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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 7, 2026 Planning and Development Committee Meeting Minutes Electronic Meeting April 07, 2026 - 07:00 PM Chair: Councillor Pickles Present: Mayor K. Ashe Councillor M. Brenner Councillor S. Butt Councillor L. Cook Councillor D. Pickles Regrets: Councillor M. Nagy Councillor L. Robinson Also Present: M. Carpino - Chief Administrative Officer K. Bentley - Director, City Development & CBO P. Bigioni - Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor S. Boyd - Fire Chief S. Oza - Interim CEO/Director of Public Libraries S. Cassel - City Clerk C. Rose - Chief Planner A. Dunne - Principal Planner, Development Review N. Surti - Division Head, Development Review & Urban Design L. Crawford - Planner ll R. Perera - Deputy Clerk Call to Order/Roll Call The City Clerk certified that all Members of the Committee were present and participating electronically, save and except for Councillor Nagy and Councillor Robinson. 1. 1 Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. Delegations Moved by Councillor Brenner Seconded by Councillor Cook That the rules of procedure be suspended to allow an additional delegation who registered after the deadline. Carried on a Two-Thirds Vote Cheyenne Zierler, Shared Tower Inc. Re: Report PLN 06-26 Proposed Telecommunication Tower Shared Tower Inc. 1400 Church Street Installation #75 C. Zierler, Shared Tower Inc., appeared before Members of the Committee via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 06-26. Through the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, C. Zierler explained that Shared Tower Inc. designed and built telecommunication infrastructure that could be shared by multiple wireless carriers, with the objective of reducing the overall number of towers required while improving network coverage and capacity. C. Zierler advised that wireless infrastructure supported everyday uses such as calls, texting, and streaming, and critical services including emergency response, medical alert systems, GPS, and virtual learning. C. Zierler stated that increased device usage and continued development in the area had created capacity and coverage gaps that could not be addressed through existing infrastructure. C. Zierler described the proposal as a 25- metre monopole tower, selected following discussions with service providers and a review of network requirements, site conditions, and opportunities for future co- location. C. Zierler noted that existing towers in the area were located approximately 1.5 to 2 kilometres away and could not accommodate additional equipment due to elevation and compound space constraints. C. Zierler advised that visual renderings had been prepared from surrounding streets and that the design and neutral colouring were intended to minimize visual impact and blend with existing utility infrastructure. C. Zierler further stated that the City’s telecommunication protocol had been followed, including public notification within a 150-metre radius, and that comments received regarding need, location, environmental matters, and Safety 2. 3. 3.1 Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes April 07, 2026 2 Code 6 had been addressed. C. Zierler stated that they were working to ensure that federal requirements were met and were working with the City to receive a letter of concurrence. A question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee and C. Zierler regarding: whether the subject area for the proposed telecommunication tower would be described as generally an industrial or industrial-commercial area; • whether the proposed tower would be shared with multiple wireless service providers or operate independently for a single carrier; • whether there was existing telecommunication infrastructure in the surrounding area currently providing service to nearby residents; and, • whether co-location between the proposed tower and the existing tower would be feasible if the proposed tower were greater in height or of a different design. • Matt West, Fieldgate Commercial, Andrew Muscat, Fieldgate Commercial and Constance Ratelle, Korsiak Urban Planning Re: Report PLN 05-26 Official Plan Amendment Application OPA 25-001P Zoning By-law Amendment Application A 06/25 Seaton Commercial Developments Ltd. South of Taunton Road, between Burkholder Drive and Peter Matthews Drive M. West, Fieldgate Commercial, A. Muscat, Fieldgate Commercial and C. Ratelle, Korsiak Urban Planning, appeared before Members of the Committee on behalf of Fieldgate Commercial to speak to Report PLN 05-26. The delegates described the proposal as a local community shopping centre located at the corner of Taunton Road and Brock Road in the Seaton community, comprising approximately 120,000 square feet of commercial floor area. They stated that the primary tenants would include a grocery store