There is no requirement to post this notice on the Environmental Registry of Ontario, but we wanted to hear your thoughts. Thank you for your feedback.
This consultation was open from:
July 31, 2025
to August 30, 2025
Decision summary
On January 30, 2026, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing made a Minister's Zoning Order in the City of Markham as Zoning Order 002-2026.
Decision details
A Zoning Order, made pursuant to clause 47(1)(a) of the Planning Act, regulates the use of the land and the erection, location and use of any building or structure on the land. The Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) was requested by Treasure Hill and supported by the City of Markham.
Zoning Order 002-2026 applies to approximately 101.1 hectares of land located at 10982, 11120 and 11274 Highway 48 in the City of Markham. The subject lands are located in the southwest quadrant of 19th Avenue and Highway 48. They are currently occupied by agricultural fields and buildings and some low-density residential uses. For clarity, the lands subject to the zoning order are adjacent to, but not located in, the Greenbelt Area.
Zoning Order 002-2026 facilitates the development of up to 3,250 homes at various levels of affordability and form, a city-wide community sports park and a potential elementary school. Specifically, the MZO permits the uses permitted in the Residential Low Rise Two (RES-LR2) Zone, Residential Mid Rise One (RES-MR1) Zone, and the Open Space – Public (OS-PU) Zone in the City of Markham’s Zoning By-law 2024-19, as well as additional residential, commercial and institutional uses.
The MZO also establishes zoning requirements including minimum setbacks, minimum parking requirements, maximum building heights, and minimum outdoor amenity area requirements.
The MZO includes a provision that restricts the use of land or erection of buildings or structures on the subject lands until road, water, and wastewater infrastructure are available to service the land, as provided by subsection 34(5) of the Planning Act.
Pursuant to subsection 47(1.0.1) of the Planning Act, the Minister has imposed a condition on Zoning Order 002-2026 with respect to an agreement between the City of Markham and the owner(s) of the subject lands regarding the conveyance of land to the City. The condition was agreed upon by City staff and the proponent. As a result, Zoning Order 002-2026 is suspended until the Minister is satisfied this condition has been, or will be, fulfilled.
Pursuant to the subsection 47(4) of the Planning Act, and except for the purposes of section 24, the Minister deemed this zoning order to be a by-law passed by the council of the City of Markham.
This Zoning Order made pursuant to clause 47(1)(a) of the Planning Act was posted for consultation as a regulation. Bill 60, Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 received Royal Assent on November 27, 2025, and therefore this Order is not a regulation and will not be filed with the Registrar of Regulations. The Order came into effect upon signing by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Effects of consultation
All comments received were taken into consideration prior to a decision being made.
The proposal received an unsupportive comment from the public, noting concern around greenfield development and infrastructure servicing availability. The proposal also received an off-topic comment that was not taken into consideration.
The local conservation authority noted that portions of the subject lands are regulated due to the presence of valley and stream corridors of the Rouge River watershed, including wetlands, watercourses, and flood and erosion hazards. The conservation authority stated that a flood study has not been undertaken to confirm the extent of flooding in the southeastern portion of the subject lands. They have requested that the study requirements provided to the proponent be met prior to the MZO being made, and, if not, that the MZO include conditions related to these study requirements. The Ministry shared this feedback with the local municipality who confirmed they would work with the proponent to address any study requirements through downstream approvals.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
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
Original proposal
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
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.
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.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
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
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from July 31, 2025
to August 30, 2025
Connect with us
Contact
mmahzoningorders@ontario.ca
12th floor
777 Bay Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
2By email
1By mail
0