Kristen Barisdale

The appellant appealed the City of Waterloo's zoning by-law amendment to the Ontario Land Tribunal, seeking site-specific exemptions for a proposed residential subdivision.

The disputed exemptions involved reduced side yard setbacks for certain lots and permitted porch and balcony encroachments into the front yard for cluster developments.

The City opposed the exemptions, citing concerns over grading, drainage, snow storage, neighbourhood character, and the implications of a new provincial regulation (O. Reg. 257/25).

The Tribunal allowed the appeal in part, preferring the appellant's expert evidence that the reduced setbacks and encroachments would not cause adverse impacts, would maintain neighbourhood character, and would facilitate a compact, efficient development in conformity with provincial and municipal planning policies.

The appellant appealed the City of Cambridge's Zoning By-law No. 25-014 to permit two industrial warehouse buildings.

The parties reached a settlement.

Based on uncontroverted expert planning evidence, the Tribunal found the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment had appropriate regard for provincial interests, was consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement, conformed to official plans, and represented good planning.

The appeal was allowed in part to amend the by-law in accordance with the settlement.

Haastown Holdings Preston Inc. appealed the City of Cambridge's adoption of an Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment that permitted intensification on its site, but at a lesser scale than Haastown proposed.

A neighbouring resident also appealed the Zoning By-law Amendment, arguing against the density and traffic impacts.

The Ontario Land Tribunal allowed Haastown's appeals in part, approving its revised proposal for three residential towers of 22, 20, and 17 storeys with up to 635 units.

The Tribunal found that the site's location within a Major Transit Station Area supported the higher density to promote transit use, and that the proposed design achieved compatibility with the adjacent low-rise neighbourhood.

The Tribunal also found that traffic impacts were acceptable, heritage attributes of an adjacent property would be conserved, and that Holding provisions were unnecessary as outstanding matters could be addressed through Site Plan Approval.

The appellant appealed the City's approval of Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments that facilitated a 600-unit residential development, citing noise compatibility concerns with its adjacent flour mill operations.

The parties reached a settlement wherein the subject property would be designated as a Class 4 Noise Area under provincial guidelines, requiring specific noise mitigation measures and warning clauses.

Relying on uncontested expert evidence in land use planning and acoustics, the Tribunal found the revised proposal consistent with provincial policies and good planning principles.

The Tribunal allowed the appeals in part to implement the settlement and approved the amended planning instruments.

The applicant appealed the City of Kitchener's refusal of Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to permit a three-tower mixed-use development containing 1,124 residential units.

Prior to the hearing, the parties reached a settlement.

Based on uncontested expert planning evidence, the Tribunal found the proposed development, which includes significant residential intensification and streetscape enhancements near transit, is consistent with provincial policies and represents good planning in the public interest.

The appeals were allowed in part to implement the settlement.