Ontario Construction News staff writer
Mississauga is moving to permit four-plexes city-wide, in a move that the city says will help address the housing crisis. Mayor Bonnie Crombie issued a mayoral directive on Oct. 20, directing staff to prepare the required Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments to permit “as-of-right” development for up to four residential units on low-rise residential lots in neighbourhoods city-wide.
“This is about increasing the supply of housing and providing greater opportunity for those who want to live in our city, including families and older adults who want to age in place,” Crombie said in a statement. “It is one of many ways we are working to build the ‘missing middle’ in our city and communicate to residents that Mississauga is tackling the housing crisis.”
The city says that the move will help to increase the supply of housing in Mississauga, which is currently facing a housing affordability crisis. The city also says that the move will help to create more housing options for families and older adults who want to age in place.
The move to permit four-plexes city-wide is the latest in a series of measures that the city has taken to address the housing crisis. In recent years, the city has also introduced new zoning and Official Plan regulations for additional residential units such as garden suites, garage conversions and laneway suites. The city has also simplified its single-detached neighbourhood zones to eliminate barriers and allow more housing to be built in residential areas that currently allow single-detached homes only.
“Given the scale and urgency of the housing crisis, it is critical that leadership at all levels of government work together,” said Crombie. “Issuing this directive will ensure that Mississauga continues to be eligible for $120 million in important federal funding for housing and community infrastructure while allowing for much-needed housing to be built in our neighbourhoods for the next generation.”
The city says that it is committed to working with all levels of government to address the housing crisis.
In response to the mayoral directive, staff will:
- Prepare the required Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments to permit “as-of-right” development for up to four residential units on low-rise residential lots in neighbourhoods city-wide, with such provisions as staff deem appropriate.
- Schedule and notify the public of a statutory public meeting to be held at a Planning and Development Committee meeting before the end of 2023.
- Undertake the necessary steps to bring forward the proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments through the municipal planning process.