RE: Greenpark Group…

RE: Greenpark Group Properties in Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and Markham
Comments on the Approval of the 2022 York Region Official Plan
ERO number: 019-5865

Malone Given Parsons Ltd. is the Planning Consultant for Greenpark Group, owners of multiple parcels in York Region (collectively “the Greenpark Lands”):
Table 1 Greenpark Lands Ownership
Ownership Address
Parioli Peak Estates Inc 77 and 89 16th Avenue, Richmond Hill
Golden Ambra Highrise Inc/Campo Ridge Home Corp 10898, 10922, 10944 and 10956 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill
Sabella Ridge Estates Inc 10684 & 10692 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill
Intergreen (BT) Developments 25 Interchange Way, Vaughan
Greencapital Limited Partnership 10 Royal Orchard Way, Markham

On behalf of the landowners, we have reviewed the 2022 York Region Official Plan under consideration for approval by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The purpose of this letter is to provide input to the 2022 York Region Official Plan (“YROP”). We respectfully request that Policies 4.4.11, 4.4.24.b, and 4.4.42.a be amended to remove reference to a maximum height and density, with the goal of delivering housing in an efficient manner to achieve the Province’s target of 1.5 million new homes in Ontario.
The Greenpark Lands are strategically located
The Greenpark Lands are located along key public transportation routes that serve York Region and within Major Transit Station Areas (“MTSAs”). Generally, the Greenpark Lands are well served by existing and planned higher order transit including access to the existing Vaughan Metropolitan Subway Station and planned Yonge North subway extension and the VIVA bus rapid transit system (see Figure 1 attached).
Attainable Housing is necessary for growth in York Region
The Province of Ontario (“Province”) has been clear that the road to supporting economic recovery includes building more housing in the face of a historic housing shortage and continuing to leverage the Province’s investments in transit. Moreover, the Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force recently proposed an ambitious, but achievable target to build 1.5 million new homes in the next ten years to tackle the housing crisis. In the face of this provincial objective, it is critical that planning policies within the new YROP should be focused on housing more Ontarians.
York Region has recognized a shortfall in anticipated growth levels and notes a correlation between lagging population and a lack of affordable housing options as a factor. Housing options impact the achievement of complete communities and population growth is key to planned infrastructure timing. Therefore, it would be prudent to focus growth along existing and planned higher-order transit infrastructure such as subways and bus rapid transit, to ensure efficient use of land and infrastructure investments. It would be a lost opportunity to limit development within areas adjacent to higher order transit, all of which are located within MTSA’s.
Attainable housing is an important part of the housing options spectrum. Specifically, apartment units and other multiple-unit forms of housing represent an inherently more affordable housing option for ownership. In our opinion, it is crucial for York Region to encourage attainable housing to respond to the current housing crisis and reinforce the Region’s growth objectives.
To achieve the Region’s policy directions, we believe that development surrounding higher-order transit should be afforded greater flexibility in terms of height and density. As such, we request that the YROP be revised to encourage local municipalities to not limit development in these important areas through maximum height and density limits. Specifically, Policies 4.4.11, 4.4.24.b, and 4.4.42.a should be amended to remove reference to a maximum height and density.
Greenpark Group is interested in working with municipalities to help address the housing crisis
Greenpark Group is an experienced developer with a long history of delivering housing projects throughout the Greater Toronto Area. As noted, Greenpark currently owns multiple properties in proximity to higher-order transit that are strategically located and have potential to provide higher density development to support the transit infrastructure investment.
To assist with the housing crisis, Greenpark recognizes there is a further opportunity to deliver attainable housing in York Region adjacent to higher order transit. The Greenpark Lands are currently in various stages of the development application process. These properties, combined with their surrounding area, offer the ability to aid in the delivery of housing, mix of land uses, and an overall complete community surrounding each transit station. Based on their experience in delivering housing to facilitate growth in York Region, Greenpark supports the requested amendment to the YROP and is willing to work with the local municipalities to review its current applications and examine opportunities to deliver more housing options to assist the Province in achieving its target of 1.5 million new homes.
We thank you for the opportunity to provide input on the 2022 YROP and look forward to continuing to engage with Staff through the process.
Should you have any questions or wish to discuss our comments, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned at 905.513.0170.
Yours very truly,
Malone Given Parsons Ltd

Lauren Capilongo & Lincoln Lo
Principals

****Please note that a letter was submitted directly to Mr. Andrew Doersam which inlcudes a locational graphic.****