We purchased a M2-zoned…

ERO number

013-4504

Comment ID

22406

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Individual

Comment status

Comment approved More about comment statuses

Comment

We purchased a M2-zoned property in the township of Severn in October 2016; prior to purchase due diligence was conducted to ensure we could operate on it for our intended purposes. This included a discussion with the town planner regarding the process to obtain building permit; we were advised that site plan approval would be an expeditious process without unnecessary complication. Accordingly we closed the deal and immediately began the site plan process. We expected a response within 30 days.
It is over 2 years later and we are still in municipal limbo. In the interim, we received the necessary EASR licensing related to the business operation.
We believe that the municipality's initial stall tactics were a reflection of the community's interference with the growth of the north, because we were not locals. Instead of recognizing that our business would bring prosperity and jobs to their economy, we were disparaged. Now it appears that the municipality is hiding behind the changes in the Natural Heritage system and mapping (which came into effect over a year after our initial application) to continue to delay and put unnecessary road blocks in the way of our otherwise-acceptable development plans. The overly broad nature of the heritage designations in the regulations must be refined and addressed to ensure it is limited to actual heritage sites.
The site consists of 50 acres and given the present Natural Heritage System mapping we would only be allowed to develop 0.29 of an acre.
In addition to their over-broad nature, it is equally important for the regulations to be revised to include a grandfathering provision.
We are in the hands of this Government; we ask that you confirm election promises to reduce over regulation and truly open the north for business.