'Magnificent day': Aurora residents cheer LPAT ruling for Henderson Forest

But properties remain 'vulnerable' to future development, ratepayers' group says

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 1, 2021
Lisa Queen

After a four-year battle, residents are applauding a planning ruling that rejected a bid to build two estate homes in Henderson Forest on environmentally sensitive land in the Oak Ridges Moraine.

Henderson Forest Aurora Ratepayer Association president George Skoulikas and vice-president Wendy Kenyon are “delighted” by the decision by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), calling it a “magnificent day” for the community.

“We are pleased about LPAT's decision and we will celebrate this moment, an important decision for the community and all of Aurora,” Skoulikas said in an email.

However, the ratepayers’ association is cautioning that the properties still remain “vulnerable” to future development.

On Jan. 26, LPAT dismissed planning applications at 672 and 684 Henderson Dr., which the board called “unique and environmentally sensitive lands."

The properties are home to a large number of species of birds, animals and trees.

Proponents of the developments, Michael Stanek and Losar Developments Inc., had gone to the board to appeal an earlier decision made by Aurora’s committee of adjustment.

LPAT said the public interest in protecting the environment must be balanced against landowners’ rights to develop their property.

“However, such sensitive lands, entirely within a key natural heritage feature with other multiple overlapping key natural heritage features, should only be developed in a way that respects the applicable provincial, regional and municipal policies, represents good planning and is in the public interest,” the decision said.

Mayor Tom Mrakas said he’s “very pleased” LPAT upheld a decision made at the municipal level.

“The Henderson Drive area in question is home to a large number of species of birds, animals and trees and it is our responsibility to protect them,” he said.

“I would like to thank area residents, who passionately defended their view, as well as all staff who worked to ensure the lands remained protected.”

Given the land’s “great and indisputable ecological value,” the ratepayers’ association hopes the town can help find a way to protect the land in the long term.

“In the meantime, we should celebrate this enormous achievement for Aurorans and be thankful that, for the moment, the trees and the wildlife remain fittingly protected and that right prevailed,” Skoulikas said.