The Neighbourhood Retail & Services (NRS) proposal was the largest overhaul of residential zoning Toronto has seen in seventy years. In advance of the November 12–14 Council vote, COTRA submitted recommendations based on what residents told us through our city-wide survey—more than 3,400 responses and 3,700 written comments.
Read COTRA’s full submission to City Council (Insert link)
1. Remove Neighbourhood Interiors from the proposal and from future consideration.
Residents are clear: retail and commercial don’t belong on quiet residential streets.
- 90% of survey respondents oppose changing zoning rules to allow businesses to operate in Neighbourhood Interiors without consultation or approval.
- 80% want the city to stop proposing bylaw changes that would permit businesses to operate in residential neighbourhoods.
2. Adopt a targeted approach for rezoning some Major Streets based on demonstrated need and developed in consultation with residents, Residents’ Associations, and local ward councillors.
- 57% of survey respondents supported this measured approach.
Suggested criteria:
- Limit retail conversion to stretches of Major Streets more than 500m from an existing Main Street or plaza – this is the same distance Planning prescribes in its report (p. 19).
- Streets having sidewalks and safe pedestrian access.
- Streets serviced by transit.
- Permit retail on the ground floors of apartment buildings citywide.
3. Prioritize the development and support of existing commercial areas.
City investment and small-business support should concentrate on established retail corridors, not on converting existing housing in other areas.
- 80% of respondents support this rationale.
See what over 3,400 residents said about the proposed zoning changes. [HERE]
Learn what’s changing in your neighbourhood and whether your street is affected. [HERE]