Application to Amend Zoning By-law No. 6752
Regarding 153 Torrens Avenue
The East York Community Council, based on the findings of fact and conclusions, recommends the adoption of the
report (July 21, 1999) from the Director of Community Planning, East District.
The East York Community Council reports having held a statutory public meeting on September 14, 1999, in accordance
with Section 34 of the Planning Act, and appropriate notice of this meeting was given in accordance with the Planning Act,
and the regulations thereunder.
The East York Community Council submits the following report (July 21, 1999) from the Director of Community
Planning, East District:
Purpose:
This is a report and staff recommendations regarding an application to amend Zoning By-law No. 6752 to permit a pair of
semi-detached dwellings at 153 Torrens Avenue.
Financial Implications:
The developer will assume the costs associated with this development.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that City Council:
(1)approve the application by M.J. Design Consultants to permit one pair of semi-detached dwellings at 153 Torrens
Avenue, with site-specific zoning exceptions to allow side yard setbacks of 0.6 metres on the exterior sides of the
dwellings, and a 0 metre setback between the dwellings; and
(2)enact a zoning by-law amendment in the form attached.
Background:
M.J. Design Consultants, on behalf of the owners, 578898 Ontario Limited, submitted this application. The applicant is
proposing an amendment to Zoning By-law No. 6752 to permit a pair of semi-detached dwellings on the property at 153
Torrens Avenue.
Discussion:
(1)Site Description:
The site is located on the south side of Torrens Avenue, east of Pape Avenue, opposite William Burgess Public School, as
illustrated on the location map above. The property has a lot frontage of 10.9 metres (35.7 feet), and a lot area of 498
square metres (5,360 square feet). The property is described as Part of Lot 219, Registered Plan M-40.
The site is developed with a one-storey detached dwelling. The properties in the neighbourhood are residential. The
surrounding properties are used for detached dwellings. Other properties on Torrens Avenue are developed with
semi-detached dwellings.
(2)Proposal:
The applicant is proposing to demolish the existing dwelling and construct a pair of semi-detached dwellings. Each new
dwelling would be two-storeys, with a gross floor area of 161.45 square metres (1,738 square feet). Each dwelling would
have a parking space in a basement level garage.
Drawings showing the site plan and building elevations are attached.
(3)Official Plan:
The site is designated Low Density Residential in the Official Plan for the Borough of East York. The policies for this
designation are in Section 3.3 of the Official Plan. The Low Density Residential policies permit the land to be zoned for
ground-oriented housing forms, such as detached, semi-detached and row house dwellings. The proposal complies with the
Low Density Residential policies.
(4)Zoning By-law:
The site is zoned R1C in Zoning By-law No. 6752. The R1C zone permits one-family detached dwellings, but not
semi-detached dwellings.
The appropriate zoning category for a semi-detached dwelling is R2A. The following chart sets out the zoning
requirements for a semi-detached single-family dwelling in the R2A zone, and the corresponding statistics for this site.
Zoning Requirement:153 TorrensAvenue:
Lot Frontage10.5 m (34.5 feet)
per semi pair10.9 metres (35.7 feet)
Lot Area325 m2 (3,498 square
feet) per semi pair498 m2 (5,360 square feet)
Front Yard6.0 metres (19.7 feet)6.1 metres (20 feet)
Side Yard 0.9 metres (2.95 feet)east exterior 0.6 metres (1.97 feet) west exterior 0.6 metres (1.97)
interior 0 metres.
Rear Yard9.0 metres (29.5 feet)22.5 metres (74 feet)
Lot Coverage35 percent32.8 percent
Floor Space Index0.750.65
Height8.5 metres (27.8 feet)8.5 metres (27.8 feet)
Building Length16.75 metres (54.9 feet)16.75 metres (54.9 feet)
Parking1 space per unit1 parking space per unit
(5)Circulation:
The application was circulated to the usual commenting departments and agencies. No comments or objections were
received.
(6)Public Participation:
Staff from the Community Planning Division held a Community Meeting on July 19, 1999 at the East York Civic Centre.
Staff mailed notice of the meeting to all properties within a 120 metre (295 feet) radius of the property. Two
neighbourhood residents came to the meeting, but did not express any concerns about the proposal.
