Council defers debate on school variance

There might be a solution in the works between The Country Day School and some of its neighbours.

King's Adjustment Committee recently approved a variance for the construction of an air-supported structure over a playing field on the campus, which is slated to be in place for three years. Neighbours have announced their plans to appeal that decision to the Ontario Municipal Board, and Councillor Jane Underhill had put forth a motion of support for that appeal.

That matter was to be debated last Monday night, but she agreed to hold off in light of a letter that been issued by school Headmaster Paul Duckett. In it, he stated they have been working with residents and Township planners "to reach a mutually satisfactory settlement," adding it's possible that they could put the structure elsewhere on the site.

Underhill agreed to delay the debate until the next council meeting this coming Monday, although she called on staff to come back with a report to show this proposal conforms with regulations governing the Oak Ridges Moraine.

Planning Director Stephen Kitchen said this development will require site plan approval, and he suggested conformity questions can be addressed at that time.