Aviation Commerce Centre plan approved
Clearview council has approved a draft plan of subdivision for the Clearview Aviation Commerce Centre.
A special meeting was called Oct. 17 to consider the plan and a number of conditions for phase one of the development.
“We are comfortable moving forward to phase one so the developer can begin marketing,” said Clearview Township director of community services Mara Burton.
Council approved an Official Plan amendment last summer, changing the designation on four properties adjacent to the Collingwood Regional Airport, located in Clearview Township, from agricultural to a special policy employment area serving the existing airport use. The lands are within a special policy area designated Agricultural Exception – Airport Related Employment Lands Special Policy Area. Even with the amendment, a rezoning is still required. Permitted uses are limited to industrial and commercial uses that are directly supportive and related to the adjacent Collingwood Regional Airport business and operations including, for example aircraft sales and service, manufacturing, maintenance, shipping, storage, research establishments, commercial flight schools, including associated short-term accommodation, business offices and small-scale accessory uses.
“The original Draft Plan of Subdivision application proposed to encompass three additional parcels to the south, but these lands will now represent phases two and three of the project, and are not subject to the this request for approval,” reported Burton. “Phase one of the development is proposed to be communally serviced if municipal servicing cannot be extended to the area in a timely manner.”
Councillor Thom Paterson raised concerns once more about what constitutes an airport related use, expressing concern that the aviation business park would compete with the Stayner industrial park.
The draft plan approval came one week after a provincial Environment and Land Tribunal sided with those appealing a permit issued for eight wind turbines near the Collingwood Regional Airport on the basis that they threaten the health of pilots and bats.
A public meeting for the draft plan and rezoning was held at town hall in Stayner in February.
Early last year, business park president Remo Niceforo said if everything plays out as planned, the $80 million project would result in more than $1.2 million in tax revenue for Clearview and 400 jobs. In December, the forecasted build out for the development was estimated at over $300 million with up to 1,700 direct and indirect jobs created.
