Comment on the proposed Land…

Comment on the proposed Land Needs Assessment Methodology
• The Province has a comprehensive methodology in place that brings a consistent and transparent approach to calculating land needs across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. It is suggested the Province maintain this existing methodology and not replace it with the proposed methodology that provides less certainty and guidance for identifying land needs and defining settlement areas expansions.

• If changes are made to the methodology, the Province should consult further with municipalities and stakeholders to ensure this process incorporates prior agreed practices that provide clear direction for land requirements. Staff also suggest that more guidance be provided on what growth assumptions are reasonable to test (e.g. particularly around market housing), and also how to prioritize intensification and the optimization of existing infrastructure.

• Given the planning horizon has been extended by a decade, the methodology could also consider requirements to undertake phased land release to ensure greenfield areas evolve as complete communities and municipalities can avoid extending municipal services to multiple subdivisions concurrently.