More compact row housing with small front yards, and perhaps no back yards, may be the norm if Council accepts a new set of regulations on December 13th.
EFCL has been meeting with the city Planning Department and the development industry to try to shape the new regulations for row housing. Negotiations have been challenging because EFCL’s vision of family-oriented row housing on pedestrian-friendly, treed boulevard streets is not the vision of the development industry. Ultimately the development industry wants row housing zones with maximum flexibility, including the ability to build three-storey row housing with no rear yards and minimal front yards.
EFCL has been successful in convincing the Planning Department not to reduce the minimum ground level outdoor amenity space from 30 m2 to 15 m2. The Planning Department also accepted our suggestion to eliminate driveways from the calculation of outdoor amenity space. Plus we have been able to introduce the requirement of a treed boulevard when the front yards are under 4.5 meters.
We have not yet been able to eliminate the no-rear-yard, rear attached garage option from the standard row housing zone. We believe this non-family oriented option should have a separate zone and be restricted to specific areas. EFCL is arguing that this style of row housing should not be placed across from schools. On the other hand, the Planning Department believes this style of housing is perfect when built close to a park/school because the park provides green space for the occupants.
We need to hear from you with your opinions. Are we on the right track?
The October 8th drafts of the revised old RF5 row housing zone and the new Urban Character Row Housing Zone are available by visiting www.efcl.org under Planning Matters – Civic Documents. Another draft will likely be available before the amendments go to Council. Let EFCL know if you want to receive the latest draft when it becomes available.
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