City of Mississauga’s noise policies around Toronto Pearson International Airport under review

Mississauga.com
Aug. 31, 2016
By Rachael Williams

The city is holding a public meeting on proposed amendments to its noise policies around Toronto Pearson International Airport.

“They’re out-dated, overly restrictive and are unnecessarily stifling development in residential communities within the Airport Operating Area (AOA),” said Sharleen Bayovo, a planner with the City of Mississauga.

With a coverage area of 123 square kilometres, the AOA encompasses employment and residential areas within Mississauga, Toronto and an employment district in Brampton.

Because of the noise that comes from the airport, certain land uses, redevelopment opportunities and infill are restricted.

In Mississauga, neighbourhoods impacted by these policies include Meadowvale Village and East Credit Neighbourhood Character Areas, parts of Malton and the Gateway and Airport Corporate Centres, which fall in the noise exposure range of 30 to 40.

If the noise exposure is 35 or less, the current policy permits redevelopment and infill redevelopment, but does not allow density greater than surrounding areas.

When the noise reaches above 35, only existing development is permitted.

But according to a recent environmental noise study commissioned by the City, these noise levels are inaccurate, as most of the noise comes from trucks along Airport Road, Derry Road and Goreway Drive. Road noise can be mitigated more easily, through higher standards of design and building materials, said Bayova.

The city’s proposed amendments seek to update their noise policies to remove density restrictions and allow for residential and other sensitive land uses within the aforementioned “exception areas”.

“I’m absolutely delighted with this,” said Coun. Carolyn Parrish. “This will make an enormous difference to areas in Ward 5.”

If the amendments are approved, it could pave the way for a seniors’ home on Airport Road and a daycare at the Airport Corporate Centre.

With the revitalization of Malton high on the City’s priority list, opening the lands for redevelopment and infill around the airport will allow for reinvestment in the community, said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. 

The public meeting is slated for September 6 at 7 p.m. in council chambers at city hall, 300 City Centre Drive, and will kick-off the first planning and development committee meeting since June.