Tristan Downe-Dewdney
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tristantoronto.bsky.social
Tristan Downe-Dewdney
@tristantoronto.bsky.social
If you want to learn more or voice your support for expanding housing options in neighbourhoods, follow the link bellow and consider submitting comments on the item at committee.
secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
10/10
Agenda Item History 2025.PH23.1
Agenda Item History 2025.PH23.1
secure.toronto.ca
July 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Overall, my impression is that staff are working earnestly to make it easier to build garden suites in Toronto. It must be remembered that there is always a mountain of obstruction and opposition in that has to be overcome for even modest improvements.
9/10
July 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I will be looking to see how builders and designers react to new main wall height rules and roof slope provisions. At first glance, these appear to be more permissive and align with laneway suite rules.
8/10
July 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
3. Removal of the existing 40% rear yard coverage limit, allowing for 45% total lot coverage by buildings and structures, per O. Reg 462/24.
7/10
July 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
A number of staff-recommended changes will be considered by the Planning and Housing Committee on July 15, 2025. These include:
1. Reducing separation distances from 5 to 4 metres for single-storey garden suites.
2. Removal of angular planes, per O. Reg 462/24.
6/10
July 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Staff have worked on challenges that designers have had in meeting the fire access requirements in the Building Code and increased the maximum permitted travel distance from a Garden Suite entry to a fire apparatus on a public street up to 90 metres.
5/10
July 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Despite initial fears, there’s been minimal impact on the urban tree canopy. Data indicates that only 15% of 568 sites have resulted in approved construction-related permits for tree impacts, totaling less than 80 tree removals across 88 different sites.
4/10
July 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
From 2022 to August 2024, there were 233 minor variance applications associated with garden suites at the Committee of Adjustment which often included angular planes, prior to O. Reg. 462/24.
3/10
July 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
The number of garden suite permits increased from 56 applications in 2022 to 361 applications in 2024. As of May 8, 2025, 812 garden suite building permit applications have been submitted, with 480 permits issued - 59 percent of applications received.
2/10
July 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
The Scarborough-Rouge Park by-election will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025. Nominations close on August 15.
June 23, 2025 at 11:09 PM
These candidates enter the race with strong foundations for the race and there is no sure bet out of the gate.
Other candidates registered today, including Zia Choudhary, Ashan Fernando, and Dianna Robinson.
June 23, 2025 at 11:09 PM
That shrug!

“Am I running over a small child? Whoopsie! I don’t think so good, so you can’t blame me.”
May 31, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I spoke with staff this morning who indicated that work IS ongoing on addressing shared mortgages. This news will come as welcome relief to those who got the impression that the City might have been done with Abell Street.
February 7, 2025 at 3:26 PM
The news release is posted and there is nothing mentioned about shared mortgages, whether units will continue to be made available for artists into the future, or what the next steps are for those still in limbo.

Really disappointing.

www.toronto.ca/news/city-of...
https://www.toronto.ca/news/city-of-toronto-protects-affordable-housing-and-propeller-art-gallery-at-38-abell-st-for-former-artscape-tenants-and-their-families/
t.co
February 6, 2025 at 7:03 PM
I suspect over-design is what’s running away from us. Realistically, I don’t think we need all-glass, floor-to-ceiling, pass-through-ventilation space doors. There are simpler options that we can roll out in half the time and the average person can audit the math on pricing for.
February 1, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Instant bankruptcy!
January 24, 2025 at 5:32 PM