Next Steps for North Gwillimbury Forest – The Forest still needs you!

Jan. 10, 2020

NGFA outlines next steps to save the Forest

Yesterday, the North Gwillimbury Forest Alliance’s (NGFA) lawyer, Leo Longo, sent a letter to Mayor Quirk and Council outlining the next steps that must be taken to protect the forests and wetlands on the Maple Lakes Estates (MLE) property as a result of the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) decision issued just before Christmas.

According to Mr. Longo’s letter:

1. The LPAT has amended the Town’s Official Plan by designating at least 92% of the MLE lands as an “Environmental Protection Area”.
2. The only matter that was before the LPAT was the Town’s Official Plan. The Town’s Zoning By-law was not before the Tribunal for its consideration or revision. Therefore,  Council must rezone the lands that have been designated “Environmental Protection Area” to an appropriate site-specific Open Space Zone that prevents any development on MLE’s wetlands and woodlands and their buffer areas.
3. As the passing of this zoning is required by the Planning Act and is an exercise of Council’s legislative powers, there can be no credible suggestion that any claim for damages or compensation arises or results from such rezoning.

To read Mr. Longo’s letter please click here.

On Wednesday, January 15th, the Town’s Director of Development Services, Harold Lenters, will provide Georgina Town Council with his verbal report on the LPAT decision.  The Council meeting will commence at 9 a.m.  You will be able to watch Mr. Lenters’ report online by clicking here: https://www.georgina.ca/municipal-government/council-meetings/livearchived-meeting-broadcasts

Jack Gibbons
Chair, North Gwillimbury Forest Alliance

416-260-2080 ext. 2
info@savengforest.org

www.SaveNGForest.org