With the developments (no pun intended) of the last few days, it seems the whole big Greenbelt heist is starting to become unraveled. Today’s announcement that the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark, has decided to step down from his position came somewhat as a surprise after his initial refusals, although the writing was clearly on the wall. He will remain on as an MPP.
Continue readingCategory: Greenbelt (Page 2 of 3)
After yesterday’s “surprise” resignation of Ryan Amato, Chief of Staff for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark, over the Ford government’s Greenbelt “swap”, we almost posted on the expected turn of events but instinct said “wait” for the next shoe to drop.
Continue readingThe agenda for this Monday’s Committee of the Whole/Council meeting has a letter dated December 19, 2022 from MPP Oosterhoff. In the letter he trumpets the sunshine that Bill 23 and changes to the Greenbelt will mean to Ontarians and Niagara… and says he will not show up at Council, despite the invitation.
Continue readingTuesday morning’s Question Period at Queen’s Park had an interesting exchange between Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch and Ontario’s Associate Minister of Housing, Michael Parsa. Burch makes some great points about the Greenbelt, existing land for development and included a glimpse into the “coincidences” of Greenbelt-owning land developers also being generous with donations to the PC party.
Continue readingWe are back and picking up where we left-off in August on the proposed agricultural “re-designation” of the Greenbelt waterfront property at 502 Winston Road. While there was intent to follow-up with another post shortly after the “open-house” meeting in September, we listened to an inside voice that said just wait.
Apparently this was a wise move, as “Dozer” Doug Ford’s government is now attempting to intervene in what should be a municipal/regional application process with its plan to pave over large sections of the existing Greenbelt to have “More Homes Built Faster”. The waterfront Greenbelt lands at 502 Winston Road are part of that controversial proposal.
Continue readingOur next post was meant to highlight the environmental aspects of Bill 23 “More Homes Built Faster Act“, but it appears Doug Ford and his Progressive “Conservatives” managed to one-up themselves today by proposing to remove or re-designate 7,400 acres from the Greenbelt. Among the proposed areas up for grabs in Grimsby is the 502 Winston Road lakefront property and a large block near Main Street West.
Continue readingIf you didn’t catch the Public Notice in the local papers, you might have missed a notice from the Region regarding a Regional Official Plan Amendment (ROPA) application for the lands known as 502 Winston Road. The purpose of the application is to “refine the agricultural significance of the property from Unique Agricultural Area to Rural designation”. The lands are currently “Specialty Crop – Tender Fruit & Grape Lands” under the Greenbelt plan. But why re-designate you ask?
Continue readingIf you regularly drive along the west-end of Winston Road rather than walking it, you might just be missing out on one of Grimsby’s hidden natural gems. The award-winning Grimsby Wetlands, also known as the “Biggar Lagoons” is a great place for bird-watchers or those looking to get away from the hustle-and-bustle of daily life.
Continue readingThe Region will be presenting as a delegation at tonight’s Council meeting on the proposed Livingston Avenue Extension, as part of the Regional Official Plan Amendment 13 (ROPA 13).
Continue readingWell, thanks to a tip from a reader we now know that the Region will be hosting their Public Information Centre #2 for the Livingston Avenue Extension EA on Tuesday May 28th. It should be interesting to see what plans they have for the Irish Grove Woodlot.
Continue reading