Item - 2026.PH27.12

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council direct the City Solicitor, and appropriate City Staff, to attend the Ontario Land Tribunal in opposition to the current application regarding the Official Plan Amendment for the lands at 1543 -1551 The Queensway and 66 and 76 Fordhouse Boulevard and to continue discussions with the Applicant in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor and other appropriate City Staff to take any necessary steps to implement City Council's decision, including requesting any conditions of approval that would be in the City's interest, in the event the Ontario Land Tribunal allows the appeal, in whole or in part. 

On January 8, 2025, an application was submitted to amend the Official Plan to redesignate 1543 – 1551 The Queensway and 66 and 76 Fordhouse Boulevard (the “Site”) from General Employment Areas to Mixed Use Areas.

On June 3, 2025, the applicant appealed the Official Plan Amendment application to the Ontario Land Tribunal ("OLT") due to Council not making a decision within the timeframe as prescribed by the Planning Act. The OLT held a Case Management Conference (CMC) on September 11, 2025. A second CMC is scheduled for February 25, 2026.

This report recommends that the City Solicitor and appropriate City staff attend the OLT hearing to oppose the Official Plan Amendment application in its current form and to continue discussions with the applicant in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues.