Last month’s article described how the Thomasfield urban subdivision and golf course proposal for Corwhin had been withdrawn from our Planning Advisory Committee and taken directly to the Ontario Municipal Board for approval. The Board assigns a member to act as judge at a hearing and the decision of the judge is essentially final.

Prior to the official OMB hearing a Prehearing Conference is often called. This is an information meeting where parties take part in [a] clarifying questions and issues to be decided at the hearing; [b] identifying parties and how they will participate; [c] discussing how cases will be presented at the hearing; and [d] identifying the intended witnesses. A date is also set for the hearing to start.

The date for the Thomasfield Development Prehearing Conference has been set for March 27th, 11:00 [in council chambers or recreation centre depending on numbers]. If you want to present your views on this proposal at the official OMB hearing, you must attend this conference. Or, you must register your desire to speak by giving written permission to a person who is present to request permission from the Board for you to participate.

The are two categories of participants at an OMB hearing - designated parties, and individuals who are allowed to present their views on the case. The likely designated parties are Puslinch Council, Wellington County [it’s their Official Plan that includes Puslinch] and Thomasfield Homes [requesting a zoning by-law amendment and approval of plan of subdivision for 215-226 units, and the golf course plan]. All Puslinchers wanting to present their views on the proposal are in the second category providing they are registered. People who have written a letter to Council about the proposal are considered registered. All others must register at the prehearing conference March 27th.

An unincorporated neighbourhood association cannot appeal in the name of the association. This means the informal association formed at the October, 1999 meeting of concerned citizens will not likely be a designated party. And a group, such as that one, has to give written permission to a person giving evidence on its behalf.

Hearing may be recorded [audio, video, film] providing the presiding member [judge] has given permission first [the judge is not named until the hearing starts].

If you think you may want to present your views on this landmark case for Puslinch make sure you are registered by March 27th. For further information call Louis Bitonti, the Corwhin Proposal case manager, or visit the web site www.omb.gov.on.ca.