City of Windsor on Track to Surpass Housing Targets

Mayor Drew Dilkens was joined by Councillors Jim Morrison and Angelo Marignani; and Rob Piroli, President of Piroli Group Developments, to highlight Windsor’s progress toward meeting its 2024 provincial housing targets. 

As of August 14, 2024, the City of Windsor has successfully initiated 924 housing starts, or 85% out of the province's target of 1,083 for the year. This puts the City in a strong position to receive provincial funding through the Building Faster Fund, which rewards municipalities that meet or exceed 80% of their annual housing targets. Windsor’s continued focus on housing development, combined with strategic efforts to streamline and modernize development processes, has positioned the City to meet this year’s target and the overall goal to build 13,000 new homes by 2031.

Mayor Dilkens and City Council have endorsed the Housing Solutions Made for Windsor plan – a comprehensive, strategic, and balanced approach aimed at increasing the supply of housing and meeting housing targets at an accelerated pace. This includes opening municipal lands ready for development, a vacant home tax to boost the availability of the current housing stock, and official plan amendments to focus intensification on key areas along major thoroughfares and transit routes.

The City’s Building and Planning departments have implemented several innovative measures to enhance efficiency, including the creation of a specialized Development Application Coordinator team to serve as a single point of contact for customers throughout the development application process. This initiative has significantly improved permit processing times and reduced application backlogs, fostering a more responsive and efficient service experience.

Furthermore, the City has leveraged the Streamline Development Approval Fund provided by the Province, allowing the City to digitize records, modernize technology platforms, and review policies that support housing intensification and address legislative changes. 

This total modernization effort has resulted in the City of Windsor being a leader among Ontario municipalities in issuing planning approvals, with the average application taking less than six months. 

This streamlining has supported increased permit and planning approvals. As of August 2024, the City has issued permits and given planning approvals for an additional 2,582 new residential units.

About Piroli Group Developments

Piroli Group Developments, a family-owned and operated company, has been a key player in the Southwestern Ontario development community since 1992. Originally founded in Leamington as Piroli Construction, the company began as a general contractor and has since grown into a multi-faceted development group specializing in the following:

• Multi-unit residential development
• Municipal development
• Site and land development
• Lease holdings
• Design builds
• Project construction and management

 The company has a proven track record of innovation and expertise, having completed several high-profile projects, including River’s Edge 1 & 2 in Amherstburg (2023/2024), Park Place 1 & 2 in Chatham (2021/2022), West Bridge Place in Windsor (2020), and the Seacliff Residential Complex in Leamington (2018). 

The Piroli Group’s latest residential project, Viridian Place – a 136-unit rental apartment complex in the Forest Glade neighbourhood – is a key part of this effort. Slated for occupancy in fall 2025, this development will offer a variety of layouts for young professionals and retirees alike. The amenities will include an outdoor saltwater pool, a fitness centre, and a party room for residents to utilize. Additionally, a portion of the units are designated as affordable housing, further contributing to Windsor's housing objectives.

Additional Information: 

• As of August 14, 2024, the following number of residential units have been approved or are under review:
  • Land Use Permissions: 1,377 residential units have been approved through Zoning By-Law Amendment applications, with a further 294 units currently under review. 
  • Site Plan Control Applications: 570 residential units have been approved through Site Plan Control applications, with a further 41 units currently under review.
  • Planning Approvals: 581 residential units have been approved through a planning process and are ready to proceed to building permitting.
• A 2023 survey of timelines for planning approvals (Official Plan Amendments, Zoning By-laws, Site Plan, Plans for Condominiums and Subdivisions) in other Ontario municipalities found that the average timeline to review each type of application ranged from one to two years. In all categories, the City of Windsor Planning Department processed these applications in less than six months.

Quotes:

“Nearly accomplishing our 2024 housing starts target by mid-August is a testament to Windsor’s proactive local approach to housing development. We are committed to Building Windsor’s Future and finding sensible Housing Solutions Made for Windsor to respond to unprecedented economic growth and provide housing options that respect the diverse needs of our residents, neighbourhoods, and broader community.” - Mayor Drew Dilkens

"This type of development by the Piroli Group aligns perfectly with our committee’s goal of reaching Windsor’s 13,000-unit housing target. We need a diverse range of housing options, and densification, including apartment living, will be crucial in shaping our city's future. As Chair of the Development & Heritage Standing Committee, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and the continued efforts to meet Windsor's housing needs." - Councillor Jim Morrison, Ward 10

"On behalf of Piroli Group Developments, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the City of Windsor, particularly the Planning and Building departments, for their efforts in streamlining the approval process for building permits aimed at residential developments. Our ongoing collaboration with the City of Windsor administration aligns with Premier Doug Ford’s provincial mandate to expand housing availability. As president and chief executive officer (CEO), it has been a pleasure working with the City on our latest residential project, Viridian Place – a 136-unit rental apartment complex located in the Forest Glade neighbourhood, slated for occupancy in fall 2025. This development includes a portion of affordable housing units, and Piroli Group takes pride in delivering high-quality housing across Southwestern Ontario." - Rob Piroli, President, Piroli Group Developments