On Monday April  26, 2021 two reports from staff were presented to Council

First: Ms. Peggy Salma, Director of Public Works and Environmental Services

Coles notes: It describes capacity issues at the water treatment plant and sets out several mitigation measures.

6 Options for increasing capacity we outlined.  The report recommended 3 preferred solution(s) for Council to consider.

Passing an Interim Control Bylaw was not one of the 3 preferred options.

Second: Mr. Adam Farr, Director of Planning, Building and Economic Development presented his report which referenced the water plant capacity issue. It outlined current land use planning policies including the Town Official Plan,  ZBL plus the regulatory framework including the  Growth Plan  and the  Planning Act do not anticipate this scenario.   It then listed 3 issues that may emerge.

  1. Appeals to LPAT
  2. Town could lose the ability to manage how development unfolds.
  3. Lack of consistent and predictable expectations for the amount and pace of development.

The report included a recitation of planning policy. It recommended that Council pass an Interim Control Bylaw (ICBL) and set out terms of reference for a consultant to be retained to study the issues and make recommendations to Council.

Council passed the Interim Control Bylaw which will be in place for up to 1 year.  Council has the option to extend for a second year.

The impact: Except for lands set out on Schedule A to the ICBL (which include Town lands/projects) no new building permits will be issued while the ICBL  is in place unless an exception is made by Council to add a project or lot(s) to Schedule A.