Township of Wellesley Reaches Settlement with Developer to Avoid Costly Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing
CROSSHILL, ON – August 22, 2024 – The Township of Wellesley and a local developer have come to an agreement on zoning regulations and site plan rules for a property in the Village of Wellesley to avoid a costly Ontario Land Tribunal hearing.
The settlement agreement, which was presented to and approved by the Tribunal today, includes the following rules for the development of 1060 Queen’s Bush Road:
- Zoning for the property will be changed from Urban Residential (UR) to Urban Residential Two (UR2);
- The developer will be permitted to build a maximum of 10 stacked townhouse units;
- While Provincial rules do not require developments of 10 units or less to receive site plan approval, the two parties have agreed to a site plan review and approval process. This process will ensure that important infrastructure is included in site development and meets Township standards. This includes, but is not limited to, stormwater management, a sidewalk along Queen’s Bush Road in front of the property, board-on-board fencing along neighbouring properties for privacy, and lighting.
The agreement comes after considerable review by Council of the proposed development, public comments received, and deliberation with Township legal counsel and staff.
The agreement allows for some increased density on the property, which is encouraged by Provincial, Regional and Township planning policies, but not as much as originally envisioned by the developer. By reaching this settlement, Council believes the Township has been better served and received a more favourable outcome than if a full hearing had proceeded.
The developer originally approached Township staff in 2022 with a few different ideas for the property, including a concept for a 15-unit building. The developer eventually applied for a change to the zoning in March 2023 that would permit 12 stacked townhouse units.
Township Council did not support the zone change application as presented and chose to pass a different Zoning By-law for the site after hearing concerns from residents. The Council By-law as originally passed would have permitted up to eight units on the property. The developer subsequently appealed Council’s decision to the Tribunal and the three-day hearing on the appeal was expected to begin in October 2024. Township staff estimate that the avoided cost of the hearing would have been in the range of tens of thousands of dollars.
“Council did not make this decision on a settlement agreement lightly – we spent many hours discussing and deliberating with Township legal counsel and staff. While both parties did not get everything they originally wanted, I think this settlement provides a win for both parties and that more housing across the street from the school and within walking distance of downtown Wellesley is a benefit to the Township,” said Mayor Joe Nowak.
The proposed stacked townhouse building is expected to include one or two-bedroom units. Currently, over 90% of the housing stock in the Township of Wellesley consists of single detached dwellings. In order to support residents with different needs, Township staff believe that more affordable and attainable housing types are needed.
“Staff is confident that the proposed development will assist in providing a type of housing that is needed in the community that is a more affordable option than single family dwellings,” said Township CAO Rik Louwagie.
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Rik Louwagie
Chief Administrative Officer
519-699-3950
rlouwagie@wellesley.ca
wellesley.ca
Tim Van Hinte
Director of Planning
tvanhinte@wellesley.ca
519-699-3952
wellesley.ca
Joe Nowak
Mayor
jonowak@regionofwaterloo.ca
wellesley.ca
Township of Wellesley Reaches Settlement with Developer to Avoid Costly Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing 
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