Big changes coming to our neighbourhoods

City Planning to host a Public Meeting on April 13th to discuss proposed new zoning rules for Multiplex dwellings in our neighbourhoods. You may have heard that Toronto City Council is planning to increase housing options and density in all Toronto’s neighbourhoods (EHON). To do this, the City is planning to change existing neighbourhood policies … Read more

Residents fight backyard homes plan

Neighbourhood groups object to Toronto’s one-size-fits-all approach to allowing green suites. The Toronto Star reports that an alliance of seven residents associations in Toronto is appealing a new bylaw that would allow backyard homes to be built on residential properties – move affordable housing advocates with delay the creation of needed housing. Christine Mercado, a … Read more

EHON Update – FoNTRA expresses concerns to Planning & Housing Committee

FoNTRA recently wrote a letter to the Chair of the Planning & Housing Committee expressing concerns about the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods program. In the Letter, FoNTRA supports the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) program in principle. However, neighbourhoods across the City have different characteristics that must be taken into consideration in expanding building … Read more

EHON Update … City Council expands permissions

On February 2, 2022 , Toronto City Council expanded permissions to build garden suites on residential properties. Through new policies and zoning requirements, garden suites will be permitted in most of the city’s residential zones. The garden suites project is one of many initiatives under Toronto’s Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) program, which is designed to facilitate … Read more

Will hunt for affordable homes destroy single family living?

Geoff Kettel, co-chair of the Federation of North Toronto Residents’ Associations (FONTRA) has distributed a video and other data in advance of a City Council meeting on February 2 to address the introduction into Toronto of so-called Garden Suites. These are homes built in the backyards of single-family homes in neighbourhoods that would otherwise be protected from … Read more

Building Laneway Suites Across the City

As of July 16, 2019, the City of Toronto allows the construction of Laneway Suites across the City on residential properties that share a property line with a public lane, subject to criteria: By-law requirements for Laneway Suites Applying for a Building Permit for a Laneway Suite Development Charge Deferral Program and Affordable Laneway Suites … Read more

Just Published! City of Toronto Good Neighbour Guide

SERRA and other resident association volunteers have worked with the City of Toronto to help create a new reference guide for residents to use when they have questions about nearby infill (new home or renovation) construction projects in their neighbourhood. The Good Neighbour Guide will help answer many questions. Here are some examples of information … Read more

Getting to Know the City of Toronto – Committee of Adjustment

The City of Toronto recently produced a short 8 page brochure that provides an excellent introduction to the Committee of Adjustment process. The brochure has been printed in a glossy fold-out format and is not yet available on-line. You may contact the councillor or visit the Committee of Adjustment to get a printed copy. SERRA has scanned … Read more

Getting Ready For Your First Committee of Adjustment Hearing

    The  SERRA region is experiencing rapid infill residential development and nearby neighbours may receive an invitation to participate in their first Committee of Adjustment hearing. Al Kivi, a member of the SERRA board has attended many Committee of Adjustment hearings and has assisted SERRA residents to prepare to participate in these hearings. In November 2016, … Read more