On Thursday February 17th, ULI Toronto invited the authors of the report, “Tall Buildings, Inviting Change in Downtown Toronto” and Toronto’s planning staff to apprise ULI members of the potential impacts that this policy could have on Toronto’s core. A packed house filled Toronto’s City Hall Committee Room Two, as representatives of Urban Strategies Inc and Hariri Pontarini Architects presented the scope, objectives, and next steps of the Tall Buildings report.

Frank Lewinberg and David Pontarini guided the audience through an engaging presentation including a video that explained the proposed regulations. The framework identifies where future tall buildings should be located in the prescribed area. Except for certain excluded areas as identified on the attached map, the area encompasses portions of Wards 20, 27, and 28. It is bounded by Bathurst Street to the west, Dupont Street to the north, the Don Valley Parkway to the east, and Lake Ontario to the south.

The proposed policy framework outlines the height ranges and built form typologies for future tall buildings in Toronto’s core. The presentation emphasized that the Tall Buildings policy will improve the pedestrian environment by minimizing shadowing of sidewalks, parks and public squares, protecting landmark views and heritage resources and improving the quality of life (access to natural light, skyviews and privacy) for people living, working and visiting in the core. The presentation concluded with the presenters stating that the Tall Buildings policy will aid in creating a consistent vision of Toronto’s built form for the future.

After thanking the presenters, the floor was opened up to the audience for a question and answer period. Many ULI members used this opportunity to query the impact that this policy could have on their interests. Developers, architects, and lawyers among others all volleyed questions to David Pontarini, Frank Lewinberg and City of Toronto representatives. Some expressed concerns that the policy may be onerous, and would prefer to see the policy be implemented through guidelines versus a regulatory policy that may stifle creative building solutions. In response, City of Toronto representatives stated that although Tall Buildings in its current format is a policy which entails regulation, there will be opportunities to deviate from the framework if it is reasonable to do so. ULI members appreciated the opportunity to express their opinions directly to the authors of the report and City of Toronto planning representatives.

The next stage of the Tall Buildings report is to garner public feedback. There are three community consultation sessions being held on April 4th, 7th, and 11th in wards affected by the proposals. Upon the conclusion of public input, the City Planning Division will seek Council direction on the Proposed Plan.

As the City of Toronto continues to weave elements of new urbanism into their planning framework, it is critical that the real estate community understand the impacts of these changes so strategies can be formulated. In the ever evolving world of real estate and land development, it is important to remain ahead of the curve and ULI Toronto will continue to keep their members informed on issues that affect them.

Braiden Goodchild
ULI Communications Committee
BMO Capital Markets