Notice of the September 14, 1999 Public Meeting was also mailed to all to all properties within a 120 metre (295 feet)
radius of the property.
Comments:
The applicant proposes to construct the dwellings generally in accordance with the zoning standards for semi-detached
dwellings, however, he is seeking exceptions to the side yard setback requirement. The Zoning By-law requires a minimum
side yard of 0.9 metres (2.95 feet), whereas the applicant is proposing side yard setbacks of 0.6 metres (1.97 feet) on the
exterior sides of the dwellings, and a zero setback between the dwellings. These setbacks would not be out of character on
Torrens Avenue, and staff support the exceptions.
In the Preliminary Evaluation report dated June 10, 1999, staff noted that the applicant was requesting an exception to the
building height restriction. This matter has been resolved. The applicant intends to comply with the maximum building
height restriction of 8.5 metres (27.8 feet).
In the opinion of staff, the proposal does not adversely affect the physical character of the neighbourhood. There is a mix of
detached dwellings and legal non-conforming semi-detached dwellings on the street. Staff support the proposal, and
recommend that Council enact a zoning by-law amendment to change the zoning to an R2A site specific zone, with
exceptions to permit the proposed side yard setbacks.
Conclusion:
The proposal is supported by the policies of the Official Plan. It will not result in any adverse changes to the character of
the neighbourhood. Staff are recommending that the application be approved, and that Council enact a zoning by-law
amendment to change the zoning to an R2A site specific zone, with exceptions to permit the proposed side yard setbacks.
Contact
Paul Galvin, Planner
(416) 397-4648
Insert Map No. 1
Proposed Site Plan
Insert Map No. 2
Elevation Plan
Authority:East York Community Council, Report No. , Clause No.
as adopted by Council on
Enacted by Council:
City Of Toronto
Bill No.
By-law No.
To amend Restricted Area Zoning By-law No. 6752,
as amended, of the former Township of East York
Whereas authority is given to Council by Section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P. 13, as amended, to pass this
By-law; and whereas Council of the City of Toronto has provided adequate information to the public and has held at least
one public meeting in accordance with the Planning Act;
The Council of the City of Toronto Hereby Enacts as follows:
(1)the lands subject to this By-law are those lands outlined in a heavy black line and identified as "Area Subject to
Amendment" as shown on Schedule "1" attached hereto.
(2)Schedule "A" to By-law No. 6752, as amended, is hereby further amended by changing the zoning category for the
lands identified as "Area Subject to Amendment" on Schedule "1" of this By-law from "Residential R1C Zone" to
"Residential R2A - Site Specific (R2A.37) Zone".
(3)Zoning By-law No. 6752, as amended, is hereby further amended by adding a new Section 7.5.4.37 immediately
after Section 7.5.4.36 of the By-law as follows:
"7.5.4.37153 Torrens Avenue R2A.37 Zone
7.5.4.37.1Area Restricted
The provisions of this Section shall only apply to those lands being Part of Lot 219 on Registered Plan M-40, City of
Toronto (formerly Borough of East York) designated R2A.37 on Schedule "A".
7.5.4.37.2General Provisions
On those lands referred to in Section 7.5.4.37.1 of this By-law, no person shall use, occupy, erect, alter, cause to be used,
occupied, erected or altered any Building, Structure or part thereof except in accordance with the following provisions:
(1)Permitted Uses:
All of the uses permitted in Section 7.5 of this By-law (Residential R2A Density Zone).
(2)Development Requirements:
The R2A Zone Requirements under Section 7.8 and Section 5.6 regarding encroachments into required yards shall apply,
except the following requirements shall apply to a pair of semi-detached dwellings:
(a)Minimum side yard setback0.6 metres
(b)Minimum side yard setback
between semi-detached dwellingsNil
(3)Other Provisions of the By-law:
None of the other provisions of this By-law shall apply to prevent the use, occupation, erection or alteration of any
Building, Structure, land or part thereof on the lands referred to in Section 7.5.4.37.1 in accordance with the provisions of
Section 7.5.4.37.2. In all other respects, all of the other provisions of this By-law shall apply to the lands described in
Section 7.5.4.37.1.
Enacted And Passed this day of , A.D. 1999.
__________________________
Mayor Clerk
Insert Table/Map No. 1
Schedule "1"
