The filed record
Community Within Reach: Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) Neighbourhood Retail and Services Study - Phase Three Final Report
The Public Gallery wrote no story on this item. What follows is the city’s own record of what happened to it, as filed: nothing on this page is summarised or scored by us.
The decision
2025-11-12 · Toronto City Council · amended
As filed
City Council on November 12 and 13, 2025, adopted the following: 1. City Council amend Zoning By-law 569-2013, as amended, substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendments appended as revised Attachment 1 to the report (October 16, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, with respect to neighbourhood retail and services on major streets, provided that the commercial use permissions are not applied to a new non-residential building and provided that the commercial use permissions are not applied to the following streets: a.
Show the rest of As filed, 10,102 more characters as filed
Huntingwood Drive from Victoria Park to McCowan; b. Sloan Avenue from Eglinton Avenue East to Victoria Park; c. Guildwood Parkway from Kingston Road to Morningside Drive; d. Orton Park Road from Ellesmere Road to Lawrence Avenue East; e. Scarborough Golf Club Road from Ellesmere Road to Kingston Road; f. Morningside Avenue from Guildwood Parkway to the GO Transit Metrolinx Rail Corridor; g. Sheppard Avenue from Bathurst Street to Jane Street; h. Wilson Avenue from Bathurst Street to Jane Street; i. Clonmore Drive between Gerrard and Warden; j. Warden Avenue South of Danforth Avenue; k. Birchmount Road south of Danforth Avenue; l. Midland Avenue between Kingston Road and St. Clair Avenue East; m. McCowan Road south of Eglinton Avenue East; n. Brimley Road from Ellesmere Avenue to Eglinton Avenue West; o. Warden Avenue from the 401 to Eglinton Avenue East; p. Pharmacy Avenue from Highway 401 to Eglinton Avenue East; q. Moore Avenue, from Brendan Road to Bayview Avenue; r. Mount Pleasant Road, from Glengowan Road to Lawrence Avenue; s. Islington Avenue from Finch Avenue West to Steeles Avenue West; t. Weston Road from Wilson Avenue to Finch Avenue West; u. Steeles Avenue West from Islington Avenue to the west and the utility corridor to the east; v. Albion Road from the Humber River to the west and Weston Road to the east; w. Sheppard Avenue West, Jane Street to the Black Creek; x. Norfinch Drive, north and south of Shoreham Drive; y. Martin Grove Road from Richgrove Drive to Highway 401, Jeffcoat Drive to Mercury Road, and Silverstone Drive to Steeles Avenue West; z. Kipling Avenue from Steeles Avenue West to Anabelle Drive, Highway 401 to Dixon Road; aa. Islington Avenue from Monogram Place to Kingsview Boulevard, Kingsmoor Gate to Finch Avenue West; ab. Lawrence Avenue, from Mount Pleasant Road to Bayview Avenue; ac. York Mills Road, from Highland Crescent to Bayview Avenue; ad. Wilmington Ave, from Sheppard Avenue West to Finch Avenue West; ae. Brimley Road from Highway 401 to Steeles Avenue East. 2. City Council further clarify that for through lots, the permissions in Revised Attachment 1 apply only to development that fronts onto a major street. 3. City Council amend Zoning By-law 569-2013 to reflect the permissions for neighbourhood interiors contained in Revised Attachment 2 to the report (October 16, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning for the following areas: a. lands generally bounded by Rogers Road to the north, Old Weston Road (north of St. Clair Avenue West) and the rail corridor (south of St. Clair Avenue West) to the west, Queen Street West to the south, and Oakwood Avenue (north of Davenport Road) and Ossington Avenue (south of Davenport Road) to the east, and including the area between Eglinton Avenue West to the north, Dufferin Road to the east, Rogers Road to the south and Caledonia Road to the west [Ward 9 Davenport]; b. lands generally bounded by Dundas Street West to the north, the rail corridor (north of Queen Street West) and Dufferin Street (south of Queen Street West) to the east, Lake Ontario to the south, and the Humber River to the west [Ward 4 Parkdale High-Park]; c. lands generally bounded by Dundas Street West to the north, Bay Street to the east, Lake Ontario to the south, and Dovercourt Road (north of the rail corridor) and Dufferin Street (south of the rail corridor) [Ward 10 Spadina-Fort York]; d. lands generally bounded by the Don Valley Parkway to the north, Coxwell Avenue to the east, Lake Ontario to the south, and the Don Valley Parkway to the west [Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth]; e. lands generally bounded by Charles Street East (west of Jarvis Street) and Rosedale Valley Road (east of Jarvis Street) to the north, the Don Valley Parkway to the east, The Esplanade/Mill Street to the south, and Bay Street to the west [Ward 13 Toronto-Centre]; f. lands generally bounded by Dupont Street (west of Yonge Street) and St. Clair Avenue East (east of Yonge Street) to the north, the Don Valley Parkway to the east, Dundas Street West (west of Yonge Street) and Bloor Street East (east of Yonge Street) to the south, and Ossington Avenue to the west [Ward 11 University-Rosedale]; and g. lands generally bounded by O'Connor Drive to the north, Victoria Park Avenue to the east, Lake Ontario to the south, and Coxwell Avenue to the west [Ward 19 Beaches-East York]. h. lands generally bounded by Eglinton Avenue West and East to the north, Mount Pleasant Road (north of St. Clair Avenue East) and Yonge Street (south of St. Clair Avenue East) to the east, Dupont Street to the south, and Ossington Avenue (north of Rogers Road) and Dufferin Street (south of Rogers Road) to the west [Ward 12 Toronto-St. Paul's]. 