Development is still currently on pause in Collingwood.
That from the Town which reports it’s received three appeals of a zoning bylaw amendment which means that until the appeals have either been withdrawn or disposed of through the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), the Town’s Planning Act dictates that the development pause will continue.
At a meeting held April 26th, 2021, Collingwood Council approved a pause in development to address drinking water and wastewater capacity for future development, using an Interim Control Bylaw (ICBL) that could last up to a year while a Land Use Policy Study was completed including a consideration that Collingwood continue to grow as a complete community.
The appeal deadline was March 29th, 2022 and it’s unlikely they will be withdrawn/disposed of by April 26th.
In the meantime, the Town says the water supply is safe and available for current residents, industry, commercial uses, and visitors.
There is enough water for several years of growth, but not enough to continue at the recent pace of development until the water treatment plant is expanded in 2025/2026.
As soon as they became aware of this difficult situation, the Town reports Council took a proactive and transparent approach to seek further capacity and responsibly manage that which remains, so Collingwood grows as a complete community and in line with its Community-Based Strategic Vision.
Copies of the three appeals noted above are available for viewing as public documents at: https://engage.collingwood.ca/interim-control-by-law-icbl.
Next Steps
- For those developments and individuals who have been granted exemptions from the ICBL, your application can continue through the Planning process and building permits may be issued. Please contact the Planning, Building & Economic Development Department should you have any questions.
- For those developments and individuals who have not been granted exemptions from the ICBL, your planning application will continue to be processed and reviewed, however planning decisions from Council will not be made unless a future exemption is granted or until the completion of ICBL or the completion of the Planning Study. Please contact the Planning, Building & Economic Development Department should you have any questions.
- Some minor construction, such as renovations and additions that do not change the use of a building can continue. Please contact the Planning, Building & Economic Development Department should you have any questions.