PINEWOOD ESTATES RATEPAYERS’…

PINEWOOD ESTATES RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION

June 7, 2024

Sent By Email to mmahzoningorders@ontario.ca

The Honourable Minister Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Provincial Land Use Plans Branch
13th Fl, 777 Bay St
Toronto, ON M7A 2J3

Dear Minister Calandra:

RE: Consideration of a Minister’s Zoning Order for a residential community at 661 & 681 Chrislea Road, City of Vaughan; ERO Number: 019-8617

This correspondence is sent on behalf of the Pinewood Estates Ratepayers Association in response to the potential issuance of a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) under section 47(1) of the Planning Act concerning the land currently addressed as 661 and 681 Chrislea Road in Vaughan. Located on the southern side of Langstaff Road, between Weston Road and Highway 400, and encompassing approximately 1.64 hectares, this property presently hosts a variety of businesses, including a gas station, an auto repair shop, a coffee shop, a music school, and several offices and commercial spaces. The 2010 Vaughan Official Plan designates this area as "Prestige Employment," bordered by a Provincially Significant Employment Zone on three sides.

Battcorp Holdings (Vaughan) Ltd. and Battcorp II Holdings (Vaughan) Ltd., collectively referred to as the "Applicant," propose to transform this site into a residential complex featuring four high-rise towers, each between 32 to 35 stories, comprising a total of 1,488 units.

It is essential to note that the members of the Pinewood Estates Ratepayers Association have been an integral part of the Vaughan community for decades, significantly contributing to its economic and social fabric. Many of our members conduct business operations near the subject property, reinforcing our vested interest in this area's development trajectory.

We respectfully urge you to reconsider the decision to expedite this development through an MZO. The pre-application consultation with the city was completed on May 29, 2023, and the necessary development applications were deemed complete on October 6, 2023. In December 2023, the City Council opted to request a Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator (CIHA) Order under section 34.1 of the Planning Act, despite the potential upcoming statutory changes that could affect such orders.

The scope of the proposed MZO, which would circumvent standard planning processes including site plan and subdivision applications, as well as compliance with regional and provincial plans, raises significant concerns. These processes are foundational to ensuring well-considered urban development that aligns with the existing community and infrastructure.

Furthermore, the proposed development's density and isolation are at odds with the surrounding area’s character, which lacks the residential amenities typical of a thriving neighborhood. This point was underscored by York Region in their November 14, 2023, communication expressing opposition to using a CIHA Order for this project.

Moreover, situating high-density residential buildings in a predominantly commercial and industrial zone could destabilize the area’s employment lands, which are critical for local job creation and economic stability. The expected increase in traffic, exacerbated by heavy vehicles accessing nearby highways, presents another argument against the proposed density and usage.
In conclusion, we firmly believe that this proposal is not in the best interest of good planning practices or the long-term viability of Vaughan’s employment zones. We kindly request that this matter be returned to the City of Vaughan for further review and progression through the normal public planning channels.

Thank you for considering our position on this important matter.

Sincerely,

PINEWOOD ESTATES RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION

cc: The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario

The Honourable Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, PCParty of Ontario

The Honourable Steven Del Duca, Mayor, City of Vaughan

Linda Jackson, Deputy Mayor, Local and Regional Councillor, City of Vaughan

Rosanna DeFrancesca, Councillor, City of Vaughan

Haiqing Xu, Deputy City Manager, Planning and Growth Management, City of Vaughan