Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Town of Collingwood is hosting public consultations with residents and developers interested in providing feedback on servicing capacity allocation solutions.
On April 26, town council passed an Interim Control By-law (ICBL) to address the challenge of future water capacity allocation by advancing a Land Use Planning Policy Study. The goal is to implement the recommendations of the study in advance of the expiration of the one-year ICBL study period.
During the regular meeting of Council held July 19, 2021, 36 Interim Control By-law (ICBL) exemptions were granted to allow construction of 316 Single Dwelling Equivalent Units, using some of the remaining water capacity in Collingwood.
The next step is consultation sessions with the general public and development community to provide the opportunity for feedback on servicing capacity allocation solutions. Based on a best practices review, we will share tools the municipality can utilize to provide a fair and predictable process for servicing capacity allocation that clarifies how a finite resource can be managed in the best way for our community. A preliminary Water and Wastewater Allocation Policy along with zoning and official plan changes will be presented for comment and feedback.
Collingwood has a significant water capacity issue, while facing significant development growth. An Environmental Assessment has been completed for the expansion of the Water Treatment Plant, however the build will not be completed until 2025. By implementing the ICBL, this pause in development will enable us to determine the best ways to continue to build and support the best community possible in line with our Official Plan and Strategic Plan.
Collingwood’s ICBL generally restricts development that does not already have a building permit, however, work that does not use more water such as most residential renovations can continue. There are exemptions for construction, alteration and expansion projects such as decks, patios, fences, porches, accessory buildings or structures, temporary buildings or structures, and interior or exterior renovations to an existing building.
Two virtual presentations are scheduled and will be conducted on Zoom on Nov. 23 at the following times:
Session 1 – Development Community from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Session 2 – General Public from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Meridian Planning Consultants will present the preliminary servicing capacity allocation policy framework followed by a professionally facilitated question-and-answer period.
Zoom details for the public sessions and a link to Staff Report P2021-35 with a best practices review and the recommended tools for a Servicing Capacity Allocation Framework will be available for review at Engage.collingwood.ca.
Written comments will be accepted until Dec. 3, 2021.