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This consultation was open from:
July 10, 2025
to August 9, 2025
Proposal summary
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing received a request to amend Minister’s Zoning Order, Ontario Regulation 125/23, that applies to lands in the City of Pickering at 1955 Valley Farm Road. The Ministry is seeking input on whether this request should be considered and any information that may help inform the Minister’s decision-making.
Why consultation isn't required
Part II of the Environmental Bill of Rights Act, 1993 does not apply to proposals to make a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) under subsection 47(1) of the Planning Act, or to amend or revoke an MZO under subsection 47(8) of the Planning Act.
Although not required, the ministry is providing public notice of this request for consultation.
Proposal details
A Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO), made pursuant to clause 47(1)(a) of the Planning Act, regulates the use of land and the erection, location and use of any building or structure on the land, and prevails over the existing municipal zoning by-law to the extent there is any conflict.
The Minister is considering an application from CVH (No. 6) LP (also known as Southbridge Care Homes) seeking to amend the enhanced MZO filed as Ontario Regulation (O. Reg.) 125/23.
O. Reg. 125/23, made in response to a request of the Minister of Long-Term Care, facilitates the development of a new 15-storey long-term care home with a maximum of 832 beds, a nursing home and a retirement home with a maximum capacity of 670 units on lands at 1955 Valley Farm Road, in the City of Pickering. O. Reg. 125/23 also removes site plan control from applying to the subject lands. The site is currently occupied by the Orchard Villa long-term care home.
If made, the requested amendment to the enhanced MZO, filed as O. Reg. 125/23, would permit:
- A long-term home with no maximum number of beds
- A retirement home with no maximum number of units
- A nursing home
- Apartment house dwellings
- Multiple attached dwellings
- Accessory uses
- A maximum of 13 buildings consisting of, in part:
- one new 15-storey long-term home of 320 beds
- five 6-storey residential buildings
- three 35-storey apartment towers
- A maximum height in the southwest quadrant of 15 stories and a maximum height of 35 stories for the rest of the site
- Other relief from the City of Pickering’s Zoning By-law including parking, bicycle parking, loading spaces, landscaped open space, setbacks, maximum floorplate sizes and other matters.
To help ensure decisions are made in a transparent manner and support government priorities, the Ministry is seeking feedback on whether this request should be considered and any additional information that may help inform a decision. In particular, any potential environmental risks, financial impacts on the municipality or implications for other approved developments and how these can be mitigated.
Supporting materials
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Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
12th floor
777 Bay Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
mmahzoningorders@ontario.ca
12th floor
777 Bay Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
The comment period was from July 10, 2025
to August 9, 2025