June 2017

Today
Today

City of Toronto Abandons Minimum Parking Standards to Advance Environmental Sustainability and Residents’ Health

  • March 03, 2022
  • Kailey Sutton, associate at McMillan LLP, with thanks to C. Scott (student-at-law)

On February 3, 2022, Toronto City Council enacted and passed By-law 89-2022 (the “Amendment”), being an amendment to Zoning By-law 569-2013 to update parking standards across the City. Amongst other things, the Amendment introduces new electric vehicle (or “EV”) standards, removes most minimum parking requirements for new developments (except accessible parking standards) and introduces new maximum parking standards.

Municipal Law, Student Forum

Planning for Drones: Land Use Planning in Ontario

  • January 10, 2022
  • Katryna Vergis-Mayo, Dentons Canada LLP

Provincial and municipal planning policy can overlap with or complement the federal aeronautics regulatory regime. Drones are particularly vulnerable to this overlap due to their relative proximity to the public realm. Drone industry stakeholders need to be cognizant of appropriate land use planning policy.

Municipal Law, Student Forum

Inclusionary Zoning Framework Approved in Toronto

  • January 10, 2022
  • Pitman Patterson, Lee English, Isaac Tang, Adam Shipowick, BLG

On November 9, 2021 the City of Toronto approved Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments as well as draft Implementation Guidelines introducing Inclusionary Zoning requirements. These requirements will make Inclusionary Zoning mandatory for new developments that meet certain criteria in approved Protected Major Transit Stations Areas (PMTSA) to include affordable rental and ownership housing units beginning in late 2022.

Municipal Law, Student Forum

Municipal Liability in Negligence: Recent Developments in 2021

  • January 10, 2022
  • Sarah Hahn and Matt Hodgson, Barriston Law,

2021 has been an interesting year with respect to municipal liability and the law of negligence. In October, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Nelson (City) v. Marchi, 2021 SCC 41, while in June the Ontario Court of Appeal released its decision in Charlesfort Developments Limited v. Ottawa (City), 2021 ONCA 410.

Municipal Law, Student Forum

Noise By-laws: Preventing Vagueness and Uncertainty

  • December 04, 2021
  • Mandy Ng, Steven Ferri, Loopstra Nixon LLP

This article explores two instances where noise by-laws were quashed on the grounds of vagueness and uncertainty: 1) noise by-laws that import a subjective standard to determine a noise violation, and 2) noise by-laws that fail to provide any standards, criteria, or guidelines to determine whether or not a person is entitled to an exemption from the noise by-law. It also provides recommendations.

Municipal Law, Student Forum

Policy, Not Law: The Divisional Court Discusses the Clergy Principle

  • July 03, 2021
  • Denise Baker and Lia Boritz

On May 5, 2021, the Ontario Divisional Court released its decision in Masters v Claremont Development Corporation, which discusses the Clergy principle, as well as the jurisdiction of the Divisional Court to review decisions of the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (“LPAT”).

Municipal Law, Student Forum

Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Consultation on Environmental Compliance and Development Guidelines

  • July 03, 2021
  • Aaron Kurts, Katarzyna Sliwa, Leighton Zink, Dentons

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) is consulting on four new initiatives, including new guidelines and measures aimed at ensuring compliance with key environmental laws relevant to the development industry. These laws and initiatives are applicable to the land use planning process, affecting municipal decision-making, development guidelines and penalties for non-compliance. The four initiatives are summarized, and their impact analyzed, in this article.

Municipal Law, Student Forum