Activists are calling for the province to interject in a tribunal case in Vaughan that could see thousands of homes added to environmentally protected Oak Ridges Moraine lands.
Save the Oak Ridges Moraine (STORM) is calling for provincial intervention on an Ontario Land Tribunal case concerning properties at 11641 Dufferin St. and 11490 Bathurst St. A 1989 application was approved to develop about 100 acres of the properties, but the owner now seeks to change that to add an additional 150 acres for residential that would extend onto Oak Ridges Moraine designated land, according to STORM. The appeal appears to call for 3,000 units, STORM said.
STORM director Irene Ford said it could set a bad precedent for developers trying to tweak old applications
“The ongoing dispute over the Oak Ridges Moraine exemplifies the persistent tension between development interests and environmental conservation efforts and underscores the critical importance of preserving this significant landform, especially in the face of our current climate crisis,” STORM said in a news release.
The case under OLT-23-000254 is under a pre-merit hearing. The appeal dates back to 2023, which occurred as a result of the City of Vaughan not making a decision on the application. York Region council has also agreed to have an associated file at its level consolidated into this appeal.
According to the resolution made June 12, the applicant argues the project would comply with the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, contribute to the goals of the official plan, and permit a development “which represents good land use planning that is in the public interest.”
Regional council has resolved that it will not participate in the appeal. But STORM said it is concerned about how the appeal might proceed from here and where Vaughan stands on the proposal. As a result, it wants to see the province become a party in the case to ensure the protection of the Oak Ridges Moraine.
“This is really a new development application because it’s such a significant departure,” Ford said, adding that the province should intervene to uphold the strength of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act (ORMCA).
The City of Vaughan said it could not address the matter because it is before the Ontario Land Tribunal.
STORM is seeking a formal response from the province regarding its concerns and argues that provincial intervention is crucial to uphold the ORMCA.
“We think the ministry should be participating due to the institutional knowledge that is going to be really important,” Ford said.
