Town received three appeals to Zoning By-law Amendment (2022-007) potentially extending the ICBL

The deadline for appeal to Zoning By-law Amendment 2022-007, stemming from the Land Use Planning Policy Study was March 29, 2022. 

The Town received the following 3 appeals:

1. Amber Stewart Law on behalf of John Welton (John Welton Custom Homebuilding Ltd., operating as Sunvale Homes)
2. Aird & Berlis on behalf of 2554281 Ontario Ltd (Address: 121 Hume Street) *was granted an exemption from the ICBL
3. Aird & Berlis on behalf of Crestpoint Real Estate (Blue Mountain) Inc – Blue Mountain Centre (Address: 2 and 6 Old Mountain Road and 5, 7 and 15 Balsam Street) *was granted an exemption from the ICBL

Collingwood Town Council, at a meeting held on April 26, 2021, approved a pause in development to address drinking water and wastewater capacity for future development, using an Interim Control Bylaw (ICBL) that could last up to a year while a Land Use Policy Study was completed including consideration that Collingwood continue to grow as a complete community. 

The Zoning By-law Amendment 2022-007 is intended to enable the Town to confirm whether adequate municipal water and wastewater services are available prior to construction occurring on development sites and to facilitate the tracking of municipal servicing capacity allocation. The Zoning By-law provisions would apply primarily in circumstances where construction could proceed without further planning approvals. 

The Zoning By-law Amendment would work in tandem with the other proposed tools to achieve the Town and Community’s objectives with respect to capacity allocation.

The Servicing Capacity Allocation Policy, which was approved by Council on March 28, 2022, along with a future Official Plan update will form an overall servicing capacity allocation framework for the town.  

Until the appeals noted above have either been withdrawn or disposed of through the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), the Planning Act dictates that the ICBL will be automatically extended, thereby continuing the development pause.  Staff will be providing legal and technical advice to Council on next steps once the scope and nature of the appeals is better understood. Next steps may include consideration of additional exemptions to the ICBL.

The water supply is safe and available for current residents, industry, commercial uses, and visitors. There is enough water for several years of growth, but not enough to continue at the recent pace of development until the water treatment plant is expanded in 2025/2026. As soon as becoming aware of this difficult situation, Council took a proactive and transparent approach to seek further capacity and responsibly manage that which remains, so Collingwood grows as a complete community and in line with our Community Based Strategic Vision.

Copies of the three appeals noted above are available for viewing as public documents at: https://engage.collingwood.ca/interim-control-by-law-icbl. 
 

Next Steps 

• For those developments and individuals who have been granted exemptions from the ICBL, your application can continue through the Planning process and building permits may be issued.   Please contact the Planning, Building & Economic Development Department should you have any questions.
• For those developments and individuals who have not been granted exemptions from the ICBL, your planning application will continue to be processed and reviewed, however planning decisions from Council will not be made unless a future exemption is granted or until the completion of ICBL or the completion of the Planning Study.  Please contact the Planning, Building & Economic Development Department should you have any questions.
• Some minor construction, such as renovations and additions that do not change the use of a building can continue.  Please contact the Planning, Building & Economic Development Department should you have any questions.

For further information:
Christa Carter
Manager, Public Relations 
& Communications
705-445-1030 Ext. 3274
ccarter@collingwood.ca

Summer Valentine
Director, Planning, Building, 
& Economic Development
705-445-1030 Ext. 3284
svalentine@collingwood.ca