Joanna Fast

The appellant appealed the Town's Committee of Adjustment's refusal of a minor variance application to legalize an existing cabana and two decks on a property located within the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan Area.

The Town did not appear but provided recommended conditions of approval.

Based on uncontested expert planning and ecological evidence, the Tribunal found that the variances met the four tests under section 45(1) of the Planning Act.

The appeal was allowed and the variances were authorized subject to conditions, including the establishment of a tree planting compensation area.

The applicant appealed the Town of Aurora's refusal of Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Approval applications to facilitate a six-storey mixed-use apartment building.

Prior to the hearing, the parties reached a settlement on revised applications.

Based on uncontroverted expert planning evidence, the Tribunal found the revised proposal consistent with provincial policies, in conformity with applicable official plans, and representative of good planning.

The appeals were allowed in part to implement the settlement.

The appellant appealed the City's refusal to amend a zoning by-law to permit the future creation of an additional building lot for a single detached residential building.

The City argued the severance would threaten the large estate lot and heavily wooded character of the subdivision.

The Tribunal allowed the appeal, finding that the proposed infill development was consistent with provincial policies encouraging intensification, would not result in significant tree loss, and was compatible with the character of the neighbourhood.