‘Just nonsense’: New Tecumseth won’t listen to any more requests for Minister’s Zoning Orders

New Tecumseth will no longer entertain requests from landowners seeking to take advantage of a controversial mechanism designed to work around local planning procedures to fast-track developments.

At the Jan. 31 committee-of-the-whole meeting, the majority of councillors turned down a second request for a minister’s zoning order (MZO) for a proposal to revitalize Woodington Lake Golf Course and build about 3,000 homes on lands surrounding the 4th Line property.

The committee took things a step further by passing a second motion to no longer consider MZO requests for developments that are primarily residential until the County of Simcoe completes its municipal comprehensive review, which will determine where growth should occur throughout the region.

The motions require ratification at the next town council meeting.

MZOs bypass a municipality’s normal planning approval process and can be employed to protect a provincial interest, such as an environmentally sensitive feature, or, more controversially, to help overcome potential barriers or delays to development the government deems critical.

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