HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 20, 2008
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Minutes I Meeting Summary
Seaton Advisory Committee
Thursday, March 20, 2008
10:30 am
Pickering City Hall, Main Committee Room
Attendees: Rick Johnson, Regional Councillor, Chair
Bonnie Littley, Regional Councillor, Vice-Chair
Mayor Ryan
Doug Dickerson, City Councillor
Bill McLean, Regional Councillor
Neil Carroll, Director, Planning & Development
Tom Melymuk, Director, Office of Sustainability
Catherine Rose, Manager, Policy, Planning & Development
Steve Gaunt, Senior Planner, Planning & Development
Robert Starr, Supervisor, Development Control, Planning & Development
Grant McGregor, Principal Planner, Policy, Planning & Development
Dorothy Skinner, Region of Durham
Kathy McKay, Executive Director, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
Donna McFarlane, UOIT, Durham College
Rodger Miller, Mattamy Development Corporation
Chris Matson, Matson, McConnell Ltd.
Bruce Fischer, Metrus Development
Tom Albani, Metrus Development
Lloyd Cherniak, Lebovic Enterprises
Jim McCafferty, Durham Catholic District School Board
Steve Heuchert, TRCA
Peter Rodrigues, Whitevale Resident
Gordon Willson, Whitevale Resident
Andy McKinnon, GTA Resident
Cat Beattie, Whitevale Resident
Jim Robb, Friends of the Rouge Watershed
Renee Michaud, City of Pickering (Recording Secretary)
Absent: Tom Quinn, Chief Administrative Officer
Graham Martin, aRC
Ash Kothyial, aRC
Reg Webster, Sernas Associate
Joan Wideman, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
John Connolly, Transport Canada
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Councillor Rick Johnson
Chair
1.
Welcome
2.
Neil Carroll
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difficult to achieve at initial build out. The developers do not disagree
with the total, just the timing of the actual achievement of the
numbers.
The Province, Region and City have indicated that the 70,000
population target is expected at initial build out.
The developers met the week of March 10th to discuss what they
heard further; however, they have no decision to express at this time.
Councillor Johnson distributed a copy of the letter from Roger
Anderson to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding
the Regional development charges for the Seaton lands.
The City's Terms of Reference for the Neighbourhood Program
identify Seaton to be planned for 70,000 people and 35,000 jobs.
Tom Melymuk mentioned that the developers had requested the City
not proceed with the Neighbourhood Planning study until the
population and employment issue is resolved.
Bruce Fischer suggested that we continue with the neighbourhood
planning program at this time. Bruce suggested that we should be
planning by built form, not by numbers. Planning by numbers is not
the preferred way to build.
Councillor Dickerson agreed with Bruce Fischer.
Councillor Littley said that the 70,000 is a good goal, and that we
should still consider this, and has a good urban form. Seaton should
support some high density buildings as well.
Neil said that the best way to find out what the urban form should be
is to proceed with the neighborhood plan at this time.
Councillor McLean asked if the model for Seaton is based on what
was developed in Richmond Hill.
Lloyd mentioned that if we are going to offer retail then we can't do
the high density buildings.
Mayor Ryan agreed that we can't define the numbers until we have a
plan in place. Reference to other neighbourhoods is a good point,
but many of these are being redesigned as a result of growth and
community changes.
The Mayor stated that in his view, the projected population number is
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a long term goal and that the one number he is not willing to change
is the employment number of 35,000 jobs; if anything that number
should be increased.
Tom Albani stated that it may be worthwhile to hold further
discussions and suggested a one-day workshop with City staff,
developers and consultants to look at design forms and develop a
neighbourhood plan.
Lloyd mentioned that part of the reason the Regional Chair sent the
letter to the Province about development charges was to encourage
discussion and obtain a commitment from the province for funding.
Neil stated that he is concerned that one of the objectives in
conducting this process is the same as what the Neighbourhood
Planning process would accomplish. He noted matters to be looked
at in the neighbourhood planning are very complex. It is important to
look at all elements of the neighbourhood planning process to know
what the results will be. The neighbourhood planning process
should be completed before we proceed with this proposed
workshop. He noted that the Province is very firm about the numbers
identified in the Central Pickering Development Plan.
Rodger Miller commented that they will be making more detailed
comments on the Neighbourhood Planning Program Terms of
Reference. Stakeholders at the table seem to have taken positions
on what the numbers should be. We need to understand what the
urban form would be for Seaton at 70,000 population. The one-day
workshop might be of some assistance to the people around the table
before we embark on the Neighbourhood Planning and spend a lot of
money.
3.
Stephen Heuchert mentioned that there is report he is aware of from
the US on visualizing densities, which shows various forms of
development at a range of densities. This might be usefull when
developing neighbourhood plans. He will send the weblink to P&D
staff.
Neighbourhood Planning Program
- Draft Terms of Reference (Update)
Catherine mentioned that comments have been received from the
Province, the Region and some internal feedback.
The timeline for going to Council with the Terms of Reference will be
delayed to early June because of the developers concerns with the
population and employment figures contained in the document. Tom
Melymuk mentioned that we have to ensure that the funding will
come from the landowners group.
