Planning for Growth in TO

The Federation of North Toronto Residents' Associations (FoNTRA) recently hosted a forum for residents' associations from across the city to hear from city planners and to discuss the exponential growth of our city. Keynote speaker, Jason Thorne, Chief Planner, City of Toronto made a thorough presentation on the city's growth, its challenges and the plans for dealing with these issues over the next decade and beyond.

Here is the link for Jason's complete deck presentation:

• City Planning Presentation – Jason Thorne

Some highlights included the following:

• Toronto CMA was the fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States and Canada in 2023 and 2024

• The average price of a home has grown to over five times the average income

• Many of our neighbourhoods have stagnant or declining population levels

• Toronto has more than double the number of active construction cranes of any other North American city.

• In Ontario, all city planning is undertaken within a provincially-defined planning system with the Province playing a significant role in determining where and how growth occurs

• Toronto has approximately 740,000 unbuilt residential units in its development pipeline

• In Ontario, all city planning is undertaken within a provincially-defined planning system

• The Province is playing an increasingly significant role in determining where and how growth occurs

• The City’s Official Plan is the primary policy document that guides growth and development in the city

• Area and neighbourhood scale plans help anticipate future community needs

• Most growth is occurring in the City’s planned growth centres including Yonge-Eglinton

• “Gentle density” is now permitted as-of-right on lands designated as “Neighbourhoods”

• Toronto has potential for 123,000 multiplexes and garden/laneway suites in neighbourhoods across the city

• Increased densities are now in effect at 120 Major Transit Station Areas

• We need housing across the “Housing Spectrum"that:

  • works for young families

  • is green

  • has quality design

  • integrates built heritage

  • is affordable

    
    

In addition to Jason's presentation there was a comprehensive review of a new City division by Valesa Faria, Executive Director of Development Review. Valesa discussed the role of the Development Review Division that was established in 2024 to improve how the City reviews proposed developments. Its aim is to:

• Expedite review of all development applications

• Streamline processes and decision-making

• Improve consistency, predictability and transparency

• Enhance customer service

• Enable the homes, services, and infrastructure that Torontonians urgently need

A multi-disciplinary team focused on strengthened collaboration and "one team" approach to expedite application reviews.

He is the link for Valesa's complete deck presentation:

• City Development Review Presentation – Valesa Faria