Town Wins Creekbank Appeal at OMB Hearing

News release provided by the Town of Oakville:

Oakville, May 7, 2009
The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) upheld the Town of Oakville’s position in an employment lands conversion case that ended last week.

The decision released Wednesday, dismissed an application by Creekbank Properties (Oakville) Ltd. to build three high-rise residential buildings and a four to five storey building on the former Park Plaza/Ramada Inn site near Oakville Place, west of the North Service Road and south of Oakville Place Drive.

“This is a significant win for Oakville. Retaining valuable employment land for the Town is vital to the economic growth of Oakville,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “The OMB decision enforces Council’s goal to seek opportunities for business development as we move towards a sustainable knowledge-based economy.”

The Provincial Policy Statement and the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe requires the protection of employment areas. The Town was successful in confirming that this is an employment area. For that reason, the OMB concluded that allowing Creekbank to build a residential development would require the lands to be converted to non-employment, which is not consistent with provincial policy.

The Town has just released its draft Economic Development Strategy which focuses on three goals: to attract knowledge-based industries in the professional services, advanced manufacturing and life sciences sectors; to respond to the needs of the business community in order to foster business retention and expansion; and to explore international business opportunities.

“By preserving these lands, the Town will be able to create a vibrant employment community that reflects the vision of both the Town and our residents,” said Jane Clohecy, Planning and Development Commissioner.

In addition, one of the six major studies supporting the Town’s forthcoming Livable Oakville official plan was a comprehensive employment land review. This review enables the Town to establish policies for protecting employment lands in order to meet the Town’s future business needs.

The Town of Oakville has a total employment land supply of almost 2,000 net hectares. Approximately 1,500 net hectares is located in south Oakville along the QEW and is nearing full capacity. The remainder, just over 500 net hectares, is planned for north Oakville.