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CTV News
9 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Toronto City Council votes to permit sixplexes in nine wards
Toronto City Council has approved a motion that will allow low-rise sixplexes in a nine wards. Staff initially recommended that councillors permit sixplexes in detached residential buildings in low-rise residential neighbourhoods city-wide. 'Expanding multiplex permissions will increase new low-rise housing options for Torontonians. New residents in low-rise neighbourhoods can help stabilize declining populations, optimize the use of existing infrastructure, and support local retail establishments and services,' staff said in its report last month. However, during Wednesday's city council meeting, not all councillors supported the recommendation. Coun. Gord Perks, who is the chair of the housing committee, then put forward a motion that would permit sixplexes in the downtown Toronto and East York wards and in Scarborough North. The remaining wards have the option to join later. 'I'm moving this very reluctantly,' Perks said while presenting his motion. 'I've spent a considerable amount of time and effort working with my colleagues on council trying to find a majority support for doing what this council already committed to in 2023, which is citywide sixplexes, but I've been unable to find that.' Permitting sixplexes is included in one of the eight initiatives the city must deliver over three years under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) agreement with the federal government in exchange for $471 million. In a letter in March, the federal government gave Mayor Olivia Chow a June 30 deadline to report to council with opportunities and bylaws to allow more low-rise, multi-unit housing development across Toronto, which includes sixplexes. The letter also provided extended timelines for several other housing initiatives. 'As we work to ensure compliance with over 200 HAF agreements across Canada, we are establishing consequences for non-compliance. In this case, if Toronto does not fully implement the above initiatives and milestones by the newly extended timeline, the federal government will cut funding equivalent to 25 per cent of the annual payment,' the letter read. So far, the city has received $235.56 million of the $471 million. Perks said his motion would create some risk with its relationship with the federal government. 'There is a potential that funds that have already been dispersed in the City of Toronto could be clawed back, meaning that affordable housing projects that we already have plans for in the City of Toronto could fall by the wayside,' Perks said. He shared that some councillors spoke to their Liberal MPs, who told them that the city didn't need sixplexes. 'So, I say to the federal government, if you want, if you want to achieve this citywide, tell the members of your Toronto caucus to stop giving Toronto city councillors mixed messages,' Perks said. His motion passed. 'I am confident that, as more people see the benefits of missing middle housing, where average rent is $830 cheaper than condos and 65% of units are family-sized, more councillors will also opt in,' Mayor Chow said in a statement following the vote.
CBC
13 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Council votes to allow sixplexes in 9 Toronto wards, leaving suburbs to opt in
Following a long debate Wednesday, Toronto councillors compromised on whether to allow sixplexes across the city, voting to allow the multi-unit housing in only nine wards and giving other wards the chance to opt-in. Coun. Gord Perks, who was pushing for a city-wide adoption, ultimately introduced a motion "very reluctantly" to allow sixplexes in eight Toronto-East York district wards and Ward 23 (Scarborough North), where a pilot is already in place, saying he wanted to increase housing density in some capacity rather than none. "I've spent a considerable amount of time and effort working with my colleagues on council, trying to find majority support for doing what this council already committed to in 2023, which is city wide sixplexes," he said after hours of debate. "But I've been unable to find that." Along with Ward 23, the following wards will now allow sixplexes: Ward 4, Parkdale-High Park. Ward 9, Davenport. Ward 10, Spadina-Fort York. Ward 11, University-Rosedale. Ward 12, Toronto-St. Paul's. Ward 13, Toronto Centre. Ward 14, Toronto-Danforth. Ward 19, Beaches-East York. The motion allows councillors of the remaining 16 wards to make a request to the city's chief planner to opt in if interested in allowing sixplexes. It also directed city staff to make sure necessary neighbourhood infrastructure is available to support added density where sixplexes are built, including street cleaning, public realm maintenance and improvements. The vote follows a city staff report that recommended allowing low-rise sixplexes across Toronto as-of-right, so they could be built without special permission. That followed a decision to allow fourplexes across the city in 2023. Lengthy debate leaves councillors divided City staff noted that allowing sixplexes would be a "significant milestone" in meeting Toronto's commitments under the federal Housing Accelerator Fund to allow more low-rise, multi-unit housing development through as-of-right zoning bylaws in its neighbourhoods. Coun. Perks warned councillors that the city could be denied funding if it voted against approving sixplexes. But the issue remained divisive at council, with Coun. Stephen Holyday pushing back. "That is the definition of selling out the residents for money," Holyday said. "Why don't we just ask the people what they want?" he said. "They're not satisfied with ramming through sixplexes in communities that were never designed to house them." Parthi Kandavel, councillor for Scarborough Southwest, told reporters that adding sixplexes to wards like his would put pressure on community infrastructure, parking and property costs. "If you give more units the permissions, land value increases," he said. "This will have a tremendous impact for working and middle class families on the path to home ownership in the suburbs … and that's a primary part of our concerns." In a statement following the vote, Mayor Olivia Chow said the city needs to do more to address the housing affordability crisis, and she hopes all wards will soon allow sixplexes. "I am confident that, as more people see the benefits of missing middle housing, where average rent is $830 cheaper than condos and 65% of units are family-sized, more councillors will also opt in," she said.
