SORE is very pleased to note that the Town has received the prestigious Prince of Wales Prize for 2020 from the National Trust for Canada.
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Rand Estate latest moves by Benny Marotta
In a series of developments over the last few days, the Marotta group has (1) Withdrawn their appeals to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) of the Town’s “non-decision” on their hotel/convention centre application; (2) Withdrawn their appeals to the Conservation Review Board (CRB) of the previous Council’s notices of intention to designate 144 and 176 John Street East under the Ontario Heritage Act in August of 2018; and (3) Put a for sale sign on 144/176 John Street.
SORE and Town File Materials with Court of Appeal
The lawyers for both SORE and the Town recently filed their responding factums with the Court of Appeal in the Marotta group’s ongoing effort to overturn the previous Council’s decision to initiate the heritage designation process of the Rand Estate in August of 2018.
Update re Marotta Group legal proceedings
The Conservation Review Board (CRB) has now set hearing dates in December 2020 on the Marotta group request for a review by that tribunal of the Town’s decision in August of 2018 to initiate the designation of the Rand Estate under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Superior Court issues cost award in Marotta heritage designation challenge
Superior Court has recently issued a cost award to both the Town and SORE for the Marotta group’s recent unsuccessful challenge of the Town’s August 2018 Notices of Intent to Designate the Rand Estate under the Heritage Act.
Reminder re March 19 email
The Conservation Review Board has determined that SORE’s post of March 19, 2020 concerning the Rand Estate violated the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Conservation Review Board by publishing information and materials that was confidential.
Marotta group produces new hotel picture
The Marotta group has hired an architect to produce a new picture of their proposed hotel/convention centre. Much was made of this rendering in a recent letter to the editor by Mr. Marotta’s lawyer. At this point, however, all we and the Town have are pictures. No detail.
Victory!!!
The court application by the Marotta companies to overturn your elected Council’s decision to proceed with designation of the Rand Estate under the Ontario Heritage Act has been completely rejected. In a decision by the Ontario Superior Court, Madame Justice Walters found against the Marotta group on every ground and dismissed their application with costs payable to both the Town and to SORE.
SORE provides update on Conservation Review Board hearing and on prosecution
As reported on in our last update, the Conservation Review Board (CRB) held a prehearing conference on Monday, December 2. The CRB heard submissions from the Town and SORE that the uncertainty about the Marotta group’s challenges to the Town’s designation of the Rand Estate under the Heritage Act has dragged on long enough and […]
Marotta withdraws LPAT appeal
In a not entirely surprising move, Benny Marotta’s lawyer advised the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal late yesterday that he was withdrawing the Marotta group’s zoning appeal to LPAT. LPAT has cancelled the July 29 scheduled hearing, at which the Town and SORE were poised to ask the Tribunal to set the appeal down for a […]
Marotta Companies charged under Heritage Act!
SORE has learned that the Town has recently laid four charges against two of Benny Marotta’s companies under the Ontario Heritage Act. These are quasi-criminal charges under our legal system and can result in substantial fines for corporations and jail time for individuals upon conviction.
SORE secures LPAT party status
SORE was granted party status by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) on May 9 for Benny Marotta’s appeal to that Tribunal.
SORE granted party status by Superior Court
SORE has been granted full party status to intervene in the court challenge brought by Benny Marotta’s companies of your elected Council’s decision to designate the Rand Estate under the Heritage Act.
SORE: Building Support to Save the Rand Estate
Save Our Rand Estate – also known as “SORE” – was created to support responsible development, specifically of the Rand Estate. We welcome projects that respect the unique historical and cultural heritage of NOTL. At the same time, we are prepared to stand up against developers who show little regard for our cultural heritage and the Town Official Plan.
Designated!!!
After a several month initiative, SORE and the residents of NOTL were successful Monday night in having Council agree to having all four properties at the Rand Estate designated under the Ontario Heritage Act to recognize their unique and important cultural heritage value to NOTL and to the entire country.