Skydevco, the developer proposing a mixed use development for the former Stanley Knight flooring factory waterfront property on Boucher Street, has taken their file to the Ontario Land Tribunal, halting council consideration of the proposal and it’s requested zoning bylaw amendment.
“On July 13, 2022, the Clerk for the Municipality of Meaford received a Notice of Appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal for the Zoning By-Law Amendment Application Z04-2021 from the legal representatives for Skydevco Inc. This is for the proposal located at Boucher Street East and Fuller Street,” the municipality announced in a media release issued on Thursday, July 14. “As a result, the noted application by Skydevco scheduled for consideration by Council at the special meeting on Monday July 18, 2022 cannot be heard, as it is now under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Land Tribunal. The Special Council has therefore been cancelled.”
Skydev’s proposal for the property, which could include a five storey hotel and spa, and a four storey apartment building, along three two storey townhouse buildings, and four four storey waterfront townhouse buildings, has seen significant opposition from Meaford residents who have shared their concerns with council at a number of meetings over the past year since the proposal first came before council.
Topping the list of resident concerns is the density of the proposed development which would see hundreds of additional vehicles using quiet, residential streets to access the property. Additionally residents have noted concerns about the proposed height of the buildings, the reduction of green space, as well as public access to the municipally owned waterfront.
Last month council voted 3-2 to defer a decision on a proposed sale of a small piece of municipally owned land on Bridge street, roughly 6,000 square feet in size, to Skydev for $120,000.
Councillor Steve Bartley proposed the deferral, noting that as presented, the proposed development runs counter to Meaford’s Official Plan, and he stated that the density for the proposal is too high.
The issue of the proposed sale of the property to Skydev was to have been brought back before council at their July 25, meeting, however with Skydev now appealing to the OTL, all council consideration of matters related to the development have halted, and members of council have been advised that such appeals are complex legal issues, and that they should avoid commenting on the development proposal.
Members of council have been advised to direct residents to the OTL website for any future information about the development, and that “Council is now not allowed to deal with the matter, based on provincial legislation.”
The Ontario Land Tribunal adjudicates matters related to land use planning, environmental and natural features and heritage protection, land valuation, land compensation, municipal finance, and related matters.
For information on the OLT visit https://olt.gov.on.ca/
