w/the other languages, and with some ability to tweak to meeting community needs.
Councillor Bradford - Motion to have staff update the report by the time the report gets to Council in two weeks. He wants to look at going to 60 units instead of 30 units.
He's doing a good job of articulating why 30 units will not work.
There was some other stuff in the motion but I couldn't read it all just yet.
Northern Light
Superstar
Councillor Perks will support Councillor Bradford's motion and Councillor Myers motion.
Will not support Councillor Kandavel's motions, doesn't want to remove any streets from the plan.
But also takes time to say what I've been saying that restrictive zoning is not the barrier to affordable housing, that more than 40% of approved units are not under construction.
He's undecided on the 30 unit cap, and will wait for supplementary report.
He specifically cites Jameson Avenue as not having proper storage for garbage which worries him.
Bradford's motion passes
Myers motion passes
Kandaval's motions both fail. (one was the Ainslie request)
Item as amended passes.
Will not support Councillor Kandavel's motions, doesn't want to remove any streets from the plan.
But also takes time to say what I've been saying that restrictive zoning is not the barrier to affordable housing, that more than 40% of approved units are not under construction.
He's undecided on the 30 unit cap, and will wait for supplementary report.
He specifically cites Jameson Avenue as not having proper storage for garbage which worries him.
Bradford's motion passes
Myers motion passes
Kandaval's motions both fail. (one was the Ainslie request)
Item as amended passes.
Northern Light
Superstar
The full text of Bradford's motion:
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I've already offered my thoughts on the substance here, the question is now one of head-count.
I think this may get a rough ride at Council as-is. Its a tough read, as to outcome.
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I've already offered my thoughts on the substance here, the question is now one of head-count.
I think this may get a rough ride at Council as-is. Its a tough read, as to outcome.
allengeorge
Senior Member
Isn’t today the day the latest EHON recommendations go to Council?
I’m expecting a rough ride and a nail-biter
I’m expecting a rough ride and a nail-biter
Northern Light
Superstar
Yes. (Major Streets)
I’m expecting a rough ride and a nail-biter
Its the Mayor's second key item.
Unless it ends up deferred, I expect (hope) someone has done the headcount to see that it gets through in some form.
I expect you'll see a motion to go to a 60 unit limit; and some move to make other barriers go away.
The question is what, if anything is offered up to opponents.
The options:
- Exclude certain streets
- Reduce the as-of-right height
- Phase-in implementation
All come w/trade offs.
This, I expect, is the rare case of Bradford and Perks lining up together; (right and left of council); but I think opponents may similarly eschew typical ideological lines.
* Of note, there are supplementary Planning reports due as a result of Ctte, and they have not yet been posted.