Item - 2012.PG16.14

The Planning and Growth Management Committee:

1.         Requested the Chief Building Official and Executive Director of Toronto Building and the Acting Chief Planner and Executive Director of City Planning, to report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee meeting on November 8, 2012, on the following:

a.         a review of options available to compel movement from developers where limited progress has been made within a reasonable time frame;

b.         recommendations to Council on the best means of ensuring developments are completed in a timely manner; and

c.         any other options available for the City to pursue to seal or complete such developments should the developer fail to do so.

Commercial and residential developments are necessary and important components of Toronto's growth.  However, the regulations surrounding development must meet the needs of the neighbourhood and community, as well as the developers.  Developers are able to maintain permits for years while no progress is made and no completion is in sight, leaving residents and visitors to wonder why the work is never completed.

Building permits are allocated based on the assumption that the developer will carry out the construction in a timely and efficient manner.  Unfortunately, current by-laws allow developers to continue to hold a permit even when progress has stalled beyond reasonable limits.

(Submitted to City Council on April 10 and 11, 2012 as MM22.10)