City planning staff say they haven't been able to properly oversee development in the city because they are overworked.
Their union, as well as some councillors, are calling for more staff to be hired to handle the boom of condos and office buildings going up around the city.
CUPE Local 79 released a report saying 87 per cent of its members work overtime at least weekly, and 44 per cent work overtime daily.
Union president Tim Maguire says when the planners are overworked, sometimes developers' interests rule over communities' interests.
Councillor Gord Perks says without proper staffing, the city will be built based on what developers want instead of for the future of Torontonians.
He adds that the work done by planners is paid for by the fees developers pay.
"It wouldn't cost the taxpayer a dime, it would cost the developers," Perks says. "But we're not doing it because of the dumb rhetoric we have too many public servants."
The planning and growth management committee voted in favour of reviewing staffing levels during the upcoming budget process, and looking at cost implications.
The discussion will be had while city agencies and departments are being asked by mayor John Tory to find a 2.6 per cent reduction in their budgets next year.