Toronto City Council has voted 21-4 in favour of Councillor Ana Bailao’s motion to the noise bylaw exemption to amend the proposed permit process for continuous concrete pouring.

The bylaw change authorizes the executive director of Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS), rather than city councillors, upon receipt of an application for continuous concrete pouring, to issue an exemption permit contingent on having a noise mitigation plan.

The residential construction industry expressed concern that the originally proposed MLS exemption process would have threatened 7,000 jobs and crippled the industry’s ability to deliver desperately needed housing supply.

A coalition made up of RESCON, LiUNA Local 183, the Building and Land Development Association (BILD) and the Ontario Formwork Association have been advocating against changes that they believe would impact the local economy.

“Although the industry preferred the status quo exemption, this amendment represents a workable compromise for industry,” said Richard Lyall, president RESCON in the press release. “We want to work closely with Toronto residents, City Council and MLS staff to ensure projects are completed as quickly and efficiently as possible. As suggested by Mayor John Tory, we want to wrap up new development in a timely manner so we can ‘get out of current residents’ hair,’ as well as house Toronto’s future residents.”

David Wilkes, BILD president and CEO, added: “Builders want to be good neighbours too. The City Council decision allows our industry to continue to produce jobs, housing supply and attract investment to the city.”

The change to the noise bylaw will be effective October 1.