Council Votes to Allow Development on the York Region's Greenbelt

The York Regional Council took a significant step toward allowing development on a large chunk of the area's greenbelt—a move opponents say will set a dangerous precedent.

1 minute read

November 7, 2021, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A street sign announcing the city of Vaughan.

Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua was one of four mayors to vote in favor of changing the land use designation of 1,400 acres in the York greenbelt from agricultural to rural. | JayTee88 / Shutterstock

Fatime Syed reports for The Narwhal:

On Oct. 28, York Regional Council — the political body that includes mayors and regional representatives of nine municipalities just north of Toronto, including Markham and Vaughan— voted 13 to 5 in favour of Regional Official Plan Amendment 7, which proposed to change the designation of 1,400 acres of Greenbelt lands from agricultural to rural.

While four mayors voted to approve the amendment, Syed reports that local councilmembers from cities represented by those mayors oppose the development of the greenbelt. Supporting the amendment, however, are development interests with connections to Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative party. Ford ran for office on a platform that included a proposal to relax the boundaries of the Toronto Greenbelt for development.

Supporters of urban growth boundaries (another term for greenbelts) argue that the land use regulation tool is necessary as an antidote to sprawl. Opponents say fringe development can provide relief to expensive housing markets. In recent years, urban growth boundaries have emerged as a wildfire risk mitigation tool in cities located at the wildland-urban interface.

The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing must still approve the amendment before it can take effect, reports Syed.

Thursday, November 4, 2021 in The Narwhal

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico

An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

5 hours ago - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes

Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

6 hours ago - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels

Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.

7 hours ago - Mass Transit