East Gwillimbury auto campus proposal for Green Lane moves step closer to reality

NewRoads plan passes first phase for approval

Yorkregion.com
August 18, 2020
John Cudmore

A proposed auto sales campus for Green Lane in East Gwillimbury has received the green light from the provincial government to proceed through application stages at the regional and municipal levels.

The proposed project received a ministerial zoning order (MZO) Aug. 13 from the Ontario government, which could be a key stimulus to help fast-track the development of a new business park in the municipality. The land had previously been zoned rural in the town's comprehensive zoning bylaw.

The project could mean 500 high quality jobs.

The campus could include up to seven auto dealerships. It is also a potential training centre to lead the development of the Green Lane Employment Area as designated in the town’s Official Plan.

“When this application was brought to the town, we knew it would be a great fit for our community and would be the catalyst for economic growth along the Highway 404 corridor,” said Mayor Virginia Hackson in a news release. “As part of our Advantage EG program, the town wanted to move the application forward at the speed of business.”

NewRoads Automotive Group submitted a development proposal in December. Its plan would develop a 28-acre auto campus at 1656 Green Lane E. along the north side of the roadway, between Leslie Street and Highway 404.

The town requested a MZO from the province to expedite the process to rezone the land in alignment with the Official Plan and the objectives of the Highway 404 Employment Corridor Secondary Plan.

Town council endorsed the use of the MZO to zone the land for the auto campus in January.

The Town of East Gwillimbury Highway 404 Employment Corridor Secondary Plan, which outlines the land use, urban design guidelines and proposed future road infrastructure for this area, was recently adopted by council.

The proposal has been submitted to York Region for review.