March 18, 2021 · 0 Comments
A parcel of land on the west side of Beeton, which is the site of a proposed development, has been given the green light after a Ministerial Zoning Order (MZO) for those lands was approved.
The next steps in the development include the submission of a Plan of Subdivision application along with the requisite studies and reports.
The 166-hectare property is located west of Dayfoot Street and south of County Road 1.
Flato Developments is the company behind the plan.
Flato said it has plans to build a 995 unit community on the site. This would include affordable housing for seniors, 297 detached houses, five apartment buildings with 400 rental units, 173 townhomes, and 40 semi-detached units.
A Minister’s Zoning Order allows developers to go around the usual planning stage of development and appeal directly the province to build on a site.
Zoning Orders were designed to be used in unincorporated areas where lack of population or local governments would allow the province to step in and make decisions for them.
A change to the Planning Act, by Bill 197, has modified the rule of how zoning orders can be applied and made it much easier for developers to get around municipalities and go directly to the province for a request for approval on where they can build.
Minister’s Zoning Orders are not issued with conditions. The Zoning Orders are either approved or they’re not. There are no conditions that are applied.
The new level of jurisdiction given Zoning Orders have alarmed many environmental groups who have urged municipalities to resist some developments being pushed through by the orders.
They cite things like lack of municipal control and public consultation as well as the possible impact on existing economies.
Also up for concern is the environmental impact that Zoning Orders could create if developers are giving the go-ahead at the provincial level to build on land
This particular development has already been criticized by environmental groups for “infringing on a flood plain that is already managed by the Nottawasaga Conservation Authority.”
There will be updates on this planned development as details become available.
By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter