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Chronology of known events related to HPD's and Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing OMB appeals to Urban Boundry Expansion.
November 16, 2005 HPD receives a copy of a letter dated November 16, 2005 from Alan Wells, the provincially appointed mediator, to Lee Ann Coveyduck, General Manager of Planning and Development for the City of Hamilton. In this letter Mr. Wells makes reference to a November 8 meeting with City of Hamilton staff and states in regards to G.R.I.D.S. "Without pre-judging the outcomes of this work, I believe that once these studies have been completed, and endorsed by Council as expected in the New Year, the City will have met the initial requirements of the Provincial Policy Statement to undertake a comprehensive review prior to proceeding with an expansion of its approved urban boundary.". Mr. Wells goes on further in the letter and states that essentially based upon the discussions which occurred during this meeting that "Accordingly, I have requested that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing seek a postponement of the Ontario Municipal Board pre-hearing, which is currently scheduled for January 23, 2006.". HPD was not aware of or party to this meeting.December 9, 2005 HPD receives formal notification from the Ontario Municipal Board, DATED November 7, 2005 of the Pre-Hearing Conference to be held at 10:30 a.m. on January 23, 2006.December 13, 2005 HPD receives e-mail from Mr. Wells informing us of a meeting that occurred on December 9, 2005 involving senior staff from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Ministry of PIR along with the Commissioner of Planning and senior staff from Hamilton. During this meeting an agreement was reached amongst those parties attending to request a postponement of the OMB pre-hearing until approximately May 1, 2006. This postponement was to "give the City time to complete their GRIDS Plan and related studies.". HPD was not aware of or party to this meeting.December 14, 2005 HPD receives, via fax copy, a letter dated December 14, 2005 from Nancy Smith, Senior Solicitor for the City of Hamilton to the Ontario Municipal Board requesting an adjournment of the pre-hearing. In this letter she states regarding G.R.I.D.S. that "Identifying and meeting the City's employment land needs is a part of the GRIDS analysis." and further goes on to state "The City's GRIDS process is near completion - April 1, 2006.".December 16, 2005 HPD receives, via fax copy, a letter dated December 15, 2005 from Mary MacNeill, Council for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to Robert Clackett of the Ontario Municipal Board. In this letter Ms. MacNeill was advising Mr. Clackett that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing "consents to an adjournment of the January 23, 2006 pre-hearing".January 11, 2006 HPD receives, via fax copy from our legal council, Eric Gillespie, a letter dated the same day from Nancy Smith of the City. This letter confirmed the conversation between Mr. Gillespie and Ms. Smith which occurred on January 4, 2006. This letter essentially again deals with the desire of the City to postpone the pre-hearing either through agreement or to formally "argue the adjournment request by way of conference call.".January 23, 2006 The scheduled pre-hearing goes forth despite the Federal Election taking place on the same day. HPD attempted to obtain a 1 week reschedule of the pre-hearing to allow other supporters, members and interested parties who were involved in election activities to attend but this request was denied. During this pre-hearing conference council for HPD expressed our concern that the city's GRIDS process would not address all the concerns of our appeal and as such a postponement was not warranted. However, we were prepared to accept a postponement if a new fixed date could be established with a provision that HPD could force an earlier date if concerns over the GRIDS process were not addressed. In the end, a new date was agreed upon by ALL parties of Friday June 16 at 10:00 a.m for a full pre-hearing. This date is predicated on allowing for 60 days review by the Ministry of the documentation presented by the City for the approved GRIDS process. Anyone who would like "Participant Status" is permitted to attend the pre-hearing and give submission.The GRIDS process is expected to be completed and approved sometime in May which may necessitate a change to the pre-hearing date. Further information will be posted when available. |
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