Olivia Nisbet

The applicant, a community development corporation, brought an application for a declaration that it is a 'local board' under the Municipal Affairs Act and therefore exempt from municipal property taxation under s. 3(1)(9) of the Assessment Act.

The court applied principles of statutory interpretation, including ejusdem generis, and found that the applicant did not meet the definition of a local board.

The application was dismissed.

The appellant appealed the City of Sarnia Committee of Adjustment's refusal of a minor variance application to permit an electronic, animated freestanding sign on a commercial property.

The proposed sign required relief from the municipal sign by-law prohibiting electronic signs within 100 metres of a residential area and prohibiting animated signs.

The Ontario Land Tribunal found that the variances met the four tests under section 45(1) of the Planning Act, noting that the proposed conditions, including turning off the electronic message board overnight and using automatic dimming technology, would adequately mitigate potential light pollution impacts on nearby residential properties.

The appeal was allowed in part and the variances were authorized subject to conditions.

The Tribunal held a Case Management Conference regarding appeals of a Zoning By-law Amendment and Official Plan Amendment approved by the City of Sarnia and County of Lambton.

The parties agreed that the matter did not lend itself to mediation and requested a hearing.

The Tribunal approved the draft Procedural Order on consent and scheduled a four-day video hearing for the appeals.