In response to the Province…

In response to the Province’s intention to streamline the process for building garden suites, I would like to share concerns about the impact on neighbourhoods like Craven Road. The proposed changes, such as overriding angular plane requirements, increasing lot coverage, and allowing larger structures on smaller lots, will have a significant negative impact on high-density residential areas, especially those with narrow streets like Craven Road, which is only approx. 15 ft in width.

Specifically, the lack of angular plane restrictions and the possibility of large ancillary buildings will lead to towering walls that are out of scale with existing homes, creating an increased sense of crowding in an already high density area, and further compromising already limited privacy. Additionally, increasing lot coverage to 45% raises concerns about the removal of trees and green space, which are vital to the environmental and aesthetic value of these neighbourhoods.

I urge the Province to reconsider these changes to garden suite legislation and to work closer with local communities, particularly in the Toronto area, to ensure that any changes balance the need for additional housing with the preservation of the unique characteristics and environmental health of existing neighbourhoods.