I write to register my…

I write to register my opposition to the issuance of MZOs for the transit oriented ghetto proposed for midtown Oakville. This project will destroy the character of our town and waste all of the taxpayer dollars that Oakville residents have invested in developing the superior OPA70. The economic and viability case for these MZOs and this project, dominated by studios and one- bedrooms, has collapsed for now. In the long term, this proposal does not support the type of housing our community needs: family-oriented, complete-community housing that will be achieved with OPA70, not investor-driven micro-units. The project will not proceed for at least five years, so there is no urgency or justification for imposing these MZOs now.

These MZOs would force extreme and reckless density on Midtown, more than double that of any comparable development in the GTA, without the infrastructure to support it. It will create chaos and overwhelm transportation and services that are already stressed, including local roads, transit, the GO station, and the QEW. I watched, with horror, footage of the recent lethal fires in Hong Kong that were a similar form and density to this proposal and saw the future of Midtown.

Finally, if the MZOs are issued, it will cement the minimum baseline for all of midtown. Developers will demand the same or higher height and density. IO should pause, shut down this TOC, withdraw the MZOs, and proceed with OPA70, a responsible, deliverable, community-supported plan that is aligned with the changing market and meets all of the growth requirements the Province has set for municipalities . I vote NO for these MZOs.