daniel_kryz said:
Well that's why you could specify what good design is with character areas or urban design guidelines. Some official plans already mandate good design, like the new Golden Mile Secondary Plan. We'll just have to see how it works out.

Also, you could definitely ban monotone colours, spandrel, and window-wall systems. You could also make development enhance its heritage base's character (not just conserve it) through the new building's design. These are objective policies that would've prevented this building from getting approved.
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Let's just start with one part of this. If you banned window wall systems… would the City not be sued by window wall makers and by the developers who want to use window wall? In court, were the City's defence to be 'because we don't think they look good', the opponents' lawyers would rip that to shreds. How would you argue the City's case?

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Keep in mind here that the courts like dealing in actual's and not what if's. For example, "Does it pose any health and safety issues?" or, "Does it break any environmental regulations?" and not in, "Is it a fashion crime?" That is, the former two questions are actual's, while the latter is certainly a what if.
 
daniel_kryz said:
Well that's why you could specify what good design is with character areas or urban design guidelines. Some official plans already mandate good design, like the new Golden Mile Secondary Plan. We'll just have to see how it works out.

Also, you could definitely ban monotone colours, spandrel, and window-wall systems. You could also make development enhance its heritage base's character (not just conserve it) through the new building's design. These are objective policies that would've prevented this building from getting approved.
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Granite, marble and limestone are 'monotone' - should we ban them too?
 
The Provincial Policy Statement and the Planning Act require "the promotion of built form that is well-designed; and promotes a sense of place." The "promotion" part is kind of murky, because it means "encouraging" and not requiring. However, some in-force plans already have mandatory design policies. The city might be sued by developers and producers (most likely at the LPAT), but the city has a legal right to require certain types of materials to create good urban design and placemaking.

I don't think granite, marble, or limestone should be banned because almost every material can be monotonous if used excessively. Multiple materials, eloquent shapes, and textures are the things that make most materials beautiful. If you built a house with stucco, but the entire facade had no textures and was just one large slab, it wouldn't be attractive. Again, it all depends on how you use the materials. But it doesn't matter how you use window-wall systems and spandrel, it just looks cheap and ruins a building's expression when applied.

Since you are wondering about the legality of requiring good design and good materials in policy, I would suggest paying attention to the appeal of the new London Plan (Ontario). Its design policies are very mandatory and developers are arguing those policies can't be mandatory. The LPAT case # is PL170100, and I would encourage you to pay attention because the LPAT's decision could set a new precedent for all cities.

Anyhow, I think we're getting off topic, but there aren't any other threads for this.
 
Woodsworth College Residence uses window wall and spandrel quite effectively. Ditto 18 Yorkville, Nicholas Residences, Murano, Burano, West One, N1, Luna Vista, Montage, etc. etc. etc.

My point isn't to split hairs with you - we all know this looks like shit and Shiu Pong / Kirkor should be run out of town. But putting that kind of thing into a law is almost impossible precisely because it isn't objective, even if you believe it is.
 
The only way I can see around this is governments putting in incentives to encourage devs to use better materials, but even then that likely has its pitfalls. /sigh
 
The City can really only require performance standards from the cladding, for such things as thermal transmission qualities, fire resistance, etc. If the materials perform as required, like window wall does, like curtain wall does, like brick, stone, aluminum, and cementitious panelling does… then it's allowed.

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interchange42 said:
The City can really only require performance standards from the cladding, for such things as thermal transmission qualities, fire resistance, etc. If the materials perform as required, like window wall does, like curtain wall does, like brick, stone, aluminum, and cementitious panelling does… then it's allowed.

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Just out of curiosity, why is it that for the last few decades all new GTA yellow belt developments are clad in brick, while outside of GTA wood and vinyl siding is still perfectly acceptable? Is vinyl siding banned in GTA municipalities? If so, is it due to performance or aesthetics?
 
Today. Not bad. Could be better but street level is ok.

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