Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods - Multiplex - Monitoring Program - Final Report

Multiplexes are defined as a low-rise form of housing with two, three, or four units in a single building. This type of housing can support climate goals by allowing people to walk, bike, or take transit for some of their daily trips; allowing for less carbon-intensive construction; and helping to protect the regional greenspace system by better using urbanized land. It provides a housing option that can fit the needs of families, large households, and people who would prefer living in ground-related housing. It can also provide units for people to age in place in their neighbourhoods, to create housing for a family member, or to create additional units to help contribute to mortgage costs. As part of the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) initiative, City Council adopted Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments to permit multiplexes city-wide and directed staff to monitor the implementation of multiplexes and report back on potential revisions to improve implementation. This report discusses the outcome of the multiplex monitoring program and recommends further amendments to the zoning by-law to facilitate their construction, addresses issues emerging from monitoring and consultation, clarifies the application of Development Charges to multiplexes, and recommends continued monitoring in consultation with other City Divisions. The proposed amendments include: - Introduction of new "detached houseplex" and "semi-detached houseplex" defined terms, to move towards form-based zoning definitions and allow conversions between two and four units, including permissions for newly constructed semi-detached multiplexes; - A maximum number of bedrooms per building, to distinguish between multiplexes and multi-tenant houses while providing flexibility and enabling family sized units; - Regulations clarifying that reverse slope driveways are not permitted in multiplexes, consistent with all low-rise residential buildings; - An interim approach to address restrictive Chapter 900 exceptions; and - Zoning permissions for utility infrastructure on private property

(2) substantially in accordance with Attachment 2 to this report. 4. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft amendment to the City of Toronto Municipal Code as may be required. 5. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to continue to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law in facilitating multiplex developments, and to report to the Planning and Housing Committee by the end of 2027 on monitoring outcomes and any necessary revisions to the Official Plan, the Zoning By-law, or other changes to improve the implementation and facilitation of multiplex construction. 6. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to consolidate all multiplex-related monitoring programs and report back by the end of 2027. 7. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to continue to track and review the number of by-law protected trees damaged or removed as a result of the construction of multiplex developments, and the number and type of minor variances requested and approved for multiplex developments, as part of the monitoring program and to report on these findings to the Planning and Housing Committee by the end of 2027. 8. In coordination with ongoing monitoring of multiplex development, City Council request the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, the General Manager, Toronto Water, and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to report back by the end of 2025, if necessary, on any changes to the City's approval processes (including building permits) to assess sewer and water capacity impacts of multiplex development proposals.