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Reposted by Pamela Blais

Brian F. Kelcey @stateofthecity.bsky.social · 1d

Because of these two posts, and considerable bitter experience. Even if you design the regulations the right way, the silo-cultural nature of our various building/zoning depts means they will still use discretionary authority to escalate details, demands and requirements.

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Reposted by Pamela Blais

Phil @philmarfisi.bsky.social · 1d

This is yet another example of where the province *should* do unilateral housing reform for all municipalities via changes to the building code, to enable single stair buildings. A lot of people with moderate opposition to new housing claim to want more 2+BR apartments; this is how we get there.

Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 2d

After TO Council passed a motion indicating the City was open to Alternative Solution Proposals for a single stair in apts up to 4 storeys, I applied for a single stair in a 3 storey Part 9 6plex.

I’m told it’s the first one, so it’s a test case. Here’s how it’s going.

#singlestair #sixplex

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Reposted by Pamela Blais

Conrad Speckert @conradspeckert.bsky.social · 1d

This pilot project for SES building design is also featured here. Others of similar configuration have been accepted in Vancouver, Edmonton and Hamilton. singlestair.ca/Office-Ou

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Reposted by Pamela Blais

Dr. Mike P. Moffatt @mikepmoffatt.bsky.social · 1d

Toronto simply does not want to solve the housing crisis.

Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 2d

After TO Council passed a motion indicating the City was open to Alternative Solution Proposals for a single stair in apts up to 4 storeys, I applied for a single stair in a 3 storey Part 9 6plex.

I’m told it’s the first one, so it’s a test case. Here’s how it’s going.

#singlestair #sixplex

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Reposted by Pamela Blais

Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 1d

This is another place the mayor could force some change.

It's wonky and won't win hearts and minds widely but when asked about what she's doing about housing she can point to it vs her councillors stopping housing (Fletcher on Craven Ave)

Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 2d

After TO Council passed a motion indicating the City was open to Alternative Solution Proposals for a single stair in apts up to 4 storeys, I applied for a single stair in a 3 storey Part 9 6plex.

I’m told it’s the first one, so it’s a test case. Here’s how it’s going.

#singlestair #sixplex

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Reposted by Pamela Blais

Stephen Jacob Smith @stephenjacobsmith.com · 1d

And it has a friggin elevator!! A three-story building in North America with an elevator. You NEVER see that – it’s likely costing around $200,000 (CAD). Stair injuries and deaths are far more common than fire ones. Disability and elderly advocates should be storming City Hall about this decision.

Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 2d

Do we want livable, accessible units in neighbourhoods in Toronto? A 3 storey, single stair, elevatored, sixplex is not radical. It should be the most simple, easily replicable way to provide livable housing within neighbourhoods… the “Toronto Special” of the 2020s. And yet…

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Reposted by Pamela Blais

Stephen Jacob Smith @stephenjacobsmith.com · 1d

This far exceeds US (IBC) standards and Toronto still denied – wide stairways and even wider landing, passive ventilation, very low occupant load, and balconies for refuge and rescue. Balconies alone make it safer than code compliance, because they avoid a single point of failure (unit front door)

Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 2d

After TO Council passed a motion indicating the City was open to Alternative Solution Proposals for a single stair in apts up to 4 storeys, I applied for a single stair in a 3 storey Part 9 6plex.

I’m told it’s the first one, so it’s a test case. Here’s how it’s going.

#singlestair #sixplex

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Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 1d

NFPA 13R.

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Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 2d

Do we want livable, accessible units in neighbourhoods in Toronto? A 3 storey, single stair, elevatored, sixplex is not radical. It should be the most simple, easily replicable way to provide livable housing within neighbourhoods… the “Toronto Special” of the 2020s. And yet…

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Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 2d

These measures are not supported by analysis & are not proportionate given the scale of the building, occupancy and risk levels.

Not to mention added costs & -ve impacts on living space in a small footprint.

Together, they basically negate any benefit from doing a single stair in the first place.

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Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 2d

City response: design doesn’t meet performance level required. Need to also provide:
- vestibules/corridor between every unit and the exit stair
- mechanical ventilation in the stairwell
- an even wider stair, but how wide they cannot say.

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Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 2d

Evacuation timing analysis indicated that everyone would be evacuated before the fire department even arrived. All building/performance indicators met or exeeded conventional Part 9 OBC acceptable solution except for the fact we have 1 stair instead of 2.

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Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 2d

The ASP included:
- fully sprinklered building
- widened stair (1200 mm vs 900 mm)
- expanded landings (1650 mm)
- stairwell skylight for smoke exhaust
- improved fire rating for structure, suite separation, exit, balconies
- every unit has balcony for refuge or direct exit.

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Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 2d

Mine’s a small (c 2300 sf) footprint building with an elevator for accessibility. Third floor is just 1 unit. All units 2+ bedrooms. Light-filled, wide-shallow units. Max bldg occupancy as per OBC: 28 persons, only 8 of whom would use the stairs to the 3rd floor.

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Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 2d

After TO Council passed a motion indicating the City was open to Alternative Solution Proposals for a single stair in apts up to 4 storeys, I applied for a single stair in a 3 storey Part 9 6plex.

I’m told it’s the first one, so it’s a test case. Here’s how it’s going.

#singlestair #sixplex

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Reposted by Pamela Blais

David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 3d

We love to see it:

NYC adds four more bus routes to its wildly successful bus camera enforcement program (47 routes now have them).

Four new MTA buses now have cameras to catch cars illegally parked, improperly using bus lanes

Four more MTA bus routes in NYC have automated camera enforcement to catch vehicles improperly using bus lanes and busways.

www.amny.com

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Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 3d

It’s from the DC Background Study

www.toronto.ca/city-governm...

Bylaws, Rates & Study

Find information on current development charge rates and link to bylaw.

www.toronto.ca

Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 3d

You can argue about DCs, but this article fails to mention that by provincial law, existing taxpayers must pay for any benefit they receive from growth-related infrastructure (GRI).

In TO, existing taxpayers pay about 50% of GRI costs ($24 billion), new development 31% ($14B).

The Globe and Mail @theglobeandmail.com · 4d

The (not) equal world of new city residents

Development charges and parking policies combine to roll out the unwelcome mat

www.theglobeandmail.com

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Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 10d

…But that central TO should be the only place in the region for growth, leaving other areas to their “inferior transit and amenities” as you say, and not address inequities by adding pop and investing is… an interesting take?

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Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 10d

Over time, densification planned in conjunction with transit investment as suburban areas age and pops fall… be it Scarborough or Mississauga, as well as growth in central TO. That’s how city-regions evolve. ….

Mississauga.in

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Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 10d

Restrictive land use policies in the core may be a factor but I think you are underestimating real demand outside the core. Plus policies in places like Mississauga are even more restrictive than TO, limiting growth and densification there, despite virtually all neighbourhoods losing pop.

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Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 10d

How does liberalizing land use policy outside Toronto threaten development in the core? Development will go where there is demand, if permitted.

Did rezoning along Eglinton in Scarborough for the LRT fail?

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Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 11d

agreed

Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 11d

Kinda crazy that you think people have to be “forced” to live in neighbourhoods outside Toronto.

How is it equitable to have large areas outside Toronto with “inferior transit and amenities” not get those improved by adding population?

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Pamela Blais @pamelablais.bsky.social · 11d

It’s not “forcing” growth - it’s no different than allowing new growth in Toronto. Remove the obstacles, zoning and otherwise, which exist in places like Mississauga too. So too does demand for housing, believe it or not. Target threshold areas near jobs, eg allow housing in business parks, for one.

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