The West Bend Community Association

Hello,

I’m David Driedger, a Planner with the Toronto City Planning Division. I am one of the City’s staff working on the Garden + Suites study.

Please see below for details about the Garden + Suites study and our upcoming consultations.

Garden + Suites

The Garden + Suites study is one of several studies that the City of Toronto is leading to increase housing options in low-rise neighbourhoods. You can visit the “Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON)” website to learn more.

Recent changes to the Ontario Planning Act require the City to have policies and regulations that allow for an additional housing unit, separate from the main building, on low-rise residential properties across the City. This means that a detached house, semi-detached house or townhouse may have up to three units: the main house, a secondary suite in the main house, and a third unit in a detached accessory structure.

Rules are already in place in the City-wide Zoning By-law to permit Laneway Suites in all low-rise residential zones. A Laneway Suite is an additional housing unit, detached from the main building, which must be next to a public lane (lean more about Laneway Suites here).

The “Garden + Suites” project will recommend policies and regulations for detached suites on properties in low-rise residential zones that are not next to a public lane. In order to develop the rules for where and how a Garden Suite would be permitted on a residential property, the Study will review important matters, which include privacy and shadowing, protecting trees, sustainability, fire access, and parking, among many others.

This study seeks public input from current and future residents, and other stakeholders to understand these important matters. As part of the study staff will take into consideration the variety of lot and residential building types in the City and the challenges that this form of housing may present.

For more information about the Garden + Suites study please visit the study website: Garden + Suites Website

What is a Garden Suite?

A Garden Suite is an accessory dwelling unit, usually located in the rear yard, and is separate, or detached from the main house. Garden Suites, like Laneway Suites, are generally smaller than the main house on the lot and function as a rental housing unit. Unlike a Laneway Suite, a Garden Suite is not next to a public lane and could instead be next to other yards, a flanking street, a private lane, a park or open space or other uses.

Garden Suites are also sometimes called “coach houses”, “carriage houses” or “Detached Accessory Dwelling Units”.

Get Involved

Residents and stakeholders can participate in the Garden + Suites Survey . Virtual public consultations are scheduled to begin April 2021, dates have not yet been set.

Thank You,

David Driedger

Senior Planner, Community Planning

Toronto & East York District

City of Toronto

416-392-7613

David.Driedger@toronto.ca

The City is seeking feedback on the natural garden exemption requirement and wants input from Toronto residents. Feedback will inform a report expected at the Planning and Housing Committee in Q2 2021.

We would appreciate your help in sharing this information with your community. Sample social media posts that can be used to share this information on your channels are provided at the end of this email.

The Grass and Weeds Bylaw requires that grass and weeds on private property be maintained so that growth does not exceed 20 cm (8 inches) in height. However, property owners or occupants can apply for a permit to be exempted from this requirement if they have a natural garden. Natural gardens provide environmental benefits, including the creation of natural habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.

Staff are considering removing the requirement for natural garden exemption permits. This means that residents can have a natural garden without applying for an exemption. Natural gardens will still need to meet maintenance requirements to ensure health and safety of Toronto’s neighbourhoods.

Residents can provide feedback on this proposal by emailing MLSFeedback@toronto.ca. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, March 31 at 11:59 pm. More information is available at toronto.ca/NaturalGarden

Thank you,

City of Toronto
Municipal Licensing and Standards

Sample social media posts:

• Just in time for your spring garden! Let the #CityofTO know what you think about the current process to get a permit for your natural garden. Submit feedback by March 31: More: toronto.ca/NaturalGarden

• Do you think residents in #Toronto should be able to grow a natural garden without applying for a permit? Let the #CityofTO know your feedback by March 31. More: toronto.ca/NaturalGarden

• #CityofTO is reviewing the natural garden exemption requirement in #Toronto and want to hear from you. Check out more information and send in your input by March 31. More information at: toronto.ca/NaturalGarden

Good afternoon,

Over the coming year, the City of Toronto will be reviewing the parking requirements in the city-wide Zoning By-law (569-2013). The review responds to growing interest in the impacts of parking on housing affordability and travel behaviour, and recognizes that the current zoning standards have not been reviewed recently. The recommended approach to this review was reported to Planning and Housing Committee January 19 (http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2021.PH20.4).

I am reaching out to invite you to join the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) for this project and to attend the first meeting of the group 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. on March 11. The purpose of this meeting is to provide background on the review and get feedback on our approach and initial directions.

Over the course of the project, we will convene meetings of the SAC at key points to review progress and emerging directions. We are aiming to report back to PHC in late Q4 2021 on the recommended directions.

If you would like to join the SAC, please register for this event here: https://toronto.webex.com/toronto/onstage/g.php?MTID=e3d244f54fbb74097189fb1787e7d74cb. You will also be added to the email list for the project. Those who enter their mailing address will also be added to the Interested Parties list to receive statutory notices related to the project.

