Municipal request for a Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator for mixed-use development in the City of Barrie

As part of the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024, the government is proposing to amend the Planning Act to remove the Minister’s authority to make Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator orders. However, a Minister’s Zoning Order, made pursuant to clause 47(1)(a) of the Planning Act, can still be used to regulate the use of the land and the erection, location and use of any building or structure on the land.

The Ministry has also introduced a zoning order framework that will help guide – in a transparent manner – how zoning order requests are considered in support of provincial priorities. Moving forward, municipal requests for zoning orders will be received and considered in accordance with the new zoning order framework.

The Ministry is in receipt of a request for a Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator order to facilitate a mixed-use development in the City of Barrie. This municipal request applies to 22.4 hectares of land located at 175 & 199 Essa Rd and 50 Wood Street in the City of Barrie.

While no Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator orders will be made going forward, the Minister may instead consider making a Minister’s Zoning Order in response to this request, provided there is municipal support and other information outlined in the zoning order framework is provided.