Major Transit Station Areas
Major Transit Station Areas are lands within an approximate 500-800 metre radius of a transit station or stop, primarily along existing or planned transit corridors.
Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) are intended to be developed as high density, mixed-use, transit-supportive neighbourhoods that provide access to local amenities, jobs, housing, and recreation opportunities.
Study purpose
The Regional MTSAs study will establish policies to support the development of complete communities in Peel by planning for higher density mixed use growth in areas with existing or planned transit (i.e. GO Regional Express Rail Stations, Light Rail Transit, Bus Rapid Transit).
Key objectives
- Identify and prioritize MTSAs in Peel
- Delineate MTSA boundaries
- Establish minimum and/or alternative densities
- Develop Regional Official Plan policies
Why is the Region doing this study?
The Provincial Growth Plan, 2019, introduced new direction for upper-tier municipalities to work collaboratively with lower-tier municipalities to align transit investment and land use planning by directing transit-supportive densities to MTSAs along priority transit corridors.
As part of the Peel 2041 Official Plan and Municipal Comprehensive Review, the Region is developing a strategy and policies to guide how growth is accommodated within Major Transit Station Areas across the Region. This work is being undertaken in collaboration with Brampton, Caledon, and Mississauga.
Other information
In Phase 1B of the study, each station area was reviewed through an integrated planning lens to develop a Regional classification of stations, establish minimum densities, and guide MTSA implementation planning to be undertaken by the local municipalities (i.e. official plan policy and zoning). Development and zoning capacity and infrastructure capacity cost analysis was used to determine proposed Regional Official Plan minimum densities for each MTSA.
The MTSA policy framework has been updated considering this further analysis and comments received from engagement with stakeholders and the public. As part of the December 10, 2020 Peel 2041+ Regional Official Plan Review update to Regional Council, a draft MTSA Regional Official Plan Amendment has been presented.
Proposed Schedule Y7 and Table Y1 in the draft Regional Official Plan Amendment show how each MTSA will appear in the Regional Official Plan MTSA policy framework. Individual MTSA profiles reflect this information and provide recommendations for station area planning to create transit-oriented neighbourhoods.
As part of the June 25, 2020 Peel 2041 council report, an MTSA policy directions report was prepared to provide background information and initial directions based on Phase 1A of the MTSA study. This report includes policy issues and updates necessary to reflect provincial policy direction and conformity. The policy directions report also outlines next steps in the Phase 1B of the MTSA study, which will prioritize MTSAs and incorporate broader considerations including local priorities, infrastructure assessments, and strategic opportunities. The results of Phase 1B and the policy directions will inform the regional official plan amendment that guides the development of MTSAs across the Region, delineating station area boundaries, and establishing minimum density targets.
As part of the Phase 1A work for the Regional Major Transit Station Area study, the potential MTSAs have been reviewed through an analytical lens evaluation, sorted into typologies, and profiled with preliminary boundary delineations and existing densities. The Phase 1A report outlines this work and an emerging framework to inform the next phase in the study. The draft profiles provide a snapshot of the current conditions of each station, including preliminary boundary delineations and existing densities. The profiles are intended to frame a discussion on how each station will be planned for in the future.
Phase 1A Report
MTSAs on Priority Transit Corridors
Other MTSAs
- Hurontario Light Rail Transit
- Milton GO
- Dundas Bus Rapid Transit
- Lakeshore Bus Rapid Transit
- Queen Street Bus Rapid Transit
- 403 Bus Rapid Transit
- 407 Bus Rapid Transit
- Other Transit Hubs
If you have any comments on the profiles or preliminary delineations, please contact us.
The Region of Peel held an Open house (PDF) on July 9, 2019 for the community to learn about the study. Attendees had the opportunity to review the location of potential MTSAs in the Region, speak to the study team, and participate in an interactive exercise about the factors that support successful transit-oriented communities.
From July 17th to July 31st, an online engagement survey and accessible form were open to those who could not attend the open house to provide their input. Comments gathered in person and online are being reviewed and considered to inform the MTSA Study
Supporting documents
For more information, email Regional Planning or call (905) 791-7800 ext. 7169.
Focus areas
- Age-friendly planning
- Aggregates resources and excess soil
- Agriculture and rural systems
- Climate change
- Greenlands system
- Growth management
- Health and the built environment
- Housing
- Major transit station areas
- Other focus areas (including cultural heritage, Indigenous engagement and waste management)
- Provincial Greenbelt plans (including Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and Niagara Escarpment Plan)
- Settlement area boundary expansion
- Transportation
- Wildland fires
- Water resources
