Fort Erie town council has decided against supporting a local developer’s request for an Ontario Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) to include their property within the urban boundary. This decision stems from the council’s belief that there will always be land available “just outside the urban boundary.”
During the council meeting on Tuesday, Leigh Whyte, a planner representing Bryce Ivanchuck of PLW Planning and Environmental Consulting, presented the request. Ivanchuck owns the property at 1598 Nigh Rd., which is situated between Rose Hill and Buffalo roads. The property has been approved for a draft plan of subdivision since 2012, allowing for 10 single detached homes with private septic systems and water cisterns.
Whyte highlighted that the landscape has significantly changed since the initial approval, with the urban boundary expanding to include a neighboring property. This expansion prompted Ivanchuck’s desire to densify his property’s development, aiming for 196 units instead of the initially planned 10 single homes.
The request for an MZO, which allows developers to bypass local government approval processes, was met with opposition from town staff. They recommended against supporting the request, citing concerns about setting precedents and the need for a more structured approach like the Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator (CIHA) process.
The CIHA process, unlike an MZO, involves public consultations and the preparation of draft bylaws, ensuring more comprehensive planning and local input. The staff report emphasized the importance of avoiding hastily prepared zoning provisions based on limited information.
Senior community planner Aaron Hair expressed concerns about a “slippery slope” if the council were to approve the MZO request, questioning whether it would open the floodgates for similar requests from properties adjacent to the municipal boundary.
In the end, council opted to receive the report for information, indicating no immediate action on the MZO request. However, they did approve a separate report recommending a one-year extension for the Nigh Road draft plan of subdivision.
This decision reflects Fort Erie’s commitment to balanced and informed development strategies while navigating the complexities of urban expansion and land use planning.
