The initiative to build a new town hall is encountering unexpected hurdles.  The zoning by-law was appealed; and now the OMB Chair has ruled that a pre-requisite for approving the latter is execution of an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) to provide specific alternative minimum vegetation protection zones for the site.  This additional step is most unfortunate as it delays the project and it costs money.  The staff report on the April 24 Council agenda provides full details on the OMB Chair’s ruling.

As a “regular” thinking person I am frustrated by this particular step as the plans for the new town hall are actually more respectful of the natural heritage features than the previous built form on the site.  (The latter was constructed previous to Oak Ridges Moraine legislation and hence buffers were less.)  Having said that we need to respond to the ruling.