Ontario Construction News staff writer
Toronto has released recommendations that would help permit multiplexes and support building new homes in neighbourhoods across the city.
The planning and housing committee approved a staff report April 27, recommending amendments to the official plan and city-wide zoning bylaw to allow the development of multiplexes – low-rise housing with two, three or four units in a single building – in all neighbourhoods throughout the city. Recommended changes aim to permit more housing in all low-rise neighbourhoods while largely maintaining their built form and landscape amenities.
It’s an initiative in the 2023 Housing Action Plan, which seeks to increase the supply of housing within complete, inclusive and sustainable communities with critical infrastructure to support growth.
While there has been housing growth through mid- and high-rise apartment buildings concentrated in densely populated areas of the city, the supply of low-rise housing, such as multiplexes, has not kept up with the demand.
To remove barriers and enable the creation of the supply of low-rise housing, the report proposes an official plan amendment to permit duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes in residential areas across the city and a zoning by-law amendment to implement these permissions as-of-right in all residential zones across Toronto.
It also recommends a monitoring program, which will track uptake and identify issues related to achieving multiplex housing.
A revised draft official plan amendment and a draft zoning bylaw amendment were released and staff invited comments via e-mail, attend a virtual public consultation and through an online survey about the amendments.
The full Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods: Multiplex Study – Final Report is also available on the city’s website.
“We have to get more housing built for people across our city. Expanding multiplex development will help create more homes for people in all neighbourhoods. It is the right thing to do and I believe it will make sure we have a vibrant city for more families to live in,” said Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie.