FAQ
Why is
MZO Requested?
To Accelerate More Housing Options, Faster
If the traditional re-zoning approval process runs its course, it can take 5-7 years more to see better local housing supply. With an MZO, Port Perry will see results fast-tracked, and a better mix of housing can happen much sooner. Quality of life improve with more and better housing options.
MZO RELATED
Township of Scugog was seeking an MZO for another development, Port Perry Southbridge Long Term Care Facility, in 2022.
Yes. A meeting was held May 5, 2023 between Planning Director Kevin Heritage, Scugog Township legal counsel and municipal CAO to discuss an MZO strategic plan based on the previous application, which was not granted.
No. A Municipal Zoning Order and a rezoning application are not the same. See MZO Flow Chart above.
No. If an MZO is granted, AVENU is still required to seek all downstream approvals in normal course, including environmental, utility servicing permits, building permits, and others. See MZO Flow Chart above.
No. MZO does not give carte blanche. Approvals from local municipality are required before construction. MZO settles only the zoning.
Scugog needs more housing options. The Province empowers the Township.
MZO: “Cut Red Tape, Build more homes faster.”
Wastewater treatment technology requires accurate parameters for design; then all applications can be made for provincial environmental approvals and licenses.
Yes. Only the Minster of Housing and Affairs has the power to vary. In short, to change the zoning or have more density, it would require a new MZO.
There is a 30 day consultation window on the environmental registry before a decision is made.
The Minister can impose any condition as the Minister wants.
Scugog Council passed the resolution on Dec 4, 2023 requiring public engagement and consultation. AVENU conducted 6 months of public consultation, including outreach to over 9000 households, over 60 one-on-one conversations, outreached to 40 businesses and organizations and surveying over 600 individuals. AVENU hosted 5 large stakeholder meetings, up to 300 people attended in person.
Asking Minister Paul Calandra for consideration of the Order. Planning staff and advisors of Ministry of Housing and Affairs will do their own due diligence and consider the request within their consideration framework.
Minister makes decision.
Yes. The Minister does not make a decision in isolation. The Ministry will request information.
MZO is a tool, provincially provided, designed for municipalities like Township of Scugog. It is a decision based on Official Plan guidelines.
Township of Scugog.
MZO is a tool to empower municipalities to cut red tape and accelerate the delivery of needed housing.
AVENU will not make an independent application.
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT RELATED
No. In fact, private wastewater treatment has no impact on regional services, allowing Scugog to allocate sewer capacity to other projects to stimulate further economic development. Therefore, it is an economic benefit, not a burden.
The development will have significant economic benefits:
(Estimation for reference only)
- Estimated Development Fees will be paid to Township of Scugog: over $6.155 Million
- Estimated Property Taxes on 600 residences generated: $37.5 – $45.0 Million (NPV) for Scugog Township & Durham Region
- Many permanent employments opportunities
- Added tourism, business and retail revenue
- Local jobs through several years of construction
Many:
- More choices in housing.
- PACE – Healthcare services ‘hubbed’ and structured to support aging-in-place
- Healthcare service providers that include PSW, specialists (for senior care), office space for medical care and services, structured care programme.
- Wetland enhancements and preservation into sanctuary with naturalist trails and incorporated into waterfront amenity space for public enjoyment.
- Waterfront trail connected to Scugog Waterfront trail and northeastern unused municipal parkland to the north; expanding access to the “trailhead”.
- Public sand beach and waterfront amenity space.
- Transportation shuttle to provide private public transportation option.
No.
There are ~13 Hectares or more of net-buildable land.
The combined land site stretching from Simcoe Street west to the Lake, comprises more than 107 acres (~42.2 Hectares) and has ~ 13 Hectares of net-buildable land.
50 units per Hectare net buildable permitted in OP of Scugog Township.
YES.
Durham Region Official Plan designates the site within “Urban Area Boundary”, as “Living Area”, and permitted for “Private wastewater treatment”.
The Durham Region Official Plan states “Newer sewage treatment systems may also be considered” in private communal sewage treatment.
Scugog Township Official Plan supports intensification in the urban area, which permits medium and high density residential.
Township of Scugog Official Plan Section 2.1 Urban Area Growth Management and Section 4 Port Perry Urban Area
Site ‘A’, 62 acres.
Site ‘B’ will be incorporated into one master-planned community. AVENU has committed to developing the project as a whole, incorporating all the lands to include frontage on Simcoe Street, a Regional Arterial Road.
All residential buildings proposed are not in conflict with PSW boundary. Wetlands and other open space will be enhanced naturalist features for the community.
KRCA watershed maps (2023) not significant amount of PSWs at the site (see below).
Approximately 13 net-buildable hectares. All assessments will be done at the site to confirm developable area. Site plan approval and all downstream approval will govern.
Yes.
Plans for green and open spaces exceed by at least 5 times, more parkland than asked in the Official Plan. AVENU proposes wetland enhancement of 20 acres (8 hectares), consisting of bird and nature sanctuary, and open waterfront trail and beach area.
Project will be open to the community (not a gated community).
Low income housing is not site specific anywhere in Port Perry, or in Scugog Township. There is no requirement for low-income housing on this site. AVENU plans affordable housing and up-market housing, a holistic integrated community.
“Affordable” means “housing for which the purchase price is at least 10 percent below the average purchase price of a resale unit in the municipality
— new Provincial Planning Statement 2024, (effective Oct 20, 2024)
Affordable housing means “affordable”. A two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment will be very affordable, compared to a 12,000 square foot 5-car McMansions Home.
The project will cater to those looking to down-size, in all price ranges.
The site is intended to be “intergenerational” with multiple types of ownership and rental accommodation. The project will also cater to young professionals looking for live-work spaces, seniors looking to stay in Port Perry and ‘age-in-place’ in an apartment located in a beautiful area, lakeside. A PACE-type health-care support centre is proposed to assist with aging-in-place.
Better sustainable outcome.
There is no capacity in municipal wastewater treatment for the Castle Harbour community until 2051. The whole area is forced to use and continue with sceptic systems. Septic systems are polluters.
AVENU wishes to showcase better technology and to avoid more sceptic systems in close proximity to the Lake. Modern up-to-date membrane wastewater treatment technology is superior to most wastewater systems now used in Ontario and vastly superior to sceptic systems. It also allows for heat and energy harvesting and reduces carbon footprint.
Mississaugas Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN) have their own private wastewater treatment system . Durham Region participates in processing their bio-solids. MSIFN discharges their wastewater effluent directly into the environment.
The project will enter into long-term financial guarantees for up-keep. Durham Region has procedures to guarantee financial sufficiency for future upkeep. The community of users will be secure, and the systems will be self-sustainable.
OTHER QUESTIONS
AVENU made continuous requests for consultation with MSIFN on Reserve. No offer has been accepted. Private presentations have been made. MSIFN has had open invitations to participate in stakeholder and private and public meetings. Indigenous community members have attended.
MSIFN has had full access to consultation during the Scugog Township Official Plan process.
Yes. Lakes Stewards have communicated common concerns for environmental approvals. AVENU is in complete accord.
Durhan Region provided comments on August 8, 2024. Durham Region has private wastewater treatment and private potable water systems now, including locally one owned by MSIFN and one at Scugog Landing Resort.
Private systems are allowed in Durham Region.