We, as in Toronto Realtors, get asked often, "can we get front pad parking?".  For the past few years, the answer has been unequivocally. "no".  There's been a moratorium on authorizing more legal permits.  Now council is thinking of making this ban city wide.  I say "let's go for it!".     

This doesn't have to be a complex issue. There are some streets along the Danforth that have virtually no street parking and no place for guests to park without walking a long distance.  This is because all of the curbs have been cut to accommodate front pad parking, sometimes on both sides of the street. During the old East York council days, they went on a front-yard-parking binge and issued the permits willy nilly.  What are we left with?  "Ugly streetscapes"  doesn't begin to describe it.

The rain water diversion issue, as in not enough seeping into the soil is another major concern.  Pretty soon they'll be no water table to speak of.  Screw the trees if they hope to find water down there in the future.

Finally, as our deification of the automobile diminishes, we won't need as much parking in general city wide (or am I just being ridiculously optimistic?).

Pass this bylaw.  Get on with it!