An appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) of a City of Guelph official plan amendment has been withdrawn after a settlement agreement was reached.
The site under appeal, known as the Niska Lands, is owned by the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA).
The eight–hectare (20 acre) farm field on the south side of Niska Road at Pioneer Trail, is to be designated for low to medium density residential use.
“This is good News for everyone involved in the appeal, and for the community,” said Melissa Aldunate, the city’s manager of policy planning and urban design.
“We’re pleased the solid planning behind the residential land use designation has been recognized and upheld, and look forward to working with the community on future trail access on the former Kortright Waterfowl Park once the future of those lands is decided.”
Settlement terms provide more public notification and opportunities for public comment as the GRCA works to create a management plan, not only for the site that was the subject of the appeals, but also the surrounding lands owned by GRCA.
More information about the process to complete a management plan for the property is available on the GRCA website.
Once the GRCA management plan is finalized, the city and GRCA will establish a joint working group to help determine future public access to the GRCA lands within the city, which comprised the former Kortright Waterfowl Park.
The joint working group will include members of the public.
About OPA 48
The city’s Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 48 provides clarity and direction for development while ensuring Guelph achieves sustainable growth targets, population densities and land uses.
Highlights of the official plan amendment include updated policies addressing:
– the protection of Guelph’s water resources;
– public health and safety regarding natural and human-made hazards;
– proactive climate change planning; and
– transportation planning with a greater focus on transit, walking and cycling; and affordable housing needs.
OPA 48 was approved by the OMB with some modifications last fall, and the city’s amended Official Plan has been in effect since then.
Some minor items were still under appeal at that time, including the settled appeal. Appeals for one policy and site–specific items remains to be addressed through OMB hearings.
