Item - 2025.TE26.6

The Director, Zoning and Secretary-Treasurer, Committee of Adjustment, City Planning and the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District, Development Review recommend that:

1. City Council amend City of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013 substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment included as Attachment 1 to this Report.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Zoning By-law Amendment as may be required.

On October 9 and 10, 2024, City Council directed City Planning staff through Item “TE16.75 - Council Direction on PH14.13 - Allowing Time for a Thorough Review”, to review garden suite zoning permissions for homes on Parkmount Road that back onto Craven Road between Danforth Avenue and Hanson Street, and to allow more time for the review that Council had previously requested. The Council decision directed staff to consider matters such as provincial planning changes, previous consultation, and modifications to the zoning by-law for better integration of garden suites in the area including appropriate setbacks from Craven Road for garden suites.

Garden suites have been permitted in Toronto’s Neighbourhoods since early 2022, when City Council adopted city-wide permissions. As a priority project of the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) initiative, garden suites contribute to Toronto’s housing goals and targets, including the 2023 Housing Action Plan, and the Province’s housing target of 285,000 new homes in Toronto by 2031. The garden suite permissions provide opportunities through gentle intensification for a variety of living arrangements, providing flexibility for existing homeowners looking to rent a unit to tenants, creating additional units for multigenerational living, or those looking to downsize and age in place. To date, the City has received over 900 building permit applications for garden suites. In July 2025, Council adopted additional amendments to further support the effective implementation of garden suites in Toronto based on the findings from the Garden Suites Monitoring Program and to align Zoning By-law 569-2013 with recent provincial regulatory changes.

This report presents the findings from the review, feedback from public consultation, and staff’s recommended approach to reflect the distinct context of Craven Road, including recommended amendments to the zoning by-law. The recommended zoning by-law amendment would continue to permit garden suites on Parkmount Road while providing minor modifications to performance standards that reflect and address several unique characteristics on Craven Road, notably the narrowness of the street, and the through-lot character of Parkmount Road versus the facing condition of the homes fronting onto Craven Road. Staff are aware of only one other street in the City that exhibits the same characteristics.

The City Planning and Development Review Divisions confirm that there are no financial implications resulting from the recommendations included in this report in the current budget year or in future years.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.