and a pharmacy, with additional commercial units intended to serve the surrounding community. The delegates advised that the Seaton area was currently underserved from a retail perspective and that the proposed shopping centre was intended to meet the day-to-day needs of local residents as the community continued to grow. They stated that the development represented a typical community-scale retail plaza designed to support existing and future residents in the area. A question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee and M. 3.2 Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes April 07, 2026 3 West, A. Muscat, and C. Ratelle regarding: whether the entrances to the proposed commercial buildings had been modified and where the building entrances would be located; • whether any building entrances were proposed to face Taunton Road or Burkholder Drive, or whether all entrances would face internally toward the parking area; • whether the lack of building entrances along Taunton Road and Burkholder Drive was due to traffic conditions and grade changes on the site; • when construction of the proposed commercial development was anticipated to commence; • when the proposed shopping centre was expected to be completed and opened to the public; • whether the identity of the proposed grocery store tenant was public at this time; • whether there were two right-in/right-out vehicular access points on Taunton Road and whether additional truck and customer access was proposed from Burkholder Drive; and, • how vehicular access to the site would function.• Rob MacFarlane, Senior Associate, Zelinka Priamo Ltd. and Gabe Ciconni, Director of Development & Construction, Cogir Commercial Management LP Re: Report PLN 07-26 Official Plan Amendment OPA 22-002P Zoning By-law Amendment A 05/22 Pickering Ridge Lands Inc. 1755 Pickering Parkway R. MacFarlane, Senior Associate, Zelinka Priamo Ltd. and G. Ciconni, Director of Development & Construction, Cogir Commercial Management LP, appeared before Members of the Committee to speak to Report PLN 07-26. Through the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, the delegates described the subject lands as an evolving commercial node, currently developed with multiple commercial uses and surrounded by a mix of commercial, residential, and industrial lands. They stated that the proposal included a site-specific Official Plan amendment and Zoning By- law amendment to permit a comprehensive mixed-use redevelopment over several phases and many years. The delegates advised that the proposal contemplated building heights ranging from approximately 12 to 36 storeys and would include residential, office, and retail uses, including requirements for retail replacement and 3.3 Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes April 07, 2026 4 office space. They stated that the development would introduce a centrally located public park comprising approximately 15 percent of the site area, to be conveyed to and operated by the City. The delegates explained that the first phase would include a podium-based development with residential towers and a minimum amount of non-residential retail space. The delegates further noted that the proposal had been coordinated with City staff and school boards and incorporated appropriate parking and active transportation considerations. A question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee and R. MacFarlane and G. Ciconni regarding: whether the delegates could provide a general timeline for the proposed development, including phase one and the anticipated duration of the full build-out, and whether the project represented a long-term vision of approximately 20 years or more; • whether the phasing strategy was designed to build upon itself in a manner that would avoid stalled development and ensure each phase functioned independently as the community evolved; • whether the affordable housing commitment identified in the proposal was a mandated requirement or a voluntary commitment by the developer; • whether the identified affordable housing units would be distributed throughout all phases of the development or concentrated within a single phase or building; • whether the proposed residential units would include rental tenure, ownership tenure, or a mix of both over the course of the development; • how existing commercial tenants currently operating on the site would be accommodated during redevelopment; • what phase public parkland would be introduced within the development and whether any parkland would be delivered prior to full build-out of the site; • whether smaller publicly accessible open spaces would be provided in early phases in advance of the larger central public park; • what Privately Owned Publicly Accessible Park Spaces (POPs) were and how they would function in comparison to City-owned parkland; • what types of community facilities were contemplated