City of Markham - Approval to amend a municipality’s official plan

In September 2024, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing received for a decision the City of Markham’s proposed Official Plan Amendment 56 (By-law 2024-151) which was adopted by the City of Markham’s municipal council on July 17, 2024.

The More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Bill 23) made changes to remove statutory powers under the Planning Act from seven upper-tier municipalities identified in the legislation. The effective date for York Region was July 1, 2024. As such, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is now the approval authority for official plans and official plan amendments for lower-tier municipalities in York Region.

The Ministry will review the matter for consistency with applicable provincial land use policies and will consider all feedback received before presenting any potential modifications to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for a decision in accordance with section 17 of the Planning Act.

The proposed OPA 56 contains detailed direction on land use, infrastructure, transportation, community services and environment in the Milliken Centre Secondary Plan area beyond the general policies provided for in the 2014 Official Plan. The secondary plan also supports the implementation of the Milliken Protected Major Transit Station Area (PMTSA) in the City of Markham which is located within the secondary plan area.