Sudbury considers allowing taller buildings to ease housing crunch

The new rules would allow 20-metre-high buildings in areas zoned C2 or C3, an increase of five metres, or one or two stories. (File)

Meeting on Monday, members of Sudbury’s planning committee will vote on whether to amend the city’s planning laws to add an extra storey or two to buildings in some areas.

The new rules would allow 20-metre-high buildings in areas zoned C2 or C3, an increase of five metres, or one or two stories.

The change is one of eight initiatives in an action plan aimed at removing barriers to increasing the housing supply, said a staff report on the plan.

“The objective of this initiative is to increase the number and type of dwellings permitted as-of-right, without the need for zoning bylaw amendment,” the report said.

“To date, council has approved units-as-of right, allowed for multi-residential uses on institutionally zoned lands, added more flexibility to our density policies and our mixed-use policies.”

More cost-effective

Allowing the construction of five-storey buildings makes them more cost-effective for builders, the report said, and is suitable in low-rise residential neighbourhoods.

“The height increase supports smaller, infill-scale multiple residential or mixed-use buildings that are often not viable at three and four storeys and allows for greater flexibility in site design,” the report said.

Both C2 and C3 zones are focused in areas with existing city transit use and are suitable for high-density residential areas.

“Additional height, translating to increased density, allows for more residents living along transit corridors,” the report said.

However, increased density also means increased demand for water and sewer services. Before the projects are approved, “staff will confirm that there are no limitations based on the city’s ability to accommodate the required fire flows (water) and wastewater within the existing systems,” the report said.

“Servicing capacity reviews also take place at a site-specific level during the site plan review process.”

Read the full report here.