Province overrules Toronto on plans for midtown, downtown to allow taller, denser towers
(The Star Toronto Raptors)

City leaders say the province is creating a “Wild West� for developers in Toronto while showing “outright contempt� for residents as Premier Doug Ford’s government significantly changed plans governing development in midtown and the downtown core.The news that the province had substantially amended both the city’s “Midtown in Focus� and “TOcore� plans without consultation came as a blow to members of council, city planners and residents who spent years working on those plans which will shape those communities for decades to come. The changes — which were dumped on the city late Wednesday afternoon with little explanation and which city planners had yet had time to assess — appear to strip both plans of strongly-worded language setting out the principle that development should not outpace available infrastructure like community centres, parks and sewer capacity while at the same time allowing vastly taller and denser development than previously considered or consulted on. In the case of midtown — which includes the Yonge-Eglinton area, one of the most densely populated places in the country — the maximum building heights now anticipated under the provincial decision are in some areas more than double what was set out by the city. “These changes reflect our government’s strong commitment to increase the supply and mix of homes, particularly near transit,� read a letter from Minister Steve Clark to Mayor John Tory, saying the plans for midtown and downtown “provide an opportunity to create much needed housing.�The changes made by the province are final and not subject to appeal.The city’s chief planner Gregg Lintern said Wednesday they were still reviewing the changes and would provide comment once that review was complete.“The city remains committed to creating and sustaining liveable and complete communities; the principle that growth pays ...