The City of Markham is one of the fastest growing municipalities in the country. Some estimates indicate our population will increase by as much as 100,000 over the next ten years. One of the greatest challenges we face on Markham Council is how best to manage this growth, ensuring we provide the infrastructure, transportation, recreation, employment, and quality of life the residents of Markham deserve.
The Planning Process
Planning for – and managing – the expected growth does not just start at the municipal level. The Ontario Government and the Region of York both play a significant role in determining where and how growth takes place in the City of Markham. To understand more about the Provincial role in Planning and Development please refer to:
In addition to the requirement to follow Ontario Provincial Planning guidelines, the City of Markham must also adhere to mandates and restrictions imposed by York Region. You can learn more about York Regions planning process and guidelines by visiting:
Markham’s Official Plan sets out land use policies. These policies guide future development and manage growth. The Plan lays the foundation for building a good community. It provides a vision of the City. It shows how we can make that vision real. And it shows us how to track our progress and change it. All development in Markham has to match the City’s approved Official Plan.
The Official Plan:
- Says where new houses, industries, offices, and shops can go
- Shows where roads, watermains, sewers, parks, and schools will be needed
- Says which parts of the City will grow and explains when that will happen
- Follows the planning policies set out by the Province and the Region of York (see links above for more information)
What does this mean for residents of Ward 5?
As I wrote in a previous article (see here), Markham is a vibrant and desirable community and the demand to live here is high. That means more development which will bring with it the sometimes messy inconvenience of construction work, increased traffic congestion, and demand for city services.
We will continue to do our best to keep residents informed and we’ll do our best to address any concerns. On this website we will provide updates and information about development projects that are being considered in Ward 5. The list is constantly changing and you can review it at this link: