The developer is proposing 3,000 homes on moraine land in York Region

Activists are asking the province to intervene in a lawsuit in Vaughan that could see thousands of homes added to environmentally protected lands in the Oak Ridges Moraine.

Save the Oak Ridges Moraine (STORM) is seeking provincial intervention in an Ontario Land Tribunal case regarding the properties at 11641 Dufferin St. and 11490 Bathurst St. A 1989 application was approved to develop about 100 acres of the properties, but the owner is now looking to change that to add another 150 acres for housing that would extend onto land designated Oak Ridges Moraine, according to STORM. The call appears to require 3,000 units, STORM said.

STORM director Irene Ford said it could set a bad precedent for developers trying to modify old apps.

“The ongoing dispute over the Oak Ridges Moraine exemplifies the persistent tension between development interests and environmental conservation efforts and underscores the critical importance of preserving this significant landform, particularly in the face of our current climate crisis,” STORM said in a press release.

Case OLT-23-000254 is pending. The appeal dates back to 2023, which occurred as a result of the City of Vaughan not making a decision on the application. York Region Council has also agreed to have an associated file at its consolidated level in this appeal.

According to the June 12 resolution, the plaintiff claims the project would comply with the Oak Ridges Moraine Preservation Act, contribute to the goals of the official plan and allow for a development “that represents good land use that is in the public interest. “

The regional council decided not to participate in the appeal. But STORM said he was concerned about how the appeal might go from here and where Vaughan stands on the proposal. Consequently, it wants the province to become a party to the case to ensure protection of the Oak Ridges Moraine.

“This is really a new development application because it’s such a significant departure,” Ford said, adding that the province should step in to maintain the strength of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act (ORMCA).

The City of Vaughan said it could not address the matter as it is before the Ontario Funeral Tribunal.

STORM is seeking an official response from the province regarding its concerns and argues that provincial intervention is crucial to sustain ORMCA.

“We think the ministry should participate because of the institutional knowledge that’s going to be really important,” Ford said.