Good morning Kanata North Community,
I hope you’ve had a chance to read the latest updates from Ottawa Public Health regarding the very serious situation that our city is currently facing. If you’ve not had a chance, I encourage you to read the latest update here and sign up for my COVID-19 updates here.
Today, I am providing a brief update to the community on the ClubLink planning file. This has been an exhausting and frustrating road for our community. We have been working together on this issue for almost two years and it has not been easy. Just like you, I am still equally as committed as I was on day one, to stand up for our community and protect our green space.
As you may remember, from my previous update ClubLink filed an appeal to the Local Planning Tribunal (LPAT), appealing both the Zoning By-Law and the Plan of Subdivision. The grounds for their appeal are the lack of a decision within the statutory timelines by the city on their applications. As shared previously, it is not unusual, particularly given the complexity of this file, that these timelines are not met.
The first step in the process for any LPAT appeal is to have a Case Management Conference, which is scheduled for Friday, October 9th at 10 a.m. These are open to the public and you can watch online here: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/688602485 or by calling into an audio-only telephone line: 1-888-299-1889 or +1 (647) 497-9373. The access code is 688-602-485. You may read this letter for further information.
I know we are all trying to learn and navigate this complex process together. Here’s some important information you should know:
- Case Management Conference is procedural and a decision on this case will not be made at this time.
- There are two different ways to be involved:
- Party Status: individuals granted this status may participate fully in the proceedings by presenting evidence or calling witnesses.
- Participant Status: individuals who are granted this status may only participate in writing by way of a statement.
- You may find out more information by reading this letter.
- The argument being advanced by ClubLink at LPAT is that this planning matter should have been approved within the statutory deadlines and there’s no reason to not move forward with approvals.
- The City and entities granted party status have submitted a list of issues which they will present to the Tribunal as to why these planning applications should not move forward and the application is to be denied. The list of issues will not encompass every single matter that is outstanding but represent issues that are items that cannot be resolved by other means and should prohibit the Tribunal from moving forward with the applications.
- The City has put forward an issue that will make the argument with respect to whether the Tribunal should not proceed with the case until there has been a decision made by the courts on the Forty Percent Agreement. We have not yet heard back from the courts.
Concurrently, the planning process is proceeding, and the community should be made aware of the following:
- A report will be going forward to Planning Committee on November 26, 2020. This report will seek direction from Committee and Council on how to proceed at LPAT and provide rationale on City’s staff planning recommendation.
- This meeting will be the statutory planning meeting under the Planning Act and individuals that wish to make a public delegation may do so and can speak for a maximum of five minutes.
- More information will be provided as it becomes available closer to the Committee meeting date.
I recognize that there’s a lot of information in this update for our community. To recap:
Key Points:
- The Case Management Conference is on October 9th at 10 a.m. you can watch online by using this link: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/688602485 or by calling into an audio-only telephone line: 1-888-299-1889 or +1 (647) 497-9373. The access code is 688-602-485.
- A report will be going forward to Planning Committee on November 26, 2020. You may speak for a maximum of five minutes at this meeting. More information to be provided.
- There’s been no decision rendered on the court case.
I understand that this process is complex and frustrating to follow. I will continue to provide updates as I have them to ensure that our community is informed as we continue to oppose these applications.
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Supporting Documents:
I know transparency is important to our community, here is a list of documents that my office is aware of on the LPAT case: