The Missing Middle with Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux

Nightmare on Craven Road: When Local Politics Derail Citywide Housing Goals

Oct 15, 2025
Local politics in Toronto are putting a wrench in citywide housing goals. The debate over garden suites on Craven Road illustrates how NIMBYism and endless consultations can stall progress. Hilariously, they reference a McSweeney's satire about public hearings. The hosts emphasize the need for consistent zoning rules to simplify building processes. Current residents dominate discussions, sidelining future tenants. As a call to action, they encourage listeners to advocate for garden suites and equitable housing solutions.
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ANECDOTE

Craven vs Parkmount Neighbor Dispute

  • Craven Road residents objected when Parkmount homeowners could add garden suites behind their homes.
  • Councillor Paula Fletcher moved to ban garden suites on that single block, sparking the dispute.
INSIGHT

Design Rules Kill Viability

  • Planning proposed extra setbacks and landscaping that shrink usable garden-suite footprints.
  • Smaller buildable areas make projects less economically viable and reduce construction uptake.
INSIGHT

Bespoke Rules Favor The Powerful

  • Bespoke local exemptions privilege well-connected or vocal neighborhoods.
  • That practice increases inequality and raises building costs across the city.
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