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:
November 7, 2025
to December 7, 2025
Decision summary
On May 15, 2026, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing made a Minister's Zoning Order in the Town of Midland as Zoning Order 006-2026.
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 MHBC Planning on behalf of Delbrook Group and was supported by the Council of the Town of Midland.
Zoning Order 006-2026 applies to approximately 12 hectares of land located at 565 Balm Beach Road East in the Town of Midland.
Zoning Order 006-2026 will facilitate a residential development of approximately 488 housing units, 10 of which will be affordable units to be secured through Draft Plan of Subdivision. The Zoning Order specifically permits detached, semi-detached, townhouse, street townhouse and apartment units, as well as accessory uses and a public park. The Zoning Order also sets out the zoning requirements for the permitted residential uses.
Pursuant to subsection 47(4.0.1) of the Planning Act, Zoning Order 006-2026 exempts the Provincial Planning Statement, provincial plans and official plans from applying to downstream approvals for the subject lands.
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 Town of Midland.
This Zoning Order, made pursuant to clause 47(1)(a) of the Planning Act, was posted for consultation as a regulation. Bill 60, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 received Royal Assent on November 27, 2025 and made changes to the Planning Act and related legislation to enable MZOs to be made as non-regulatory orders. 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 comments from Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North, which expressed its support for the MZO request.
The proposal also received comments from the Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture, which expressed concerns with respect to land use compatibility between the proposed development and adjacent agricultural operations.
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
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is consulting on a request for a Minister’s Zoning Order received from the Delbrook Group to facilitate a residential development on lands at 565 Balm Beach Road East in the Town of Midland (Town). This MZO request is supported by a resolution passed by the Town Council on April 30, 2025.
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 subject lands are currently vacant and are approximately 20.5 hectares in size; situated on the north-eastern corner of Balm Beach Road and Marshall Road intersection. See link to location map below.
The subject lands are located within the Settlement Area of the Town of Midland and designated as ‘Rural Area’ and ‘Natural Heritage Area’ under Schedule ‘C’ – Land Use Plan, in the Town of Midland Official Plan and zoned “Rural” in the Town of Midland Zoning By-law 2004-90, Schedule – A, Map 27 which currently permits a detached dwelling unit, additional dwelling unit and accessory building and some other agricultural uses.
The requested MZO seeks to permit residential development of approximately 475 units with a mix of housing types that include single-detached, semi-detached, townhouses, six-plexes, and apartment buildings. Approximately 10 dwelling units are proposed to be affordable which will be in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity – Ontario Gateway North.
If made, this MZO request would permit “residential use” as a specific use on the subject lands which includes various dwelling types such as, detached, semi-detached, townhouse, and apartments. In addition to these residential uses, it would also permit accessory uses, stormwater management facility, home occupation, and a public park. The request would also provide for site-specific zoning requirements for respective residential housing types. The requested MZO seeks to protect a portion of the subject lands as an “Environmental Protection Zone”.
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 November 7, 2025
to December 7, 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
0By mail
0