Developers behind Vaughan MZO that promised 10% affordable units drop their vow

Thestar.com
Nov. 12, 2021
Dina Al-Shibeeb

In October 2020, a minister’s zoning order (MZO) unleashed a debate on affordable housing in Vaughan. The MZO, which was brought by Bracor Ltd. and Crinklewood Development Inc., promised 10 per cent of its units for affordable housing.

While some councillors questioned the MZO as well as allowing certain developers to jump the queue of approvals, council eventually gave the green light. Their approval, however, hinged on the MZO's affordable housing pledge.

At the time, both Coun. Marilyn Iafrate and Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua were ardent proponents of the project, with the former encouraging adding the condition of the vow.

Iafrate told city staff at the time to include a two-year period from the time of the MZO approval to start breaking ground on the project to expedite funnelling people with affordable units.

But a year later, Iafrate said she is baffled as to why the promise is no longer there when a minister’s final document shows none of these two conditions were upheld.

Marilyn expressed her frustration during a phone interview last last month, a day before York region councillors rejected residents’ appeals against Ontario’s growth plan for the upcoming 30 years, citing how there is plenty of land available to build more homes, especially affordable units.

“If they want to build affordable housing, they would,” she said. “We have MZOs that we approved that were supposed to have 10 per cent affordable housing,” the councillor said in reference to the Bracor’s MZO.

“When the minister approved the MZO, there was no mention of affordable housing. This whole thing about affordable housing is a bunch of nonsense; it's just a way of allowing developers to do what they want.”

However, a statement from housing minister Steve Clark’s office explained this discrepancy, and how this is “outside the scope” of the ministry.

“The traditional authority of a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) does not address inclusionary zoning or affordable housing,” the statement read.

“The MZO that was made at the request of the City of Vaughan strictly permits residential/commercial use on this site, and therefore provisions for affordable housing are outside the scope.”

The ministry also “encouraged” Vaughan councillors to “leverage other tools the province has provided to support affordable housing projects.”

These tools include “implementing a municipal inclusionary zoning framework or through community benefits charges, which are now permitted under the planning act.”

“Additionally, the municipality can support and/or secure affordable housing through the planning approval process or explore options such as collateral agreements.”

The MZO, however, has inspired Vaughan to produce its first-ever affordable housing strategy. In its draft strategy for affordable housing, inclusionary zoning, also known as IZ, is expected to be completed in close coordination with the city’s official plan review.