Item - 2015.PG1.6
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Planning and Growth Management Committee on January 8, 2015. The Planning and Growth Management Committee has referred this item to an official or other body without making a decision. Consult the text of the decision for further information on the referral.
PG1.6 - Driveway Widening Policies for Large Lots in Scarborough
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Referred
- Wards:
- 35 - Scarborough Southwest, 36 - Scarborough Southwest, 37 - Scarborough Centre, 38 - Scarborough Centre, 39 - Scarborough-Agincourt, 40 - Scarborough Agincourt, 41 - Scarborough-Rouge River, 42 - Scarborough-Rouge River, 43 - Scarborough East, 44 - Scarborough East
Committee Decision
The Planning and Growth Management Committee referred the item to the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning with the request to prepare an information report no later than the April 13, 2015 meeting of the Planning and Growth Committee on the matters raised in item 2015.PG1.6 - Driveway Widening Policies for Lots in Scarborough. The report should include a description of how the existing provisions differ.
Origin
Summary
Many residential communities in Scarborough have residential lots greater than 50 feet wide. Some of these properties have driveways which have been in place for over 50 years, and are wider than the current bylaw allows for. As these lots are wide the driveway width accommodates the property giving ample green space for drainage as well as being visibly appealing. Residents who are now repairing their old driveways are being advised that if they choose to make the repairs they will be forced to reduce the surface to accommodate the current bylaw. The residents are being penalized for making improvements.
The new city wide planning by-law unfortunately does not resolve this matter for Scarborough residential lots exceeding 50 feet in width. The community of North York however has always been accommodated allowing for wider driveway widths for lots exceeding 50 feet in width.
I am asking for this same accommodation to be extended to the community of Scarborough. In speaking with Scarborough Transportation Services in the Right of Way Division, staff have indicated they would support this accommodation and it would be straightforward to implement.
Therefore, I am asking the Committee to recommend Transportation Services allow owners of large lots (lots greater than 50 feet wide) permission to widen driveways beyond the current standard allowed in the current by-law similar to the by-law already in place in North York.
Thank you for your consideration.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-74397.pdf
Communications
(January 7, 2015) Letter from Eileen Denny, Vice Chair, Confederation of Resident and Ratepayer Associations in Toronto (PG.New.PG1.6.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pg/comm/communicationfile-50576.pdf
Motions
The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning be requested to prepare an information report no later than the April 13, 2015 meeting of the Planning and Growth Committee on the matters raised in item 2015.PG1.6 - Driveway Widening Policies for Lots in Scarborough. The report should include a description of how the existing provisions differ.