Posted Feb 12, 2008, 2:16 AM
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National Capital Region
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Eastern Ontario
Posts: 9,244
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Quote:
Minto will appeal decision at OMB if council rejects application
Jake Rupert
The Ottawa Citizen
Monday, February 11, 2008
If city council rejects Minto's application to develop 430 acres of land in Manotick Wednesday, the company will appeal the ruling to the Ontario Municipal Board, the company's vice-president of development said Monday.
"It wouldn't be our first preference," Jack Sterling said, "but if we don't have the support of council, we would appeal."
The municipality is not the final arbiter of whether or not development can occur. That power lies with the board, made up of provincial appointees.
Mr. Sterling said with city staff recommending the project go ahead, the land designated for development and an number of other factors in Minto's favour, the company feels there is good reason for council to overturn its rural-affairs committee's decision to reject the proposal two weeks ago.
He said the company has satisfied all relevant concerns about the project, and the plan meets the city's goals and needs.
"There's a full range of reasons why it's appropriate," Mr. Sterling said.
If the matter does go to the board, the staff recommendation and the land's being designated for construction would weigh in the company's favour.
Minto's plan has hit a nerve with many of the community's 5,200 residents.
The company wants to build 1,750 houses, including single-family homes, townhouses and semi-detached dwellings, on the southern edge of the village between Century Road, First Line Road and Main Street.
Under the company's plan, about 1,400 homes would be built over the next nine years and 350 would be built at a later date.
Many residents argue the project, which could more than double the size of the village, would destroy the character of the area and snarl traffic.
About 200 people opposed to the project went to city council's rural-affairs committee last month to voice their opinions, and the committee voted 4-2 against the development.
Since then, the company has been meeting with residents' associations from the area and with Rideau-Goulbourn Glenn Brooks.
"We're trying to close the gap between our plans and their expectations," Mr. Sterling said. "We think the leaders of the associations understand the issues, but I'm not sure the average resident of the area does."
Many people from other rural villages with land around them designated for future growth are watching what happens in Manotick because what happens there could set a precedent for their areas.
In Richmond, one of Canada's biggest house-builders, Mattamy Homes, has bought or optioned 320 acres of land that is currently being farmed and has made it known that the company is planning a subdivision.
The land is on the west side of Richmond, from Fortune and Queen Charlotte streets to the village boundary, and is also designated as a future-growth area in Ottawa's official plan.
Mattamy project manager Susan Murphy said the company is beginning its planning process and it's too early to talk about the number of houses or any description of a development. She said those things will be worked out by talking with people in Richmond and the city government.
© The Ottawa Citizen 2008
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Russell Township is another area set to boom... 24,000 (almost double the population) by 2025. right now the market is dominated by local (ie based in Russell township) builders.
here's a development coming on the west side of Russell
http://www.melanieconstruction.com/oldtowne/phase1.pdf
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