A few neighbourhood complaints are sometimes all it takes to shut down a forthcoming condo, a cafe patio or a small business in Toronto, and one new example of what some might consider NIMBYism is showing how even local law can be amended with enough objection.
Garden suites and laneway homes have been a huge topic in the city in recent years, touted as an easy way to add more (hopefully affordable) housing to the city while also offering homeowners a new mode of multi-generational living or a way to recoup exorbitant mortgage payments.
But, despite all of the chatter about the newly approved type of residence, the program didn’t take off as much as expected after launching in summer 2022. And even with so few garden suites in existence in Toronto, people living in one neighbourhood have pushed back so hard against the concept that they may manage to get the new regulations amended for one street alone.
Residents of Craven Road, located in the Upper Beaches near Coxwell and Gerrard, are trying to foil any neighbours’ plans of ever building garden suites by contending that the “history and classification” of their avenue warrants a zoning bylaw amendment for the adjacent Parkmount Road.
Craven politicians at City Hall are gutting secondary suite zoning on Craven Rd—choosing NIMBYs over homes! How can we fix the housing crisis when they’re scared to build? Stop blocking affordable homes and start building! #BuildMoreNow @PaulaFletcherTO @oliviachow https://t.co/lRwFpFG9NX
— Stronger Toronto (@StrongerToronto) September 18, 2024
Because Craven’s front doors face toward the laneway, the argument is that the buildings would impact those living on the street more than anywhere else in the city.
Locals pushing for the change say that laneway and garden homes should be permissible only when they abut a neighbour’s backyard or garage on the opposite side as designed, not their residence, and that Craven was misclassified in the case of this bylaw — something City Councillor Paula Fletcher and others agree with.
(Fletcher was one of a handful of people who submitted a letter to the City to fight a garden suite planned in the quarter in 2023.)
So the residents on craven would rather walk out of their home to see an old wooden fence, or a dilapidated garage vs a new garden suite?
— John Pasalis (@JohnPasalis) September 18, 2024
A few living on Parkmount have told local news outlets, though, that they either bought there with the intention of building such a project, or would at least like to have the option in the future.
There is also the argument that it’s pretty realistic to expect that living in a city will mean one day living across from homes on the other side of the street, if you somehow don’t already — it’s just the way residential streets work, generally.
To be fair, this particular community isn’t the only one in which homeowners have been up in arms about these types of structures, as some pretty large “monstrosities” have popped up, blocking sunlight and views. Some have banded together to ask that there be more restrictions added to the current legislation.
Housing for me, but not for thee!
Why are we protecting these sacred garage views?
Also there are already 3-storey buildings along Craven Rd, but a 1-2 storey garden suite would be unbearable. Make it make sense. https://t.co/rJhjoVtUkZ pic.twitter.com/mQilBf6Koj
— Tyler Burton (@TylerrBurton) September 18, 2024
Citizens were given an opportunity to provide feedback about Parkmount specifically at a community consultation meeting on the topic last Thursday, which confirmed that the City is proposing the zoning bylaw adjustment because of concerns brought forth by constituents.
Toronto and East York Community Council it set to deliberate on the issue on October 24.
