Welcome to the HVRA Development Page
Below are several ways that the term ‘development’ is used in the City of Toronto and how HVRA responds to these various usages.
On the macro level, the City has a Planning Department that examines all applications for development of properties from business and office to residential, including skyscraper rentals and condos to applications for changes to residential homes. The City also holds consultations on policies such as planning and zoning rules, changes to the Official Plan and changes to heritage designations. In addition, The City carries out planning studies to determine changes and updates to planning policies in a particular location or area of the City. Residents’ Associations as well as citizens are almost always invited to participate.
On the micro level, the Committee of Adjustment (“C of A”) has a process whereby property owners may apply to the Committee for variances from the zoning bylaws in order to alter a residential dwelling. Residents’ Associations have a role to play by communicating with proponents, if they are agreeable, and with neighbouring residents about how to navigate the C of A process, which may not be familiar to them.
To keep abreast of these and other similar processes, the HVRA Board has set up a Planning and Development (P&D) Committee. The P&D Committee acts to ensure a good process and, where broader community concerns are involved, may participate directly at hearings or tribunals.
HVRA Planning and Development Committee
The HVRA P&D Committee is a consultation committee of private citizens who volunteer their time to review, comment upon and, in some cases, initiate further action in City processes such as consultations, planning studies and participation in City of Toronto Committee of Adjustment matters affecting properties in Harbord Village. These efforts are carried out on a voluntary basis drawing upon the individual layperson’s knowledge and experience of its members. P&D does not have legal authority or obligations of any nature, including with respect to planning decisions, approvals, or appeals, and is not required to participate in any process.
Members of P&D are normally members of the Board elected annually by the AGM but the Constitution allows for non-Board members to be recruited to Board Committees, including P&D, for their expertise relevant to the work of the particular Committee.
Members of the HVRA Planning and Development Committee as of November 2023:
Sue Dexter, Carolee Orme, Rory Gus Sinclair, Robert Stambula, and Anne Fleming (ex officio)
Zoning, Committee of Adjustment, and HVRA
The principles and methods by which HVRA helps residents respond to small and large development proposals, whether for an addition to a neighbour’s house or a tall building on a main street.
Conflict Resolution Protocols
Examples where HVRA has helped residents improve relationships with local businesses, including a specific agreement for a restaurant patio.
Current Planning Studies
Information about large-scale studies in which HVRA is participating, from both City Planning and the University of Toronto, with links to their documentation and invitations for response. (See the page Past Development Issues for completed studies and their outcomes.)
Development Plans
This page provides links to relevant documents and websites with detailed information about current development projects. Read about the Honest Ed’s project and the proposal for 666 Spadina. The Spadina-Sussex residence has its own page.
Past Development Issues
This page shows past studies and completed projects. Read about HVRA contributions to TOCore, OMB reform, the Central Tech Playing Field, the 2005 College Street revitalization—and more. Links lead to PDF pages and external websites.