OMB hearing in November to deal with Lefroy
by Bill Rea

The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing, looking into matters involving land matters in Lefroy, is slated to begin Nov. 21 at the Nottawasaga Inn.

Parties held a pre-hearing session Thursday, at which the date and location were set, although the possibility that could change was not ruled out.

The hearing will deal with development applications from the Lefroy Settlement Area Management Inc. (LSAMI) and Lefroy Belle Ewart Management Inc. (LBEMI).

The hearing is currently slated to start at 10:30 a.m.

There is not yet a final list of issues to be addressed at the hearing.

Quinto Annibale, representing the Town of Innisfil, told Hearing Chairman J.P. Atcheson and Hearing Officer G.C. O'Connor they had hoped to have such a list compiled in time for Thursday's session. There have been a series of what he called "like-discipline" meetings to seek common ground and areas of agreement over the last month. He said there's been some progress, although meetings are still scheduled to deal with such issues as transportation, servicing and environmental matters. He added they hope to have the list ready and distributed by Sept. 15, observing all the parties have agreed to that.

Atcheson also commented that the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board has asked for party status at the hearing, and he said he was willing to grant it, on the understanding it will have until Sept. 15 to withdraw the

request.

The board also heard from Siegfried Wall, who owns a 50-acre property at Lots 19 and 20, Concession 5 in Innisfil, who was concerned about possible impacts on his land from the applications. Atcheson couldn't enlighten him, but suggested he talk to Town planners. He added he would be permitted to make a statement at the hearing if he wished, but didn't make a ruling on whether Wall would be granted party status.

Jane Pepino, lawyer for LSAMI, put forth the suggestion, which was accepted by Atcheson, that her client's issues be heard first, followed by LBEMI.

There had also been concerns previously expressed about the availability of some lawyers in the third scheduled week of the hearing. Pepino said they could keep discussions open and might be able to shuffle schedules around to address the concerns. Atcheson added that if they can resolve enough issues,

the third week of the hearing might not be needed.