[T-Bor]

In what way are flat roofs more practical?

Isn't it just that you're actually using more of the available space, since flat roof houses usually don't have an accessible attic?

 

[Northern Light]

I don’t support policies that impose a design style on anyone

I don't recall 'imposing' any design styles. The suggestion is, if you want to make adoption of quick-build, and pre-fab housing go smoothly, with widespread uptake and sustained change.....then you want the designs to reflect the broad public taste.

That doesn't preclude someone doing something custom.

,....so these designs are something I definitely support especially if they will ruffle feathers. I don't believe in ‘preserving neighbourhood character’ and conformity. I love messiness and variety and tossing some of these into our cookie cutter neighbourhoods is going to be fun.

If someone wants something more traditional, there’s already countless houses already built to accommodate their tastes.

Or it will cause a public outroar that will rollback planning liberalization.

I think you have to be careful about 'poking the bear'. It may be fun..........but when the bear gets ticked off............ not so much.

The people who hold views different from yours are in the clear majority. The idea of successful reform is wide spread adoption, and long-term retention of the policy change.

***

The chaos to our south is, in part, a result of people perceiving their views are being ignored, and they are being talked down to by an elite.

Those same aggrieved souls may well have been misguided in many respects and may be increasingly concerned about the impact of their choice. Nonetheless, its an illustrative example of Newton's Third Law:

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

***

Look at Ford and bike-lanes for something closer to home.

I'm as pro cycle track as you get. But I also understand that you want to roll them out, as much as possible, in a way where the frog slowly boils and doesn't jump out of the pot.

That is to say, you want people to be enthusiastic if possible, but at the very least tolerant of the change your making.......because if you get them angry enough, they may insist on rolling back all your hard work.

 

[evandyk]

Isn't it just that you're actually using more of the available space, since flat roof houses usually don't have an accessible attic?

Better use of space, plus less opportunity for vermin to inhabit.

 

[Tuscani01]

Or it will cause a public outroar that will rollback planning liberalization.

That’s exactly what has happened from not moving fast enough, and just making incremental changes instead of wholesale reforms - the exact reason why this catalogue exists.

The status quo isn’t working and hasn’t worked. It’s going to require unpopular moves to end the housing crisis. (Though Ford just won another majority after making a number of ‘unpopular’ moves in the planning world, so let’s maybe look outside of the echo chamber that is TO)

If we don’t make them now, we’re about to have a Federal government that will force them on us shortly as the CPC is looking to get gatekeepers out of the way when it comes to housing.

What residents in TO need to hear is the truth, and trying to continuously cater to the NIMBY crowd is disingenuous when the tide has turned and their concerns aren’t the priority anymore.

 

[Northern Light]

That’s exactly what has happened from not moving fast enough, and just making incremental changes instead of wholesale reforms - the exact reason why this catalogue exists.

The status quo isn’t working and hasn’t worked. It’s going to require unpopular moves to end the housing crisis. (Though Ford just won another majority after making a number of ‘unpopular’ moves in the planning world, so let’s maybe look outside of the echo chamber that is TO)

If we don’t make them now, we’re about to have a Federal government that will force them on us shortly as the CPC is looking to get gatekeepers out of the way when it comes to housing.

What residents in TO need to hear is the truth, and trying to continuously cater to the NIMBY crowd is disingenuous when the tide has turned and their concerns aren’t the priority anymore.

With respect, your conflating things.

I'm pro-density, and pro pre-approved designs.

I'm simply advocating that for the exact same budget and while achieving the exact same goal, the risk of blowback be minimized, which doesn't in any way hinder the positive outcome desired.

Its entirely possible to be pro building, pro density, and pro cost effective building, including simplified processes around planning approval and permit issuance, while not actively seeking to alienate people through designs that will be perceived widely as ugly. You can do simple, cost-effective, fairly compact, pre-approved design that will be widely lauded at no additional cost.

 

[rdaner]

I’m assuming that features of these designs can be altered.

 

[afransen]

I’m assuming that features of these designs can be altered.

I think the intent is to make a design that can be widely adopted without being modified, and to streamline approvals.

 

[rdaner]

^Of course but I meant superficial/stylistic features can be easily changed to suit taste.

 

[Northern Light]

^Of course but I meant superficial/stylistic features can be easily changed to suit taste.

Colour can, but if you want simplified permit issuance, ie. This design will meet code, no review required, then you can't be moving the windows around. Their placement, type, strength, location relative to studs/framing is what makes it a catalogue item.

Cladding type if specified in the design also won't be swapable. The assurance will be that it meet fire code, in particular, and with insulation has a prescribed R value. You change the cladding you change the things that gave you 'pre-approval'.

 

[rdaner]

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Northern Light]

City Planning is looking at further tweaks to encourage six-plexes in the yellowbelt.

In service of this, there will be a series of open houses/ meetings across the City in the next shortwhile.

I expect Jason Thorne will be in attendance at many/most.........so a chance for some of you to drop in and say 'hi'.

Multiplex Housing

The Planning and Housing Committee will consider the draft Official Plan and Zoning by-law to enable city-wide as-of-right zoning permissions for residential buildings with up to six units, and the Multiplex Monitoring Zoning By-law on June 12, 2025. The Multiplex studies are part of the...

www.toronto.ca

From the above:

 

[just east of the creek]

That’s exactly what has happened from not moving fast enough, and just making incremental changes instead of wholesale reforms - the exact reason why this catalogue exists.

The status quo isn’t working and hasn’t worked. It’s going to require unpopular moves to end the housing crisis. (Though Ford just won another majority after making a number of ‘unpopular’ moves in the planning world, so let’s maybe look outside of the echo chamber that is TO)

If we don’t make them now, we’re about to have a Federal government that will force them on us shortly as the CPC is looking to get gatekeepers out of the way when it comes to housing.

What residents in TO need to hear is the truth, and trying to continuously cater to the NIMBY crowd is disingenuous when the tide has turned and their concerns aren’t the priority anymore.

I am always interested when people roll out the ‘truth ‘ word…

 

[just east of the creek]

Disagree. Don't think flat looks good on most buildings. It also sticks out like a sore thumb in areas where pitched is the norm.

Also, although flat roofs when built correctly and well maintained, should not leak more than pitched roofs, the general experience is that they do. Even a flat roof has to be pitched for drainage and getting that subtlety right is often a challenge.
Most homeowners also don't maintain them properly.

Final note, flat roofs have a shorter lifespan than pitched.

Gravity, when water is a part of your life is a wonderful thing. Also the costs of repairing and replacing a flat roof vs any roof involving gravity are not to be compared. Flat roof replacement is ridiculously expensive.

 

[Towered]

City Planning is looking at further tweaks to encourage six-plexes in the yellowbelt.

In service of this, there will be a series of open houses/ meetings across the City in the next shortwhile.

I expect Jason Thorne will be in attendance at many/most.........so a chance for some of you to drop in and say 'hi'.

Multiplex Housing

The Planning and Housing Committee will consider the draft Official Plan and Zoning by-law to enable city-wide as-of-right zoning permissions for residential buildings with up to six units, and the Multiplex Monitoring Zoning By-law on June 12, 2025. The Multiplex studies are part of the...

www.toronto.ca

From the above:

View attachment 638644

I love how the Etobicoke meeting isn't even in Etobicoke

 

[Northern Light]

I love how the Etobicoke meeting isn't even in Etobicoke

Ah....but it is...........sorta.......... its within the jurisdiction of the Etobicoke-York Community Council.

Map: