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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 19, 2026 Statutory Public Meeting under the Planning Act Minutes Electronic Meeting January 19, 2026 - 07:00 PM Chair: Councillor Brenner Present: Councillor Brenner C. Rose – Chief Planner N. Surti – Division Head, Development Review & Urban Design I. Lima - Principal Planner, Development Review R. Perera - Deputy Clerk Call to Order Councillor Brenner, Chair, called the meeting to order and gave an overview of the requirements for a Statutory Public Meeting under the Planning Act. Councillor Brenner outlined the order of matters under the Statutory Public Meeting section, as well as the notification process procedures and noted that if a specified person or public body as defined by the Planning Act, or the owner of land to which the Proposed Official Plan Amendment or Zoning By-law Amendment would apply, does not make oral or written submissions to the City before the By-law is passed, that person, public body, or owner of land would not be entitled to appeal the decision of City Council to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). Information Reports Delegations will be heard for each Information Report and will be called upon by the Chair in the order in which they have registered to speak. Information Report 01-26 Draft Plan of Subdivision SP-2023-04 Zoning By-law Amendment A 13/23 Draft Plan of Condominium CP-2023-05 869547 Ontario Inc. 3225 Fifth Concession Road 1. 2. 2.1 1 I. Lima, Principal Planner, Development Review, appeared via electronic connection, and through the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, provided some preliminary information related to the Draft Plan of Subdivision SP-2023-04, Zoning By-law Amendment A 13/23, and Draft Plan of Condominium CP-2023-05. I. Lima summarized the property location and description, including site background, the submitted conceptual site plan, permitted uses, current and proposed zoning, and comments from area residents. I. Lima provided that next steps would include City staff preparing a recommendation report for the consideration of the Planning and Development Committee. Maurizio Rogato, Principal, Blackthorn Development M. Rogato, Principal, Blackthorn Development, appeared via electronic connection and stated that they were available for questions from delegates. There were no delegations. Information Report 02-26 Zoning By-law Amendment A 05/25 1095 Kingston Road Ltd. 1095 Kingston Road I. Lima, Principal Planner, Development Review, appeared via electronic connection, and through the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, provided some preliminary information related to Zoning By-law Amendment Application A 05/25. I. Lima summarized the property location and description, including site background, the submitted conceptual site plan, permitted uses, current and proposed zoning, and comments from area residents. I. Lima provided that next steps would include City staff preparing a recommendation report for the consideration of the Planning and Development Committee. Nik Papaetrou, Resident Inc., Ornella Richichi, Resident Inc., Sadaf Rabbani, BDP Quadrangle, Mallory Nievas, The Biglieri Group, Federico Palacios, The Biglieri Group, Steven Kwan, BA Group, Monica Miranda, BA Group 2.1.1 2.2 2.2.1 Statutory Public Meeting under the Planning Act Minutes January 19, 2026 2 N. Papaetrou, Resident Inc., O. Richichi, Resident Inc., S. Rabbani, BDP Quadrangle, M. Nievas, The Biglieri Group, F. Palacios, The Biglieri Group, S. Kwan, BA Group, and M. Miranda, BA Group appeared via electronic connection to speak to Zoning By-law Amendment A 05/25. The delegates advised that this was their second opportunity to engage with the community, following a public open house held in the fall. They confirmed that a project website containing all submitted technical reports and studies was available to the public and would continue to be updated. The applicant outlined the development proposal, consisting of four residential towers of 35 storeys, arranged in two blocks connected by podiums ranging from four to eight storeys, with a central courtyard and a publicly accessible open space connection to Kingston Road. They stated that the design also included a gateway Pedestrian Plaza at Kingston and Dixie Roads, along with integrated multi-use path connections on the south and west sides of the property. The applicant stated they were reviewing City staff comments and had not yet filed a resubmission, noting they wished to first hear feedback from the statutory public meeting. They emphasized their commitment to continued collaboration with City staff, the community, and external review agencies as the application progresses. Kathleen Johnston, Pickering Resident K. Johnston, Pickering Resident, appeared via electronic connection to speak to Zoning By-law Amendment A 05/25. K. Johnston expressed concern regarding the overall density, building heights, and parking, noting these issues had also been identified in the staff report, and emphasized the need to consider how large scale intensification projects would impact the character of the community. K. Johnston raised concerns about the future of existing businesses currently operating on the site and questioned how these businesses would be supported in relocating within Pickering to maintain their presence in the community. K. Johnston noted that Pickering had a shortage of retail and restaurant options and stressed the importance of ensuring that redevelopment contributed positively to community vibrancy. K. Johnston also stated concerns about traffic impacts, such as the City's limited north and south connections across Highway 401 and the increasing traffic volumes resulting from other developments. K. Johnston referenced their experience living in Markham during a period of rapid growth and expressed a desire to see Pickering evolve in a manner that avoided becoming overwhelming for residents. K. Johnston emphasized the need for responsible, well-planned development 2.2.2 Statutory Public Meeting under the Planning Act Minutes January 19, 2026 3 that considered timing, scale, transportation capacity, and community- building objectives. A question and answer period ensued between the Chair, K. Johnston, and the applicant, regarding: the proposed density and Floor Space Index (FSI), and how the development conformed with OPA 38, including clarification that the site was within a designated gateway area planned for higher density; • clarification regarding retail and employment uses, with the applicant advising that the subject property was intended for residential- focused development; • existing businesses on the site being aware of ongoing redevelopment planning and may remain until redevelopment proceeded, with assistance offered for relocation where possible; • concerns regarding traffic impacts, particularly the constraints created by limited north and south routes crossing Highway 401 and increased volumes resulting from other developments; • clarification that the traffic study included the adjacent development application and other approved or active developments in the corridor; • clarification of planned transportation network improvements, including the extension of Walnut Lane to Liverpool Road, widening of Liverpool Road, and the Kingston Road Bus Rapid Transit project, intended to support corridor intensification; • shared road connections, including whether the proposed development accounted for the potential shared use of Dixie Road with the Tribute Homes development; • the cumulative impact of multiple large-scale developments on Pickering neighbourhoods, including the south side of Highway 401, and the desire to ensure development occurred in a manner that did not overwhelm existing communities; • citywide traffic flow challenges on arterial roads such as Bayly Street, particularly during detours or incidents along Highway 401; and, • the need for growth that maintains community character, emphasizes the importance of balancing intensification with livability and ensuring that future developments contributed positively to the broader community. • Statutory Public Meeting under the Planning Act Minutes January 19, 2026 4 A further question and answer period ensued between the Chair, staff, and the applicant regarding: whether staff had received any comments or feedback regarding snow storage for the site, with staff noting that snow storage and removal provisions were typically addressed at the site plan approval stage; • the proximity of the development to the rail line and the required buffer, with staff advising that the rail company was engaged in the review and would assess noise, vibration, and safety requirements; • whether any comments had been received from Durham Regional Police Services, given previous concerns expressed regarding intensification and community crime prevention, and the need to also obtain input from the Community Safety and Well Being team and Fire Services as part of the review process; • confirmation from staff that all relevant external partners would be engaged during the application review; • the anticipated timing for when a future recommendation report may be brought forward to the Planning & Development Committee, with staff advising that timing was uncertain due to the early stage of the review, ongoing circulation, and the need to compile a detailed list of public and technical comments for the applicant to address; • assurance that residents who provided comments, including the delegate, would be notified when the application returned to the Planning & Development Committee; and, • whether the applicant would allow staff the opportunity to work collaboratively on the application rather than proceeding directly to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). • Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Dated this 19th day of January, 2026]. 3. 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