News & Notes

Mayoral By-Election - Port Credit All-Candidates Meeting

CITY NEWS RELEASE (January 31, 2024): By-election for Mississauga Mayor to take place June 10, 2024.

▶ BY-ELECTION DAY: Monday, June 10, 2024

▶ CANDIDATES: Who are the Mayoral Candidates? Deadline for nominations is April 26.

▶ HOW & WHERE TO VOTE: See: Mississauga Votes - Ways to Vote webpage for details. There will be Advance Polls on May 24-25 and June 1-2.

PORT CREDIT ALL-CANDIDATES MEETING

Monday, May 6, 2024 @ 7:00 pm (doors open @ 6:30 pm) at Clarke Memorial Hall in Port Credit. ALL WELCOME!

View TOPCA Press Release - March 13, 2024 (1p PDF) or click image at left.

Presented by TOPCA in collaboration with:
Credit Reserve Association (CRA),
Cranberry Cove Ratepayers Association (CCRA)
Orchard Heights Homeowners Association (OHHA).

Four-Plexes: As of Right?

UPDATE: November 29, 2023 - FOUR-PLEXES DISCUSSED AT PUBLIC MEETING: View the PDC Agenda and Video of the Planning & Development Committee Meeting. TOPCA made a Deputation (2p PDF). Images below.

October 2023 - MULTIPLE VIEWS ON MULTI-PLEXES: A Notice of Motion to Allow Four-Units As of Right in The City of Mississauga (1p PDF) was brought to a vote and failed at Council on October 11, 2023 (Agenda, Item 15.1 - includes video of the discussion where almost all deputants spoke in favour). Resolution unanimously agreed: "Council requests staff to report back [Q1 2024] on the feasibility of four-plexes in Mississauga in consultation with the [Mississauga] Housing Panel and subject to a full public meeting."

▶ The TOPCA Executive had submitted a Letter (October 11, 2023): Four-Plex Permissability (2p PDF) indicating the need for public consultation.

UPDATE: October 20, 2023 - FOUR-PLEXES TO BE APPROVED: News release: Mississauga moves to permit four-plexes city-wide (October 20, 2023). Staff will "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." (See UPDATE: November 29, 2023 above). Other provisions are in the news release.

TOPCA's 2023 Annual General Meeting

November 2023 - TOPCA AGM: The 2023 TOPCA Annual General Meeting takes place on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 @ 7:00 pm (doors open @ 6:30 pm) at Clarke Memorial Hall, 161 Lakeshore Road West, Port Credit.

BUSINESS: Documents for the brief business portion of the AGM (reports, slate of officers) will be issued to registered members for review prior to meeting start, for expedited approval during the business meeting. Minutes will be issued.

After the brief business meeting, we present our theme program: 'De-Constructing Growth'. ALL WELCOME!

PROGRAM: Councillor Stephen Dasko will provide an update on all that’s happening with development sites including the Dixie Outlet Mall, Skinner & Middlebrook Funeral Home, the 'No Frills' site and more. And he’s ready to answer questions related to everything from MZOs to the pedestrian cycling bridge that will soon be spanning the Credit River between the Port Credit Legion and the GO Station.

Local developer Frank Giannone, President of FRAM Building Group, will discuss how the uptick in interest rates is impacting who’s buying these days (first-timers? downsizers? speculators?), what they’re looking for and how it’s impacting what gets built.

▶ MEMBERSHIP: You do not need to be a TOPCA member to attend, although we welcome new memberships any time! A great time to RENEW FOR 2024 (at the door).

Community Meeting re: Brightwater 'Evolution'

November 2023 - COMMUNITY MEETING: A public presentation and consultation on proposed changes to the Brightwater Master Plan takes place on Thursday, November 16, 2023 @ 6:30 - 8:00 pm at the Port Credit Legion, 35 Front Street North. Hosted by Councillor Stephen Dasko (see Notice).

Brightwater developers propose 30% more residential units (898 additional), less office/commercial space and increased heights (from 8-29 storeys to 9-36 storeys) beyond the 2019 Master Plan approved for the 72-acre site (image).

▶ BACKGROUND: See: TOPCA's Brightwater webpage for contact info, background details, images, and presentations dating back to 2016.

42-46 Park Street East & 23 Elizabeth Street North

UPDATE - October 2023 - APPEALS DISMISSED: The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) has rendered a Decision - October 05, 2023 CASE#: OLT-21-002260 (32p PDF) which provides significant commentary as to why Edenshaw's development proposal in the Port Credit node is not appropriate. Conclusion:

WORTH FRAMING: "The Tribunal finds that the Appellant has not demonstrated that the Proposed Development is an appropriate form of intensification. The Tribunal finds that the Applications fail to have sufficient regard for Provincial interests with respect to the orderly development of safe and healthy communities, contrary to s.2 of the [Planning] Act. Rather, the Tribunal finds that each proposed amendment to the as of right permissions has the potential to be the 'tipping point' and cumulatively, the result is a building that is too large on a small site.

