To be clear, this bill will…

To be clear, this bill will not allow for "variances as-of-right." This bill will REDUCE all municipal zoning setbacks by 10% (or whatever limit is decided upon). Call it what it is.

Example: The required side yard in many suburban residential areas is 1.2 m or 4 ft. A 10% reduction would bring that down to 1.08 m. The developer's objective with most new buildings is to "max out" the buildable area on the lot. No one will continue designing to the original 1.2 m setback when they have the option to reduce the yard "as-of-right" without penalty.

Municipalities have enacted council-approved zoning bylaws that were designed for their communities. While I am strongly IN FAVOUR of less restrictive zoning, it should not be considered a hardship for developers to comply with basic setback requirements. A variance should be a special exception granted in special circumstances, such as a unique design or lot configuration. It should not be "as-of-right" to build larger homes than the bylaw permits.