Eric Lalande

The applicant appealed the Township's refusal of a minor variance application seeking retroactive approval for an oversized viewing deck and storage shed built within the required shoreline setbacks of Long Lake.

The applicant argued the oversized deck was necessary for a family member's accessibility needs.

The Tribunal dismissed the appeal, finding that the variances failed the four-part test under s. 45(1) of the Planning Act.

The Tribunal preferred the Township's expert evidence that the structures posed ecological risks, circumvented proactive buffer policies, and represented overdevelopment of the shoreline inconsistent with the Official Plan and Zoning By-law.

The appellants appealed a decision of the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority denying an application for development on a vacant lot.

The Tribunal found that the property was located within a floodplain and subject to the Conservation Authorities Act and RVCA policies.

The appellants failed to establish that the proposed development complied with the criteria for the use of fill, safe ingress/egress, and the prohibition against new development on vacant lots of record in a floodplain.

The appeal was dismissed.

The appellants appealed the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority's refusal to grant permission to construct a driveway and single detached dwelling on a vacant lot located in the flood plain of the Rideau River.

The Tribunal found that the subject property constitutes hazardous lands and a floodway, and that the appellants failed to demonstrate the proposed development would have no negative impacts on flood control.

The Tribunal concluded that the proposed development did not comply with Ontario Regulation 174/06, was not consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, and was not consistent with the Conservation Authority's policies.

The appeal was dismissed.