MISSISSAUGA, ONT. – Mississauga’s Planning and Development Committee has approved the city’s plan to pre-zone lands in many Major Transit Station Areas (MTSA), which, over time, could support approximately 227,000 residents and 47,000 jobs through new developments.
Pre-zoning sets clear rules upfront for what can be built in each area including building heights and density, explains a release.
It also streamlines development processes by:
- Providing certainty and removing planning hurdles with clear, predictable guidelines for development along transit corridors.
- Speeding up approvals, allowing projects to move forward more quickly when they meet zoning requirements.
The pre-zoning amendments align with Mississauga Official Plan 2051, which was recently approved by the Province of Ontario after extensive public consultation.
It also supports recommendations from the Mayor’s Housing Task Force, including simplifying zoning rules and allowing more flexibility for building height and density around transit, the release adds.
An MTSA is a planning term established by the Province of Ontario to ensure cities like Mississauga are directing growth to these areas.
For Mississauga, an MTSA is the land within a 500 to 800 metre radius of a transit station or stop.
In total, there are more than 50 MTSAs in the city where higher-density, mixed-use development is encouraged.
“Through this project, the city is pre-zoning 35 MTSAs in locations that are expected to accommodate the most residential growth,” the release states.
The online MTSA dashboard provides a map and more information.
An implementing zoning bylaw will come to a future city council meeting for approval.
