Neighbourhood Character Guidelines
A pilot project to establish design guidelines for a mature urban neighbourhood has been recently completed in the Long Branch area. This area faces many similar challenges to those in SERRA. To find out more about the results of this study, click here. The Long Branch Neighbourhood Character Guidelines aim to ensure that future development within this community is undertaken in a manner which is sensitive and generally consistent with the existing physical character of … Read more
Residents Achieve First Win at TLAB!
Homeowners wishing to develop a residential property may request a minor variance from the city’s planning bylaws through the Committee of Adjustment. In the past, if the application was refused, the owner would appeal this decision to the OMB. As of this summer the OMB no longer acts as the appeals body for minor variances and consents (lot severances). Residential appeals are now handled by the city-administered Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB). A recent case … Read more
Just Published! City of Toronto Good Neighbour Guide
SERRA and other resident association volunteers have worked with the City of Toronto to help create a new reference guide for residents to use when they have questions about nearby infill (new home or renovation) construction projects in their neighbourhood. The Good Neighbour Guide will help answer many questions. Here are some examples of information in this new guide: ✅ What types of permits need to be displayed at the renovation site? ✅ How are … Read more
Construction Initiatives
Each year, SERRA residents and members are asked to fill in a survey at Annual General Meeting, and construction always appears near the top of the list of key concerns. Early in 2016, SERRA administered an electronic survey with our active members to help us to gather more information on the nature of the problem (e.g., noise, sidewalk blockage, dust, debris). Last year, the results of our study were forwarded to the City task … Read more
Getting to Know the City of Toronto – Committee of Adjustment
The City of Toronto recently produced a short 8 page brochure that provides an excellent introduction to the Committee of Adjustment process. The brochure has been printed in a glossy fold-out format and is not yet available on-line. You may contact the councillor or visit the Committee of Adjustment to get a printed copy. SERRA has scanned a copy as a convenience for its members. Please see below:
Getting Ready For Your First Committee of Adjustment Hearing
The SERRA region is experiencing rapid infill residential development and nearby neighbours may receive an invitation to participate in their first Committee of Adjustment hearing. Al Kivi, a member of the SERRA board has attended many Committee of Adjustment hearings and has assisted SERRA residents to prepare to participate in these hearings. In November 2016, Al was asked to provide a presentation to the Leaside Property Owners’ Association (LPOA) to share some of his experiences with the … Read more
585 Hillsdale Ave. project stopped for now
SERRA supported a group of 50 well-organized residents to support their win at 585 Hillsdale. The proposed development application was to tear down a small apartment building, sever the lot and build two very large Tall Homes. The Committee of Adjustment disapproved the proposal. We just learned the developer is appealing the case. However, this initial win shows the power of an organized group of residents. We will continue to work together to stop this … Read more
Tall Homes Comparison
GROSS FLOOR AREA IS INTENDED TO LIMIT THE SIZE OF BUILDINGS However, by positioning the main floor on top of an integral garage, you get a much larger building with the same official amount of Gross Floor Area as a smaller house without the extra floor. BOTH TOP AND BOTTOM VIEWS HAVE THE SAME GFA Extra living space behind and beside the garage (in the top views) does not count as GFA. PhotoShop work courtesy … Read more