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Yesterday, Toronto City Council adopted a Zoning By-law Amendment that will remove most of the stipulations that have required new developments to provide a minimum number of parking spaces. Additionally, limits on the maximum number of parking spaces that can be built within a new development will be added.
The push behind this change comes from the City's goal to build healthy and sustainable communities, helping better manage car dependency, and striking a balance between too much and too little parking. The result will likely be that fewer underground levels will be excavated for garages in new projects. Most new building proposals were already seeking and normally being granted amendments on a site-by-site basis to build fewer parking spaces than the in force zoning by-laws required.
“Today, City Council took real action for a healthier, more sustainable city," said Mayor John Tory. "This decision means that developers will no longer be required to build parking spaces that home buyers don't want, making it easier for residents who live without a car to purchase a home.”
The adopted regulations are in alignment with multiple long-term goals and strategies including the City's climate action strategy, TransformTO, the Provincial Policy Statement, and the Growth Plan, all of which help Toronto work to meet aggressive targets that address environmental sustainability. Long-term goals include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving liveability for residents, and creating healthier communities within the City.
“This more strategic and thoughtful management of the parking supply will contribute to the City's priorities to address the climate emergency, improve housing affordability, and encourage alternative forms of mobility for more people," said Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão, Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee.
These Zoning Bylaw updates play a role in encouraging residents to use alternatives to their cars such as walking, cycling and taking transit. This is promoted not only for the health benefits of the City and its people, but also supports lessening traffic congestion, and creating space to improve conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and, transit users.
Toronto is not the only city that has removed the requirement for parking minimums, as Gregg Lintern, Chief Planner and Executive Director Toronto City Planning shared on his Twitter account after the decision had been voted on. "Toronto Council voted to join the club today eliminating parking minimums, one of the largest cities in North America to do so."
Lintern then linked the Parking Mandates Map, which offers an interactive look at the mandates that are imposed all over the continent.
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