CBC
14-06-2025
- General
- CBC
Toronto should allow sixplexes to bring 'gentle density' to city, council committee says
Toronto has moved one step closer to allowing fiveplexes and sixplexes in neighbourhoods across the city. At its meeting on Thursday, the city's planning and housing committee approved recommendations from city staff to allow multiplexes with five and six dwelling units in detached residential buildings in low-rise neighbourhoods city-wide. A report to the committee said the move would help to bring "gentle density" to residential neighbourhoods in Toronto. Coun. Gord Perks, who represents Parkdale High Park and is committee chair, said the city is trying to add different housing types to neighbourhoods. He said most of the housing stock in Toronto is either single-family dwellings or apartment and condo units. "We're trying to build more of this sort of intermediate type housing," he said. "I think it's very important that we arrange to have a whole array of different housing types in our neighbourhoods. We need places for young families. We need places for people who are getting their first apartment. We need places for seniors who maybe can't maintain a big place all by themselves and want to stay in the same neighbourhood in a smaller unit. It's very important for the health of our neighbourhoods that we have a variety of housing types." The sixplexes would not be allowed in semi-detached houses or townhouses. A large group of Torontonians turned up to express their views at the committee meeting. Many said they were in favour of the changes, but some said the changes would be too much too fast. Last September, council decided to permit multiplex housing across the city. In February in Ward 23 as part of a pilot project, staff studied the potential of permitting low-rise multiplexes with up to six dwelling units and with heights of up to four storeys. As part of the sixplex item, the committee approved a recommendation on the height permissions of multiplex buildings. The committee will recommend to council that the city amend its zoning rules to increase the maximum height of buildings containing multiplexes from 10 metres to 10.5 metres. Such a move would allow an increase in basement ceiling heights "to improve liveability and access to daylight" for basement units that will be part of the fiveplexes and sixplexes, city staff said. "Expanding multiplex permissions will increase new low-rise housing options for Torontonians. New residents in low-rise neighbourhoods can help stabilize declining populations, optimize the use of existing infrastructure, and support local retail establishments and services," a report by the chief planner Jason Thorne says. Adopting the recommendations would mark a "significant milestone" in meeting Toronto's commitments under the federal Housing Accelerator Fund to allow more low-rise, multi-unit housing development through as-of-right zoning bylaws in its neighbourhoods, according to the report. As-of-right means developers do not need obtain individual zoning approvals in these areas. 'This is about housing equity and liveability' Residents came to the committee meeting with prepared statements. Blair Scorgie, a registered professional planner, urban designer and managing principal of Scourgie Planning, told the committee he supports the recommendations from city staff. "These reforms are a natural and necessary evolution of the city's existing multiplex framework," he said. The recommendations respond "to what residents, planners and housing providers across the city have all recognized — that our low-rise neighbourhoods must evolve if we are to remain equitable, liveable and resilient," he said. "This is about housing equity and liveability. Allowing up to six units in detached buildings will unlock ground-related homes for families, seniors, newcomers and multigenerational households — people who are too often excluded from neighbourhoods built around a single housing type." 'Sixplex in a sea of bungalows sticks out like a sore thumb' Natalie Pihura, a Toronto resident, told the committee that approving sixplexes is not a good idea because residents already have many issues with multiplexes, including parking, privacy, flooding, "neighbourhood fabric deterioration" and school enrolment problems. Residents of Martin Grove Gardens in Etobicoke have gathered 500 signatures on a petition opposed to multiplexes and sixplexes, which Pihura said she will resubmit the petition to council. "A sixplex in a sea of bungalows sticks out like a sore thumb," she said. "Using the as-of-right paintbrush rams the wants of developers who only care about making money over the actual residents who have already invested in their community," she continued. "Right sized housing in the right areas is the right decision." Carolyn Whitzman, a senior housing researcher at the University of Toronto's school of cities, said in an interview after the meeting that the changes being proposed to council are in step with the moves made by city councils across Ontario and Canada. "I think that it's becoming increasingly obvious to city councils across Canada, including Toronto, that there's no way that they are going to be able to meet their housing targets without making fairly radical changes to zoning," Whitzman said. Council will consider the sixplex item at its meeting that begins on June 25.
