Item - 2025.TE25.25

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1. Deferred consideration of the Item until the November 27, 2025 meeting of the Toronto and East York Community Council and requested Municipal Licensing and Standards to provide options for mediation services to the applicant and neighbour.

The Applicant for 33 Morse Street has requested Toronto and East York Community Council to exempt their property from the following by-law requirements:

City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 447-1.2B(1):

B. Fence height.

(1) No fence described in the following Table shall, when measured at any point along its length from the average grade level measured perpendicular to and one meter away on either side of the fence, exceed the height set out in the Table for the fence.
 

The Applicant for 33 Morse Street is requesting an exemption for;

- Proposed increase to existing fence.

- Increased height of existing fence from 2m to proposed height of 2.8m.

- Fence constructed with pressure treated wood, identical to existing fence.

Municipal Licensing and Standards Division has inspected the subject property and issued a notice of violation of City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 447-1.2B(1). The property complied with the violation notice and then applied for a fence exemption.

The applicant has indicated that the proposed fence height is intended to create a visual barrier in response to a spotlight and surveillance camera installed on the neighbouring property. According to the applicant, these installations contribute to an ongoing interpersonal conflict, which they describe as “escalating” and “making life unbearable.” The applicant is seeking to construct the taller fence in order to ensure privacy and peace for themselves and their household.