Rezoning Perspectives: Concerns in Changes to Zoning for Next 2 Phases of Regent Park Revitalization

By Dimitrije Martinovic
Dimitrije is a Community Journalist with Focus Media arts Centre

The Revitalization of Regent Park which is in the last stages, Phases 4 & 5, is still a place of competing visions and perspectives. On the one hand there is the the City of Toronto, the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), and Tridel Builders (the new partner developer for Phases 4 & 5).

While on the other hand there are the residents groups such as the Community Benefits Coalition and the Regent Park Neighbourhood Association (RPNA), who are deeply concerned with not only the physical transformation of Regent Park, but also the social development which is represented in the Community Benefits agreement set out between the various stakeholders as a way of ensuring that while being physically transformed, the revitalization will also address social development so that there will be a healthy and vibrant community for all its residents for generations to come.

In the July 7th meeting that took place at the Daniels Spectrum on June 20, 2023, community members met to discuss the impact of the recent rezoning for Phases 4 & 5 by TCHC and Tridel Builders that would increase the number of market units and potentially increase the number of affordable housing units. On the table as well was the question of what the new community benefits would come from this new proposal.

With the rezoning application slated to go before the council on July 19, 2023, the proposal by TCHC and Tridel, would see the final stages of the revitalization increased in both market rate units and potentially more affordable housing units. Some of the new buildings will now be as high as 39 stories, up substantially form the mid rise building in the previous plan. Additionally, the rezoning would also include, as part of a community benefits agreement, some 3,714 square metres of Community Space. Although, in the proposal the explanation of what will be in this public space is not clearly articulated.

Walied Koghali chaired the  meeting at Daniels Spectrum Centre on June 20, 2023 of community members to discuss the impact of this recent rezoning, and to prepare for a meeting at City Hall on June 22, 2023, where community members could present deputations to amend some aspects of Zoning By-law 438-86 and Zoning By-law 141-2005. Some of the key considerations deal with the maintenance of existing units to beyond the 40 years proposed by TCH, the increased housing density, and the status of community benefits that would come from that rezoning process.

With so many aspects of the revitalization still undecided, and the final Phases 4 & 5 still another 10 to 15 years from completion,  the stakes seem that much higher, with both parties doubling down on their respective visions. The TCHC and Tridel, it would appear, are trying to limit the influence of residents groups, while the residents groups appear intent on their vision of community to be built on cohesiveness and inclusion.