Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods - Garden Suites Monitoring Program - Update

The amendments adopted by Council to permit garden suites are rooted in the principles to create complete communities and provide a full range of housing in terms of form, tenure, and affordability for residents across the City in a form that makes efficient use of land. A "garden suite" is an additional self-contained living accommodation, usually located in the rear yard, but not on a public lane, and is separate or detached from the main house on the lot. Garden suites are generally smaller than the main house on the lot and are intended to function as rental housing as well as accommodation for a variety of types of household configurations and people in different stages of life. The Garden Suites Initiative is part of City Planning's Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) work program. Along with approving the by-law and policy changes to permit garden suites across the City, City Council directed City staff to monitor the implementation of garden suites and report on a range of matters to Planning and Housing Committee following the earlier of two years following the date the Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments came into full force and effect or following the issuance of the 200th building permit for the construction of new garden suites. Building permit application numbers indicate a slower uptake in garden suite applications than laneway suites, with only 97 issued at the time of this report. As such, City Planning is recommending that the monitoring period be extended to ensure enough data is available in order to recommend any necessary policy and zoning changes necessary to facilitate the construction of garden suites. This report summarizes the planned monitoring program and presents preliminary findings following the analysis of 126 minor variance applications that propose a garden suite.