City of Toronto staff has produced a preliminary report on the West Forest Hill zoning study, aimed at tackling the proliferation of ‘monster’ homes.
The study looks at the area that falls between Eglinton Avenue and Richview Avenue and Spadina Road and Cedarvale ravine.
Recommendations include increasing the permitted densities modestly, based on a review of the 128 variances that have been allowed in the area. Staff believes this would set a more realistic standard, reduce non-compliance and make it easier for homeowners to add appropriate density. It would further signal to the committee of adjustment and Ontario Municipal Board the intent of the bylaw.
“The intent of the zoning bylaw would be to limit the size of dwellings in the study area so that they are in conformance with the physical character of the neighbourhood,” it stated.
Specific to Old Forest Hill Road and Rosemary Lane is a recommendation to decrease permitted densities slightly.
Coun. Joe Mihevc requested the study in response to a trend he’s noticed over the last five years.
“It’s when some developers try to squeeze in a Richmond Hill–sized house into a Forest Hill–sized lot that we get into trouble” he said. “The side yard setbacks, the height and the density number have to work as a package to govern how big the box is and how it presents itself on the street.”
Local resident Mary Spring is upset about the impact these homes are having on the character of the neighbourhood. But Spring said she doesn’t know what it will take to prevent them from being built in light of some of the tactics that are used to get around zoning bylaws, such as creating voids for density calculations and later attempting to fill them in.
“I think that the zoning bylaws do have to change,” she said.