An OMB hearing is underway that has the potential to reshape the landscape between Fergus and Elora along South River Road.
The OMB hearing began on Jan. 29 in the Centre Wellington council chamber in Elora.
Two proposed subdivisions, located on the eastern edge of the built-up area of Elora and within the Elora-Salem urban boundary, could include up to 750 homes on roughly 100 acres of land.
Since 2016, Centre Wellington and Wellington County have been parties to an Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) appeal regarding development applications from Bruce Youngblood and 1238576 Ontario Ltd. and from Haylock Farm Ltd.
The developers, which launched the OMB appeal, argue Centre Wellington refused or neglected to make a decision regarding the proposals.
A Jan. 29 township press release notes that since then, the county and township have employed a team of experts in hydrogeology, geoscience, ecology, forestry, municipal infrastructure, stormwater management, traffic, cultural heritage, urban design and land use planning.
As mandated by the OMB, the process included numerous meetings and formal mediation between the parties, including the municipal and developer experts.
“Based on the changes to the development applications as a result of this extensive independent multi-disciplinary expert peer review and OMB mediation process,” Centre Wellington council on Jan. 23 passed a resolution supporting approval by the OMB of a proposed residential development, states the township press release.
That decision came at the end of a two-and-a-half hour special meeting, and was made on the advice of the township’s solicitor.
Councillor Kirk McElwain, seconded by councillor Stephen Kitras, asked for a deferral to allow Smart Growth Elora and Fergus, a group of residents opposed to various aspects of the proposal, an opportunity to make a presentation to the OMB.
That motion was defeated.
Protect and enhance
Council then voted on a motion by councillors Mary Lloyd and Don Fisher for the township to work jointly with the county to establish a residential development that will:
– maintain the character of and achieve compatibility with the surrounding neighbourhood;
– protect and enhance area natural heritage resources;
– protect area ground and surface water resources;
– protect the quality and quantity of private water wells;
– address potential transportation and traffic issues through improvements to the subdivision’s road system and through draft plan conditions; and
– achieve appropriate density, with higher density development well separated from existing homes.
In a telephone interview on Jan. 29, township clerk Kerri O’Kane explained that even with council’s decision, Centre Wellington still needs to convince the OMB the minutes of settlement proposal is in the best interests of those involved.
Starting point
Following a Jan. 29 council meeting, Mayor Kelly Linton said council had approved an agreement which was being taken to the OMB as a starting point.
“Council gave direction to our staff and our team to pursue a final agreement of settlement during the OMB process.
“We would have preferred not to do anything until the OMB hearing was done, but because this was all public information already, we felt we could go ahead.”
He added the neighbourhood group is at the table as a party to the OMB hearing.
Linton explained the group had applied for that standing.
“They were involved through the whole process – until the mediation – at which point they chose not to be involved,” he said.
The OMB hearing was booked for two weeks.