"The Tribunal was tempted to encourage the Parties to engage in one further attempt to resolve the disputed issues, however, it was apparent to the Tribunal that directing further negotiations would be fruitless given the Tribunal’s understanding of the attempts to date to reconcile the cumulative excesses presented by the Proposed Development. Therefore, the Tribunal will not approve the Proposed Development, and wholly dismisses the appeals. In doing so, the Tribunal encourages the Parties to work together to achieve an appropriate scale of intensification that fits within the context of Port Credit." -- Excerpt, section [110] pp31-32 of the Decision.

▶ BACKGROUND: See: TOPCA's 42-46 Park St E & 23 Elizabeth St N webpage for contact info, background details, images, and presentations dating back to June 2020.

Adaptive & Inclusive Micro-mobility (AIM)

UPDATE - June 2023 - ADVISORY ROLE: TOPCA is excited to be participating on the advisory committee for the Adaptive & Inclusive Micro-mobility (AIM) project, to do a pilot research project in Mississauga with community engagement Spring/Summer 2023.

Phase 1 of the AIM project includes dates for in-person and virtual public consultations, engaging with people with disabilities and older adults to study the interests and needs of adaptive micro-mobility.

Phase 1 is funded through a grant by the Port Credit Community Foundation for a six-month period, through the auspices of Access 2 Accessibility (A2A).

NOTE: This project is taking place in Mississauga, but people from outside of this area are welcome to attend the virtual public consultation.

▶ A SURVEY for feedback will be available in a variety of formats for everyone to give their opinion. Take the Survey online.

If you have comments or questions regarding this project, please reach out to AIM@Access2Accessibility.com.

Learn more about the project on A2A's dedicated AIM webpage.

MZO Request by Lakeview Community Partners Limited

UPDATE - May 31, 2023 - RESIDENTS' PRESS RELEASE: Today, the Residents' Associations of Mississauga-Lakeshore issued the following Press Release: No Hiding from the Riding (1p PDF) in response to the MZO granted for doubling the density of the master-planned Lakeview Village development.

EXCERPT: "In question, is whether MMAH Minister Stephen Clark has considered the serious implications before arbitrarily doubling the unit count and population, as thoroughly outlined in the City’s Planning Staff report presented at PDC on May 15 [2023] ... Mississauga-Lakeshore residents are demanding that [MPP Rudy] Cuzzetto explain: How could changes that so significantly benefit a development group, while violating the spirit and intention of the MZO process, be pushed through?"

May 12, 2023 - ONTARIO NEWS RELEASE: Ontario Helping to Build More Housing in Mississauga. EXCERPT: "The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has issued two Minister’s Zoning Orders for several locations within the City of Mississauga...The Lakeview Village development located at 1082 Lakeshore Road East is expected to permit 16,000 new residential units."

PUBLIC MEETING: Virtual and in-person meeting Monday, May 15, 2023 @ 6:00 pm at the City's Planning and Development Committee (PDC) to discuss the MZO request by Lakeview Community Partners Limited (LCPL).

IMAGE: Applicant’s concept rendering of the approved (November 2021) Lakeview Village waterfront development with a total of 8,050 units. lCPL has asked for 16,000 units.

▶ AGENDA: View PDC Agenda (Item 5.1). The Information Report (9p PDF) by the Commissioner of Planning & Building is posted as an attachment, and states:

"The request to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing by LCPL for a MZO represents a significant departure from the planning approvals granted by the City including the collaboratively negotiated density, heights and development standards. There are a number of matters resulting from the request which present either a significant concern or have not yet been assessed."

▶ ARCHIVED VIDEO: View the PDC meeting online by clicking here.

▶ WHAT DO YOU THINK?: TOPCA sent an email (left) to members: May 9, 2023 - Let's Talk About MZOs! explaining the MZO process, outlining what LCPL is asking for, and providing five (5) key questions to solicit the community's thoughts ahead of our Deputation at PDC.

This MZO application has significant implications for all development applications in Port Credit, Mississauga South and the entire City. Respond if you wish with comments via the TOPCA Facebook posting or email topca@topca.net.

DEPUTATION: TOPCA will speak in person at PDC, incorporating residents' views. Remarks will be posted here.

70 Park Street East (replacing the parking structure)

UPDATE - May 2023 - PUBLIC MEETING: Virtual and in-person statutory meeting Monday, May 29, 2023 @ 6:00 pm at the City's Planning and Development Committee (PDC). A decision will be made by PDC on the application.

