Hello Bedford Park residents! Sending a quick update about important changes being proposed by the City of Toronto. Note there are virtual meetings taking place September 17 (tomorrow) and September 18.
In addition to attending these meetings, feel free to reply to let us know your thoughts on these proposed changes. Understanding our residents’ point of view helps us best represent you.
Neighbourhood Retail & Services
The City of Toronto is considering changes to allow retail and other businesses within residential neighbourhoods.
They are holding virtual meetings on September 17 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and September 18 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. where you can share your final thoughts on the proposed amendments before they are considered by Planning and Housing Committee. Click on the links to each date to attend.
Learn what’s proposed and provide your feedback on building connected, vibrant communities.
- Major Streets: On major streets , the proposed changes would allow a wide range of options, including small stores, cafes, medical offices, after-school programs, cleaners, barbers and professional offices.
- Neighbourhood Interior: In the interior of neighbourhoods, off the major streets, permissions would be limited to a small retail store with the option for a cafe within the store. These would be permitted on corner lots or next to schools, parks or commercial sites.
- Home-Based Businesses: Updated permissions would allow home-based businesses (called “home occupations” in the Zoning By-law) to hire up to two employees, operate from detached garages or laneway buildings and, depending on the business, to see clients on-site. This would help more residents start or grow a business from home.
- Minimizing Adverse Impacts: The zoning updates are designed to minimize impacts on neighbours by setting clear size limits, requiring garbage to be stored indoors and limiting most businesses to the ground floor.
- Other By-Laws: Impact on neighbours is also controlled through various existing city by-laws dealing with things like noise, waste, property standards and patios.
- Growing Demand: These changes respond to growing demand for nearby shops and services – particularly as more people work from home and new housing is added to low-rise areas through the City’s housing initiatives.
- Monitoring: The City will monitor how these changes are used over the next two years and report back with any recommended refinements to support implementation. Multiple divisions will coordinate on this.
For more information, see the Neighbourhood Retail & Services website.