The Planning and Housing Committee considered housing and planning items including a new motion from Mayor Olivia Chow to make multiplexes easier to build, a zoning bylaw amendment for 970 Kipling Avenue, a four-storey women’s shelter proposal at 3838 Bloor Street West, housing policy reports on Toronto Builds and mid-rise housing, and a motion requesting a review of zoning rules for places of worship.

Topics Discussed

MULTIPLEXES

Mayor Olivia Chow introduced a new business motion aimed at “making it easier to build multiplexes.” The committee added the item and approved it unanimously.

3838 BLOOR STREET WEST SHELTER PROPOSAL

The committee approved zoning and official plan amendments for a four-storey women’s shelter at 3838 Bloor Street West.

Supporters said the additional height would allow more beds and services. Andrea Pasti told the committee, “The difference between a two-story and four-story building is not cosmetic. It is the difference between meeting and continuing to fall short.” In closing, she said approving the amendments was “a decision about whether our zoning enables us to respond to reality.”

Other speakers tied the project to the city’s shelter shortage. One speaker said, “Delaying the building of any of the shelters in this plan is truly a life and death decision,” while another said, “The median age of death of an unhoused woman in our city is 36 years old.”

Committee members also discussed the site’s fit within the surrounding area. Councillor Frances Nunziata said a four-storey building would have “far less of an impact on the neighborhood than a 20-story building” that could eventually be permitted through major transit station area zoning. Staff said a shelter is already permitted on the site and that matters such as waste pickup and detailed site design would be addressed through site plan review. The recommendation passed unanimously.

TORONTO BUILDS AND HOUSING DATA

The committee reviewed the 2026 Toronto Builds update and three-year work plan.

Discussion focused on how housing project information is tracked and shared. Mark Martin, speaking as a deponent, said, “The more you have accurate data that’s publicly available, the better it is for everybody involved because we have a single source of the truth.” Peter Martin said the city has begun to recognize supportive housing as distinct from affordable housing “in terms of tracking.”

Members adopted motions requesting that the full list of projects in the Build Canada Home submission be shared with councillors before the item goes to council, and that Toronto Builds and Toronto Housing Data Hub information be made publicly accessible.

MID-RISE HOUSING RULES

The committee discussed proposed changes to mid-rise housing rules, including permissions on avenues and major streets, amenity space exemptions, and loading and waste requirements.

Speakers differed on whether the changes would make housing easier to build or shift impacts elsewhere. Claire said the city needs to “chip away at some of the rules and regulations that are making it prohibitively expensive” to build, and argued that “a project that’s still too costly to build is not really unlocked.”

Waste storage and curbside staging were a specific focus. Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin said, “I am concerned about the idea of having dozens and dozens of waste bins all over the sidewalk,” citing accessibility challenges, snow, and narrower lots. Councillor Jamaal Myers moved an amendment directing consultations on waste, recycling and organics options that do not require curbside staging, and the amendment passed.

PLACES OF WORSHIP ZONING

The committee added and approved a motion asking the Chief Planner to report back next year on zoning regulations for places of worship in residential and mixed-use areas.

Staff said the current rules are incomplete because “when city council adopted the harmonized citywide zoning bylaw in 2013, the regulations that apply to places of worship were appealed and they remain under appeal.” Members said the review should examine how to allow places of worship to operate while addressing local issues such as parking, access, and compatibility with nearby uses.

Motions

• PH30.2 — Toronto Builds 970 Kipling Avenue zoning bylaw amendment — Passed
• PH30.12 — New business: make it easier to build multiplexes — Passed unanimously
• Motion requesting a report on zoning regulations for places of worship in residential and mixed-use communities — Passed
• Councillor Brad Bradford motion: share the complete list of projects in the Build Canada Home submission with councillors before the item goes to full council — Passed
• Councillor Jamaal Myers motion: request the Executive Director, Housing Development Office, work with Toronto Community Housing Corporation and technical staff to ensure Toronto Builds and Toronto Housing Data Hub data is publicly accessible — Passed
• Councillor Jamaal Myers amendment on mid-rise consultations to prioritize waste, recycling and organics approaches that do not require curbside staging — Passed
• 3838 Bloor Street West shelter recommendation — Passed unanimously
• Heritage designations under the Ontario Heritage Act for 65-87 Heward Avenue; 3032-3040 Huntley Street and 122-124 Isabella Street; and related heritage register objection matters for 1767 Bayview Avenue, 1773 Bayview Avenue, and 73 Niagara Street — Approved

Attendees

• Councillor Gord Perks (Chair)
• Mayor Olivia Chow
• Councillor Josh Matlow
• Councillor Jamaal Myers
• Councillor Brad Bradford
• Councillor Frances Nunziata
• Councillor Dianne Saxe
• Councillor Amber Morley
• Councillor Lily Cheng
• Councillor Paula Fletcher
• Councillor Vince Crisanti