Zoning Reform Ideas

[abovegrade]

Agreed. I think change happens slowly but this will all contribute to making Toronto a more vibrant, cozy and interesting city as well as supporting businesses and residents!

 

[Towered]

I'm outside those arbitrary boundaries, so how am I supposed to open my cozy cafe in my garage? It's not fair - why are some allowed the opportunity to thrive as entrepreneurs but I'm not??

I wonder if something like this would stand up in court...

 

[Sauga89]

My argument is not against amenities. Its that government should not be requiring them.

Let the builder assess their value to buyers/residents/renters.

This would not preclude amenities, it would give some builders the option of focusing on price.

A Mississauga city councillor filed a motion this week to remove all amenity space requirements in the city, for basically this reason.

See the motion below:

Notice of Motion: Elimination of Minimum Amenity Space Requirements

Moved by Councillor Dipika Damerla

Seconded by Councillor Alvin Tedjo

Whereas the Mayor’s Housing Task Force identified removing amenity space ratios as a way to reduce housing costs;

And whereas the Planning and Building Department is currently reviewing urban design requirements in response to the Task Force report;

And whereas the financial incentives already adopted by Council and Regional Council could save developers approximately $25,000 for small condo apartment units and $46,000 for large condo apartment units, based on current rates with even higher savings for rental units;

And Whereas many mandated amenities, such as gyms and lounges, are underused and consume valuable buildable area;

And Whereas leading cities such as Copenhagen, Vienna, and Barcelona have no fixed amenity space requirements, focusing instead on access to public open space;

And Whereas Mississauga’s City Centre zones already have no amenity space requirements and continue to deliver high-quality, livable buildings;

And whereas individual developers can still choose to provide more amenity space than is required by the City to meet market demand;

And whereas eliminating amenity space requirements could result in savings of up to $7,000 per unit in initial costs, and thousands more in ongoing maintenance fees or rent;

And whereas removing minimum amenity space ratios will also speed up approvals and reduce red tape;

Therefore be it resolved that staff be directed to eliminate all minimum amenity space requirements city-wide;

And further that staff report back to the Planning and Development Committee in Q1 2026 with the necessary zoning by-law amendments.

Date: November 12, 2025

Councillor Dipika Damerla Ward 7

 

[artyboy123]

https://torontolife.com/city/small-shops-and-cafes-will-be-able-to-open-in-some-toronto-neighbourhoods/

Here is the article written by Toronto Life!

"Toronto city council voted yesterday to permit operation of small shops and cafés in some neighbourhoods.

The debate over small businesses tucked within residential areas intensified in recent weeks, with one particular clip making rounds on social media. In it, a Beaconsfield Village Residents Association member stated her opposition, noting that a church had to block off its steps due to impolite patrons. The residents association has cited concerns over litter and traffic congestion, particularly near Pizzeria Badiali on Dovercourt."

 

[Sauga89]

A Mississauga city councillor filed a motion this week to remove all amenity space requirements in the city, for basically this reason.

See the motion below:

This motion failed by a vote of 10 to 2 (See the discussion at the 1:11 minute mark). It wasn't as overwhelmingly opposed as the vote might suggest however. Mississauga city staff have apparently already been looking at amenity space requirements, and are planning to deliver a report on it in January or February. The bad news for this effort is that Mayor Carolyn Parrish came out strongly against it. Aside from the mayor, of the six councillors who spoke, 2 were in favour, 3 wanted to wait to see the staff report, and one was against.

 

[Tuscani01]

This motion failed by a vote of 10 to 2 (See the discussion at the 1:11 minute mark). It wasn't as overwhelmingly opposed as the vote might suggest however. Mississauga city staff have apparently already been looking at amenity space requirements, and are planning to deliver a report on it in January or February. The bad news for this effort is that Mayor Carolyn Parrish came out strongly against it. Aside from the mayor, of the six councillors who spoke, 2 were in favour, 3 wanted to wait to see the staff report, and one was against.

Interesting that the Mayor was strongly against it when it was a recommendation from her Housing Task Force. Hopefully the staff report recommends something similar and she will throw her support behind it because of staff recs.

 

[Sauga89]

Interesting that the Mayor was strongly against it when it was a recommendation from her Housing Task Force. Hopefully the staff report recommends something similar and she will throw her support behind it because of staff recs.

Here is a copy of the Mississauga Housing Task Force report. On page 21, it calls for reducing the amenity ratio. It doesn't I believe call for the ratio to be eliminated. Also, I don't know if you watched the council meeting, but Parrish spoke pretty sharply against eliminating it entirely.

 

[Tuscani01]

Here is a copy of the Mississauga Housing Task Force report. On page 21, it calls for reducing the amenity ratio. It doesn't I believe call for the ratio to be eliminated. Also, I don't know if you watched the council meeting, but Parrish spoke pretty sharply against eliminating it entirely.

Ah that makes sense then regarding her position.

Still interesting that MCC has no amenity ratio and yet developments seem to still be providing pretty generous amenities.