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WE ADD VALUE TO OUR CITY

PLACES OF WORSHIP. WE ADD VALUE TO OUR CITY. TORONTO  FAITH  COALITION. The proposed by-laws will determine where all Places of Worship can Rent Buildings OR Buy Land in Toronto. Concerns with Present Proposed By-law.

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WE ADD VALUE TO OUR CITY

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  1. PLACES OF WORSHIP WE ADD VALUE TO OUR CITY TORONTO FAITH COALITION

  2. The proposed by-laws will determine where all Places of Worship can Rent Buildings OR Buy Land in Toronto Concerns with Present Proposed By-law All former by-laws are about to change. Big and small Places of Worship will have limited opportunities where they can locate.

  3. PROBLEM #1 Limited Zones where Places of Worship can Locate The Challenges Facing POW • A. Limited Approved Areas • This draft by-law has almost no approved areas where churches will be permitted  • B. Saturation in Limited Zones: Hundreds of Places of Worship will be forced into the same few permitted areas

  4. New by-law says NO Yellow, Green, Purple, Orange and only Limited Red Almost NO Zones for Places of Worship • Note: Some Blue & Some Red are allowed but not necessarily available or affordable

  5. City of Toronto Study on Zoning For Places of Worship IBI Group 04/09 page 6 According to a recent paper on places of worship in the GTA, a large number of places of worship have obtained rezoning to move into industrial areas. It is also reported that 22% of Toronto’s places of worship are located in industrial areas. It appears that about 50% of new places of worship were located in Employment Districts between 1995 and 2005.  Where will these Rental Places of Worship relocate? There are basically no options for new Places of Worship

  6. PROBLEM #2 Possible Removal of Places of Worship The Challenges Facing POW • A. Leased or Rented Properties:Landlords in employment lands who previously rented to Places of Worship will be prohibited from doing so. This will require hundreds of people to relocate from their present facility. • B. Purchased Properties:If the Place of Worship is NOT already zoned with their building permits: there is a strong probability they will not be protected for the future. • Zoning can cost on average $50 000 for; fees, studies and representation • If the Place of Worship zoning is rejected because it doesn't meet the city by-laws for "permitted use".  Places of Worship must appeal their case to OMB (Ontario Municipal Board) it can cost $100 000.  After spending $100 000+ in this process it will not guarantee that you will get your necessary zoning and may still be required to move

  7. PROBLEM #3 Restrictions on Renovation of Present Facilities The Challenges Facing POW • If you are presently zoned in employment lands and your congregation grows, requiring future expansion, it could present problems • You Will Be Required to update your facility to Meet the New By-law Codes • Any increase in the worship area will require the parking to comply with all new Parking Standards Proposed by-law 150.50.40

  8. PROBLEM #4 Standardized Parking Formula The Challenges Facing POW The proposed parking formula will make it almost impossible for Places of Worship located in High Density areas OR At Risk neighborhoods. Mid-Size to Larger Places of Worship over 30 000 ft2 will be required to have 10% more parking NOTE: There are items to be resolved such as the definition of auditorium

  9. PROBLEM #5 Zoning Impact on Financing The Challenges Facing POW Places of Worship will be caught between City by-laws and Banks • Banks won’t approve the loan until churches have approved zoning (too risky) • Commercial Banking Professional from CIBC said: "Unless the existing zoning already confirms that the building can be used as a place of worship, an organization would not receive financing until the zoning is complete." Very few sellers will wait for months for a POW to go through the zoning process This by-law will make it almost IMPOSSIBLE for many Places of Worship to Purchase their own facility or to expand to a larger facility

  10. Conclusion: This by-law doesn’t understand the vital role Places of Worship play and why it is necessary for us to exist in every part of this great city We had one City Staff member tell us: "Places of Worship should move to where they can afford" This by-law is sensible but not reasonable.  It is not practical for 1st Generation Canadians who want to worship in their neighborhood AND for At Risk neighborhoods whose people are unable to afford a building for their Place of Worship.   What do we tell the residents in our poorest communities? **They live where they can afford - they want to worship and receive support there also. The privilege to practice Faith is not for the wealthy, it is for everyone. Note: Community centres are valued and have been given many more zones where they can locate than Places of Worship.

  11. Every Challenge Has a SOLUTION !

  12. What We Must Do To Stop this Oppressive By-Law • 1) Call all City Council - we must have the majority of council agree to work with Places of Worship - be polite but clear and strong about this election issue • 2) Email all City Council • 3) Tell other people of faith to join the Toronto Faith • Coalition • Contact: kbegley@hwc.org Important: We Need THOUSANDS to Attend an upcoming rally with city officials and the zoning Statuatory Meeting

  13. What Do We Need to Tell our City Councillors? 1) We must have "as of right zones" - or we won't be able to purchase facility 2) We need to be in all zones except heavy industrial - We need council to develop a fair deal with it’s people of faith like Brampton worked out for it’s faith community 3) We need to adjust the parking standard - it is unfair and hasn't considered density areas and others 4) We need to negotiate how occupancy size will be determined - the new standard will force places to sell property 5) Places of Worship "add value" to this city - its not just about taxes and industry **Here is where you  ADD "Practical"" ways Your Place of Worship adds value to the city and neighbourhood. Example: kids & youth programs, outreach program,  counselling, feeding, financial assistance, single parents, moral fabric, etc 6) We need City Council to negotiate with Toronto Faith Coalition - to have a deal for all people of faith

  14. Places of Worship need “AS OF RIGHT” zoning Please Act Now!

  15. Red Box means Presently Permitted

  16. Red Box means Presently Permitted

  17. Red Box means Presently Permitted

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