2. Vertical Poverty findings
• We need to continue our focus on
high-need inner suburban
neighbourhoods
• Towers are increasingly the primary
sites of poverty within
disadvantaged neighbourhoods
• Towers are tremendously important
to the city overall and to the
residents that live there
2
3.
Poverty is increasingly concentrated
in high-rise rental buildings in Toronto’s inner-suburbs
Family poverty rates within
high-rise apartment buildings,
1981 & 2006 3
4. This housing stock is a vital
resource for Toronto…
46% of all housing in Toronto is rented
74% of all rentals are in private market; 61% in
buildings of five storeys and more
43% of Toronto’s low-income families now live in high-
rise rental buildings
Demand for rental housing in Toronto is predicted to
grow by a further 20% by 2031
4
5. Most people living in inner suburban
high-rise towers say their neighbourhoods are
good places to live.
Private tenants’ assessments of their neighbourhood as good places
to live and good places to raise children
5
6. Strong Neighbourhoods….
Partnership with the City since 2004
$180 million to 1,200 community initiatives
Partnership continues with Toronto Strong
Neighbourhoods Strategy (TSNS 2020)
6
8. Zoning can enable change….
Modernizing policy will better reflect the
current realities and community aspirations
Changes can enable employment and
investment opportunities, supporting strong
vibrant neighbourhoods
8
9. 2,000 Apartment Towers in Region, home to over 1,000,000 people
1,200 of these are in the City of Toronto 10
10. PROGRESSIVE LEGACY | LEGACY BARRIERS
DISTRICT PLANNING:
Apartment Neighbourhoods were developed in
the post-war period as a progressive response to
pressures of regional growth.
In their best instances they were a part of balanced
and ‘Complete Communities’ designed at the larger
neighbourhood scale.
These tower clusters help provide the density
to make transit and services work in the inner
suburbs.
APARTMENT NEIGHBOURHOOD ZONING STUDY
11
11. PROGRESSIVE LEGACY | LEGACY BARRIERS
‘Shrink Wrap’ Zoning:
The site as built typically only conforming use and
arrangement due to legacy zoning
APARTMENT NEIGHBOURHOOD ZONING STUDY
12
14. TOWARDS STRONG NEIGHBOURHOODS AND
COMPLETE COMMUNITIES:
Growing desire for positive change within
Apartment Neighbourhoods from:
• Local Residents
• Building Owners
• Service Providers (such as United Way)
APARTMENT NEIGHBOURHOOD ZONING STUDY
15
15. WHILE ENCOURAGED IN THE OFFICIAL
PLAN, THESE COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS Activities allowed in Mixed use and Apart-
FACE CHALLENGES DUE TO LEGACY ZONING ment zones, City of Toronto, Zoning By-
law 438-86
Activity: Mixed Apartment
Dwelling YES YES
Clothing store YES NO
Bank YES NO
Coffee Shop YES NO
Accountant YES NO
Drug Store YES NO
Patio YES NO
Art Gallery YES NO
A Place of YES NO
Worship
APARTMENT NEIGHBOURHOOD ZONING STUDY
16
16. Development Approvals, a comparison
Based on the City of Toronto’s Development Guide, 2010 and additional information by ERA Architects
PROCESS FOR 10 St. Mary Street, Suite 801
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1P9
416-963-4497
BUILDING PERMIT
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Design or other comment on the City staff or by third parties This allows for consulta- public Community approval
parties before proposal tion, further revisions, Council, Community If appealed by a third party, the
submission of finalization and staff Council considers project will be assessed by the Ontario
proposal reporting to Community approval Municipal Board
Council
Number of Days* Number of Steps Number of Approval Points*
Zoning in Place Zoning in Place Zoning in Place
Zoning Variance Zoning Variance Zoning Variance
Zoning Amendment Zoning Amendment Zoning Amendment
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 0 5 10 15 20 0 1 2 3
* Based on Toronto Development Guide estimate (30-day Zoning * Includes opportunity to appeal at the Ontario Municipal Board
Varience processing time; 270-day Zoning Amendment) plus assumed
7 days for Zoning Certificate, 14 days for Building Permit Approval, and
20-day waiting period for Ontario Municipal Board Appeals. November 201118
