Region loses Motion to Consolidate ROPA 128 with Seaton

Oshawa's diminishing rural landscape may have gotten a bit of a reprieve! Yesterday's OMB decision was about the much delayed plan for Seaton (for 70,000 people and 30,000 jobs...almost the size of Peterborough) The OMB approved Seaton advancing more rapidly and rejected Durham Region's Motion to Consolidate Seaton with Region Official Plan Amendment (ROPA) 128. This could slow the ROPA 128 land grab in Oshawa since the Region is likely now going to have a somewhat harder time justifying its over zealous land budgeting numbers!

For some time now the Columbus community coalition has been working to raise awareness about ROPA 128 and it's detrimental impact on Oshawa's countryside and the Hamlet of Columbus. With endorsement from an overwhelming majority of Hamlet of Columbus households Rosemary McConkey recently filed an appeal of ROPA 128 to the OMB. Unlike all the other 35 appellants who are pushing to have their land holdings redesignated for development, the Hamlet of Columbus resident's appeal is advocating in the public interest for better land stewardship to preserve more greenspaces, as well as protect the Hamlet of Columbus for the future!