Staff Report PDS.24.087 was presented to the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The report provided staff recommendation to process the proposed rental housing development through the Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) route. The report also advised that Council direct staff to work with the proponent to receive a Complete Application for the development and ensure appropriate notice and public consultation occurs per the traditional planning process. After a discussion, Committee voted 5-2 against the recommendations, instead voting 6-1 in favour of directing staff to process the proposed development through the traditional planning process and work closely with the proponent to find efficiencies and expedited timelines.
The motion was revisited at the September 30, 2024, Council Meeting, where a new motion was proposed to recognize provincial housing priorities and support action to construct housing-enabling infrastructure in support of the recent declaration of a housing crisis. The motion also directed staff to continue working closely with the proponent to consider all efficiencies and expedited timelines within the planning process and report on all available opportunities. Council voted 4-3 against the motion.
Presentation of the report to Committee of the Whole begins at the 4:50:38 mark of the meeting recording.
