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Penetanguishene council upholds decision to refuse proposed subdivision

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In Council Watch
Apr 5th, 2018
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Mayor Gerry Marshall

Penetanguishene Mayor Gerry Marshall -Midland Mirror photo

by Andrew Mendler Midland Mirror

Penetanguishene council upheld a committee decision and has officially refused the applications for a proposed 118-unit residential subdivision west of Church Street.

Although overwhelming public opposition to the proposed subdivision between Fox Street and Church Street led to council quashing the project at a March 14 committee meeting, the decision had to be ratified during the March 28 regular council meeting.

It was during this meeting council passed a motion to refuse the draft plan and subsequent zoning amendments Queen’s Court Development Ltd. was seeking in order to build a subdivision consisting of 89 single detached homes and 28 townhomes on a 30-acre woodland.

“The developer made it very, very clear through his counsel that he was not interested in any further consultation with the community, given that I see no reason to change my mind,” said Coun. Debbie Levy.

Mayor Gerry Marshall urged council to defer the decision so council and staff could attempt to consult with the developer and collect more information on the project.

“Council has not had a chance to ask any questions, get educated … I’m not in favour or against this subdivision at this point in time, I‘m just not in a position to make an intelligent decision on behalf of the Town of Penetanguishene,” said Marshall.

His motion to see the decision put on hold was defeated, as other councillors minds were already made up.

Before council voted on whether or not to refuse the subdivision Marshall gave one last plea to slow down.

“This is a huge conversation that I think we are rushing through,” said Marshall. “The likelihood of this going to the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board) is high. We are going to go to the OMB having disapproved something without all of the facts in front of us, putting us in a situation where we are going to lose the OMB appeal and take the decision away from the residents of the town.”

If the developer does choose to appeal, the process will be an entirely new one. On April 3, the Ontario Municipal Board was overhauled and became the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.

 

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