Modifications to Vaughan OP

NRU
April 8, 2015

In a March 25 pre-hearing, board member Jason Chee-Hing allowed a motion by the City of Vaughan requesting approval of certain policies in the Vaughan 2010 official plan and the modified Woodbridge Centre Secondary Plan. The board also allowed appeals, in part, by LTF Real Estate Company, Seven 427 Developments Inc. and Cityzen (Pine Grove) Inc. for modifications to the official plan. There are currently 145 official plan appeals fi led and to date 32 appeals have been either withdrawn or settled.

The board heard evidence from city planner Steven Dixon regarding the city’s motion. Dixon noted that policies in the official plan for which the city is seeking approval relate to the natural heritage network, intensification areas and heritage conservation districts. These policies are no longer the subject of city-wide appeals although they may be subject to an outstanding appeal on an area or site-specific basis. Dixon noted that the policies have due regard to matters of provincial interest and represent good planning.

Dixon also testified in support of the board approving the modified policies of the Woodbridge Centre Secondary Plan, which are not under appeal. Planner Laurie Nelson (TRCA) and city environmental planner Tony Iacobelli also provided evidence in support of approval.

The board approved the noted policies and the modified Woodbridge Centre Secondary Plan.

The board approved modifications to the Vaughan official plan requested by LTF Real Estate as they affect the lands at the northeast corner of Weston Road and Century Place. Planner David McKay (MHBC) provided evidence in support of the modifications that allow expansion of permitted uses on the site to include a health and fitness centre as well as service and office uses.

The board partially approved modifications to the Vaughan official plan requested by Seven 427 as they affect the lands north of Highway 7 and west of Highway 427. Planner Michael Bissett (Bousfields Inc.) provided evidence in support of the modifications to permit major retail uses on the site.

The board approved modifications to the Vaughan official plan requested by Cityzen concerning the intersection of Pine Grove and Islington Avenue. Planner Kurt Franklin (Weston Consulting) provided evidence in support of the modifications to permit a residential development of 105 stacked townhouses with a maximum height of four storeys.

The next pre-hearing conference is scheduled for June 15-16 to settle other outstanding matters related to Vaughan’s 2010 official plan.

Solicitors involved in this decision were Joseph Hoff man (Goodmans LLP) representing LTF Real Estate Company, Joanna Shapira (Wood Bull LLP) representing Seven 427 Developments Inc., Adam Brown (Sherman Brown) representing Cityzen (Pine Grove) Inc. and Bruce Engell (WeirFoulds LLP), Dawne Jubb and Claudia Storto representing the City of Vaughan. (See OMB Case No. PL111184.)