3,162-unit development proposal at a Mississauga mall goes to Ontario Land Tribunal

A huge development proposal at a Mississauga mall is going to the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Proposed for 5100 Erin Mills Parkway, the multi-phased development envisions nine towers ranging from 20 to 44 storeys with a total of 3,162 residential units at Erin Mills Town Centre. Applications were submitted in late 2024 for the project.

The development doesn’t impact the main mall, but buildings occupied by Pizza Pizza, HomeSense, HERO Burgers, Bouclair Home, a medical and dental office, a pharmacy and a Dollarama would be torn down for the development.

The plaza at the site of the proposed development. Photo: Google Maps

City staff suggested several issues with the proposal last year, including the 44-storey height, which is too high for the property. Area residents also opposed the project, with approximately 2,470 people signing a petition.

The project was not approved pending changes to the proposal.

The developer, EMTC Holdings Inc., has taken the proposal to the Ontario Land Tribunal due to council’s failure to make a decision on the official plan amendment and rezoning applications. The Tribunal has the authority to override the municipality and approve the project. A case management conference has been scheduled for Feb. 18.

The area marked in red is where the development is proposed to be built.  Map: City of Mississauga submission

City planners seek council approval to send legal representatives to the tribunal to oppose the application, according to a report to the Planning and Development Committee. The committee will consider the issue at the Jan. 26 meeting.

There are many outstanding issues with the current application, according to the report.

The proposed development is not a complete community as there is only residential, not retail, office or other non-residential space in the project.

A rendering of the proposed development. Rendering: City of Mississauga submission

It is not clear how parkland acquisition, public roads and phasing of development blocks would be managed. Vehicular and pedestrian movement routes are also not clear. The proposal has not resolved the adverse wind effects from the height and position of the proposed towers.

The application doesn’t demonstrate how the development is feasible from a streetscape design, engineering and servicing perspective. The proposed height and density represent a “significant departure” from the existing context.

For more information, see the Planning and Development Committee reports and agenda here.