Residents came forward with concerns about a huge development proposed for a Mississauga GO Station area.
Last fall, Infrastructure Ontario presented the development proposal for approximately 3,000 residential units in eight towers next to the Cooksville GO Station. Designed by Arup, the towers range in height from 28 to 49 storeys.
The development is planned for two properties—on a parking lot and Metrolinx property at the GO Station. The east site plan is for 1,680 units with 60 per cent of the units being studio or one bedrooms, according to a report to the City of Mississauga. The west site would have 1,375 units, 60 per cent of which would be studio or one bedrooms.
The project could bring over 6,000 residents to the community.
A diagram shows the proposal for the east and west sites next to Cooksville GO Station.
The development is part of the provincial “Transit-Oriented Community” program that started in 2019 and builds mixed-use developments next to transit, according to Infrastructure Ontario’s planning justification report.
As an Infrastructure Ontario project, the development doesn’t need Mississauga City Council approval. Approvals for the project may be achieved via a Ministerial Zoning Order issued by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
The project is in its very early stages and there is no developer yet. Infrastructure Ontario is presenting the project concept for feedback.
The city held a public information session on Feb. 23, and several residents came forward to express concerns about the project.
The locations for a proposed development at the Cooksville GO Station are marked on an aerial map. Photo: Infrastructure Ontario
City staff also noted several issues with the current plans.
“The heights exceed the city’s built-form vision for the Cookville GO growth centre,” said Ashlee Rivet-Boyle, executive manager, City of Mississauga Planning Central. “Staff are concerned with the precedent-setting nature of allowing for the proposed building heights and the implications that that would have on land speculation in the surrounding area.”
There are also concerns with the wind and shadow studies. The wind study identified “unsafe” and “uncomfortable” wind conditions with the current plan. There will be “unacceptable shadow impacts” in public areas and nearby homes, Rivet-Boyle said.
Coun. Dipika Damerla noted that doors and windows could “fly off” in the current configuration.
Rivet-Boyle added that the traffic studies are incomplete and the city can’t assess the impact on traffic and transit. Most residents who came forward expressed concerns about traffic and the size of the development.
A resident on Hillcrest Avenue said his home will be completely in shadow if the project is built.
“The quality of our life will be diminished if a project of this scale goes through,” a Hanson Road resident said.
He welcomed development and more businesses for the area, but not on this scale.
A image shows what the buildings could look like. Rendering: Infrastructure Ontario
Another resident wondered how much the units would cost.
“Would the aim be to provide affordable housing or to maximize profits?” he asked. “I am afraid that with the involvement of private developers, public lands will be used to make the rich richer rather than to help Ontarians.”
Another resident said construction on the LRT should finish before any other projects start in the area.
As this is a provincial initiative, Damerla suggested residents also contact their MPP with their concerns.
The city expects a resubmission of the plans to the City of Mississauga later this winter.
The project is one of two Infrastructure Ontario developments proposed in Mississauga. Another is slated for the Clarkson GO Station area.
For more information on the Cooksville proposal, see the city meeting here.
Lead rendering: Infrastructure Ontario
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