ULI Toronto: Policy Pile-Up: The Unintended Economics of Well Intended Municipal Standards

A series of recent municipal policy and engineering requirements—each grounded in legitimate public objectives—are collectively reshaping the economics of urban development. From right-of-way widths and Type G loading standards to foundation drainage (“bathtubbing”) and tie-back restrictions, these measures are adding complexity, cost, and, in some cases, challenging the viability of delivering housing—particularly mid-rise and “missing middle” forms.

Individually, these policies advance important goals: safety, infrastructure resilience, and long-term city performance. But taken together, are they producing unintended consequences? Are we designing buildings around trucks, constraining developable land, or undermining transit-oriented, climate-aligned growth?

Join ULI Toronto for a cross-sector discussion on whether current requirements are appropriately calibrated—and how a more integrated, “housing-ready” approach can support both city-building objectives and feasible, scalable housing delivery.

MODERATOR
Charles Arbez, Senior Director of Development, Hullmark

SPEAKERS
Angie Jim Osman: Partner, Allies and Morrison Architects
Kelly Alvarez Doran, Co-founder, Ha/f Climate Design
Terry Olynyk, Founder and CEO, BLDscale