4. City Council determine that pursuant to Section 34 (17) of the Planning Act, no further notice is to be given in respect of the changes in Parts 1 and 3 above. 5. City Council amend Zoning By-law 569-2013, as amended, substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendments appended as revised Attachment 3 to the report (October 16, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, with respect to home occupations. 6. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the proposed draft Zoning By-law Amendments as may be required. 7. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with Municipal Licensing and Standards, Toronto Building, and other appropriate City divisions, to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the Zoning By-law Amendments and to report to the Planning and Housing Committee following the earlier of two (2) years following the date the Zoning By-law Amendments come into full force and effect, or following the issuance of 100 building permits and/or business licenses, in order to review and recommend any necessary revisions to policy, zoning and/or other changes, including consideration for dedicated enforcement resources, to improve implementation. 8. City Council request the Ministry of the Attorney General to initiate the process for amendments to the Cannabis License Act, 2018 and/or any applicable regulations or ministry directives for the purpose of restricting the location of cannabis retail stores within lands designated as Neighbourhoods in the City's Official Plan, including options to limit the total number of cannabis retail stores per ward, and direct the City Manager, the City Solicitor and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to work with the Ministry to support this request, and report back through the monitoring program. 9. City Council request the Ministry of the Attorney General to initiate the process for amendments to the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 (LLCA), and/or any applicable regulations or ministry directives for the purpose of restricting the granting of Liquor Sales Licenses and Convenience and Grocery Store licenses within lands designated as Neighbourhoods, in the City's Official Plan and direct the City Manager, the City Solicitor and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to work with the Ministry to support this request, and report back through the monitoring program. 10. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to hold local engagement in consultation with Ward Councillors, as requested, on the permissions for Neighbourhood interiors and Major Streets. 11. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to initiate a review of Official Plan Map 3. 12. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to consider what mechanism may be utilized to identify, in collaboration with the Ward Councillor, those proposed neighbourhood retail locations that have substantial support from neighbours within 200 metres, in order to appropriately zone those particular locations, including required staff resources and budget as part of the monitoring report. 13. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to identify an approach to providing appropriate commercial permissions in the Zoning By-law to properties where existing businesses operate in residential zones and to report back with a work plan, including required staff resources and budget, as part of the monitoring program. 14. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in coordination with the General Manager, Transportation Services, the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, the Executive Director, Development Review, General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and the Chief Planner, in the further consideration directed at the October 30, 2025 meeting of Planning and Housing Committee to consider the feasibility of using business licensing to address outstanding questions around loading, hours of operation, noxious odours and other issues to ensure the scale of operations is appropriate in a neighbourhood context. 15. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture work with the Ward Councillor to conduct meaningful consultations about retail in neighbourhoods and any related business licensing options, and ensure that: a. meaningful consultations are conducted in a coordinated manner and prioritise accessibility, clarity, and transparency; b. all ward specific communications are available in multiple languages at the request of the Ward Councillor; and c. specialist staff are available to answer questions during in-person meetings. 16. City Council direct that Confidential Attachment 1 to the supplementary report (November 7, 2025) from the City Solicitor remain confidential, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege. Confidential Attachment 1 to the supplementary report (November 7, 2025) from the City Solicitor remains confidential in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege.
The vote
Adopt Item as Amended · Carried, 23-2
The whole record, all 26 members
- Alejandra BravoFor
- Amber MorleyFor
- Anthony PerruzzaFor
- Ausma MalikFor
- Brad BradfordFor
- Chris MoiseFor
- Dianne SaxeFor
- Frances NunziataFor
- Gord PerksFor
- Jamaal MyersFor
- James PasternakAbsent
- Jon BurnsideFor
- Josh MatlowFor
- Lily ChengFor
- Michael ThompsonFor
- Mike ColleFor
- Neethan ShanAgainst
- Nick MantasFor
- Olivia ChowFor
- Parthi KandavelFor
- Paul AinslieFor
- Paula FletcherFor
- Rachel Chernos LinFor
- Shelley CarrollFor
- Stephen HolydayAgainst
- Vincent CrisantiFor
Every name opens that member’s record.
