More housing, fewer pawn shops needed around shopping malls, GO stations in Ontario city [Video]

Oshawa Council is looking to make some zoning changes around the Oshawa Centre property to allow for more housing projects with building heights as high as 22 storeys.

The mall has undergone considerable redevelopment in recent years and council is hoping to “prioritize” intensification and higher-density mixed-use development in the area.

The zoning changes, which include reduced parking requirements, will be debated at a special council meeting Thursday afternoon.

Economic and Development Services Chair Tito-Dante Marimpietri said the city has been “actively working” with representatives of the Oshawa Centre to “modernize and optimize” their footprint to include a “vital” housing component.

“This will help to inject tens of millions into our local economy and provide for thousands of good-paying jobs while assisting current and prospective tenants, attracting new investment, and most importantly, secure the housing needs of our city.”

“The activation of this massive site will transform our city and …