Please feel free to email me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Michael Hain

Manager (A), Policy and Analysis Unit

Transportation Planning, City Planning

City of Toronto

416 392 8698

Notice of Collection

The City of Toronto collects personal information to give you additional information about the Zoning By-law Parking Requirements Review. The information is collected under the legal authority of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13., s. 17 as well as the Official Plan for the City of Toronto, s. 5.5.1 (b) and s. 5.5.1 (c)(ii), as implemented by By-Law 1082-2002 and amended by By-Law 1038-2008. Questions about this collection can be directed to Michael Hain, City Planning, City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, 21st Floor, Toronto Ontario, M5H 2N2 or by telephone at 416-392-8698.

Hello,

We are writing to ask for your help in gathering input from local residents to help strengthen the City of Toronto’s community engagement process for new shelter and other services for people experiencing homelessness.

The City is currently undertaking a third-party review of its community engagement process for new shelter and other services for people experiencing homelessness. This review will identify opportunities to enhance this process, to make sure that all new shelter and other services for people experiencing homelessness are set up for success. 

The City is inviting local residents and businesses to share their perspectives. All residents are encouraged to share their ideas, whether or not they have participated in the community engagement process or live near a shelter or a service for people experiencing homelessness.

There are two ways residents and businesses can provide input into the Community Engagement Review process:

1.    Participate in an anonymous online survey

2.    Participate in a virtual focus group

You can learn more about the Community Engagement Review process on the Welcoming New Shelters web page.

We have attached an email template that you can copy and paste to provide residents with everything they need to know to participate. Please send to your mailing lists and encourage sharing with their networks.

We  would be very appreciative if you could help get the word out. If you have any questions about the project or the outreach to local residents, you can get in touch with Amber Krogel, one of the consultants supporting the Community Engagement Review, at amber@bgmstrategygroup.com.

Thank you,

Shelter, Support & Housing Administration Staff,

City of Toronto

The City of Toronto is reviewing two bylaws that may be of interest to residents in your community: election signs and fireworks. Please see below for more information about each review, as well as how you can provide feedback. 

We would appreciate your help in sharing this information with your community. Sample social media posts that can be used to share this information on your channels are provided at the end of this email.

If you have any questions, please contact MLSconsultations@toronto.ca

Have your say on election sign rules

As directed by City Council on September 30, 2020, City staff are undertaking a review of the election sign rules to identify opportunities for further improvement of the bylaw. This review will not include posters, temporary signs (for example, A-frame, open house, and mobile signs), and other signs regulated under the Sign Bylaws.

Share your experiences with election sign rules through the online survey: Election Signs Bylaw Review by March 3, 2021. Your input will inform a report expected at the Economic and Community Development Committee meeting in spring 2021. More information at toronto.ca/ElectionSigns.

Have your say on fireworks rules

Staff have also been asked to complete a review of the Fireworks Bylaw to explore opportunities for enhanced public education to support safe and compliant use of fireworks. Staff will review current regulations related to the sale and discharge of fireworks and also consider environmental protections and policies in other jurisdictions.

Residents can share feedback on fireworks regulations in Toronto via an online survey: Fireworks Bylaw Review by March 5, 2021. The results of this survey will inform a report expected at the General Government and Licensing Committee in spring 2021. More information at toronto.ca/Fireworks. 

Thank you,

City of Toronto

Municipal Licensing and Standards

Sample social media posts on elections signs

·         Have your say on the rules for election signs in #Toronto! Share your experiences and submit feedback through an online survey by March 3. More information and survey at toronto.ca/ElectionSigns. #CityofTO

·         Share your feedback on the rules for election signs in #Toronto. #CityofTO is reviewing the rules and is inviting your input. Submit your input via an online survey at toronto.ca/ElectionSigns. Deadline: Mar 3.

Sample social media posts on fireworks bylaw

·         #CityofTO is reviewing the Fireworks bylaw and wants to hear from you! Take an online survey by March 5 and share your thoughts on how to support safe use of fireworks in #Toronto. More: toronto.ca/fireworks

·         What do you think about #Toronto’s Fireworks Bylaw? Share your feedback on the rules for fireworks sale and use in #Toronto via an online survey. Deadline March 5: toronto.ca/fireworks

This email is intended for City of Toronto Resident/Ratepayer/Community Associations.

If you are interested in participating on behalf of the West Bend Community Association, please send an email to info@thewestbend.ca so we can submit your name

Toronto Building is the City of Toronto’s division responsible for enforcing provincial and municipal building regulations and bylaws. As you may be aware, we have been working with KPMG to conduct a comprehensive review of Toronto Building’s building permit and inspection process.

The review involves an in-depth look at how we currently operate, with the goal of developing an enhanced and resilient service delivery model that meets the needs of applicants and the public. Last summer we held an online survey to gather feedback from resident and community associations about your interactions with Toronto Building, including the challenges you face and opportunities to do things better.

We are writing to invite you, or a representative of your organization to participate in an update on the Toronto Building Program Review

with

Will Johnston, P.Eng., Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building,

on

February 22, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

You may RSVP to this meetiing until February 18, 2021.

To allow an opportunity for dialogue, we request that no more than two people participate from each organization.

A meeting invitation will be sent to attendees on February 21, 2021.

The City is using the online tool WebEx to support public engagement activities, including this meeting.

More information on using WebEx may be found here.

Our current contact list may be incomplete. However, we want to ensure that this invitation is extended to any resident/ratepayer/community associations who may wish to participate. Please share this email with City of Toronto resident associations in your network.