Midhurst Landowners Group news release welcoming OMB approvals
News release from Midhurst Landowners Group
CNW – The Midhurst Landowners Group welcomes the written decision approving subdivisions and zoning in Midhurst, issued October 29th by the Ontario Municipal Board, (OMB). The written OMB Decision follows and supports the oral approvals it issued on July 3, 2014.
The written OMB decision represents another important milestone in the planning and development approvals process. The decision notes that:
– The lands to be developed are in the Midhurst Settlement Area, which was first identified in 1982 and designated as such in both the County of Simcoe Official Plan and the Springwater Official Plan, as approved by the Province of Ontario, since 1998.
Development will take place in phases, staged over many years – perhaps as few as twelve, perhaps as many as twenty, depending on market conditions.
– There are many environmental safeguards, including delineation of natural heritage features and buffer zones.
– The environmental conditions proposed for the project are based on intentionally “conservative” assumptions to ensure the highest standard of environmental protection.
– The “preferred location” for water and wastewater plants has been identified, and, in the words of the OMB decision, “One condition, relevant to anyone interested in ecology and the nearby Minesing Wetland, was a prohibition on extra stormwater flowing off-site.”
– The draft conditions are “more onerous than one would typically see”, and even “a double sort of control.”
– The proposed Zoning By-law amendments, the draft plans of subdivision and associated conditions of approval are supported by technical studies including environmental impact studies, functional servicing studies addressing water, wastewater and storm water management, servicing, transportation assessments and archaeological assessments.
– The County of Simcoe, the Township of Springwater, the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, Simcoe County District School Board, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, the Midhurst Landowners Group and others have relied on the recognized settlement area boundary in the planning of infrastructure and detailed land uses.
– The final plans, conditions and zoning provisions were circulated to some 17 commenting agencies, and there was no remaining objection.
– The OMB heard the submissions of counsel for the County, the Township, the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, the Simcoe County District School Board and the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board among others, supporting the approval of the subdivisions and zoning. The Midhurst Ratepayers Association also participated in the Hearing.
– The Board carefully considered all the evidence and determined that the subdivisions and zoning meet all statutory criteria, notably the Provincial Policy Statement, the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the County of Simcoe Official Plan, the Springwater Township Official Plan, and the Midhurst Secondary Plan, and that they represent good planning.
– The Board heard no evidence to the contrary.
– The Board noted that the plans are fully consistent with the Secondary Plan applicable to these lands, which sets out a comprehensive approach to jobs and services, and the ultimate outcome is planned to comply with the Growth Plan’s demand for “complete communities.”
SOURCE Midhurst Landowners Group
The people with the deep pockets always seem to get their way at the OMB!
Is this democracy?
The OMB is just another tool for the developers and needs to be scrapped!