At the moment there are six Huntsville planning decisions under appeal at the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), and staff is not recommending that the Town defend any of them.
Manager of Planning Services for the Town of Huntsville, Kirstin Maxwell, told committee on June 14 that while staff can be called on to provide witness testimony at an OMB hearing, they cannot defend a decision.
Among the more prominent Huntsville files before the OMB is a 15-metre height exemption (up from 12 metres) that Jarlette Health Services is proposing as part of its Muskoka Landing expansion. Readers will recall that the proponent was repeatedly asked to return to committee with a smaller footprint and a lower building. At the last and final March 15 municipal planning meeting, and after some minor variations, Jarlette Health Services managed to get its planning approvals pushed through, but committee would not budge on the height exemption the proponent was requesting, despite staff’s recommendation to approve it. You can find that story here. Since that meeting, Jarlette Health Services has filed an application with the OMB to try and overturn the municipality’s decision.
In terms of the impact a height exemption in one area of the municipality might have on a proposed development in another, Maxwell said each development is reviewed individually. “I know that the question of precedence is raised frequently at the committee level but there is no precedence when it comes to planning. Each application is evaluated based specifically on its own merit,” she explained after the meeting.
Other outstanding files at the OMB include the development of the former Grandview Resort property. Approval for a setback reduction from the side lot line to the west is being appealed by a neighbouring property owner. The Eagle Ridge Development proposed on an estimated 20 acres of lands located along parts of Hanes Road and Centre Street North, as well as Shay Road, is also under an OMB appeal. The Town approved an Official Plan and zoning amendment allowing for a mixed use commercial development along those lands. The principals of Huntsville Place Mall are appealing the Town’s decision. Their premise is that more commercial development is not needed in the municipality at this time. You can find that story here.
Other files at the OMB include the granting of a lot addition on Muskoka Road 10, which would create a lot with 10 feet of waterfront. Staff recommended against it and Council turned it down.The applicant is appealing that decision. Another application involves a single-family lot creation on Deerhurst Drive. Council and staff approved it and a neighbour has since appealed it at the OMB. Another hearing involves a right-of-way to a water access lot on Skeleton Lake. Staff recommended approval and Council approved it, but the decision is being challenged by a neighbour. See a chart of the appeals and whether council went with staff’s recommendation below:
According to Maxwell, the municipality has defended a planning decision at the OMB in the past. In 2014 it hired legal counsel for an industrial rezoning request by HLD at 17 Golf Course Road. Staff recommended approval of the rezoning but in a recorded vote council turned down the request by one vote and it wound up at the OMB. See how council voted at its April 22, 2013 meeting below:
The Town of Huntsville defended its decision. On January 16, 2014 the OMB in part ruled in favour of the applicant. It approved the rezoning with exceptions such as that the applicant could not store fuel or use the lands for a mechanic repair shop under the rezoning. It also indicated that the front yard setback should go from 15 metres to 68 metres and that the development would have to adhere to the Town of Huntsville’s design guidelines for Rural Special Industrial Areas, among other requirements. You can find the Board’s decision here.
Planning committee members unanimously agreed not to spend resources defending their current decisions under appeal at the OMB. There are currently major changes to how planning appeals will be heard underway. A report on those changes by the Province is expected to be brought back to Huntsville’s Planning Committee at its July meeting.
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Council has already capitulated to the Huntsville Long Term Care Facility demand to proceed with limited commercial development on the shore of Fair Lake and now I read that Council will not defend its ruling of the 12 meter maximum building height for the Long Term Care Facility, this appeal filed by the out of town developer, Jarlette Health Services with a Midland, Ontario address. In spite of repeated instructions from Council to return with a 12 meter high building, Jarlette kept coming back with a 15 meter high building. This is very much like Trump telling various institutions that he doesn’t like their decisions and they should change them. Splendid. A decision made is a decision worth defending else why make the decision in the first place? And what’s happened to the mayor and council? It appears that Planner, Kirstin Maxwell is directing issues at Town Hall these days rather than the elected officials. Perhaps I missed the announcement of her ascension to the throne?
It is a shame that a newly proposed retail development is opposed by the Mall because they want every space and even a waiting list in their building while all development is stopped. Business people look at Mall space based on cost per foot, percentage charges, and traffic. Low traffic and high costs could be a reason for empty Mall space. Tax write down could be a reason for empty space. Maybe new space would bring in new business? It appears others think it will and they are willing to invest their money in new space.
Obviously your council does not agree with you. The OMB is an independent tribunal that hears evidence from planning experts before it decides on a case. It is set by provincial statutes.
The OMB serves the whole province and makes decisions based on fact and law. City politics on the other hand are based on one pleasing its constituents to be re-elected. So, decisions are skewed.
I’m sure your mind is made up from from leftist propaganda and fake news from other locales.
Thanks
It is really unfortunate that decisions made by local elected officials can be overturned by an unelected board, none of whom have any connection to the community. Money and profit is at the heart of many of the appeals not the benefit of the Community. The sooner the final decisions affecting this Town are made locally, the better.