The statutory open house on the Toronto New City-Wide Zoning By-Law (New ZBL) was held on Wednesday, February 27th. The statutory public meeting will be held by the Planning and Growth Management Committee on Wednesday, March 6th at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 100 Queen St. West. If the Committee recommends approval, a final draft of the New ZBL will proceed to City Council for consideration/enactment. In order to maintain a statutory right of appeal written submissions are required to Council prior to adoption of the by-law (Council date TBD) OR oral submissions are required at the statutory public meeting. As well, the failure to make submissions may negatively affect your ability to achieve party status before the Ontario Municipal Board in appeals by third parties which may affect your interests.
The latest draft of the New ZBL is available on the Clerk's website. It is also available on a series of interactive maps. You can quickly find the zoning of a property by searching by address on the maps. Links to the interactive map and more information on the progress of the New ZBL are available at http://www.toronto.ca/zoning/.
The New ZBL has addressed a number of concerns identified by the development community during its review of the former, now repealed, City-wide By-law 1156-2010. However, we are recommending that our clients submit written comments to Council in order to maintain a right of appeal should one be necessary. Changes have been made in the following areas of note:
1. Transition Protocol and Transition Clauses,
2. Minor Variance Approvals,
3. Site-Specific Exceptions,
4. Definition of Gross Floor Area, and
5. Paid Visitor Parking Permitted in All Zones.
It is important to review the New ZBL as it relates to your property or properties, whether there is an active development application, financing that requires compliance with zoning or land holdings that have been banked for future development.
While we understand the situation is not ideal (since the exact same process took place less than two years ago), it is important to consider the New ZBL and submit comments. Determination of whether or not to file an appeal can then be made at a later date.
If you would like our office to review the New ZBL as it relates to your lands, please let us know.
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