Over 1,100 sign petition against bringing more than 4,600-unit housing project to Brampton
Published January 24, 2024 at 11:16 am
Traffic congestion, school overcrowding and crime top the list of concerns that some residents have with a proposed housing development project that could bring thousands of residential units to Brampton.
The project is a proposed development at 1735 Steeles Ave. West. that includes plans for stacked townhouses, two apartment towers and a pair of office buildings that would add more than 4,600 units to Brampton’s housing stock.
The city could sign off on the plan this week but the proposal would still need approval from the Region of Peel before any construction can move ahead.
But community members and a residents’ group are speaking out against the project, saying they’re worried the development would mean years of construction, increased density and traffic congestion, and an increase in crime among a host of other issues.
A petition from the Streetsville Glen Residents group says the proposed design and density are “not in line with existing neighborhood (sic) design and dynamics,” saying the area lacks the infrastructure needed to support an additional 11,000 residents.
The petition, which is addressed to Mayor Patrick Brown and several councillors among others, had more than 1,100 signatures as of Wednesday morning.
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Residents also voiced their concerns to members of Brampton City Council at a planning and development committee meeting in July, speaking for nearly an hour with worries about the project’s increased density, construction, long-term impacts, run-off entering the credit river, flooding and a host of other issues.
The Streetsville Glen Residents say they’ll again bring those concerns to councillors and the city planners at a town hall meeting on Feb 3.
The development would be a pedestrian-friendly walkable community with a central park, a network of connecting pathways and Dutch-style “woonerf” service driveways.
The application also includes plans for neighbourhood parks and retail shops, surface parking and will promote active transportation and cycling. If given the green light by the city and the region the project could bring some 4,685 residential units to Brampton.
While some residents are against the development, Mayor Brown has said the city is in a housing crisis. The province has also set targets that require an additional 145,000 additional homes in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon by 2031, while Brampton has also received a $114 million funding commitment from the Liberals to kick-start the construction of housing projects in the city.
A new report on the project will go to Brampton’s planning and development committee on Thursday before going to city council, and then to Peel Regional council. As Steeles Avenue is a regional road, moving forward with the development would require Peel’s approval of the Major Transit Station Area hub at Steeles Avenue and Mississauga Road.
The surrounding area is zoned for a variety of uses and includes townhouses, single-family homes, a gas station and a retail plaza near the north parcel and another gas station and future development land to the south.
You can find the petition by visiting www.change.org.
