Ontario Announces Significant Planning Reforms

New legislation is intended to avoid repeat of moraine housing fiasco.

1 minute read

November 27, 2003, 11:00 AM PST

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


While backing down from its election promise to completely scrap a controversial housing development on an ecologically-sensitive moraine feature north of Toronto, Ontario's new Liberal government announced on Friday that the developers have agreed upon changes to the plan. The revised plan will reduce the number of housing units by 900 and significantly increase the amount of remaining green space.To avoid a repeat of the conditions that led to the approval of the moraine housing project, the government also announced substantial changes to the province's Planning Act. The changes appear to be largely intended to undo the misguided reforms introduced by the previous Conservative government in 1996. According to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the new Act will: 1) require that urban expansions be initiated by municipal councils, not developers, 2) double the amount of time available for municipal review of development proposals from 90 to 180 days, and 3) require that municipal planning decisions "be consistent with" provincial planning policies on matters such as smart growth rather than the current and more watered-down "have regard to".

Thanks to Geoffrey Singer

Friday, November 21, 2003 in Ontario Ministry Of Municipal Affairs

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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

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.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing