TOWN HALL
by Roger Varley
Notes from the May 27 Council Meeting
Grainboys file going to LPAT: Conrad Richter, owner of Richter’s Herbs in Goodwood, has filed an appeal with the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) over council’s recent decision to allow a rezoning application by Grainboys, which opens the way for a grain-cleaning facility to be built on property close by Richter’s land.
Planning consultant Howson said she had prepared the report upon which council relied to make its decision regarding the Grainboys application, and noted her conclusions on the case were different from those reached by a planner hired by Richter.
When asked how the LPAT hearing would likely unfold, Howson said “it’s anybody’s guess” when a hearing on the appeal would take place or even how such a hearing would be conducted. She said LPAT’s rules “are in flux.”
LPAT replaced the old Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) after a large number of municipalities complained to the province that the OMB, an unelected body, had the power to overrule municipal planning decisions.