Item - 2018.PG28.1

The Planning and Growth Management Committee:

1. Directed that the draft Official Plan Amendment containing policy direction for the second unit policy appended as Attachment 1 to the report (March 9, 2018) from the Acting Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning be endorsed as the basis for public consultation.

2. Directed City Planning staff to conduct consultations and an open house to obtain comments and feedback regarding the draft policy for second units contained in Attachment 1 to the report (March 9, 2018) from the Acting Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

3. Requested the Acting Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to prepare a Final Recommendation Report with a proposed Official Plan Amendment for second units in the second quarter of 2018 for a special meeting in fulfillment of Section 26 of the Planning Act.

This report presents a draft Official Plan Amendment for second units for the purpose of public consultation.  The draft policy is intended to clarify the existing Official Plan second unit permissions across the City and to strengthen the existing Official Plan policies that provide for a full range of housing and intensification and infill that is consistent with the Official Plan.

Currently, the City's Official Plan does not reference or set out specific provisions for second units. The draft Official Plan Amendment provides a clear policy framework under which second units would be permitted throughout the City. The draft amendment aligns the Official Plan with provincial policy changes to the Planning Act and Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2017 and reflects provincial direction to further encourage the creation of second units, including the Promoting Affordable Housing Act, 2016 which amends both the Planning Act and the Development Charges Act. A draft Official Plan Amendment is appended to this report as Attachment 1.