Civic Engagement results in Major Changes to Zoning Amendment

submitted by Carol Baker Civic Engagement results in Major Changes to Zoning Amendment The following information is provided on a non-partisan basis and is for community awareness & discussion purposes only. The strength of residents’ voices was reflected when City Council adopted a much more restrained version of the proposal to allow businesses on all Major Streets and within interior neighbourhoods (the City of Toronto’s Neighbourhood Retail and Services proposal) on November 13, 2025. While expanding permissions for commercial uses on Major Streets in downtown, midtown and the waterfront were approved, streets in North York, Scarborough and North Etobicoke were excluded (click HERE for a list of excluded streets). The collaboration, information-sharing and coordinated outreach led by COTRA (Coalition of Toronto Residents' Associations) demonstrated what is possible when residents come together. Let’s continue working together to ensure neighbourhoods like Midland Park continue to be protected through balanced and consultative Planning processes.

Birkdale Community Centre's Holiday Bazaar

MPCA Meeting with Councillor Thompson

submitted by Carol Baker

 

City of Toronto’s Neighbourhood Retail and Services (NRS) Proposal

The following information is provided on a non-partisan basis and is for community awareness & discussion purposes only.

The City of Toronto’s Neighbourhood Retail and Services (NRS) proposal would let bars, restaurants, and retail stores open in residential homes without the need for any approvals. That could mean  increased noise, late-night patios, parking pressures, crime — and even the loss of housing, as landlords could evict tenants to convert homes into businesses.

Through neutral, fact-based outreach via its network of resident associations and community groups, COTRA (Coalition of Toronto Residents' Associations) has been gathering feedback from residents about the City’s NRS proposal. COTRA recently circulated a survey to 200+ residents’ associations (RAs) and community groups across Toronto to gather feedback on proposed zoning changes that would:

• permit businesses on Residential Interior Streets

• allow businesses on Major streets in City wards

• revitalize Commercial Areas and potential new businesses in neighbourhood interiors

Here is a link to COTRA’s Fact Sheet on the above: https://cot-ra.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Fact-Sheet-Neighbourhoods-Retail-and-Services-Final.pdf ) 

Links to more information:

Full List of Permitted Uses –  https://cot-ra.org/full-list-of-permitted-uses
https://cot-ra.org/2025/10/26/adverse-impacts-no-approvals-required-for-new-businesses/ 
COTRA -  full survey results
https://cot-ra.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/COTRA-Survey-Results-Oct-3.pdf

Sources:
SUN (Scarborough United Neighbourhoods) - non-partisan, providing information  for community awareness & discussion purposes.
COTRA (Coalition of Toronto Residents' Associations) - a city-wide coalition of concerned residents and residents’ associations, formed specifically in response to the City’s proposed Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) Neighbourhood Retail & Services (NRS) study. https://cot-ra.org/2025/10/24/cotra-who-we-are

 

NOTICE OF MIDLAND PARK COMMUNITY MEETING

Tuesday, November 25, 2025, 7:00 pm
at Birkdale Community Centre, 1299 Ellesmere Road

City Councillor, Michael Thompson will explain recent City of Toronto Planning & Housing proposals that will impact our neighbourhood, including:

• Changing zoning rules, especially in residential neighbourhoods / interior streets 

• Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON)

• Proposal to allow Business & Retail on Residential Interior Streets 

• As-of-right zoning

• The City of Toronto Planning and Housing Committee

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Midland Park Community Association

Web Midland Park Community Association