Item - 2016.PG10.1
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on March 31, 2016 without amendments.
- This item was considered by Planning and Growth Management Committee on February 24, 2016 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on March 31, 2016.
PG10.1 - Strategy for Minimizing the Negative Impacts of Residential Infill Construction Activity
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on March 31 and April 1, 2016, adopted the following:
1. City Council adopt the strategy set out in the report (February 9, 2016) from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards and summarized in Appendix 1, to minimize the impact of residential infill construction activity on Toronto neighbourhoods.
2. City Council direct the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, in cooperation with relevant divisions, to implement the strategy set out in Appendix 1 to the report (February 9, 2016) from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards.
3. City Council direct the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, in consultation with relevant divisions, to report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee by the fourth quarter of 2017 with:
a. the status of actions undertaken to implement the proposed residential infill strategy and any further actions necessary to support the continued development of the strategy;
b. an analysis of experience with the coordinated strategy based on improved information on cross-divisional complaints associated with residential infill construction sites; and
c. an evaluation of Toronto Building's program of issuing tickets and in consultation with relevant divisions, recommendations for broadening the use of this program to other City divisions.
4. City Council request the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, in consultation with the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, and the Director, Energy and Environment Office and Toronto Public Health, to report to the Licensing and Standards Committee in the first quarter of 2017 with recommendations on dust control measures related to residential infill construction.
5. City Council request the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building notify the Committee of Adjustment when a ticket has been issued on a construction project when an application has been submitted to the Committee of Adjustment, as a result of non-compliance with zoning identified during construction, similar to the notification currently provided to the Committee where an order has been issued.
6. City Council request the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to amend the Building Code Act to allow the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to suspend or revoke a building permit on problem residential infill construction sites when a builder does not follow good construction practices.
7. City Council direct the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, in consultation with other Divisions, to report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee in the first quarter of 2017 on the City's ability to suspend or revoke permissions on problem residential infill construction sites when a builder does not follow good construction practices.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-90453.pdf
Residential Infill Presentation
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-90739.pdf
Communications (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/pg/comm/communicationfile-59024.pdf
(February 23, 2016) Letter from Paula J. Tenuta, Vice President, Policy & Government Relations, BILD (Building Industry and Land Development Association) (PG.New.PG10.1.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/pg/comm/communicationfile-59012.pdf
(February 23, 2016) Letter from Geoff Kettel and Cathie Macdonald, Co-Chairs, Federation of North Toronto Residents' Associations (FoNTRA) (PG.New.PG10.1.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/pg/comm/communicationfile-59077.pdf
(February 23, 2016) E-mail from David Redgrave (PG.New.PG10.1.4)
Motions (City Council)
PG10.1 - Strategy for Minimizing the Negative Impacts of Residential Infill Construction Activity
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:
1. City Council adopt the strategy set out in the report (February 9, 2016) from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards and summarized in Appendix 1, to minimize the impact of residential infill construction activity on Toronto neighbourhoods.
2. City Council direct the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, in cooperation with relevant divisions, to implement the strategy set out in Appendix 1 to the report (February 9, 2016) from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards.
3. City Council direct the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, in consultation with relevant divisions, to report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee by the fourth quarter of 2017 with:
a. The status of actions undertaken to implement the proposed residential infill strategy and any further actions necessary to support the continued development of the strategy;
b. An analysis of experience with the coordinated strategy based on improved information on cross-divisional complaints associated with residential infill construction sites; and
c. An evaluation of Toronto Building's program of issuing tickets and in consultation with relevant divisions, recommendations for broadening the use of this program to other City divisions.
4. City Council request the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, in consultation with the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, and the Director, Energy and Environment Office and Toronto Public Health, to report to the Licensing and Standards Committee in the first quarter of 2017 with recommendations on dust control measures related to residential infill construction.
5. City Council request the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building notify the Committee of Adjustment when a ticket has been issued on a construction project when an application has been submitted to the Committee of Adjustment, as a result of non-compliance with zoning identified during construction, similar to the notification currently provided to the Committee where an order has been issued.
