A Toronto-area mayor has used powers handed to him by the Ford authorities to veto a council determination that may have allowed 4 items as-of-right in his metropolis, suggesting the change would have put undue stress on transport networks and parking.
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti posted his determination on-line to revoke a council-approved density plan partially requested by the federal authorities.
The now-defunct coverage would have allowed as much as 4 items on land beforehand zoned for just one. It could have successfully allowed individuals so as to add basements, backyard suites and laneway houses to extend density on their properties.
It was a coverage the federal authorities had requested Markham to undertake with a view to entry new cash from its Housing Accelerator Fund.
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Scarpitti, nonetheless, stated the transfer would damage his metropolis — and used his robust mayor powers to scrap the rule.
“It’s my opinion that allowing as much as 4 items on sure Metropolis properties might doubtlessly intervene with provincial and Metropolis priorities, together with however not restricted to adversely impacting transportation networks, parking capability,” the mayor’s determination stated.
Scarpitti was not obtainable for an interview on Thursday afternoon.
Sturdy mayor powers had been launched by the Ford authorities in 2022 to push provincial priorities, notably housing, previous council gridlock.
As just lately as April 2025, Housing Minister Rob Flack stated mayors would use their powers to extend the availability of housing.
“Heads of Council are key companions in our efforts to construct houses and infrastructure throughout the province,” he stated in an April 9 assertion.
“By extending robust mayor powers to those extra municipalities, we’re offering mayors each software at our disposal to empower them to get houses and infrastructure constructed sooner. Mayors know their municipalities greatest, and we help them in taking daring actions for his or her communities.”
The provincial authorities didn’t reply to a request for remark forward of publication.
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