Lakefront development gets nod for 898 additional units in Mississauga

A massive waterfront development got committee approval to get even bigger in Mississauga.

The master-planned Brightwater development at 70 Mississauga Rd. S. and 181 Lakeshore Rd.  W. in Port Credit was approved in 2019 and started construction in October 2021. The property was formerly an oil refinery and extensive work was done to rehabilitate the brownfield land for residential use.

Phase one of the 72-acre development is nearing completion. Residents have moved in and shops, such as the new Farm Boy have opened.

The developer submitted plans in April to add 898 units for a total of 3,893 units, to increase the heights of residential towers to a maximum of 35 storeys, and to permit second-storey residential in a portion zoned for offices, according to a report to the City of Mississauga Planning and Development Committee meeting on Monday.

The 2019 approvals were for a total of 2,995 units and a maximum building height of 29 storeys.

The increased heights and two additional apartment buildings will accommodate the additional units.

The official plan amendment request was approved at the Planning and Development Committee meeting on Monday.

Staff recommended approving the increases as the property is near transit and as a waterfront site, it is unique to the area.

“The subject property remains an appropriate site for growth,” said City of Mississauga lead planner David Ferro.

Residents were taken aback by the fact that the city planning department recommended approving the request for more units without another community meeting, said Ross MacHattie, on behalf of the Cranberry Cove Ratepayers Association.

“Why the rush?” MacHattie asked at the Monday meeting.

The association understands the province’s goal to build more housing and the need for intensification but the previous plan for Brightwater could bring nearly 7,000 new residents to the area, he said.

“The full impact of this population increase on the community to the west of Credit River is not yet known,” he said.

The tall buildings will dominate the skyline and the increase in height in the towers is not justified, MacHattie added. He also said the community needs more affordable housing.

MacHattie and another resident asked about plans for a community centre.

“We know the community space is a priority,” said Kate Hatoum, vice president of development for DiamondCorp, a partner in the Brightwater development. “We want to see it work.”

The official plan amendment doesn’t remove that plan, Hatoum said adding the community benefits discussions will come at the rezoning stage.

The employment lands and a school are still part of the plans, she said.

“Our priority remains to have a complete community here,” said Hatoum.

She added that the 150 affordable housing units in phase one will be delivered later this year.

For more information, see the full Planning and Development committee meeting here.