▶ IMAGE: Public Meeting Notice (3p PDF - click first page image at left to zoom).

▶ View PDC Agenda (Item 6.4). The Recommendation Report (26p PDF) is posted as an attachment, and recommends "That the applications ... to include additional uses within the existing Residential High Density designation to permit a height maximum of 38 storeys and to amend the existing RA5-27 (Apartments – Exception) zone ... are not acceptable in their current form and should not be approved."

▶ Participate in the meeting to give your comments by following the instructions in the Public Meeting Notice (3p PDF - click first page image at left to zoom).

▶ LIVESTREAM: View the meeting virtually by clicking here.

▶ FACEBOOK POSTING: See TOPCA Facebook posting to provide comments.

▶ BACKGROUND: See TOPCA's 70 Park Street East webpage for contact info, background details, images, and presentations.

Cannabis Shops - Time to Get OFF the Pot (or ON?)

April 2023 - DECISION TIME: In 2018, Mississauga opted out of legal cannabis stores during the initial provincial rollout following legalization in Canada. On Wednesday, April 19 @ 9:30am the Mississauga City Council again revisits this often-controversial subject to vote again. Will we see cannabis stores in Mississauga or not?

Earlier this year, Mississauga News approached TOPCA, asking what our members thought. At the time, it wasn't an issue we could comment on because our membership hasn't been vocal about legalization one way or the other.

BUT, with this upcoming Council vote, we're asking you for your thoughts. Is it time to reconsider cannabis shops in Port Credit? Do you feel the ability to purchase online provides sufficient ease of access?

This article in The Pointer (April 15, 2023) and this CBC News article (April 12, 2023) detail the for-and-against arguments our Councillors are engaging in.

▶ WHAT DO YOU THINK? Let's hear your opinion on this contentious issue. Visit us on Facebook to join the conversation and read other opinions or email us directly.

▶ TOPCA POSITION: TOPCA's Letter to Council regarding the legalization of cannabis stores in Mississauga was sent after reaching out to our membership for some response to the sudden Motion at Council (April 12, 2023) and request for stakeholder input prior to the Council meeting of April 19, 2023 (Agenda). Nothing we heard in this short space of time would allow us to represent one side or the other with any level of integrity. We do feel it's an issue we need to proceed cautiously on, and submitted this Letter that represents our thoughts on the matter: TOPCA Letter re Cannabis stores (April 17, 2023) (1p PDF).

▶ NEWS RELEASE - April 20, 2023: Mississauga Council Opts in for Retail Cannabis Stores. Excerpt: "Yesterday, Mississauga City Council passed Resolution 0103-2023 (2p PDF) to lift its prohibition on cannabis retail stores and permit them to locate and operate in the city. In Canada, cannabis is legal for recreational and medicinal use under the federal Cannabis Act."

88 Park Street East - formerly '0' Park Street East (SE parking lot at Port Credit GO Station)

UPDATE - March 2023 - PUBLIC MEETING: Virtual and in-person statutory meeting March 6, 2023 @ 6:00 pm at the City's Planning and Development Committee (PDC). A decision will be made by PDC on the application.

▶ IMAGE: Recommendation Report Notice (2p PDF - click first page image at left to zoom).

▶ View PDC Agenda (Item 6.3). The Recommendation Report (5p PDF) is posted as an attachment, and "concludes that the proposed...applications are not acceptable from a planning standpoint and should not be approved".

FOLLOW-UP: The application was NOT APPROVED. An appeal was already filed at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) in November 2022.

▶ BACKGROUND: See TOPCA's 88 Park Street East webpage for contact info, background details, images, and presentations dating back to April 2022.

170 Lakeshore Road East (Planet Organic plaza site)

UPDATE - January 2023 - PUBLIC MEETING: Virtual and in-person statutory meeting January 16, 2023 at the City's Planning and Development Committee (PDC). A decision will be made by PDC on the application, prior to the final Council vote on the matter.

▶ View PDC Agenda (Item 5.4). The Recommendation Report (4p PDF) is posted as an attachment, and "concludes that the proposed development ... is not acceptable in its current form and should not be approved".

IMAGE: Applicant’s rendering.

FOLLOW-UP: The application was NOT APPROVED. An appeal was already filed at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) in October 2022.

▶ BACKGROUND: See TOPCA's 170 Lakeshore Road East webpage for contact info, background details, images, and presentations dating back to 2021.

Port Credit Marina - Environmental Assessment (EA)

UPDATE - December 2022 - PIC #2 SUMMARY RELEASED: The City has posted a summary document (9p PDF) and video (26:44 min.) summarizing PIC #2 (held August 2022), and responses to questions submitted through the Survey concluded in September 2022. IMAGE: cover page.

