The Future of City Golf Courses
The City is reviewing its five City-operated golf course locations to better understand how to maximize golf and non-golf experiences. As part of this review, the City is considering opportunities to improve golf courses as places to play golf and explore potential opportunities for alternative and/or complementary uses.

You can participate in 2 ways:
1. Online Survey: Now to July 12
Share your ideas and feedback for the future of City Golf Courses by completing the online survey.

2. Local Virtual Community Meetings: July 5 – 10
There will be one local virtual community meeting for each of the five City-operated golf courses. Local residents and course users are encouraged to join the meeting to learn more about the operational review, get engaged in the conversation and share their thoughts and perspectives on the future of specific golf courses. Each meeting is limited to 200 people to allow for use of live closed captioning and live closed captioning translation features (over 100 languages available). 
Tam O’Shanter Local Community Meeting July 5 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Don Valley Local Community Meeting July 6 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
·         Register or join the meeting online 
Humber Valley Local Community Meeting July 7 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
·         Register or join the meeting online 
Scarlett Woods Local Community Meeting July 8 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
·         Register or join the meeting online 
Dentonia Park Local Community Meeting July 10 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
·         Register or join the meeting online 
 
For additional information please visit the project webpage.
Update on Garden Suites
A “Garden Suite” is a second, generally smaller, house built in the backyard of a detached, semi-detached, or townhouse property. The City is intending to pass city-wide zoning permitting these suites in all neighbourhoods subject to certain standards.
The Planning and Housing Committee received a Proposals Report submitted by Planning on June 28, 2021. Draft regulations have been proposed including:Heights up to 6 meters (~ 20 feet)Basements are permittedUsing up to 40% of the rear yard up to a maximum of 60 q. metresReduced Soft Landscaping Zero parking.Planning is to use the draft regulations as the basis for further community consultation and technical review. A final report detailing Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments for Garden Suites is to be prepared for a Planning and Housing Committee Meeting in Q4 of 2021 (Oct-Dec).

Awaiting the additional consultation meetings, we would recommend that you read the Proposals Report and review the draft regulations (starts on Page 25/also see Attachment 1).

We will distribute information on the schedule for consultation meetings in the Summer and early Fall  as soon as the City releases information. If your organization would like to meet with the Garden Suites planners, email the Lead Planner David.Driedger@toronto.ca..
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The City is seeking feedback on the natural garden exemption requirement and wants input from Toronto residents. Feedback will inform a report expected at the Planning and Housing Committee in Q2 2021.

We would appreciate your help in sharing this information with your community. Sample social media posts that can be used to share this information on your channels are provided at the end of this email.

The Grass and Weeds Bylaw requires that grass and weeds on private property be maintained so that growth does not exceed 20 cm (8 inches) in height. However, property owners or occupants can apply for a permit to be exempted from this requirement if they have a natural garden. Natural gardens provide environmental benefits, including the creation of natural habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.

Staff are considering removing the requirement for natural garden exemption permits. This means that residents can have a natural garden without applying for an exemption. Natural gardens will still need to meet maintenance requirements to ensure health and safety of Toronto’s neighbourhoods.

Residents can provide feedback on this proposal by emailing MLSFeedback@toronto.ca. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, March 31 at 11:59 pm. More information is available at toronto.ca/NaturalGarden

Thank you,

City of Toronto
Municipal Licensing and Standards

Sample social media posts:

  • Just in time for your spring garden! Let the #CityofTO know what you think about the current process to get a permit for your natural garden. Submit feedback by March 31: More: toronto.ca/NaturalGarden
  • Do you think residents in #Toronto should be able to grow a natural garden without applying for a permit? Let the #CityofTO know your feedback by March 31. More: toronto.ca/NaturalGarden
  • #CityofTO is reviewing the natural garden exemption requirement in #Toronto and want to hear from you. Check out more information and send in your input by March 31. More information at: toronto.ca/NaturalGarden
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