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:
May 10, 2024
to June 9, 2024
Decision summary
On January 10, 2025, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing informed the City of Barrie he was declining the request for the use of provincial tools on lands known municipally as 175 & 199 Essa Road and 50 Wood Street.
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.
In March 2024, the City of Barrie requested a Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator (CIHA) be made to facilitate development of 4,054 units provided through high-rise residential, mixed-use, high-rise and commercial, townhouse build form, a school block, and open space on lands located at 175 & 199 Essa Road and 50 Wood Street. In April 2024, the province introduced legislation which rescinded CIHA’s as a provincial tool. In May 2024, this CIHA request was consulted on to determine whether it should be considered as an MZO request, pending confirmation of municipal support. The City of Barrie did not provide a written response to that consultation.
In May of 2024, the landowner/proponent for the 175 & 199 Essa Road and 50 Wood Street request provided additional information to the Ministry based on the zoning order framework. However, through the Ministry’s work with the proponent and City staff, it remains unclear why this proposal requires Ministerial zoning relief and could not be advanced through the municipal planning process. There is further environmental and archaeological work that could be addressed more efficiently through the municipal planning process, and an outstanding local issue regarding school sites. Based on this assessment by the Ministry, the Minister has declined this request.
Effects of consultation
All comments received were taken into consideration prior to a decision being made.
Some concerns were raised about the impact this proposal would have on the natural environment.
Simcoe County District School Board requested that the CIHA application be modified to include the original preferred option for a school block to ensure that an adequate education facility can be provided to serve the proposed development.
Barrie Curling Club raised concerns about the proposal to rezone their curling club and requested that their current zoning be maintained. They have also expressed concerns that the proposal does not meet Fire Code requirements.
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.
16th floor
777 Bay Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
mmahzoningorders@ontario.ca
16th 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.
Proposal details
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.
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.
16th floor
777 Bay Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from May 10, 2024
to June 9, 2024
Connect with us
Contact
mmahzoningorders@ontario.ca
16th floor
777 Bay Street
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
3By email
0By mail
0