Steve Clark, minister of municipal affairs and housing, attended the ground-breaking recently for a 36-storey, 450-unit apartment building, by Vaughan-based real estate investment trust SmartCentres.
Mitchell Goldhar, executive chair of SmartCentres, has previously said the development – SmartVMC – will be a pedestrian-first, new urban centre with downtown amenities, including a nine-acre central park and convenient, safe walkways and paths for both pedestrians and cyclists.
A Minister’s Zoning Order was needed to allow an existing retail store to be relocated – a step the government called “Ontario cutting red tape to create jobs and bring housing to York Region” in a news release.
“This project supports our government’s plan to connect people to places and to build healthier, safer communities. It shows the great results that can be achieved for communities when local partners and government work together,” said Clark.
“I’m pleased to have made a Minister’s Zoning Order to make it faster and easier for the City of Vaughan to develop more housing and employment, which is a priority for our government.”
In December, SmartCentres and its joint venture partner Penguin, both owned by Goldhar, announced the lease for an existing Walmart at 101 Edgeley Blvd. will be terminated to open up land for new condos in downtown Vaughan.
The release also said the relocation project supports Ontario’s Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe by bringing more housing around major transit hubs in “communities that are growing quickly,” such as Vaughan.
The Planning Act authorizes the minister of municipal affairs and housing to make zoning orders for regulating the use of land and the location, use, height, size and spacing of buildings and structures.
In a separate statement, Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua said the development supports the city’s commitment to meet provincial density targets, provide a range of housing solutions that includes diverse and affordable housing options.
“By 2031, the VMC will be home to more than 25,000 people living in a projected 12,000 units. With several new projects on the horizon, including condominium developments that will play an important role in meeting future density goals, finding a complete range of housing options for our growing community remains a priority.
“In Vaughan, we have always advocated for diverse and affordable housing options that are in keeping with our vision to move our city forward without leaving anyone behind. We have a laser-focused approach to provide an exceptional standard of living, where everyone is encouraged to reach their full potential, actively participate in civic life and obtain equal access to opportunities.”
The mayor also said he supports “sensory-based planning.”
“This means when you walk through the VMC, we want the human senses — sight, sound, smell and feel — to be activated and fully engaged. Our city-building efforts remain inspired by this mission and as such, we are forging ahead with a mindset that goes beyond mere structures. Vaughan’s present and future planning effort embodies a higher purpose.”
With approximately 179 hectares of development opportunities, the VMC is the largest and most ambitious project in Vaughan’s history. It continues to reach new and unprecedented heights by attracting transformational projects and opportunities. In 2019, Niagara University expanded to a modern, new site in the VMC – the first university in Vaughan.
“From 2015 to 2020, the VMC attracted more than $9 billion in economic investment, with much of this rooted in momentous construction projects that contribute to a growing skyline with new businesses and residential developments, like the one we are breaking ground for today. In fact, Vaughan Council has approved nearly 11,000 new residential units in the VMC,” Bevilacqua said.