Toronto Sun
05-06-2025
- Business
- Toronto Sun
City Council to consider expansion of five and six-plexes across Toronto
In markets like Toronto, the gap has steadily increased significantly in the past five years due to the fact that the land to build more housing is so scarce. In an attempt to help deliver on the provincial target of 285,000 new homes in Toronto by 2031, city staff have proposed various recommendations to increase housing options, including expanding permissions for five- and six-unit lowrise multiplexes across all residential neighbourhoods in the city. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The proposed actions will be considered by the Planning and Housing Committee on June 12. The city says this action would apply to both new construction and conversions of existing detached houses, increasing flexibility and creating new opportunities for homeowners and homebuilders. 'These recommendations are based on in-depth research and data and illustrate the range of housing opportunities that could be available to Torontonians in the years ahead,' Councillor Gord Perks (Parkdale-High Park), Chair, Planning and Housing Committee, said in a statement. 'The proposed zoning bylaw amendments can help unlock many more homes, but also enable more vibrant, thriving neighbourhoods for current and future residents across the city.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More In particular, the recommendations to expand lowrise six-plexes and permit apartment infill developments across Toronto fulfill commitments made by the City under the $471.1 million agreement with the Government of Canada through the Housing Accelerator Fund. 'The City of Toronto is using the tools available to us to update planning rules and make it easier to build housing in more places citywide,' Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said in a statement. 'In the midst of an urgent housing crisis, these changes will help accelerate the construction of new homes and support complete communities across Toronto.' Ontario Columnists Olympics Columnists NHL
Toronto Sun
25-05-2025
- General
- Toronto Sun
‘Time-sensitive' shelter consultation decision put off by city council
A homeless person in the heart of the financial district in Toronto on January 23, 2020. Photo by Stan Behal / Stan Behal/Toronto Sun The public wants a say on where new homeless shelters open, but Toronto city council decided they'd rather call it a night. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Councillors were to consider a motion at this month's meeting that called for individual consultations with the public for six new proposed homeless shelters, with input from the local councillor on when meetings take place and whether they're held online or in person. Online meetings will be held this month regarding changes to zoning for the shelter sites, two of which could open as soon as 2027. But councillors spent much of the day debating the new bubble zone bylaw, and by 9 p.m. Thursday, their ranks had noticeably thinned. When it came time to debate the last two items of the night – the shelter consultation motion, as well as an item about securing a shuttered school for Toronto's film industry – Councillor Gord Perks moved to push those decisions off to council's next meeting, in late June. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We're losing quorum. People – like, Rachel just left,' Perks said, referring to Councillor Chernos Lin. 'I'm sorry – you want to come back tomorrow? That's the other option.' Perks appeared to be addressing Parthi Kandavel specifically. Kandavel, in apparent frustration, gestured broadly back toward Perks before walking across the chamber floor to show his tablet computer to Councillors Mike Colle and Lily Cheng. Recommended video 'So, 30-6 is time-sensitive, and the act of deferral makes it not effective. I'm not supporting deferral,' Stephen Holyday told the few councillors left in the chamber, referring to the motion by its number on the agenda. 'I don't know what the problem is in getting two items done. That's what we're here for … Madam Speaker, I'm not really sure what the problem is where everyone's in a rush to not deal with a time-sensitive item.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The motion to defer the two items passed 10-5. Cheng, Holyday and Kandavel were joined by Councillors Chris Moise and Amber Morley in voting against putting the decision off. (Ten councillors were absent from the vote.) The sites for the proposed shelters are in six different wards – those represented by Cheng, Colle, Kandavel, Morley, and Councillors James Pasternak and Alejandra Bravo, who were not present for the vote. Pasternak had put the motion forward, seconded by Kandavel. 'The city has delegated the public consultation process to the community engagement facilitator public progress team,' the motion says. 'Community consultation sessions and public engagement campaigns have taken on a generalized approach, which does not appropriately reflect the needs and concerns of local communities which will be impacted by the six new proposed shelters.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While Toronto councillors are hearing complaints about the city's consultation process in opening six new homeless shelters, another shelter is due to open very soon at 629 Adelaide St. W. – and people in that neighbourhood say communication with city hall has been lacking. Photo by Jack Boland/Toronto Sun files One of the six shelters is planned to open at 1220 Wilson Ave. – in the southwest corner of Pasternak's ward – by 2030. Pasternak did not respond to a request for comment from The Toronto Sun , but previously expressed hope a shelter could instead be hosted at nearby Humber River Hospital. Kandavel also did not respond to a request for comment from the Sun , but has gone public with concerns about an impending shelter — in at 2535 Gerrard St. E. — in his ward of Scarborough Southwest, and has complained about the consultation process. 'I was never given the space and place to give the city feedback about what it takes to make shelters work in our community and to push back on what doesn't,' Kandavel told the National Post , according to a report published early this year. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He also told the Post he has reservations about the use of third-party consultants, and said he wanted the city's representatives to meet the public in person. While the locations for the planned shelters were once confidential – Mayor Olivia Chow apparently rebuked Kandavel publicly for letting the public in on the secret – the City of Toronto now has them listed on its website. Along with the Wilson and Gerrard sites, shelters are expected to come to 1615 Dufferin St., 2204-2212 Eglinton Ave. W., 68 Sheppard Ave. and 66 Third St. Earlier this month, the Sun reported on the Niagara Neighbours for Community Safety group's battle to have their voices heard regarding 629 Adelaide St. W., a relocated shelter expected to open in the coming weeks. That came after a third-party consultant's report suggested 'NIMBYism' is stigmatizing Toronto's homeless population. jholmes@ Read More Toronto Blue Jays Columnists Crime Sunshine Girls World
