Hands off our Greenbelt, York Region tells Ontario provincial government

Chief planner says there is already enough land and Southlake hospital expansion better suited to north of Newmarket

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 19, 2022
Kim Zarzour

There is plenty of land available to build homes in York Region and no need for the province to remove 815 acres of protected green space, according to a new report presented to regional council Dec. 15.

The staff report, responding to the Ford government’s amendments to the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine Plans, highlighted several concerns with the proposed redesignation.

The province is proposing to remove or redesignate 15 areas of land totalling approximately 7,400 acres of Greenbelt area to make way for housing in the short term.

In York Region, removals are contemplated in King, Vaughan, Whitchurch-Stouffville and Markham -- a total of 330 hectares.

These removals would become additional urban lands above and beyond what’s been identified to accommodate growth to 2051.

A report from the region’s commissioner of corporate services and chief planner says there is already adequate opportunity for housing in York Region to address the province's accelerated growth through intensification and expanded approved urban boundaries.

The province’s proposed amendments would impact the region’s strategic plan goal to enhance and preserve green space, the report says.

The region recently completed an extensive Municipal Comprehensive Review Process and the province approved York’s Regional Official Plan that included an additional 364 hectares of urban expansion in Whitchurch-Stouffville, King and Markham, increased building heights and density in four sites in Aurora, Markham and Vaughan, two additional employment conversions in Vaughan and other modifications.

“The proposed Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine Plan amendments would represent additional potential urban lands,” chief planner Paul Freeman said in a letter to the ministry of municipal affairs and housing. “It is unclear why these additional removals from the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan Area are being contemplated at this time.”

Housing construction, to achieve the province’s goal, is best suited to areas with existing or planned services, the report added.

York Region planners also raised concerns with the area identified for the Southlake Regional Health Centre expansion.

The province proposes this new hospital be located east of Dufferin Street, south of Miller’s Sideroad, west of Bathurst Street, representing the largest land area to be redesignated and removed from Greenbelt protection.

“While York Region supports the expansion of the hospital, we encourage consideration of existing urban lands prior to Greenbelt removals,” Freeman said.

He pointed to “significant” new urban lands north of the Newmarket boundary, in proximity to planned rapid transit and an existing GO station.

Freeman took issue with the province’s plans to remove Greenbelt protection in Richmond Hill between Hwy. 404 and employment lands.

Housing in this location may not be appropriate, he said, adding: “There is strong evidence to support adverse health impacts of traffic-related air pollutants for people residing near highways and roadways.”

Further, he said, the province should not consider removing Greenbelt lands in a vital north/south ecological corridor that connects the Oak Ridges Moraine to the Rouge National Urban Park in Markham.

The region asked the province to extend the commenting period on proposed amendments to the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan Areas to allow for collaboration with municipalities about opportunities for development within existing approved urban areas.