Bill 109 and the Future of Local Decision-making on Development

 

The Ontario Government wants to "accelerate" housing.  That stated with a Task Force on Housing that had some draconian features such as allowing "as of right" any development in any place, even high rises in low rise residential areas without any municipal approval.  

That might have seemed draconian and tantamount to taking away the rights of communities to decide for themselves about the character of their neighbourhoods and whether we need to protect environmentally sensitive lands. 

Well, they are doing it with Bill 109 and the associated "Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator Guideline."  It looks like the MZO in another name.  It would include such matters as:

• the types of priority developments a Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator order could be used for (e.g., community infrastructure, housing, including affordable housing);  

• where the Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator order may or may not be used (e.g., certain geographically defined areas); and,

• other matters related to the use of the Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator tool.

• Areas of the Greenbelt that are protected

See this document in particular to see what would be included:

Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator – Proposed Guideline

You can comment on this bill at the Environmental Registry by APRIL 29 at this location:

Environmental Registry Comments and Documents