Prince Edward County Council has reversed course on a pair of lot severances that they had previously denied, voting to reconsider and then to approve the severances.
During Tuesday’s council meeting, councillors heard a brief deputation from Mark Peterson on behalf of the landowners, regarding the previous denial.
The denied severances were appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, where the appeal is still in progress. The original motion included four proposed severances, two of which were approved and two denied, for the property on County Road 2 in Ameliasburgh.
During his deputation, Peterson said that the property owners are prepared to withdraw their appeal if the severances are approved. He also brought up concerns that one severance was flagged for potential unsafe drinking water, with confusion as to why the others were not.
After the deputation, Councillor Kate MacNaughton moved to revisit the previous council decision.
“I believe from a fairness perspective that had they been able to go forward when the submission was first made, under our old official plan, they would have had a fair chance of moving forward and being approved,” said Councillor MacNaughton. “I believe that a reconsideration is in order.”
After a brief debate, councillors voted to approve the two formerly denied severances, along with the two that had been previously approved.
