The following except was…

The following except was extracted from the Ontario.ca website regarding intake thresholds and submission expectations for MZO requests.

Intake thresholds
The minister will consider requests for zoning orders that meet at least one of the following intake thresholds:

-requests that deliver on a provincial priority that is supported by a minister (for example, long-term care, hospitals, transit-oriented communities, educational facilities, housing priorities, economic development, manufacturing, etc.)
-requests that are supported by a single-tier or lower-tier municipality (for example, through a municipal council resolution or a letter from a mayor where the municipality has been designated with strong mayor powers)

Submission expectations
For the minister’s consideration of a request, the following information should be provided:

a description of the project and how it would support governmental objectives
a map and description of the subject lands
a copy of a draft zoning order
a description of consultation with the public and engagement with Indigenous communities
for municipally-supported zoning order requests:
evidence of municipal support for the proposed project
information related to land ownership and name of the requestor
rationale on why the project requires ministerial zoning relief rather than following municipal planning processes
a description of any licences, permits, approvals, permissions or other matters that would be required for the project after a zoning order is made
justification for the exemption of the application of provincial and local land use policies to downstream approvals, where requested
anticipated timelines related to applying for downstream approvals (for example, site plan, plan of subdivision, building permit)
anticipated timing for project completion
justification for the use of any of the enhanced authorities, where requested
information related to how and when servicing (water/wastewater) will be addressed
a commitment that if a zoning order is made, the landowner will notify the minister 30 days in advance of the sale of any land it applies to
As best practice, proponents should consider whether there is a demonstrable need for urgency of zoning relief such as timelines relating to funding or grants, or an emergency public health and safety concern. Proponents should also assess project feasibility prior to making a request, such as anticipated timelines related to applying for downstream approvals, and progress to address water/wastewater and other servicing.

Does this MZO request meet the intake threshold? I do not believe it does. In my opinion, the type of housing proposed would not be considered affordable housing and does not fit into the other categories as outlined. It is certainly not supported by the City of Burlington as they have submitted a separate MZO request #026-0550 to preserve the subject lands as open space.
In the MZO request many of the submission expectations do not appear to be met. How does this support government objectives? There has been no consultation with the public regarding this phase and if fact, at the OLT tribunal for phase I, the developer indicated the remaining lands would continue as a golf course. The developers website indicates this request is in response to the mayor’s violation of a prior agreement. From the Millcroft Greens website:

“The Millcroft Greens MZO application and Phase 2 development submission are a direct result of the Mayor’s violation of an agreement that she made with Millcroft Greens in April 2025.”

There is no municipal or community support for this. The City of Burlington has made a separate request ERO#026-0550. Thousands of residents have signed a petition to maintain the zoning as open space. Many participants voiced objection to a change in zoning at the OLT tribunal for phase I. And there is no demonstrable need for urgency in this matter.
This is not a case of NIMBY. Our community has lived through major flooding of the golf course in August 2014 and additional flooding after major storms.
I am urgently requesting that the minister responsible deny this request based on the above information.