Ontario Construction News staff writer
Sudbury city council has approved increased building heights to spur housing in commercial zones and is looking to amend zoning to boost the supply of shared accommodation.
Previously limited to 11 metres for general commercial and 15 metres in limited general commercial, the zones, mostly along arterial roads, will now allow buildings up to 20 metres.
Sudbury’s strategic and environmental planning manager Bailey Chabot in a report said the changes allow six storeys in a multiple dwelling development and five storeys in a mixed-use development.
The moves are tied to a $2.57 million federal grant to the northern Ontario municipality under Ottawa’s Housing Accelerator Fund, which rewards local governments for efforts to build more homes faster.
Since its launch in March 2023, $4.37 billion in funding has been committed through the Housing Accelerator Fund to fast-track new homes, federal agency the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said in January.
To receive funding, local governments must commit to initiatives such as:
– Legalizing four-units-as-of-right (allowing multiplexes without requiring re-zoning).
– Increasing housing density, particularly around public transit.
– Speeding up approval and permitting times.
– Establishing inclusionary zoning bylaws that increase the supply of affordable housing.
 Sudbury councillors unanimously approved the height allowance changes in late May and will consider a staff report on shared housing, which the city defines as for-profit buildings with guest rooms (excluding hotels and retirement homes) at a future meeting.
Chabot said the areas affected by the higher height limits are generally intended for commercial and higher-density residential development, are located along major roads, and have transit access. He added that most also have municipal water and wastewater services.