Councillor Dickerson suggested that it may be worthwhile to get an
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Stephen Heuchert to
send the website link to
P&D staff.
Catherine Rose
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idea of how many neighbourhoods and then how many people per
neighbourhood and what the density may be.
There was a comment that since the employment land acreage is
less than anticipated when the CPDP was produced, the employment
figures should be changed to reflect this. It was also suggested that
greater use in the open space would provide more opportunities to
achieve the population.
Lloyd stated that workshops/charettes are useful exercises, but
maybe it would be worth it to show people what the actual designs
are by visiting similar sites.
Councillor Johnson stated that Members of Council would definitely
be interested.
It was agreed that Tom Melymuk would arrange a meeting to discuss
details related to the workshop/charette with the developers,
consultants and staff.
MESP Update
Reg Webster was unable to attend the meeting.
Grant advised that there have been no recent meetings.
Dorothy Skinner advised that some background technical work was to
be released in March, but they have not received anything yet.
Grant confirmed that a meeting to discuss the technical work was to
be scheduled as well, but no date has been set at this time.
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Tom Melymuk to setup
one-day workshop.
Reg Webster
Grant to follow up with
Reg for more details and
obtain materials.
. Stephen Heuchert advised there is a meeting with Sernas, TRCA and
City staff on April 8th to discuss stormwater ponds.
5. Update on Other Studies All
Natural Heritage Study - Steve Gaunt gave an update on the
upcoming consultation meetings at which the preliminary draft
management strategies and proposed trail plan would be presented.
The stakeholders' meeting scheduled for today (March 20) was
cancelled because of the Easter weekend, and they have been
invited to attend the April 2nd public meeting. The First Nations
consultation is scheduled for April 1.
Steve stated Steering Committee members have a working draft of
the report, but that the Draft Final Report will not be released until mid
April, following the consultation sessions. Steve advised that the
report is being written to act as a "guideline" where there is an
interface with the developable areas, rather than be prescriptive.
In response to a question about what trails were being constructed,
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Catherine stated that at the earlier public meeting, the Province had
committed to build the main trail connections, but there was no
specific commitment to funding all the trails.
6.
Financial Impact Study for City of Pickering - Tom Melymuk
provided an update. IBI, who is conducting the study for the
developers, met with City staff in late February, 2008, to discuss how
best to recommence this study.
Other Business
Catherine Rose advised that she has considered the recent request
from Gord Willson to include the boundary of the Whitevale Heritage
District on the Seaton website, and that there will be a revision made
to the website. This information, along with another report on
heritage landscapes that is referenced in the CPDP, as well as the
Whitevale Heritage District Guidelines (which are being put on the
City's website by the City Clerk) will be added in the near future.
A comment was made about having a heritage tree planting program.
Councillor Johnson mentioned that Heritage Pickering also has a
similar request with regards to preserving trees and urban forests.
Steve Heuchert asked about the status of the Morrison Water
Balance that the Province is undertaking. No one from the Province
was present to answer.
Jim Robb of the Friends of the Rouge Watershed mentioned that they
would like to get involved in this committee as they are concerned
about the watershed and stormwater management. These are major
challenges and the province should be involved in protecting the
ground water resources.
A comment was made that the trail system should be in place before
development. There were also concerns about the fact that there
would be 70 stormwater ponds and that this is a concern with respect
to the potential airport as the ponds are waterfowl breeding grounds.
(See submission for Friends of the Rouge Watershed)
Councillor Dickerson suggested that Jim Robb contact TRCA and the
Natural Heritage System working group for further details.
Stephen advised that there are 2 different types of wetlands and
suggested that Jim contact him to review the studies completed to
date.
Councillor Littley asked whether anyone was involved with the
Oakville Moraine plan as it is quite similar to what we are doing.
Gord Willson advised that he believes the urban form workshop idea
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All
Catherine to arrange
changes to website.
Catherine to contact
MMAH about the status
of the Water Balance
Study.
NOTE: On April 2,
2008, Catherine Rose
advised that the study
was completed on March
31, 2008.
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very good idea. He noted it would be useful to have the developers
with their consultants who have completed the studies. This will also
provide an opportunity to test the population and employment
numbers. He noted it will be difficult to choose a neighbourhood
because of the challenges in the Whitevale area, but suggested we
may want to consider where Sideline 26 intersects with the Fifth
Concession, to address integrating heritage and cultural aspects with
the urban form workshop.
Gord also noted that in considering built form, sustainability should
also be considered in the proposed workshop, energy, heating
sources, geothermal, etc. \
Gord further advised that at a recent meeting of the Residents
Association, a concern was expressed about the pace of
development that is anticipated in Seaton, and the anticipated
impacts of the traffic through Whitevale. Gord stated that the Go
Station for Seaton and the Whitevale Road - 14th Concession By-
pass should be constructed to prevent the traffic impacts.
With respect to the Natural Heritage Study, he noted the draft trail
plan appears to locate a trail on his property.
Meeting Adjourned: 11 :40 am
Copy: Members of Council
Directors
Division Heads
City Solicitor
City Clerk
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