General Suburban Updates and Rumours

[bravado]

This is pretty small-fries stuff, but I'm happy to report that the OLT continues to add to the insane losing streak of the City of Cambridge + locals with too much time and money:

https://www.cambridgetoday.ca/local-news...al-9096983

City's refusal of Middle Street land severance overruled at Ontario Land Tribunal

Another development proposal refused at the city level has been approved at the Ontario Land Tribunal, this time allowing four existing lots to be divided into six to accommodate at least six single-family units between Middle Street and Melrose Street in Preston.

The developer appealed to the OLT last fall after the city's committee of adjustment refused a minor variance application for the severance.

The City of Cambridge then opted not to participate in the appeal, leaving a neighbour on her own to air concerns on behalf of the neighbourhood.

Those concerns included a "significant increase" in traffic, parking issues on the narrow street and architecture out of character with the surrounding homes, many of which are mid-19th century.

But they were "given no weight" in light of the applicant's argument that the "gentle density" proposal meets the general intent of the city and region's official plans, the purpose of city zoning bylaws and what the OLT adjudicator determined is an appropriate use of land.

The province's plan to stop third party appeals can't come sooner... These NIMBYs should spend their unearned home equity on retirement planning, not pointless appeals at the OLT.