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DEPUTATION BY ALAN MCNAIR ON BEHALF OF NATURE BARRIE CONCERNING THE MCLEAN PROPERTY MZO - FINAL TECHNICAL COMMENTS
Alan McNair on behalf of Nature Barrie provided a Deputation concerning motion 20-G-133, the McLean Property Minister's Zoning Order (MZO) - Final Technical Comments.
Mr. McNair advised that Nature Barrie strongly objects to the Minister's Zoning Orders (MZOs) under the Planning Act to arbitrarily pre-zone lands to allow certain development projects. He noted that he believes that this circumvents the statutory municipal planning approval process, including protection of public interest.
Mr. McNair advised that Nature Barrie strongly supports the City's Staff Report opposing the McLean Farm MZO proposal.
Mr. McNair provided a background on past government MZOs that were used to control unfettered land development and where local municipal land use controls were either deficient or non-existent. He commented on the direction of planning in Ontario over the last twenty years being Policy led, rather than Development-driven.
Mr. McNair discussed the following concerns of Nature Barrie:
* Making arbitrary decisions about the principle of what lands to be allowed to develop and where;
* Ignoring approved Provincial, County and Municipal planning policies and Municipal Zoning By-laws;
* Denying neighbours and the local community opportunities for public input;
* Denying use of established appeal processes under the Planning Act;
* That there are no requirement for any development to justify itself and have that justification challenged;
* Can be used to potentially cut off an existing appeal process which is supported by sound peer review and technical studies;
* Creating the appearance of political bias and windfall profits in favour of the "chosen" landowner(s) if MZO approved.
Mr. McNair concluded by reiterating his concerns associated with the Province to refrain from using MZOs to override statutory requirements for public no...
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