Latest news with #zoningamendment
CTV News
01-08-2025
- Business
- CTV News
First a golf course, now an event centre: Neighbours battling Windsor developer again
Hearn Hunting and Fishing Lodge seen in Harrow. (Source: Hearn Hunting and Fishing Lodge) First it was a golf course, now it's an event centre. Neighbours are now fighting a Windsor developer… Again. Hearn Hunting and Fishing Lodge wants a temporary zoning amendment to allow for a commercial event centre. It would be located at 6655 Concession six in Essex County: The exact same location as a proposed golf course in the early 2000s, known as Marshfield Woods. Back then, the Hearn Group started to develop a golf course on their property. The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), environmentalists, and neighbours all fought back and won, although it took nearly four years and rulings from the Ontario Municipal Board and Ontario Court of Justice. 'That's not really relevant to the decision the town has to make (now),' Hearn lawyer Brian Chillman told CTV News Friday in a phone interview. He, and Steven Hearn, told CTV News their proposal today is to rezone 0.33 hectares out of the 26.3 hectares currently zoned agricultural. Hearn explained it's only for the concrete footing of their large white tent, 'about a quarter of the size of a soccer field'. It's also on the opposite side of the property designated as a wetland. Their proposal is to be rezoned for six months, from May to October, to host up to 10 'boutique' events with a maximum guest list of 200 people, even though their tent has a capacity for 380 people. Chillman said they have been working 'with the town' on a resolution to their commercial business opportunity for more than a year. 'This is not a case of the Hearn's developing something and asking for permission later,' Chillman said. When they started hosting events – Chillman didn't say when – the Hearns 'believed' it qualified as an 'on farm diversified use', as spelled out by the Province of Ontario's Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs. Neighbours complained about noise and the Hearns were fined by the town, even though at the time, according to Chillman, Essex didn't have a noise bylaw. Now that the town is working towards a noise bylaw, Hearn Lodge is working with the town to come into compliance. Chillman said each of the reports commissioned by Hearn on planning, noise and biology were 'peer reviewed' by Essex officials who in turn, accepted them without complaint. During a meeting on July 21, a town presentation indicated administration approved of the zoning amendment and no outside agency – including ERCA – disputed the proposal. It's only neighbours – and some of the former Friends of Marshfield Woods – who oppose the zoning amendment. Hearn and Chillman want to work with the town and the neighbours to craft a zoning amendment that works for everyone. Essex Town Council will consider the proposal at their next meeting on Aug. 11.
CTV News
18-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Ottawa Airport Authority opposed to proposed housing development on Riverside Drive
An Air Canada plane takes off from the airport, Monday, July 8, 2024 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld The City of Ottawa's Planning and Housing Committee has approved a zoning amendment for a proposed housing development on Riverside Drive that is facing opposition from the Ottawa International Airport Authority. The Taggart Group is proposing a development that would add 660 units in a mix of single-detached and semi-detached homes, townhouses, and apartments in four mid- to high-rise buildings. City staff recommend councillors approve the zoning change to allow low-rise development including single and semi-detached dwellings and new height limits. Staff say in a report prepared for committee that the zoning amendments align with applicable policies for the area and the land sits outside the zones closest to the airport. Councillors on the committee voted 8 to 3 in favour of the zoning change. Riley Brockington, Laine Johnson, Theresa Kavanagh, Clarke Kelly, Catherine Kitts, Tim Tierney, Ariel Troster, and Jeff Leiper voted in favour. Laura Dudas, Cathy Curry and Wilson Lo voted against. Planning committee Ottawa's Planning and Housing Committee meets June 18, 2025. (Kimberley Fowler/CTV News Ottawa) Airport Authority opposes development Joel Tkach, vice‑president of business development & marketing at the Ottawa International Airport Authority, spoke to committee to express the airport's opposition to the development. 'This site sits underneath the flight path of Runway 14 32 – YOW's longest – and within the circuit loop for general aviation and flight training on Runway 04 22 – our shortest,' he said. 'On average, eighty aircraft movements occur here daily, at altitudes between 50 to 150 metres. Although the proposed residential development land lies just barely outside the Airport Operating Influence Zone, noise doesn't respect lines on a map.' Airport zoning map A map showing Ottawa International Airport zoning regulations. The magenta star represents the site of a proposed housing development at 3930 Riverside Dr. (City of Ottawa) City staff say a noise feasibility assessment was done one the site to review both roadway traffic and aircraft noise. 'Typical commercial windows are expected to be sufficient to attenuate aircraft noise; in addition, a detailed noise assessment will be required at the time of site plan control review and approval for specific noise control measures,' the report said. Tkach said, however, the development could harm airport operations. 'We've seen what happens when homes encroach on airports. Montreal‑Trudeau, Toronto‑Pearson, and Toronto-Billy Bishop downtown have all endured waves of complaints, political pressure, curfews, and therefore lost air service,' he said. Tkach said the airport received 140 noise complaints from approximately 85 homes last year. 'We confirm that residents will endure constant overhead traffic from heavy jets and low‑flying single‑engine aircraft. And guess what? A note on title about airport proximity does nothing to comfort someone who can't sleep, can't concentrate, or can't enjoy their own home.' Development designed to reduce noise Kyle Kazda, development manager with Taggart, told committee the design of the project would help shield residents from noise. 'Part of the layout of the site from the beginning did consider the potential for impacts from both airport noise and traffic from Hunt Club and Riverside. This has informed the massing of the towers along those two major streets, which, at minimum would shield, from a traffic noise perspective, the low-rise residential from that exposure,' he said. He said the low-rise buildings would use wall components, roof sheathing and insulation intended to dampen noise for residents inside. 'We also will be undertaking site-specific noise studies for the four apartment blocks on the site, which will include on-site receptors measuring aircraft noise and then ensuring that those building components also will properly attenuate noise to ensure residents are comfortable.' Homebuyers and tenants would be informed in advance of the potential for noise when moving in, Kazda added. Audrey Belanger, president of the Hunt Club Community Association, urged committee to approve the zoning amendment. 'The biggest mistake we and council members could make, is to think that our personal preferences are representative of everyone's needs,' she said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa. 'We need housing and infrastructure that meets all residents', current and future, needs and not just what we personally currently want or use.' The report will go to full city council June 25.