EXCERPT: "This EA pertains to the lakefill and the general distribution of uses on the lakefill. The ultimate configuration of the marina and programming of park space will be determined during detailed design. The City received 127 completed surveys and over 330 views to the online presentation. The feedback gathered will inform the refinement of the preferred large lakefill alternative."

▶ See: City's 1 Port Street East Proposed Marina webpage.

▶ BACKGROUND: See TOPCA's Marina Lands webpage for contact info, background details, images, and presentations dating back to 2012.

420 Lakeshore Road East (Beer Store site)

UPDATE - December 2022 - OLT DECISION RE SETTLEMENT: The City and the Applicant, 2828778 Ontario Inc. (formerly Stellarcorp Developments 420 Inc.) entered into Tribunal-led mediation at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) in May 2022. After subsequent submission of updated technical reports, an agreement in-principle was achieved.

▶ View the updated drawing set and an explanation of the key changes.

▶ View the OLT Decision (case #OLT-21-001142) rendered December 9, 2022.

▶ BACKGROUND: See TOPCA's 420 Lakeshore Road East webpage for contact info, background details, images, and presentations dating back to November 2020.

'10 West' - Bowling Green block located at: 17 & 19 Ann Street, 84 & 90 High Street East and 91 Park Street East

UPDATE: November 2022 - APPLICATION RESUBMITTED: Based on Planning Dept. and public comments received concerning the original submission, a Planning Addendum - October 2022 (16p PDF) was prepared and posted with the resubmitted application.

"This addendum focuses on the key changes introduced to the development since the previous submission, including responses to feedback received on the application from City of Mississauga staff, the Mississauga Urban Design Review Panel, and other commenting agencies. The refinements which have been made also consider feedback and discussions with City of Mississauga staff and the local community, including the Town of Port Credit Association (TOPCA) and the Port Credit Business Improvement Area."

▶ BACKGROUND: See TOPCA's 10 West webpage for contact info, background details, images, and presentations dating back to 2021.

128 Lakeshore Road East (Skinner & Middlebrook site)

UPDATE - November 2022 - PUBLIC MEETING: Statutory meeting November 21, 2022 at the City's Planning and Development Committee (PDC). A decision will be made by PDC on the application, prior to the final Council vote on the matter.

▶ View PDC Agenda (Item 5.6). The Recommendation Report (5p PDF) is posted as an attachment, and "concludes that the proposed official plan amendment and rezoning are not acceptable from a planning standpoint and should not be approved".

▶ View the Recommendation Report Presentation (17-slide PDF). IMAGE: Slide 14 from the Planning Staff presentation explaining the rationale for refusal of the application, per the Port Credit Local Area Plan.

FOLLOW-UP: The application was NOT APPROVED. An appeal was already filed at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) in June 2022.

▶ BACKGROUND: See TOPCA's 128 Lakeshore Road East webpage for contact info, background details, images, and presentations dating back to January 2022.

'No Frills' site - 2022 Application

UPDATE - November 2022 - APPLICATION IN PROCESS: FRAM + Slokker, Kilmer Group and Centre City Capital Limited (CCCL) have submitted plans to redevelop the long-vacant 'No Frills' site (street view) in Port Credit located at 42 Port St East and 91-93,99 Lakeshore Road East.

NOTE: A previous development application by CCCL in 2008 (approved in 2016) is replaced by this new application and revised design. ▶ Former (2008) TOPCA webpage.

PROPOSAL: An 11-storey mixed-use building on Port Street East with 221 residential units and 1,719 square metres of new commercial space oriented along Lakeshore Road. Approximately 249 vehicle spaces are proposed within 2.5 levels of below-grade parking.

▶ DETAILS: Can be found in the Planning Justification Report (64p PDF; cover image shown) submitted by the applicant.

▶ BACKGROUND: See TOPCA's 'No Frills' site webpage for contact info, background details, images, and presentations dating back to August 2022.

LCC Plan for Lakeshore Road through Port Credit

July 2022 - A Virtual Town Hall meeting was held on June 30, co-hosted by the Port Credit BIA and Ward 1 Councillor Dasko, in response to the City's latest proposal (image) to implement the Lakeshore Connecting Communities plan through Port Credit, possibly causing the removal of restaurant patios, over 100 mature trees, decorative street light poles, park benches, etc. along Lakeshore Road.

RESOURCES: Links will be posted here, pertaining to the long-time study of the Port Credit mainstreet and proven best practices. This video (below) was played at the Town Hall to demonstrate the possibility of a Road Diet in order to accommodate the full variety of uses, travel modes and landscaping required for a Complete Street.