Stephanie Bergman

The Municipality of Middlesex Centre and the County of Middlesex brought a motion for directions to settle several appeals regarding site-specific modifications to Official Plan Amendment 59.

The settlements proposed expanding settlement area boundaries and converting employment lands to residential and commercial uses.

Sifton Properties Limited contested the settlements, arguing that a quantitative land needs assessment was required under the Provincial Policy Statement 2024 prior to approval.

The Tribunal found that the PPS 2024 removed the requirement for a municipal comprehensive review for boundary expansions, allowing for incremental expansions.

Relying on uncontested expert planning evidence, the Tribunal approved the settlements, finding them consistent with the PPS 2024, in conformity with the County Official Plan, and supportive of providing local housing options.

The Tribunal held a settlement hearing regarding appeals of the Municipality of Middlesex Centre's Official Plan Amendment No. 59.

Based on uncontested expert land use planning evidence, the Tribunal approved the settlement, finding that the proposed policy revisions regarding residential density and Special Policy Area #29-A are consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement, conform to the County Official Plan, and represent good land use planning.

The appellant appealed the adoption of Official Plan Amendment 59 (OPA 59) by the Municipality of Middlesex Centre.

The parties reached a settlement to modify OPA 59 to reflect a prior site-specific approval (OPA 46) granted by the Tribunal for the appellant's lands, which permitted medium density residential development.

Relying on uncontested expert planning evidence, the Tribunal found the proposed modification was consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, conformed to the Official Plan, and represented good planning.

The Tribunal approved the settlement and modified OPA 59 accordingly.