6. City Council request the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to amend the Building Code Act to allow the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to suspend, or revoke a building permit on problem residential infill construction sites, when a builder does not follow good construction practices.
7. City Council direct the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, in consultation with other Divisions, to report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee in the first quarter of 2017 on the City's ability to suspend or revoke permissions on problem residential infill construction sites when a builder does not follow good construction practices.
Decision Advice and Other Information
1. Requested the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to report to the June 15, 2016 Planning and Growth Management Committee meeting on the feasibility and implementation of the following initiative to amend Appendix 1 to the report (February 9, 2016) from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to provide that:
a. homeowners also be informed of the need to have their permit closed through both the homeowners’ guide (that is provided to homeowners at the time of permit issuance) and the infill website; and
b. homeowners also be provided with written confirmation from Toronto Building, within 48 hours of final inspection, stating that the permit has been closed.
The Director and Deputy Chief Building Official, Toronto Building gave a presentation on improving the City's response to residential infill construction.
Origin
Summary
The purpose of this report is to provide the Planning and Growth Management Committee with a proposed strategy to minimize the impact of residential infill construction activity on Toronto neighbourhoods. The report presents the result of work undertaken to date by Toronto Building, in consultation with various divisions and stakeholders, to develop an effective, co-ordinated City response to problematic residential construction sites in existing neighbourhoods.
When regulations and by-laws are not followed during construction, the process for the public and the City to respond and achieve compliance can be slow and cumbersome. The proposed strategy builds on existing successful processes and introduces actions aimed at developing a responsive and effective enforcement system, supported by proactive measures to prevent problems from occurring.
Should City Council accept these recommendations, Toronto Building will lead the proposed strategy by co-ordinating interdivisional actions in three areas:
- Improve the City's complaint management strategy to manage and respond to complaints more quickly and effectively;
- Improve communication with residents to provide clear, understandable information, so that they can have issues resolved in a more timely manner; and
- Encourage good construction practices in the building industry through education, more effective enforcement, increased use of tickets, an additional mandatory inspection and increased building inspector knowledge.
The Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards; General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation; General Manager, Transportation Services; Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services; Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services; Director, 311 Toronto; Director, Energy & Environment Division; and the City Solicitor were consulted in the preparation of this report.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-90453.pdf
Residential Infill Presentation
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-90739.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/pg/comm/communicationfile-59024.pdf
(February 23, 2016) Letter from Paula J. Tenuta, Vice President, Policy & Government Relations, BILD (Building Industry and Land Development Association) (PG.New.PG10.1.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/pg/comm/communicationfile-59012.pdf
(February 23, 2016) Letter from Geoff Kettel and Cathie Macdonald, Co-Chairs, Federation of North Toronto Residents' Associations (FoNTRA) (PG.New.PG10.1.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/pg/comm/communicationfile-59077.pdf
(February 23, 2016) E-mail from David Redgrave (PG.New.PG10.1.4)
Speakers
Geoffrey Jones, South Eglinton Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (SERRA)
Geoff Kettel, Co-Chair (with Cathie Macdonald), Federation of North Toronto Residents Associations
Councillor Josh Matlow
Councillor Mary Fragedakis
Motions
That:
The Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building notify the Committee of Adjustment when a ticket has been issued on a construction project when an application has been submitted to the Committee of Adjustment, as a result of non-compliance with zoning identified during construction, similar to the notification currently provided to the Committee where an order has been issued.
That:
City Council request the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to amend the Building Code Act to allow the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to suspend, or revoke a building permit on problem residential infill construction sites, when a builder does not follow good construction practices.
That:
City Council direct the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, in consultation with other Divisions, to report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee in the first quarter of 2017 on the City's ability to suspend or revoke permissions on problem residential infill construction sites when a builder does not follow good construction practices.
That the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building be requested to report to the June 15, 2016 Planning and Growth Management Committee meeting on the feasibility and implementation of the following initiative to amend Appendix 1 to provide that:
a. homeowners also be informed of the need to have their permit closed through both the homeowners’ guide (that is provided to homeowners at the time of permit issuance) and the infill website; and
b. homeowners also be provided with written confirmation from Toronto Building, within 48 hours of final inspection, stating that the permit has been closed.