If you are concerned about the zoning changes affecting residential properties, you may wish to contact your City Councillor and the Mayor to express your views and ask whether they would support restoring residential zoning and removing the new commercial permissions.
Below is a suggested email you can use. Feel free to customize it and add your own concerns or comments.
List of Councillors and emails click [HERE]
Suggested email
Dear Councillor and Mayor,
I live at [insert your address] and recently learned that my property is now subject to new zoning rules that allow a wide range of businesses to operate from residential properties.
I was surprised to learn that these changes had been made and that businesses can now operate from residential properties without the need for approval through the Committee of Adjustment process.
I am concerned about what this change means for my home and my neighbourhood. This is a residential area, and I believe residents should have been consulted and given an opportunity to participate in decisions that affect their neighbourhood. I am also concerned that the new rules place greater emphasis on enabling new business activity than on protecting the interests and expectations of residents living in these areas.
I would like to ask whether you would support restoring the residential zoning and removing these new commercial permissions from residential properties.
I would also appreciate knowing why this change was made, what consideration was given to the interests of residents, and whether you would support reviewing it.
Thank you for taking the time to respond.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Address or neighbourhood]