On the agenda
As the city filed it
Toronto is a growing city with at least 700,000 new Torontonians expected by 2051. It is expected that some of that growth, enabled through other Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) initiatives such as the Laneway Suites, Garden Suites, Multiplex and Major Streets studies, will be accommodated within Toronto's existing Neighbourhoods. Recent research conducted by City Planning shows that within that period, uptake of city-wide residential EHON initiatives could be about 163,785 new units by 2051, including 54,600 by 2031.
Show the rest of As the city filed it, 4,269 more characters as filed
To support the daily needs of future and current residents, it is necessary to ensure the goods and services they depend on are conveniently located, contributing to walkable and livable communities across Toronto. Achieving this goal requires a city-wide policy and regulatory environment that is supportive of local businesses and services locating within communities. Despite small-scale retail, service and office uses historically playing an important role in many of Toronto's Neighbourhoods, these types of uses were strictly limited by policies and zoning provisions established in the mid-20th century, many of which remain today. As a result, many of Toronto's current residents have never had these amenities close to their homes, and others have seen them decline over the decades as existing establishments closed, and new ones did not take their place. The EHON Neighbourhood Retail and Services Study aims to address this challenge for current and future residents through Zoning By-law Amendments (ZBLAs) that would enable small-scale retail, service and office uses to be within reach of communities across Toronto. The study has been undertaken in three phases. In July 2022, through Phase One of the study, Council approved an Official Plan Amendment supporting new Neighbourhood Retail and Services Uses and a Zoning By-law Amendment equalizing certain Home Occupation permissions in low-rise Neighbourhoods across the city. In 2024, through Phase Two of the study, staff consulted with the public on draft ZBLAs, which were brought to Council in December 2024. City Council referred the item back to staff for additional consultation with the public and residents' associations and preparation of a professional communications campaign through mainstream media channels to explain the proposal and gather feedback. This report addresses work undertaken in Phase Three of the EHON Neighbourhood Retail and Services Study and responds to City Council direction and recommends approval of three city-wide ZBLAs. The three ZBLAs address the following: 1. Permit a range of small-scale retail, service and office uses, with appropriate zoning standards related to type, scale and form, on residentially-zoned properties on major streets (see Attachment 1); 2. Permit a small-scale retail store with option for ancillary eating establishment or takeout eating establishment with appropriate zoning standards related to type, scale and form, on residentially-zoned properties on in the interior of Neighbourhoods. Maintain these permissions only on corner lots and properties next to parks, schools and existing commercial sites, but further limit the permissions to corner lots on Community Streets (see Attachment 2); and 3. Update zoning standards for home occupations to implement the previously-approved Official Plan policies for home occupations (see Attachment 3). The proposed ZBLAs implement the policies of the Official Plan Amendment approved by Council in 2022. The proposed amendments present a balanced approach to permit these uses while minimizing potential for adverse impacts on nearby residents by permitting them in locations, forms and at scales that are compatible with and integrated into Neighbourhoods. The key changes to the recommended ZBLAs compared to the previous December 2024 report include: - maintaining the recommended permissions for home-based businesses, with minor adjustments; - maintaining the recommended permissions for small-scale retail, service and office uses on major streets within Neighbourhoods, with minor adjustments; - maintaining the recommended permissions for small-scale retail, service and office uses in interior to Neighbourhoods adjacent to parks, schools and existing commercial sites, as well as on corner lots but limiting corner lot permissions to 'Community Streets'. Also removing as-of-right permissions for patios in Neighbourhood interiors. This report also presents the findings from an extensive consultation and communication program, including advertising using social media, online news sites and in TTC transit shelters, city-wide online meetings, in-person pop-up events in every ward, and a survey. The report further recommends a monitoring strategy for the new permissions.
Staff recommended
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, recommends that: 1. City Council amend Zoning By-law 569-2013, as amended, substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendments appended as Attachment 1 to this report, with respect to neighbourhood retail and services on major streets. 2. City Council amend Zoning By-law 569-2013, as amended, substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendments appended as Attachment 2 to this report, with respect to neighbourhood retail and services in neighbourhood interiors.
