Province unhappy with mayor’s zoning decision due to conflict with 413 corridor

May 9, 2024 · 0 Comments

BY ZACHARY ROMAN

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

The Province has taken issue with Caledon Mayor Annette Groves’ recent decision to propose 12 zoning bylaw amendments that would bring 35,000 housing units to Caledon.

Groves’ decision was made using Strong Mayor powers on March 26. At an April 30 Caledon Council meeting, after significant backlash from Caledon residents was received in the weeks leading up to the meeting, Groves announced she was putting the decision on hold.

An April 26 letter from Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Paul Calandra, details issues the Provincial Government has with Groves’ decision.

“Ministry staff have reviewed the proposed zoning bylaw amendments and identified that

six of the 12 proposed zoning bylaw amendments are within the Focused Analysis Area of

the Highway 413 Transportation Corridor and the Narrowed Area of Interest of the

Northwest GTA Transmission Identification Study,” reads Calandra’s letter.

Calandra said the Province’s Ministries of Transportation and Energy need to protect the Focused Analysis Area and Narrowed Area of Interest while assessments and studies take place.

He also said if Groves’ decision were to go through, it would be contrary to policy direction — specifically surrounding protecting planned infrastructure corridors — from the Province, Region of Peel, and Town of Caledon itself.

“I appreciate your efforts in seeking to find opportunities to provide for more housing in Caledon, however, in order to be consistent and in conformity with the infrastructure corridor protection policies of the Provincial Policy Statement and Growth Plan, Schedules A1, A2, A4, A5, A9 and A11 of the proposed zoning bylaw amendments should be modified to remove any permissions on lands within the Focused Analysis Area and Narrowed Area of Interest,” wrote Calandra.