Gordon H. Russell

The Tribunal heard a settlement motion in writing regarding appeals of the new Town of Collingwood Official Plan.

The settlement pertained specifically to the High Street Appeals filed by three numbered companies.

Based on the uncontested expert planning evidence and the minutes of settlement between the appellants, the Town of Collingwood, and the County of Simcoe, the Tribunal found that the proposed modifications to the Official Plan were consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement and represented good planning.

The appeals were allowed in part, and the Official Plan schedules were modified accordingly.

The appellant appealed the failure of the Town of The Blue Mountains and the County of Grey to make a decision on applications for a Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision to permit 20 residential units.

A settlement was reached between the appellant, the Town, the County, and a condominium corporation, but was opposed by a local residents' group.

The Tribunal found the proposed development was consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, conformed to the applicable Official Plans, and represented good planning.

The Tribunal rejected a late request by the Town to impose a condition requiring the developer to provide six affordable housing units, finding it unreasonable and inequitable in the absence of supporting Official Plan policies.

The appeals were allowed in part to approve the settlement.

The applicant resort applied for an additional licensed outdoor area for its liquor licence.

Local residents and the Town of Collingwood objected, citing a history of severe noise disturbances from previous outdoor events that had only been resolved when the applicant constructed a sound-proof banquet hall.

The Board found the application premature, noting that the applicant had not yet applied for a required site plan amendment from the Town, nor provided necessary noise and acoustical studies.

Concluding that granting the licence without these safeguards was not in the public interest, the Board denied the application.