Show the rest of Staff recommended, 1,000 more characters as filed
3. City Council amend Zoning By-law 569-2013, as amended, substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendments appended as Attachment 3 to this report, with respect to home occupations. 4. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the proposed Draft Zoning By-law Amendments as may be required. 5. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with Municipal Licensing and Standards, Toronto Building, and other appropriate City divisions, to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the Zoning By-law Amendments and to report to the Planning and Housing Committee following the earlier of two (2) years following the date the Zoning By-law Amendments come into full force and effect, or following the issuance of 200 building permits and/or business licenses, in order to review and recommend any necessary revisions to policy, zoning and/or other changes to improve implementation.
Considered
2025-10-30 · Planning and Housing Committee · amended
Decision as filed
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council amend Zoning By-law 569-2013, as amended, substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendments appended as revised Attachment 1 to the report (October 16, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, with respect to neighbourhood retail and services on major streets. 2. City Council amend Zoning By-law 569-2013, as amended, substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendments appended as revised Attachment 3 to the report (October 16, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, with respect to home occupations.
Show the rest of Decision as filed, 2,227 more characters as filed
3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the proposed Draft Zoning By-law Amendments as may be required. 4. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with Municipal Licensing and Standards, Toronto Building, and other appropriate City divisions, to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the Zoning By-law Amendments and to report to the Planning and Housing Committee following the earlier of two (2) years following the date the Zoning By-law Amendments come into full force and effect, or following the issuance of 100 building permits and/or business licenses, in order to review and recommend any necessary revisions to policy, zoning and/or other changes, including consideration for dedicated enforcement resources, to improve implementation. 5. City Council request the Ministry of the Attorney General to initiate the process for amendments to the Cannabis License Act, 2018 and/or any applicable regulations or ministry directives for the purpose of restricting the location of cannabis retail stores within lands designated as Neighbourhoods in the City's Official Plan and direct the City Manager, the City Solicitor and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to work with the Ministry to support this request, and report back through the monitoring program. 6. City Council request the Ministry of the Attorney General to initiate the process for amendments to the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 (LLCA) , and/or any applicable regulations or ministry directives for the purpose of restricting the granting of Liquor Sales Licenses and Convenience and Grocery Store licenses within lands designated as Neighbourhoods , in the City's Official Plan and direct the City Manager, the City Solicitor and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to work with the Ministry to support this request, and report back through the monitoring program. 7. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to hold local engagement in consultation with ward councillors, as requested, on the permissions for Neighbourhood interiors and Major Streets.
Clerk’s note
The Planning and Housing Committee: 1. Directed the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services, to give further consideration to the draft Neighbourhood Interiors Zoning By-law Amendment, as outlined in revised Attachment 2 to the report (October 16, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and: a. requested the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to review and assess the economic benefits of cutting red tape for small retail businesses, creating local jobs and growing the local economy through neighbourhood retail, including as it relates to the Action Plan for Toronto's Economy and the Inclusive Economic Development plan, and consider the role of neighbourhood retail in promoting belonging as per the Toronto Foundation Vital Signs Report; b.
Show the rest of Clerk’s note, 1,522 more characters as filed
requested the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services consult with the Chief of Police on a review and assessment of any safety considerations related to unregulated types of shops in neighbourhoods including cannabis and alcohol; c. requested the City Solicitor review all potential mechanisms to limit cannabis shops within neighbourhood interiors; d. requested the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to determine the appropriate staffing resources required to respond to requests made to 311 concerning new establishments arising from the zoning contemplated in revised Attachment 2 to the report (October 16, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning; and e. requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to explore mechanisms to ensure currently existing businesses in neighbourhoods are able to continue to operate. 2. Requested the City Solicitor to report to the November 12, 2025 meeting of City Council on the legal implications of amending revised Attachment 1 to the report (October 16, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to provide that the permissions for neighbourhood retail and services on major streets only applies to newly constructed buildings or structures for which a building permit was lawfully issued after the day the bylaw comes into force. The Planning and Housing Committee held a statutory public meeting on October 30, 2025 and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.
2025-11-12 · Toronto City Council · amended
On the record
More from this meeting
- Technical Amendments to Zoning By-law 569-2013 and By-law 335-2024Filed record
- Provincial Planning Statement 2024 Consistency Exercise Phase 1 - Recommendation ReportFiled record
- 2024-2025 Annual Progress Report - HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan and Housing Action Plan (2022-2026)Filed record
- 444 Logan Avenue - Authority to Enter into a Social Housing Agreement and Municipal Capital Project Facility Agreement with WoodGreen Community Housing IncorporatedFiled record
- Infrastructure Cost Sharing - Regent Park Phase 4Filed record
- Supporting Affordable Housing on Privately-Owned Development Sites Within Ookwemin MinisingFiled record