For the first time since 1959, it is now legal to build new corner stores in residential neighbourhoods across Toronto.

A contentious, recurring debate at city council ended Thursday with the adoption of a stripped-down version of the neighbourhood retail proposal made in December of last year .

Prospective business owners will now be able to open up shops on residential portions of some “major streets” city-wide . These are defined as high-capacity roads that run surface transportation, shipping and delivery routes and “provide connectivity across the city.”

Councillors in Old Toronto and East York went a step further, supporting Mayor Olivia Chow’s amendment to allow small-scale retail on select “community streets” within their wards. These businesses will be allowed to sell fo

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