by the zoning permissions and whether these facilities were related to POPs or represented separate community uses; • whether lands had been identified or reserved for potential future school facilities and how school accommodation would be addressed given the long- term phasing of the development; • whether the developer had engaged or intended to engage partners or • Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes April 07, 2026 5 organizations to deliver affordable housing and how affordability might be achieved over time; what the developer’s position was with respect to development charges and whether any discussions had occurred regarding potential development charge abatements related to affordable housing; and, • whether provisions for a dog park or similar amenity had been considered as part of the parkland strategy for the development. • Diluxhan Parim, Pickering Resident Re: Report PLN 05-26 Official Plan Amendment Application OPA 25-001P Zoning By-law Amendment Application A 06/25 Seaton Commercial Developments Ltd. South of Taunton Road, between Burkholder Drive and Peter Matthews Drive D. Parim, Pickering Resident, appeared before Members of the Committee to speak to Report PLN 05-26. D. Parim expressed general support for the development and noted that the community was in need of additional retail services, however, concerns were raised regarding traffic safety and access to the site. D. Parim advised that the Burkholder Drive area already experienced traffic congestion and a history of collisions and expressed concern that proposed southbound left- turn movements into the plaza could negatively affect traffic flow, particularly during peak periods. D. Parim raised concerns regarding drive-through uses and potential queuing impacts near site entrances and further concern regarding truck access along Burkholder Drive, particularly near the gas line corridor, and noted that large vehicles turning into the site could obstruct traffic between Dragonfly Avenue and Belcourt Street. D. Parim also noted that the draft plans did not identify the location of a flagpole and inquired whether the installation of a Canadian flag was being considered. D. Parim concluded by requesting careful consideration of traffic and safety impacts. Andre De Freitas, Pickering Resident Re: Report PLN 05-26 Official Plan Amendment Application OPA 25-001P Zoning By-law Amendment Application A 06/25 Seaton Commercial Developments Ltd. South of Taunton Road, between Burkholder Drive and Peter Matthews Drive A. De Freitas, Pickering Resident, appeared before Members of the Committee to speak to Report PLN 05-26. A. De Freitas expressed appreciation for the 3.4 3.5 Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes April 07, 2026 6 development and acknowledged that the plaza would serve not only Seaton residents but also the broader surrounding community. A. De Freitas raised concerns regarding increased traffic volumes, existing congestion, and historical collision issues in the area, particularly along Burkholder Drive. A. De Freitas stated that the introduction of truck traffic and left-turn movements into the plaza could exacerbate safety concerns, especially given the proximity of schools and ongoing population growth. A. De Freitas questioned whether there were plans to widen Burkholder Drive or to consider alternative access arrangements, such as right-turn- only access into the plaza, in order to reduce traffic conflicts. A. De Freitas expressed concern regarding uncertainty around future development of adjacent lands and how cumulative impacts would be addressed. A. De Freitas emphasized support for the project while urging careful consideration of traffic safety and long- term planning impacts. Planning and Development Reports Director, City Development & CBO, Report PLN 05-26 Official Plan Amendment Application OPA 25-001P Zoning By-law Amendment Application A 06/25 Seaton Commercial Developments Ltd. South of Taunton Road, between Burkholder Drive and Peter Matthews Drive A question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee and staff regarding: what tenants were proposed to occupy the commercial building and whether tenant announcements would be made at a later stage; • whether the proposed commercial plaza would include access points from adjacent residential neighbourhoods, in addition to the proposed right-in/right- out access from Taunton Road; • whether access from Burkholder Drive and Marathon Drive would provide convenient ingress and egress for neighbouring residents; • whether having multiple access points would assist in dispersing traffic and reduce pressure on any single roadway; • whether traffic concerns and turning-movement issues raised by recent delegations would be reviewed further with the developer and City engineering staff, including potential mitigation measures; • whether there were plans to widen Burkholder Drive in the future in response to traffic concerns raised by residents; and, • 4. 