Provincial government pushes through MZO order, Blair residents continue to push back (update)
Posted Aug 28, 2021 04:43:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Gears are in motion to build a controversial warehouse in the Village of Blair — despite plenty of pushback from residents in the area.
The province has approved the Minister's Zoning Order (MZO) needed to build the warehouse. The province's decision gets precedence and overrides any public consultations or appeals. The purpose of giving the province final say on MZOs is to help fast-track development.
Residents of the Village of Blair in Cambridge had gathered several times to protest the development of the massive warehouse, which would span a million square feet in the area of Dickie Settlement Road, Fountain Street South, and Old Mill Road.
In an interview with 570 NEWS back in July, Ward 4 councillor Jan Liggett said she does not feel like council did its “due diligience” when they unanimously endorsed the MZO in mid-April and skipped public consultation.
Blair resident Alan Van Norman tells 570 NEWS plans to build a warehouse do not fit the original plan for their village, which was worked out with residents and council in 2015.
Instead of the massive warehouse, residents want to see around 14 small businesses set up shop.
Cambridge city council members have the option to ask the province to revoke the MZO order.
In the past, the city councillors in Stratford and Pickering have asked for MZO orders to be revoked in their cities.
In July, Minister Steve Clark revoked an MZO order issued for a glass factory in Stratford.
Cambridge Mayor Kathryn McGarry has issued the following statement:
On Friday I learned Minister Clark exercised his authority to grant a Minister’s Zoning Order, allowing for an expedited and accelerated process outside of the regular planning process under section 47 of the Planning Act.
The City of Cambridge will now work through the remaining pieces with the developer and the community.
A site plan application, a Traffic Impact Study and a Heritage Impact Assessment are now required for these lands. Members of the community will be able to speak to the Traffic Impact Study and the Heritage Impact Assessment when they are presented to Council.
As always, we look forward to working with all partners and our community on meaningful developments that will add to the economic viability, environmental prosperity and continued growth of our City.
In response, the Minister Steve Clark from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing sent the following statement:
At the request of the City of Cambridge, we are proud to approve the City of Cambridge’s request for an MZO to get shovels in the ground faster for a warehouse distribution centre, helping create up to 1,400 jobs and support the City’s ongoing response to COVID-19.
It’s important to remember that this MZO kick-starts the project’s approvals process for a future employment site that exists on designated employment lands; the City of Cambridge will maintain site plan approvals and other approvals including conservation authority permits, and remains responsible for getting this project across the finish line.
We have been clear that it is our expectation that municipalities do their due diligence and conduct proper consultation in their communities, including with local residents, before any request for an MZO comes to the Minister for consideration.
In fact, the Minister had previously sent a letter to the municipality encouraging them to continue engaging with local residents and other impacted members of the community.
