The Ontario government is pushing ahead with plans for a massive condo project in Oakville, despite local resistance and concerns about its impact. The project, which would see 11 skyscrapers built on a plot the size of the Rogers Centre, has been controversial from the start. According to recent proposals for minister's zoning orders (MZOs), the government is seeking to greenlight the project, overriding the local town council's wishes.
The MZOs would allow the province to make changes to land zoning rules, effectively bypassing local authorities and their visions for what best suits their communities. This move has raised concerns about the government's use of this fast-tracking tool, which critics argue benefits certain developers at the expense of community input.
The project in question is part of the transit-oriented communities (TOC) program, a provincial initiative designed to increase housing supply, create jobs, and build complete communities near public transportation hubs. However, Oakville council members have repeatedly objected to the TOC plan, citing concerns about the "mega density" of the proposed development.
"What we need is responsible density," said Oakville councillor Janet Haslett-Theall. "We need some common sense about how many people you put in such a small area." The councillor expressed frustration with the province's approach, stating that her concerns remain despite recent revisions to the plan, which include lowering the tallest building height from 59 storeys to 56 and trimming residential units by nearly 4,000.
The TOC program is not required to conform with local policies and is typically authorized through an MZO. The Ministry of Infrastructure is currently seeking public input on the request for MZOs for the Oakville TOC until January 2nd.
Critics argue that the province's approach to this project is an unsettling echo of the Greenbelt scandal, where government decisions disproportionately benefited certain developers over local objections. "Once you get the zoning, then he's [landowners] got the money," said town and regional councillor Allan Elgar. "It's all about the zoning."
The transit-oriented communities program aims to increase housing supply, create jobs, build complete communities, and offset the cost of station construction. However, critics argue that this project does the opposite, prioritizing developer interests over community needs.
"How does this accelerate housing? It's the opposite," Elgar said. Despite concerns, the province remains committed to the TOC program and its benefits for developers like Distrikt Developments, which is co-directed by Christopher Bratty, a developer who has been active in supporting the Ford government.