Appeals filed opposing approval of North Gower distribution centre
From the Manotick Messenger
Two interconnected appeals have been filed with the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) in objection to the Official Plan Amendment (OPA) and zoning by-law amendment (ZBA) permitting Broccolini to build a 700,000 square foot distribution centre within the village limits of North Gower.
A group of concerned community members, incorporated as the Rideau Action Group or RAG have retained a lawyer and a land planner to file the appeals on their behalf.
The appeals, running to dozens of pages, assert that the Official Plan Amendment and zoning by-law amendment do not conform with the Provincial Planning Strategy, the Official Plan of the City of Ottawa or the North Gower Secondary Plan.
LPAT, which is part of Tribunals Ontario, is an adjudicative tribunal that hears cases in relation to a range of municipal planning, financial and land matters. It has replaced the Ontario Municipal Board. LPAT has the power to overturn the zoning amendment and the by-law amendment if it contravenes the law. If they find it does not break the law, they can order mediation. This may be an opportunity for the community to influence aspects of the proposed facility, such as size, height, setbacks from residential areas.
Appeals filed with LPAT must be submitted within 20 calendar days of the notification of the bylaw and rezoning approval. The 30-plus residents who spoke in opposition before the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee on December 5 received notification of registration on Christmas Eve. The City Planner responsible for the file was on holidays for more than half of the period available for filing the appeal. This added insult to injury when residents already feel that the City Council has been stacking the deck in favour of Broccolini.
“It is regrettable that a group of middle income rural residents are forced to defend the Village’s rural character and community safety against the teamwork of the City of Ottawa and a large construction company both with multi-million dollar budgets” stated Teddie Laframboise, Chairperson of the Rideau Action Group.
Fundraising to support the appeal process is now in progress. Donations can be made at https:// www.gofundme.com/f/say-no-to-north-gower-mega-warehouse and at fundraising events will be held in the community. RAG has 30 days in which to raise $20,000 to continue the appeal to the next stage.