TORONTO BY-LAW IS RECOMMENDED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19034, 1 April 1930, Page 7

TORONTO BY-LAW IS RECOMMENDED.

SHOP-DWELLINGS MUST HAVE GOOD AIR SPACE. Provision of new regulations for the construction of shops with dwellings attached was decided upon by the City Council last evening. It was agreed to take the Canadian by-laws dealing with the subject as a guide. The Town Planning Committee reported as follows: “ The question of the erection of residential shops in various parts of the city has caused the committee some concern. Applications have been received for permission to erect combined shops and dwellings on sections of land which have not the frontage or area required for residential buildings. Prior to the passing of the Town Planning Act permits for the erection of re. sidential shops were issued, provided the maximum amount of air space required by the Municipal Corporations Act had been provided. This leads to an undesirable density of population, which may reach to as high as 200 persons to an acre. “ While in the outlying districts it may be considered advisable to insist that all shop-dwellings shall have the minimum area and frontage required for a residential building, it might be considered a hardship to demand similar requirements in business areas. The committee is of opinion that the following by-law of the City of Toronto, Canada, would meet the council’s requirements. and it is therefore recommended that this by-law be taken as a basis in framing regulations under the town planning scheme in reference to shop dwellings:— “ Vacant space—Every such building shall be so situated upon the respective premises as to provide for, and preserve for, every habitable room contained within the storey of the building having the greatest number of habitable

rooms a vacant space area equal to the floor space of each such room. This area shall be free of all construction from the level of the floor of the lowest storey containing habitable rooms to above the roof, and be so situated that every such room shall be adjacent to the said area. Rooms containing win dows opening directlv to public highways are excepted. The said area shall be exclusive of any space proposed to be used as a side entrance where the same is less than three feet wide, or any portion of the lot or premises between the main front wall, or the production of the main front wall of such building and the street line. It is provided, however, that where there are habitable rooms in the basement storey, the average finished grade level will be accepted in lieu of the level of the floor of the lowest storey herein mentioned. Note: ‘Habitable room’ shall mean a room for human habitation but shall not be interpreted to include kitchenettes having a floor area of less than one hundred square feet, sunrooms, bathrooms or toilet rooms.” The recommendation was adopted.