Request for a Minister’s Zoning Order for a mixed-use residential development in the City of Markham

An 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 a request from Treasure Hill and the City of Markham to make an MZO for the lands at 10982, 11120 and 11274 Highway 48 in the City of Markham. The City of Markham’s support for the MZO is conditional on the execution of commercial and real estate agreements with Treasure Hill.

The site is approximately 101.1 hectares in size and is situated in the southwest quadrant of 19th Avenue and Highway 48. See link to location map below. 

The site is currently occupied by agricultural fields and farm buildings and some low-density residential uses. The subject lands are currently designated in the City of Markham’s official plan as Countryside and zoned Greenway and zoned Countryside, Countryside with a Holding Provision, Greenway System One and Greenway System Two under the City of Markham’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2024-19. For clarity, the lands proposed for the zoning order are adjacent to, but not located in, the Greenbelt Area.

At this time, the feasibility of appropriately servicing these lands for the near-term implementation and construction of the proposed uses remains subject to ongoing assessment. The Ministry is seeking additional information that may help inform this assessment.

The requested MZO seeks to permit 2,500 homes at various levels of affordability and form, a city-wide community sports park and a potential elementary school.

The requested MZO would permit residential dwelling types permitted in the City of Markham’s zoning by-law under the Residential Low Rise Two (RES-LR2) and Residential Mid Rise One (RES-MR1) zones and permit additional commercial and institutional uses.

As well, the requested MZO would establish zoning requirements including minimum setbacks, minimum parking requirements, a maximum building height of 13.5 metres within the Residential Low Rise Two zone, and a minimum outdoor amenity area of 5 m² per dwelling unit.

This MZO was requested to expedite approvals for the proposal and to address increased demand for recreational spaces in the City of Markham.

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.