Mid-Rise Buildings Rear Transition Performance Standards Review & Draft Update

In response to this and the other items outlined in the Housing Action Plan recommendations, City Planning has initiated a review of the Mid-Rise Building Performance Standards, focussing on the existing Performance Standards for Rear Transitions (5A through 5D). This focussed review of these four Performance Standards identified that providing flexibility in the rear transition of these building types to adjoining areas creates additional opportunities to further facilitate development of mid-rise buildings. Further facilitating development in a mid-rise building form will support increased housing supply in walkable, complete communities, while providing a wider range of housing options to address current housing challenges without compromising the needs of future generations. The draft updates to Performance Standards for rear transition, recommended to be used as the basis for consultation, provide alternative approaches to rear transition for a variety of adjacent conditions. The draft updates continue to provide transition in built form as directed by the Built Form policies and other development criteria set out in the Official Plan, but with alternative approaches that would reduce or eliminate the continuous step-backs that have often been the result of applying the rear angular plane in the existing Performance Standards. These changes will allow for more regular floorplates, improve constructability, and allow for development in a mid-rise form on some shallow sites that under the existing Performance Standards, would not have accommodated a mid-rise scale of development. The draft updates encourage a mid-rise form that supports generous sunlight on adjacent sidewalks and the public realm, while also balancing transition to various rear conditions and supporting intensification through flexibility in built form massing. The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the work to-date on the review of the Performance Standards for Rear Transitions, present draft updates to these Performance Standards, and outline next steps for further engagement and coordination with other work programs.