Development & neighbourhood character

GO DEEPER · POLICY & PRIORITIES · What will you do?

P08 · question 8 of 10

How much additional density should Ward 14 accept, where should it go, and what neighbourhood or heritage features are you unwilling to sacrifice for development?

Quick version: S08 · What would you never trade away for new development?

Approach & proposed action

Susan Chapelle

Ward 14 should welcome more homes, but growth should build a community people can live in comfortably. I support multiplexes, secondary suites and laneway homes in neighbourhoods, mid-rise development on Danforth, Queen and Gerrard, and greater density near subway and GO stations. I would not invent a ward-wide unit target without examining approved projects, infrastructure capacity and housing need. I would ask staff to show what is already planned, what services it requires and where additional housing can be accommodated. That assessment should include accessible homes and family-sized units, not simply count front doors. I would protect existing affordable rentals, meaningful heritage buildings and the usable public spaces that make daily life possible. Heritage conservation should preserve what is significant while allowing thoughtful adaptation and additional homes where appropriate. I would also defend employment and production lands. Replacing jobs with housing everywhere leaves residents with longer commutes and fewer local opportunities. Main street redevelopment should maintain workable commercial space and access. I am unwilling to accept displacement without adequate protections, unsafe servicing or housing approvals that ignore the cost of infrastructure. Density belongs alongside transit, parks, childcare and healthcare access, with clear responsibilities for funding and delivery.

Jason Stevens

balance

Maria Voutsinas

The first priority is to increase density along main thoroughfares where zoning is already in place and where housing will have easy access to transit and infrastructure. Then we should encourage multiplexes, basement apartments and laneway housing to create more gentle density solutions. The pressure on our communities does not just come from increased density. It also comes from landlords increasing rents to the point where independent stores and restaurants cannot afford to rent, impacting the 'small town community' feel of some parts of the ward. I would like to see Toronto Danforth continue to be a livable community where residents can work, shop and enjoy their free time within easy access of their homes.

Cost & funding

Susan Chapelle

Growth requires water, sewer, transit and community infrastructure. I would seek upfront servicing assessments and costed delivery plans, using legally available development contributions alongside municipal capital funding and provincial and federal support. Affordable housing on public land requires financing and long-term agreements with co-op or non-profit providers. Protecting rentals may involve acquisition funding and housing partnerships. Heritage adaptation costs should be assessed project by project. I would simplify proportionate approvals for smaller projects while identifying any revenue effect. More homes can expand the tax base, but infrastructure and service costs must be included before claiming growth pays for itself automatically.

Trade-offs & affected groups

Susan Chapelle

More housing benefits people priced out of the ward, growing families and residents seeking smaller or accessible homes. Neighbours experience construction and changing streetscapes. Tenants risk displacement, while businesses may lose affordable space during redevelopment. Higher density can support transit and local shops, but increases demand for parks, schools and utilities. Heritage conservation can add complexity, while demolition can erase valued buildings and embodied materials. Employment conversion may produce homes at the expense of jobs. I would weigh these effects openly, protect vulnerable tenants and require infrastructure planning. Established residents and future residents both deserve consideration when decisions are made.

Authority & feasibility

Susan Chapelle

Council can change zoning and planning policies, apply available heritage and rental protection tools, and fund infrastructure within provincial law. Provincial decisions and appeal processes can constrain local outcomes. School capacity requires coordination with school boards. Planning permissions support small housing additions, including six-unit multiplex permissions in Toronto and East York. My focus would include making compliant applications workable. Larger development needs servicing, transit and public realm planning. I would seek staff evidence on capacity, negotiate lawful protections and explain where Council has limited control, rather than promise a veto over every unwanted project.

Deliverable & timeline

Susan Chapelle

I would pursue coordinated servicing plans for priority growth areas and approval reforms for smaller housing projects. I would seek stronger delivery schedules for identified public-land affordable housing opportunities. Reporting would distinguish approved units, construction starts and occupied homes. Success would include protections and funded services, not simply more permissions on paper. Delays and provincial constraints would be explained publicly.

Supporting sources

Susan Chapelle

Toronto Multiplex Housing guidance and 2025 zoning amendments, on neighbourhood housing permissions. Danforth Avenue Complete Street and Planning Study, on corridor growth and public realm planning. CreateTO Danforth Garage project description, on housing, employment and community uses. Toronto housing action plan and rental replacement processes, on affordability and tenant protection. Port Lands implementation reporting, on infrastructure and future housing decisions.

Responded, but not to this question

Denise Walcott

No response yet

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