Michael Hay & Chelsea Gauthier - New - Approval for a consent (subject to conditions) in an area where there is no official plan in place

The application for consent was draft approved on October 5, 2026 subject to conditions.

The application was reviewed for consistency with the environmental policies of the Provincial Planning Statement. No public comments were received.

Despite the presence of Black Ash on the subject lands, which are classified as a species at risk in Ontario, the inclusion of certain conditions of draft approval will ensure that there will be no negative impacts to greenspace, natural heritage, water quality and quantity, infrastructure, and public health and safety.

Approval is subject to standard conditions related to finalization and additional conditions related to the mitigation of negative impacts and consistency with the Provincial Planning Statement

These additional conditions include:

1. That prior to final approval, this Ministry must receive a letter from the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) which states that both the severed and retained parcels have been inspected by the NWHU and are suitable for the installation of a subsurface sewage system or that the existing systems meet their requirements.
    
2. That prior to final approval, the Ministry must be provided with a letter from a waste disposal site confirming that it is operational and is willing to accept solid waste from both the severed and retained lots. 
    

3. That prior to final approval, and pursuant to subsections 53(12) and 51(25) and 51(26) or (27) of the Planning Act, the applicants shall enter into a Consent Agreement for the severed and retained parcels with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH), to its satisfaction, addressing the potential development of the lands, including:

   a) The parcels can only be used for resource-based recreational uses (including a recreational dwelling) and is not to be used for permanent residential;
    
   b) That the recommendations of the Environmental Impact Statement be followed;
   
   c) That no Black Ash trees be removed prior to fulfilling the requirements of the Species Conservation Act;
   
   d) That the recommendations of the Stage 1 archeological assessment be followed; and
   
   e) That, prior to any future site alteration, ground disturbance, or the construction of buildings or structures within 50 meters of the permanent waterbody situated on the subject lands - a Stage 2 archaeological assessment (and any further assessments, as recommended) be prepared by an archaeologist licensed under the Ontario Heritage Act, and submitted to MCM, a be letter issued by MCM indicating that the report(s) has been entered into the Ontario Public Register of Archaeological Reports, and the recommendations be followed in any new development or site alteration; 

   f) That no new sensitive land uses or buildings to be used for sensitive land uses (including resource-based recreational dwellings) will be established on the Lands except for the repair, renovation, maintenance, replacement, or reconstruction of buildings or structures lawfully existing on the date of this approval, provided that such activities do not result in the establishment of a new sensitive land use where one did not previously exist, until:

         i) a Land Use Compatibility Study, prepared by a qualified professional and conducted in accordance with all applicable Provincial guidelines and standards in effect at the time of completion, has been completed which demonstrates that the development will avoid, or if avoidance is not possible, minimize and mitigate any potential adverse effects from odor, noise and other contaminants, minimize risk to public health and safety, and ensure the long-term operational and economic viability of the gravel pit in accordance with provincial guidelines, standards and procedures; or

        ii) confirmation is received that the pit is no longer operational. 
   
    g) That the Owner shall advise all prospective purchasers and transferees of the Lands, in writing, of the potential for adverse effects, including but not limited to noise, odour, dust, vibration, lighting, traffic, and other nuisance effects associated with existing and permitted surrounding uses.

The applicant has two years to satisfy conditions of draft approval, otherwise approval will lapse. The approval can be appealed using the procedure outlined below. Notice to appeal the decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal must be filed with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on or before October 25, 2026.