Please see the attached…

Please see the attached correspondence made on behalf of our client Nits Investments ("Dolphin Gaming") providing comments regarding the proposed new Provincial Planning Statement.

Dolphin Gaming is concerned with how the new definition of “Employment Area” may be interpreted in the absence of clearer direction on the status of lands that include permissions for and/or have existing commercial and institutional uses on lands that are currently designated as Employment Areas in municipal official plans and which are expressly excluded from the definition. In particular, we respectfully recommend that the Minister include clear policy guidance that confirms that lands with permitted or existing commercial or institutional uses are no longer subject to policies requiring Employment Lands conversions in order to be redesignated and that such lands may amend their official plan designation by way of an official plan amendment application pursuant to section 22 of the Planning Act. In addition, as a recreational use that provides both significant benefits to the local economy through employment opportunities as well as substantial charitable contributions to local organizations and causes, we also recommend that the Minister provide a policy clarifying that charity bingo hall uses are permitted within designated Employment Areas. Finally, we respectfully recommend that the Minister impose timeframes for municipalities to update their official plans and zoning by-laws to be consistent with the New PPS.