I strongly support the…

I strongly support the Province's intention to reduce/remove lot size restrictions. This is very long overdue, and will unlock the potential for individual homeowners to subdivide and create new low rise housing options for people in serviced areas.

In order to be effective this needs to be paired with zoning changes, including, but not limited to, reductions in setback requirements for new buildings (especially side setback requirements, and building length/depth), coverage/FSI, and height (3-4 storeys should be allowed for narrower lots).

It also needs to allow for the full range of uses. For example today, in Toronto, even though multi plexes are allowed on any lot, in most of the city, semi-detached buildings are not permitted, nor are townhouses, which means that a large 50 foot lot, which is common throughout the city, could only accommodate one multiplex, whereas its optimal use, depending on the context and market, could be for two smaller single or semi-detached singles, or three narrow townhouses.

This change needs to also be paired with a directive to municipalities to update their Official Plans for Neighbourhood areas, especially those with restrictive official plans such as Toronto, which has incredibly restrictive policies pertaining to maintaining area "character", which historically has been used to oppose most forms of infill development, and especially lot splitting (which, in practice, is effectively unachievable in most parts of the city).

As a practicing land use planner for nearly 25 years, I, and my firm, have been involved in numerous projects where even modest severances were opposed, even within a 2 minute walk to a subway. These outdated zoning and OP policies are long overdue for reform and I applaud the Province for taking this first step. I would be happy to provide additional feedback, including examples, if requested.

Andrew Ferancik MCIP, RPP
WND Associates Ltd.
aferancik@wndplan.com
Toronto
416 968-3511 x 120