October 20, 1999
To: Toronto Community Council
From: Acting Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services
Subject: Preliminary Report on Rezoning Application No. 199023 to permit an existing coach house at 323 Palmerston
Boulevard to be used for residential purposes
(Ward 20 - Trinity-Niagara)
Purpose:
To introduce a zoning amendment proposal to permit the residential use of an existing coach house at the rear of 323
Palmerston Boulevard, and to seek Community Council endorsement to hold a public meeting.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that I be requested to hold a public meeting in the community to discuss the application and to notify
owners and tenants within 120 metres of the site, area resident and business associations, and the Ward Councillors.
Background:
The owner previously proposed to develop a residential unit in the rear coach house by way of a Committee of Adjustment
variance application. On September 3, 1997, the Committee refused the application, which the proponent subsequently
appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). On July 20, 1998, the OMB dismissed the appeal on the grounds that the
proposed change in use was not considered to be minor or within the general intent of the By-law, and was not considered
to be appropriate or desirable. The applicant is now seeking to convert the existing coach house through a zoning
amendment, which would allow for a more comprehensive review of the proposal.
Comments:
Site Context
a) Location and Current Development
The site is located on the east side of Palmerston Boulevard (north of College Street and west of Bathurst Street). The site
is currently developed with a 2.5 storey principal residential building and a 2 storey rear coach house. The applicant has
advised that the main house contains 2 residential units, and that the coach house is currently used for parking (3 spaces)
and storage accessory to the principal building.
b) Official Plan and Zoning Designations
The lands are designated Low Density Residence Area by the Official Plan and zoned R2 Z0.6 by By-law 438-86. Both
categories permit residential uses. The Zoning By-law, however, permits only one occupied residential structure on a
property.
c) Surrounding Land Uses
North - detached residential building
South - detached residential building
East - semi-detached residential building
West - Palmerston Blvd. and detached residential building
Proposal
The applicant is proposing to develop one residential unit within the coach house by upgrading the interior and exterior of
the structure. No changes to the existing floor area or height of the structure are being proposed. The residential unit would
occupy approximately half of the main floor and all of the second floor of the structure. The remainder of the first floor
would accommodate two parking spaces. The applicant advises that additional parking for the site could be located on the
driveway in tandem fashion.
The applicant advises that the coach house had, under a previous ownership, contained a residential unit, and is of the
understanding that the residential use of the coach house ceased during the 1960s.
In order to accommodate a residential unit within the coach house, the applicant has requested a zoning amendment
proposing several variations from the provisions of By-law 438-86, including the following:
- more than one principal building would be located on the lot;
- a residential building would be located to the rear of another residential building;
- the gross floor area of the structures would cumulatively exceed the maximum permitted lot coverage;
- setbacks from the side and rear lot lines would not meet By-law requirements.
Planning Issues
Issues to be resolved prior to submission of the Final Report include the following:
- the appropriateness of the use of the coach house for residential purposes, given the pattern of residential lot development
in the area, and in particular, the unique character of Palmerston Boulevard;
- protection of privacy for adjacent residential uses as well as for the proposed development;
- vehicular access, egress and parking; and
- servicing access to the proposed residential unit, including fire access.
Conclusions:
This application should be discussed by the community.
There are a number of issues that must be resolved prior to the introduction of the Final Report to Toronto Community
Council.
Contact:
Catherine Cieply
Planner
Telephone: 392-7622
Fax: 392-1330
E-Mail: ccieply@toronto.ca
Beate Bowron
Director, Community Planning, South District
(p:\1999\ug\uds\pln\to992017.pln) - smc 
List of Attachments:
Application Data Sheet
Maps (3)
APPLICATION DATA SHEET
