2023 Zoning Amendments Expand Residential Flexibility in The Annex Mixed Use Areas

The 2023 Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment grant developers greater flexibility to construct additional residential units in The Annex while integrating heritage properties into new developments. These rules apply primarily to the Mixed Use edges of the neighbourhood along Bloor, Avenue, Dupont and Davenport, where development pressure is concentrated. Residents living near these arteries face direct changes in the types of housing projects that can proceed.

Local housing stock and designation rules

The Annex contains a range of housing types from single-family detached homes to low-rise multi-unit dwellings and condominium towers. The Official Plan designates most of the neighbourhood as Neighbourhood to protect its existing physical character. The Mixed Use designation on the major streets permits different development outcomes, creating ongoing tension between preservation of the core areas and use of the edge lands for additional housing.

Proposed zoning changes such as the 400 Maple Street project illustrate how rules can limit permitted residential uses and introduce specific setbacks. One example is the 19-unit residential proposal on the former Victoria School site. A separate conditional zoning amendment for the 41-45 Spadina site permits a 10-storey addition to a 1906 heritage building once structural verification is complete. These adjustments show how site-specific rules shape what can be built.

Household budget implications for residents

Changes that increase the number of residential units along the Mixed Use streets can alter the supply of housing options available to Annex households. More units in these locations may expand choices for residents seeking different dwelling types, which in turn can affect monthly housing costs and overall household budgets. The Neighbourhood designation in the interior continues to limit the scale of new construction there, directing most growth to the arterial edges.

Future projects will continue to apply the 2023 amendments on a case-by-case basis. Structural reviews and heritage integration requirements remain part of the process for sites that include older buildings. Residents can expect ongoing decisions on individual proposals that determine how many units are added in the Mixed Use zones.