Proposed Motion
Whereas, on April 6, 2023, Ontario announced the next steps in its plan to build 1.5 million homes by 2031 including the introduction of Bill 97, the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, 2023 (“Bill 97”), and the release of a draft Provincial Planning Statement to replace the current Provincial Policy Statement and the Growth Plan;
Whereas, the City of Brampton’s Housing Pledge was approved on March 8, 2023 to support the province’s direction for Brampton to accommodate 113,000 residential units by 2031, which accelerates the city’s growth targets over the next eight years;
Whereas, in addition to the provincial legislative changes, there has been a growing movement across North America to re-examine the planning designations in neighbourhoods to increase opportunities for new residents;
Whereas, Brampton’s Official Plan designates approximately 600 hectares of land for “Estate Residential” purposes in Toronto Gore that are permitted to be developed for primarily single detached dwellings on lots ranging in area from 1.0 acre to 2.0 acres;
Whereas, the Toronto Gore has access to amenities including schools, public facilities, parks and shopping, which sets Toronto Gore apart from estate residential areas in neighbouring communities, such as Caledon, Vaughan and King Township that are much more rural in character; and
Whereas, there may be opportunities to add small-scale residential intensification (e.g. lot severances and new housing types) while maintaining the community attributes of the Toronto Gore estate residential area.
Therefore Be It Resolved That Council direct staff to review and report back on the following:
- To undertake a Toronto Gore Estate Residential Area Infill and Intensification Study to determine the feasibility of permitting and accommodating small scale residential infill and intensification (including servicing capacity).
- To provide recommendations on the policy framework, regulations and tools that would be required to ensure the development of compatible lot sizes and housing forms in the established estate residential area.
- To undertake a comprehensive community engagement program with residents, public agencies and the development industry.