What happens if MZO for Cambridge warehouse is still under review after construction season ends?
Broccolini Real Estate Group sought the zoning order to expedite development of the one-million-sqaure-foot warehouse on Old Mill Road. It hoped to get shovels in the ground this summer and occupancy by 2022. A spokesperson for Broccolini said it will cross that bridge if they come to it. City of Cambridge said it cannot speculate on next steps for the property because it is not city-owned. Cambridge council requested a Ministers Zoning Order on behalf of Broccolini in April to rezone a portion of open space to allow the construction of this controversial warehouse. Nearly three months later, the zoning order application is still under review by the province. Area residents opposed to the development have hired a lawyer, planning consultant and have rallied at the edge of Blair village for weeks. They want Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark to reject the MZO request before him, and send the developer back to the drawing board. They say the project is a drastic change from what was previously approved for those lands in 2015, and are upset they were not properly consulted by the city before council endorsed the project. Residents also say the city is not listening to their concerns. At a regional council meeting last week, Coun. Michael Harris asked if regional staff had any involvement in the MZO application in Blair. Ive been getting significant correspondance from folks out in Blair area and south Kitchener, Harris said during last Wednesdays meeting. Rod Regier, commissioner of planning, development and legislative services, said the region has minimal involvement in the process because most of the land had already been zoned for industrial uses and it is a local planning matter.  I know this is a very engaged group of citizens who continue to engage not only Cambridge council residents, regional residents, Cambridge Mayor Kathryn McGarry told regional council last week. I would also note that there is a lot of misinformation coming from this group of residents, and they continue to engage our local press and a number of different things. There is a lot of incorrect information in what theyre sending.  McGarry was unavailable for an interview about last weeks remarks, but in a statement to The Record she said: The City of Cambridge has not requested nor applied for a Ministers Zoning Order. Cambridge City Council endorsed the developer, Broccolinis, application for a Ministers Zoning Order on April 6, 2021. As this is under provincial jurisdiction, there were no further requirements from the City at that time.  A letter sent to McGarry in late April from Ministers Clark office clearly states that the city requested the MZO. We have been clear that every single MZO issued on non-provincially owned land is at the request of the local municipality, Clark said in the letter. Clark also said he expects municipalities to consult with area residents before an MZO is sent to him. The city has long argued that it did consult with the public when it presented the MZO request for councils consideration. The MZO request was then endorsed by council and sent off to the province. Area residents say they were not properly notified of the MZO request before the council meeting, and only found out about Broccolinis proposal after the fact. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...  McGarry said a site plan application, traffic impact study and heritage impact study will be required if the MZO is approved, and residents can comment on those studies when they are presented to council. Waterloo Regions first and so far the only issued MZO, was for a redevelopment of the Cambridge Smart Centres at Pinebush and Hespeler roads. Minister Clark issued that zoning order just weeks after it was requested by council last fall. Blair residents continue to host community meetings and plan to rally at the Blair Road and Fountain Street roundabout on Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.