Land Use Concerns At Burl’s Creek Clarified Oro-Medonte tells OMB

Final decision on allowed uses still in distance

No archaeological concerns regarding disputed land at Burl’s Creek; no agricultural concerns, either – based on independent reports. As a result, Oro-Medonte Township this week told an Ontario Municipal Board hearing it is now in a position where it could support a Temporary Use By-Law application for those lands (the township had maintained it was premature to make a decision on the application until these matters, related to land that has been used for parking and camping, were clarified). This does not mean approval of the application is a foregone conclusion. The OMB has yet to rule on the use of the land, which is zoned agricultural – a decision which could take a couple of months. It will have no impact on the Special Events Permit process for the 92 acres of zoned lands where concerts and other activities have been allowed to take place. Burl’s Creek asked for this OMB hearing when it felt the Township was taking too long to consider the application regarding the other 434 acres it owns. Whatever the OMB decides is binding. Oro-Medonte Mayor Harry Hughes says an appeal would be difficult for anyone involved to launch since it would involve an application to the provincial cabinet. It’s been done, he says, but it’s very rare. He also says the hearing, which is expected to wrap up today, could require another day or two, allowing for cross-examination of the archaeological and agricultural reports which have just become available.