In a previous post (read it here) we at the BR posited that an Interim  Control Bylaw (ICB) should be put in place to control the development of 202 Second St because of its impact on the Municipal parking situation. Now in the light of three planning applications, each one containing density levels never seen before in Cobourg an ICB is essential.  We now believe that the scope of the ICB should be expanded to include the whole Town.

The reasons are simple. The Provincial Policy Statement of 2024 has upended Municipal Planning and Cobourg’s Official Plan is way out of date (adopted in 2013). Coupled with the onslaught of rezoning applications that will change the character of ‘sleepy old Cobourg’ public debate is absolutely mandatory. The only way to slow down the applications is with an ICB that will allow for time to amend the Official Plan and make subsequent changes to the newly adopted Zoning Bylaw. 

This may be a drastic move but extraordinary situations demand drastic moves. The Implementation of an ICB would halt the study of the applications and thereby stop the clock – the 120 day window for Staff to examine applications before it can go to the OLT regardless of Staff studies. 

The Citizens of Cobourg may not understand the processes but they sure as shooting understand the pace of <sarcasm> progress</sarcasm> and want a say in how these development moves moves may change the landscape of Cobourg.