4.1 Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes April 07, 2026 7 whether traffic studies had been completed for the proposed commercial plaza and whether traffic impacts would be monitored on an ongoing basis as the community continued to grow. • Recommendation: Moved by Councillor Butt Seconded by Councillor Cook That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA 25-001P, submitted by Seaton Commercial Developments Ltd., to remove the “Pedestrian Predominant Street” designation on Schedule VIII - Neighbourhood 16: Lamoreaux, for the lands located on the south side of Taunton Road between Burkholder Drive and Peter Matthews Drive, be approved, and that the draft By-law to adopt Amendment 55 to the Pickering Official Plan as set out in Attachment 1 to Report PLN 05-26, be finalized and forwarded to Council for adoption; and, 1. That Zoning By-law Amendment Application A 06/25, submitted by Seaton Commercial Developments Ltd., to remove the Seaton Community Node Pedestrian Predominant Area (SCNPP-1) zone category, to apply the SCN-4 Zone to the easterly parcel and to apply the SCN-1 Zone to the westerly parcel with site-specific zoning exceptions to permit a seasonal garden centre associated with a grocery store and remove the requirement for maximum front and side yard setbacks and requirements for primary building entrances and wall openings to face a public street, in order to facilitate the development of a retail-commercial plaza at the southeast corner of Taunton Road and Burkholder Drive, be approved, and that the draft Zoning By-law Amendment, as set out in Attachment 2 to Report PLN 05-26, be finalized and forwarded to Council for enactment. 2. Carried Director, City Development & CBO, Report PLN 06-26 Proposed Telecommunication Tower Shared Tower Inc. 1400 Church Street Installation #75 Recommendation: 4.2 Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes April 07, 2026 8 Moved by Councillor Cook Seconded by Councillor Brenner That Shared Tower Inc. be advised that City Council does not object to the proposed 25-metre-high telecommunication tower located at 1400 Church Street, based on the design and location of the proposal. Carried Director, City Development & CBO, Report PLN 07-26 Official Plan Amendment OPA 22-002P Zoning By-law Amendment A 05/22 Pickering Ridge Lands Inc. 1755 Pickering Parkway A brief discussion ensued regarding acknowledgment of the questions raised about the different phases of the development, tenant relocation, the importance of affordability, how the proposal represented a significant long-term development opportunity for an underutilized area of the City, and anticipation of further review at a future Council meeting. Recommendation: Moved by Councillor Butt Seconded by Councillor Cook That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA 22-002P, submitted by Pickering Ridge Lands Inc., to amend the Pickering Official Plan by adding site-specific policies for the lands located at the northeast corner of Brock Road and Highway 401, municipally known as 1755 Pickering Parkway: to permit a maximum building height of 36 storeys; by adding policies respecting a future urban-format school site; and by amending Schedule XIV, Sheet 4 of 4 - Brock Precinct Intensification Area of Official Plan Amendment 38 to incorporate a revised road network and public park, and to add a signalized intersection, as they relate to the subject lands to facilitate a phased, high- density, mixed-use development, be approved: and that the draft By-law to adopt Amendment 56 to the Pickering Official Plan, as detailed in Attachment 1 to Report PLN 07-26, be forwarded to Council for enactment; and, 1. That Zoning By-law Amendment Application A 05/22, submitted by Pickering Ridge Lands Inc., to permit a phased high-density, mixed-use development, located at the northeast corner of Brock Road and Pickering Parkway, 2. 4.3 Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes April 07, 2026 9 municipally known as 1755 Pickering Parkway, consisting of 13 towers with building heights ranging between 12 storeys to 36 storeys, containing approximately 5,109 apartment dwelling units; and a minimum of 17,370 square metres of commercial, retail and office space, be approved, subject to the proposed zoning provisions contained within Attachment 2 to Report PLN 07-26; and that staff be authorized to finalize and forward an implementing Zoning By-law to Council for enactment. Carried Member Updates on Committees There were no updates from Members on Committees. Adjournment Moved by Councillor Cook Seconded by Councillor Butt That the meeting be adjourned. Carried The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. Dated this 7th day of April, 2026. 5. 6. Planning & Development Committee Meeting Minutes April 07, 2026 10