Metroburb Narrow
The Metroburb generation were mostly built in the 1980’s to early 2000’s in the suburban neighbourhoods of Etobicoke, Scarborough and North York - as well as surrounding GTA municipalities like Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan.
The Metroburb Narrow is similar to the Metroburb Semi, characterized by a high lot coverage and attached “snout” garage facing the street, typically sized for one or two cars depending on lot frontage. The front elevation is dominated by the garage and driveway, usually with a recessed front entrance to one side opening to an interior stair. Some variations of this type are three storey buildings, with living spaces on the second floor.
The large building size relative to the lot dimensions makes it challenging to propose substantial additions or expansions to the house without exceeding the lot coverage and density regulations (floor space index) for the site.
Existing Total Floor Area = 107.0m2
Lot Area = 224.2m2
Lot Coverage = 31.9%
Existing FSI (Floor Space Index) = 0.48
Sample of Real Estate Listings
Pricing as of July 2022
Neighbourhood Aerial
Existing House Plans
Housing Option: LOW
This scheme is limited to interior renovations within the existing building footprint.
The building is divided into three small units on each floor. The existing front entrance is partitioned as shared entrance foyer and the existing stair is fire separated to serve only the second floor unit. Separate access to the basement unit is provided with a new entrance off the side yard and this stair is also fire separated from the ground floor unit.
The basement includes a small shared laundry and mechanical room to reduce the total electrical load of the building, save on upfront construction cost and increase the usable floor area in each unit.
Total Unit Count = 3 Units
Total Occupancy = 4 Beds
Housing Option: MEDIUM
This scheme is limited to minor additions, accessory dwelling units (Garden Suite or Laneway Suite) and renovations within the existing building footprint, and may include the scope of work included in the ‘LOW’ option.
The existing garage is insulated and converted to an additional bedroom for the ground floor unit. The roof of the garage could also be rebuilt with a large terrace for the upper unit. The backyard is partially excavated to replace the basement window well and provide a sunken courtyard and replace the side yard entrance as direct access for the basement suite. The side yard entrance is kept for access to the shared laundry and mechanical room and provides a second means of egress for the basement suite.
Total Unit Count = 3 Units
Total Occupancy = 5 Beds
Housing Option: HIGH
This scheme is limited to major additions or a combination of minor additions, accessory dwelling units (Garden Suite or Laneway Suite) and renovations within the existing building footprint, and may include the scope of work included in the ‘LOW’ and ‘MEDIUM’ option.
The lot depth accomodates a small one bedroom garden suite in the rear yard.
Note: This garden suite design has not been revised to match the updated Garden Suites By-law regulation with more permissive minimum side setbacks at 10% of lot frontage (or at least 0.6m) for walls without openings
Total Unit Count = 4 Units (3 + Garden Suite)
Total Occupancy = 6 Beds
Housing Option: NEW
The “New” Options propose demolition of the existing house and the construction of a new multiplex within the zoning/built form permitted for single-detached houses.
This scheme proposes a triplex of “through” apartments extending the full building depth on each floor. The apartments are accessed from a shared straight-run interior stair, with an exterior spiral stair at the rear serving as second means of egress as required. A fourth unit is added in the basement with direct access from the side yard access path and a backyard sunken court.
The side yard setbacks shown here are based on the shifting side yard setbacks permitted for a single-detached house in this zone.
Total Unit Count = 4 Units
Total Occupancy = 8 Beds
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