Glen Abbey Golf Course owner, ClubLink, is once again on the offensive claiming no other heritage properties in Oakville have received the same restrictive treatment they have been subjected to.

ClubLink lawyer Mark Flowers appeared before Oakville’s planning and development council on Tuesday, Aug. 7 and called out the town on its use various measures including a zoning bylaw amendment, official plan amendment and conservation plan passed Jan. 30.

The measures were all aimed at restricting what can be built on the world-renowned golf course.

There has been considerable interest in the future of the Glen Abbey Golf Course property ever since ClubLink announced plans to build 3,222 residential units at the site, including nine apartment buildings between nine and 12 storeys.

“The CHL bylaw has been in place for six months. To the best of our knowledge town council has not required the preparation of a conservation plan for any property in the Town of Oakville other than the Glen Abbey property."



Mark Flowers, lawyer representing ClubLink.

Under the protection measures passed Jan. 30, no such structures could be developed at Glen Abbey.

The matter has been appealed to the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto.

During the Aug. 7 meeting, Flowers argued the Cultural Heritage Landscape Conservation Plan (CHL) Bylaw, which was passed by council Jan. 30 and then used to put these protective measures in place at Glen Abbey, is not implemented or enforced by the town against any other property in Oakville.

“The town’s failure to do so confirms ClubLink’s position that this bylaw is discriminatory and that although the CHL bylaw is disguised as a townwide bylaw, it is in reality a bylaw targeted solely at ClubLink and the Glen Abbey property,” said Flowers.

He argued the CHL bylaw is intended to apply to all properties within the town’s four Heritage Conservation Districts and noted that under this bylaw council requires the preparation of a conservation plan no later than three months after a structure has become a protected heritage property.

“The CHL bylaw has been in place for six months. To the best of our knowledge, town council has not required the preparation of a conservation plan for any property in the Town of Oakville other than the Glen Abbey property,” said Flowers.